RISE SHOWCASE
April 12, 2026
THANK
SPRING 2026 WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS
BALLET
Jackie Nash Gill
Andrea Faria
Kim Marsh
Mares Sanchez
Gonzalo Espinoza
Dion Leonhard DiDonna
DANCE ELECTIVES
Anneke Belman
Charlotte Corporon
Alexis Yard
Elaine Hoxie
Tare Jean Vallee
Mares Sanchez
RISE TEACHING ARTISTS
Andrea Faria
Anneke Belman
Brittany Lebida
Dion DiDonna
Gina Hatch
Robert Kelley
Shawn Lowe
Welcome to the 2026 RISE Spring Showcase
Relevé Inspiring Student Excellence (RISE) elevates students’ experiences within the world of professional dance. Through partnerships with Central Florida middle and high schools featuring Performing Arts and Magnet Dance programs, RISE creates meaningful opportunities for aspiring dancers to grow, train, and prepare for arts-related careers.
Tonight’s talented young performers have dedicated countless hours of hard work and passion to reach this moment.
Over the course of the semester, students completed 30 hours of intensive training led by industry professionals, focusing on technique, choreography, and professional readiness. They also had the opportunity to observe Orlando Ballet’s professional company in rehearsal at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre (HOBC).
We are thrilled to once again welcome members of the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble, who will be performing live this evening. The single and double reed, jazz, and salsa ensembles accompany our dancers in one of our favorite collaborations with one of Central Florida’s premier youth arts organizations.
Special thanks to Orlando Ballet faculty and guest instructors Tara Jeane Vallee, Alexis Yard, and Charlotte Corporon, who led some of this afternoon’s workshops and inspired our students through their artistry and mentorship.
SHANE BLAND Head of Community Enrichment
RISE SHOWCASE
DR. PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL
THIS IS IT
CHOREOGRAPHY
Gina Hatch
MUSIC
This Is It - Michael Jackson
SYNOPSIS
This high-octane jazz production features three dynamic groups, each bringing their own burst of energy and style. With thrilling partnering, powerful lifts, and electrifying choreography, the dancers deliver a bold and unforgettable performance.
DANCERS
Level 2
Cameran Bailey • Kimani Cooper • Makayla Frazier
Valentina Grijalva Cruz • Nyah Hall • Nova Kondo
Arianna Lesperance • Azariah Lewis-McLennan
Makhari Lozielle • Mariah Mcfarlande • Khloe Randolph
Karla Romero • Dayana Velazquez Guifarro
Level 3
Piper Allen • Claire Atwell • Selene Bogart
Emma Brady Fitzpatrick • Deriah Bridges
Mikinzie Brown • Faith Gant • Lara Goncalves
NaKai Jessup • Chloe Leon • Nehemyah Morgan
Madison Yu
Level 4
Noor El-helw • Yelani Hill • Morgan Marotta
Fabi Ocque • Andre Roche • Sana Williams
RISE SHOWCASE
WINDY RIDGE K-8
SLEEPLESS BEAUTIES
CHOREOGRAPHY
Anneke Belman
MUSIC
Sleeping Beauty Waltz - Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky & Chris Pettitt
Performed by the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble’s
Flute Choir
SYNOPSIS
The making of a fairy godmother is no easy task! In this piece you will see that even the fairies can have a bad, silly, or sleepy day. Using music from the original Sleeping Beauty Ballet, come with us on a new exploration of an old theme, and don’t be afraid to laugh along the way!
DANCERS
Malu Almeida Pernambuco De Aquino
Avery J. Anderson • Kaelynn E. Curtis
Elsa Faleato Vallecillo • Victoria Feitoza Farah Rodrigues
Karissa Lamela Silva • Joy Lawrence • Sophia Manso
Danyelle Matteson • Julieta Mercado-Huiza
Naisha Musani • Manuella Ramos Pachiega
Leticia Rengifo Sojo • Samantha Romero Ulloa
RISE SHOWCASE
LEGACY MIDDLE SCHOOL
THE WAKE UP CALL
CHOREOGRAPHY
Brittany Lebida
MUSIC
Baby Elephant Walk - Henry Mancini
Performed by the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble’s
Double Reed Choir
SYNOPSIS
A group of dancers, still half-asleep, find themselves unexpectedly on stage, stumbling through a whimsical and humorous performance.
