UCPA Faculty

Vindhya Khare is the Artistic Director of the University Center for the Performing Arts. She is a native of California and graduate of California State University, Northridge, where she received a BA degree in Piano Performance. Since moving to South Florida in 1992, she has made her mark in the various opera houses of South Florida and is in demand as an accompanist specializing in operatic repertoire. She was Principal Pianist/Voice Coach and Associate Chorus Master of the Palm Beach Opera where she played under the baton of the late Maestro Anton Guadagno. She is the President of The Paul L. Rodensky Foundation for the Arts , a non-profit organization associated with the UCPA that is committed to promoting the performing arts and presenting concert events. Vindhya maintains a studio at the UCPA where she coaches singers. Recently, her students have been accepted into vocal programs at Oberlin Conservatory, Boston Conservatory and Musical Theatre programs at the New World School of the Arts, Ithaca College, Millikin University and the Hartt School. Vindhya also serves as Choir Director at Trinity Church International in Lake Worth. The 80 voice ensemble recently released their second CD, “Joy in the House.”

Gilda Pianelli is the Vice-President of the University Center for the Performing Arts. She has been involved in the entertainment industry since 1977. Ms. Pianelli is an internationally renowned acting coach and director of the University Center’s theater/film department. She has trained actors, both children and adults, at the Center since 1984. Along with her teaching accomplishments, Ms. Pianelli maintains a high profile as a successful director of theatre/film (www.ambassadorpictures.com) as well as lighting designer for professional dance companies. Her lighting designs have been seen all over the world while touring with the highly acclaimed “Body and Soul Dance Theatre” (1982-1992). Currently she is the exclusive lighting designer for the distinguished flamenco company “Bailes Ferrer”. Ms. Pianelli’s acting students have, and continue, to grace the professional mediums of film, television and theater from Los Angeles to Broadway. Ms. Pianelli is a protégé of Mr. Eric Morris. (www.ericmorris.com).

 

Damaris Ferrer is founder and Artistic Director of Bailes Ferrer. She has dedicated her career to promoting and teaching the art of Flamenco music and dance. She trained in New York as a junior company member of Ballet Hispanico of New York, Performing Arts High School and the State University of New York as a dance major. Ms. Ferrer has toured nationally and internationally with Ballet Hispanico, Jose Molina Bailes Espanoles, All Nations Dance Company, Ballet Argentino Raices, and Mary Street Dance Theater. Her efforts and talents as an artist and her contributions to the arts have been constantly recognized through such awards as the Tito Puente Scholarship Fund (3-time recipient) and from the National Foundation for Advancement in the the Arts in 1987 and is the 2003 recipient of the Florida State Individual Artist Fellowship. In addition to her work with Bailes Ferrer, she also teaches adult and children’s Flamenco classes at the University Center for the Performing Arts.

Anna Onipko is a graduate of the Kiev State Ballet Academy, Ukraine. After moving to the United States, Ms. Onipko graduated with honors earning her BFA in Dance from the University of Texas at El Paso where she was the first recipent of the International Scholarship in Ballet. Among Ms. Onipko’s other awards are the First Prize of the International Ballet Festival in Minsk, Belarus and the Special Prize at Serge Lifar International Competition in Kiev, 1994. Ms. Onipko began her performing career as a soloist with the National Ballet and Opera Company of Ukraine. After coming to the U.S., she joined Ballet El Paso where she performed all the principal roles in such ballets as The Nutracker, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote and Pulcinella. She also appeared as the Sugar Plum Fairy with New Mexico Ballet and Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, as well as invited Guest Artist for several productions of the El Paso Opera Company and El Paso Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Onipko’s twelve years of teaching experience include the University of Texas Ballet Academy as well as several other private dance academies in Texas, New Mexico and Florida teaching ballet technique and pointe. Her choreography credits include “Vivo El Paso”, Assistant to the Director for the El Paso Ballet and the Children’s Ballet Theatre Project in Davie, Florida.

