ALABAMA BALLERINA RAQUEL MARTIN FEATURED IN ROME

Seventeen year old Raquel Martin just returned from performing as a featured “Young American Ballet Soloist” with the Rome Festival in Italy this summer. Ms.
Martin received a professional fellowship which
gave her the opportunity to study, rehearse and
perform roles in die Zauberflote, Pieces by Chopin and Vienna Waltzes with the Rome Symphony. She is currently attending Southern Methodist University in
Dallas, Texas as a dance major on sholarship. Ms.
Martin will participate in the USA National Youth Ballet Competition under the direction of Stevan Grebel in October in Boca Raton, Florida.

LEA KOHL ENJOYS
NEW YORK CAREER

Lea Kohl of Guntersville, Alabama is pursuing a career in theatre and is making her way with one success at a time. Now a resident of New York City, she has become quite accomplished as a dancer, actress, and singer.
Lea began dancing in her Mom’s dance studio, Jane Kohl School of Dance, when she was three years old. After years of studying, she attended Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School at the University of Buffalo in New York and became a member of Dance Masters of America. In addition to teaching and choreographing at her home studio, her theatre credits at the Whole Backstage Community Theatre in Guntersville during those years include Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, Annie, The Wizard of Oz,
Amahl and the Night Visitors, and West Side Story.
 

While an honor-role student at Guntersville High School, she choreographed senior plays, spring shows, and is a past captain of the GHS Danceline. In May of 2002, Lea graduated from Western Kentucky University in Bowling
Green with a B.F.A. in Performing Arts with a dance emphasis. During her years there, she was a featured dancer in numerous dance concerts, and performed
in dramatic roles as well as the lead role of Roxie in their production of the musical, Chicago. Summer stock theatre credits include actress/dancer at the Papermill Theatre in New Hampshire, performing in A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, West Side Story, and She Loves Me, and at the Granbury Opera House near Dallas, Texas, performing in Meet Me in St.Louis, Damn Yankees, and as Ziegfeld’s Favorite in The Will Rogers Follies.
She appeared as a featured dancer in the new musical Romancin’ the One I Love at Cumberland County Playhouse in Tennessee in 2002, and was contracted
to play the leading role of Peggy in the July 2003 production of 42nd Street at the Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, Virginia. Lea was also featured in the world premiere of Josh Walden’s All is Full of Love at the Lyceum Theater in Brooklyn, New York. She recently completed a nine month run performing in the Broadway touring company of 42nd Street in the ensemble
and as understudy for the principal role of Peggy Sawyer. The tour took her to major cities across America and played for three weeks in Vancouver.
Now back in New York, Lea is preparing for another upcoming performance.

NATASHA RUSSO DANCE ARTS EXPANDS CLASSES

Natasha Russo Dance Arts is pleased to announce an expansion of classes in the Vestavia area. Natasha is teaching at the Vestavia Civic Center on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The classes include Creative Movement, Rhythmic Gymnastic  , Pilates, and Russian and Ethnic Dance. The Trussvillestudio located at the Trussville Community Center expanded their class schedule this year to include Middle Eastern Dance as well as Creative Movement, Ballet and Pilates.
Upcoming events for 2004-2005 include a performance
at the Southern Women’s Show and on Dean and Company, community events in Trussville and Vestavia, and a very special workshop with Edward Smirnov on March 3, 2005 which will be open to all area dancers. The Spring performance for 2004-2005 will be The Snow Queen with original choreography by Natasha.

In addition to the performances of Natasha Russo Dance Arts, Natasha performs with her Russian Beauties Dance Group. This is a beautiful group of professional dancers who perform authentic Russian and Ukrainian dances. In addition, this group performs Gypsy, Greek and Mexican dances. Any professional dancer interested in performing with the Russian Beauties Dance Group should contact Natasha at 205.823.3232. Auditions for this group are ongoing.

Both studios of Natasha Russo Dance Arts are available to book birthday parties. These parties are a lot of fun and include costumes, games, face painting and, of course, dancing. For more information on the studios, parties, performances or any other questions, please call Natasha at 205.823.3232.

SENTIR

"Tofell", both physically and emotionally...

Sentir Flamenco was founded in 1999 by members Paco and Laura Garrigues.  Together they share a deep admiration for the art of Flamenco--music, dance, deep song- as well as the visual arts and other related art forms.  Sentir Flamenco's programs reflect the rich artistic heritage born in Southern Spain.  "Feeling Flamenco" is to live with flamenco and for flameno.

The Hispanci population is the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States and although diverse, ultimately holds common roots linked to Spain.  The celebration of this artistic tradition is made possible by an ongoing worldwide interest in multiculturalism and will continue to enrich the lives of all.

Paco Garrigues, Flamenco guitarist and singer, learned from gypsy friends in Southern Spain and has performed during the last fifteen years with several US flamenco groups to satisfy a lifetime devotion to this form of expression.  Laura Garrigues, is an accomplished dancer and a former touring artist member of the Jose Breco Spanish Dance Company.  She started dancing at a young age and has since widened her experiences by performing with many artists throughout the US, Japan, and Spain.  She currently teachers flamenco dance in the Birmingham area.

For more than a year, Sentir Flamenco has been performing throughout the Birmingham and Atlanta areas, providing l3ectures and demonstrations at local universities and schools as well as entertaining audiences in theaters, restaurants an cultural events.  Its goal is to broaden public awareness for this exciting and passionate form of art by presenting live programs to diverse communities.

To contact Sentir Flamenco for bookings or to learn more about dance classes, call 205.655.4019 or email lgarrigues@msn.com

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