DANCERS
Aimee Adams • Ja’Zaryi Benton • Saniyah Bryan
Alyssa Carmenatty • Aneesa Djuraeva • Alicia Johnson
Sofia Kintsurashvili • Lucy Miller • Gabriela Negron
Ashley Plummer • Kabella Ratunil • Reagan Ray
Daila Rodriguez • Norbelys Salazar
Shaneliz Segarra Mora • Kelsey Smith • Hannah Tran
Han Vuong
RISE SHOWCASE
LOCKHART MIDDLE SCHOOL*
*6:00 P.M. ONLY
INVITATION
CHOREOGRAPHY
Shawn Lowe
MUSIC
Invitation - Bronislau Kaper
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster / arr. Erik Morales
Performed by the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble’s
Jazz 2 Ensemble
SYNOPSIS
This dance explores a transient energy brought to a physical manifestation. Using the lounge sounds to influence the push and pull of the dancers in and out of the space.
DANCERS
A’Mara Amann • Aubree Atkins • Farrah Bernard
Gisele Campbell • Stephanie Constant
Genesis Gonzales • Maria Gonzles-Rios
Genesis Harrison • Trinity Johnson • Taysia Lee
Jessie Listano • Kristy Richard • Tariah Sims
Dionne Thomas
RISE SHOWCASE
INTERMISSION
RISE SHOWCASE
DR. PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL
CARNAVAL
CHOREOGRAPHY
Gina Hatch
MUSIC
Carnaval - Celia Cruz
Performed by the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble’s
Salsa Band
SYNOPSIS
Welcome to a vibrant carnaval party, where the dancers bring the festivities to life with bold partnering and thrilling lifts. The dynamic choreography radiates excitement and joy, as the performers create an electrifying atmosphere of celebration and fun!
DANCERS
Claire Atwell • Noor El-helw • Faith Gant
Lara Goncalves • Yelani Hill • NaKai Jessup
Makhari Lozeille • Morgan Marotta • Nehemyah Morgan
Fabiana Ocque • Andre Roche • Sana Williams
CELEBRATION HIGH SCHOOL
MI ALEGRIA
CHOREOGRAPHY
Robert Kelley
MUSIC
La Fiesta de Pilito - El Gran Combo
Performed by the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble’s
Salsa Band
SYNOPSIS
This piece is a collaboration between the students and choreographer that showcases the conversations were had on topics ranging from “What does moving through Joy mean to you?”, “Can community impact your daily life?”, “Do you get enough sleep?”, and “How does Remembrance feel?”
DANCERS
Pietra Abumussi • Krystiana Allen-Hart • Lays Lima Bellinassi
Veronica Buitrago • Eduarda Cardoso • Macaya Cobb
Laila Denton • Beatriz Ferreira • Alexandra Gachette
Giovanna Goncalves Struziatto • Maria Guerra
Ashley Hernandez • Nena Hitt • Layla Leonardo • Emma Morales
Destiny Noble • Elizabeth Pemberton • Valeria Nunez Rodriguez
Gabriella Rhodes • Valentina Rodriguez Rengel • Daanya Samad
Lusiana Sanchez Ruiz • Lindsay Sosa Diaz
Sharon Tami Aparicio • Elizabeth Torres
Kiara Valderrama Aliaga • Brianna Valero
RISE SHOWCASE
MILLENNIUM MIDDLE SCHOOL
RAN KAN KAN
CHOREOGRAPHY
Dion DiDonna
MUSIC
La Fiesta de Pilito - El Gran Combo
Performed by the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble’s Salsa Band
SYNOPSIS
We often dance the same steps. To the same tune. Together. But, even though we’re together in the same dance, we still each have our own, unique flavor.
DANCERS
Kemy Badette • Gianna Brantley • Yorleni Bravo Perez
Autumn Burroughs • Amanda Fuentes Martinez • Borbala Furcsa
Nila Green • Wren Iaconis • Jahael Jones • Londyn Lawrence
Taylor Lovett • Ja Mya McGill • Fabiola Nazario • Olivia Ordonez
Alyssa Rodriguez • Melody Rodriguez • Mya Samuels
Aubree Schweickert • A’Nijah Toure • Adelina Vasquez Ramos
Jennalyn Vazquez • Jermaine Washington
WINDERMERE HIGH SCHOOL
LIBERTANGO
CHOREOGRAPHY
Andrea Faria
MUSIC
Libertango - Astor Piazzolla
Performed by the Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble’s Single Reed Choir
SYNOPSIS
This ballet is inspired by the evocative tango music of Astor Piazzolla, where classical technique meets the raw passion and sensuality of Argentine rhythm. Fluid lines intertwine with sharp, syncopated movements, capturing the tension, intimacy, and dramatic intensity that define Piazzolla’s sound. The choreography breathes with longing and fire, blending elegance and edge in a powerful, contemporary homage to tango.
DANCERS
Mary-Catherine Baughman • Grace Campbell
Maria Cavalcanti De Melo Borba • Victoria Claudio • Tylee Cook
Addison Fulford • Mariana Gerhardt • Taylor Guasto
Elianna Kim • Sophia Lima • Ana Luzia Loiola • Laken Loya
Charnelle Ombao • Rachel Peters • Ana Pinto Frota
Caitlyn Popick • Ana Portillo Rojas • Flavia Rodriguez Torrealba
Valentina Secheto Facci • Lily Vest
ORLANDO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Jonathan Ledden Private Investor
VICE PRESIDENT
Jayne Willi s DNP, RN UCF College of Nursing
TREASURER
Jean Grono-Nowry Massey Services, Inc.
SECRETARY
Angie Jernigan Orlando Health — Jewett Orthopedic Institute
DIRECTORS
Margaret Shan Atkins Independent Corporate Director
Jaleh Benner The Scout Guide Orlando
Sandor Bondorowsky Total Media Productions, Inc.
Meredith Cook Scientia Global Consulting
M.C. Cravatta Foley & Lardner, LLP
Jennifer Curry Siemens Energy
Colte Debbouza-Suggs É poque, Inc.
Ekta Desai Schenkel Shultz Architecture
Keri Holliday PNC Private Bank
Eric Horner Eric Horner Interiors
Andrew Howell Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Kelley Irby Orlando Magic
John A. “Skip” Kirst Jr. Collado Real Estate
Diane Kuhl Development Consultant
Keith Lashley HKS Architects
Krista Ledden Community Volunteer
Jennifer Lowndes Holland & Knight
Erich S. Maschhoff Truist
London Ott City of Orlando
Geanne Share Community Volunteer
Richard J. Skaggs USF Credit Union
Yadhira Sollberger Community Volunteer
Robert Suchor Truist
Lisa Westlake Independent Corporate Director
David Withee J.P. Morgan
EX-OFFICIO
Jorden Morris Artistic Director
Bradley Renner Executive Director
Rebekah Essick Co-Chair Orlando Ballet Ambassadors
Kara Howell Co-Chair Orlando Ballet Ambassadors
Lizette Valarino Chair, Amigos del Orlando Ballet
FOUNDERS
Barbara Riggins
Kip Watson
Patti Watson Walsh
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
John A. “Skip” Kirst Jr. Krista Ledden
ORLANDO BALLET STAFF
ARTISTIC
Jorden Morris Artistic Director
Lisa Thorn Morris .............................................................................................................................. Associate Artistic Director
Heath Gill ........................................................................................................................................................... Rehearsal Director
Darren Bartolo Company Pianist
Amado Bobadilla Company Pianist
Angelyn Chen Company Pianist
ADMINISTRATIVE
Bradley Renner Executive Director
Katherine Fabian .............................................................................................................................................. Managing Director
Carlos Vicente.............................................................................................. Interim Director, Marketing & Communications
Laurel Hayward Director of Institutional Giving
Kim Sydebrant Controller
Alyssa David Director of Events
Melinda Rutland Major Gifts Officer
Helen Preston Individual Giving Officer
Noelle Park Individual Giving Manager
Anna Tanzilla Grants Manager
Richard Elo .......................................................................................................................................................... Facilities Manager
Patrick Ingram ...................................................................................................................... Manager, Group Sales & Ticketing
Maureen Walsh Manager, Marketing & Communications
Mal Clark Graphic Designer
Jamie Gillies Retail Specialist
Noelle Malfa Marketing Coordinator
Juliet Marcus Coordinator, Ticketing Concierge & Consumer Insights
Jackie Nash Gill Executive Assistant & Board Liaison
Bekki Tyler Accounting Specialist
Francis Mihm ........................................................................................................................................ Philanthropy Coordinator
PRODUCTION
John Beaulieu Director of Production
Cecilia de Erausquin Production Stage Manager
Alex German Company Manager & Assistant Stage Manager
Eddy Frank Fernandez Costume Director
Norelis Dean Wardrobe Supervisor
Gina Makarova.............................................................................. OBS & Community Enrichment Wardrobe Coordinator
Ani Boer ...................................................................................................................................................................... Shoe Manager
EDUCATION
Chris Alloways-Ramsey Director of Education
Jenny Logus School Administrative Manager
Victoria Sarau Sr. Manager of Educational Operations
Shane Bland Head of Community Enrichment
Amyia Burrell ............................................................................................................................. Head of Young Dancer Program
Gonzalo Espinoza ......................Assistant to the School Director, School Choreographer, & Principal OBII Teacher
Natasha Glos Principal Teacher, Repetiteur for the Academy, & Principal Coach
Kim Marsh Head of Preparatory Training Center & Certification
Sofia Tsutsakova-Abenanty Principal Teacher, Company Liaison for OBS, & Methodologist
Chandler Blum Community Enrichment Coordinator
Aless Ramnarine-Kendrick Fitness Thru Dance Coordinator
Kayla Reyburn School Admin & Summer Intensive Coordinator
Melissa Miller Front Desk Assistant
Susan Swain................................................................................................................................................... Front Desk Assistant
FACULTY MEMBERS
Allison Baber • Ani Boer • Lisa Buono • Andrea De Faria • Dion Leonhard DiDonna • Jenny Dzuranin
Heather Fryxell • Bonnie Gombos • Gina Hatch • Monica Heinz • Elaine “Lanie” Hoxie • Patrick Ingram • Zoe Khoury Krista Ledden • Annie Lewis • Shawn Lowe • Mila Makaroff • Brittany Marcell Monachino • Susan Olson
Elizabeth Shook-King • Jessica Springer • Heidi Towle • Stephanie Towle • Mariana Tzanova • Giovanni Villalobos Randee Workowski
COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT TEACHING ARTISTS
Anneke Belman • Anna Diaz • Andrea Faria • Abigail Krefta • Abigail Markel • Amelia Anderson
Bonnie Gombos • Brittany Lebida • Brittany Monachino • Christy Kowal • Chloe Lawrence • Cyndi Litz
Dion Leonhard DiDonna • Elizabeth Shook • Gina Hatch • Heather Fryxell • Jasmine Burelsmith • Jessica Springer
Julia Vinez • Mares Sanchez • Madeline White • Nicole Moran • Patricia Marijanich • Robert Kelley • Shawn Lowe Sydnie Zvolenski • Valerie Poku
TECHNIQUE THAT GROWS WITH YOU.
Taught by professional dance faculty, our diverse offerings are designed to meet you where you are. Whether you’re just beginning, continuing your dance training, or maintaining your practice, you’ll find a supportive environment to build strength, flexibility, and confidence. Experience the benefits of dance while staying active, engaged, and motivated.
Taught by professional dance faculty, our diverse offerings are designed to meet you where you are. Whether you’re just beginning, continuing your dance training, or maintaining your practice, you’ll find a supportive environment to grow and improve. For
APRIL 30 – MAY 3
BUY TICKETS
DR. PHILLIPS CENTER • STEINMETZ HALL
Step into a world of glittering parties and dark deception. With live music from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, dazzling costumes, and cinematic staging, The Great Gatsby explodes to life in a glittering, emotional story of glamour and heartbreak. See the drama unfold and get tickets at orlandoballet.org
SPONSORED BY
HARRIETT LAKE
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
“The Angel of the Ballet"