 

Isabelle Bienvenu, originally from Belgium, expressed her passion for dance at a very tender age and began her apprenticeship at the age of seven. Her talents were soon recognized and she became a member of Belgium’s Children’s Dance Theater Company under the direction of internationally known Angele Albrecht. She then started performing throughout Europe and, thereafter, returned to Brussels where she taught children’s ballet classes. A few years later she became a principal dancer with Arcoballo, a modern dance company. Isabelle also participated at various dance festivals throughout Europe. Upon moving to Florida, she decided to advancer her dance career by obtaining the TAG teacher certification, teaching ballet in several South Florida schools, and coaching the YMCA and Park Ave. gymnastic teams. She later performed her own choreography as a guest artist at the University Center for the Performing Arts, as well as having been chosen by the Millenium Dance Syndicate to perform for their 1999-2000 season.

 

Leandra La Greca initiated her Flamenco studies at the early age of seven with Olivia Rojo of Flamenco y Más in Tucson, Arizona. Showing immense talent and extreme dedication, she furthered her training by studying with top artists from the United States and Spain. La Conja, José Molina, Juana Amaya, Domingo Ortega, Andrés Marín, and Eva La Yerbabuena are some of the masters from which she has drawn technique and inspiration. In 1995, she joined Fort Lauderdale based company Bailes Ferrer, directed by Damaris Ferrer. La Greca has worked with the company in numerous productions and events. In addition, La Greca has also worked with notable companies such as La Conja’s New York based Mimbre y Vareta Flamenco Ensemble, and the National Theatre for the Performing Arts troupe Cuadro Flamenco, with which she toured for two seasons. La Greca has performed as a guest artist in many festivals including Michigan’s International Festival of World Music and Dance, and most recently in San Jose, Costa Rica as a featured artist in the second Festival Internacional de Flamenco Garcia Lorca, accompanied by guitarist Jorge Luis Perez and cantaor Felix de Lola. In 2002, La Greca and guitarist, Jorge Luis Perez, founded ¡Flamencos! Music & Dance Ensemble.

Pablo Malco, a native of Brooklyn, New York, is Artistic Director of Pfuzion Entertainment. From his personal experiences living on both the East and West Coasts and in between he has developed his own very unique dance style called “Pfuzion”, which is a blend of Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet and Funk. Pablo began choreographing at the tender age of 10. From this early beginning his career has steadily escalated and for over 15 years he has been appearing in music videos and tours with artists such as Immature (IMX), Paula Abdul, Ricky Martin, Will Smith, C&C Music Factory and Jean Michel Jarre just to name a few. In 1996, Pablo brought the Pfuzion style of dance to South Florida where he has built a significant following through performances and dance instruction. From the artistic imagination of Pablo, a powerful dance style has evolved which finds him in great demand for workshops and performances both nationally and internationally. He is currently working with recording artists and dance programs in the United States, Austria, Germany, and England. Pablo is also the founder and Director of the International Choreographers Ball, a bi-annual dance showcase where the industry’s most talented choreographers exhibit their styles and abilities.

Brianna Austin began her training with Flamenco and Middle Eastern Dance and shortly thereafter added percussion to her studies. Some of the artists she has studied with are Serena Ramzy, Omayra Amaya, Maria Pages, Farruquito (dance), and renowned artists “Sultan of Swing” Hossam Ramzy, Francisco Javier Orozco “Yiyi”, and the late, Manuel Soler. As a dancer/percussionist, she frquently works with the Ft. Lauderdale based Flamenco companies Bailes Ferrer and Flamencos. Brianna also performed for several years with the Middle Eastern music and dance company, Harmonic Motion. As an invited artist, she has performed in shows such as “Fusion of Indian Classical Music and Flamenco Music and Dance” with Pandit Ramesh Misra and “Shradhanjali” which took place in London. Her most recent collaborations were with the Purto Rican company DanzActiva in the production of “Encuentro de Pies, Tambores, y Faldas” winner of the ACE and HOLA awards, which took place in New York and “Re-Encuentro” which took place in Puerto Rico. She has also added a wonderful dynamic to TranZenDance, as a modern and cultural dancer, as well as a musician.

 

Jodi McMahon received her training in Los Angeles, California under well renowned choreographers such as Joe Tremaine and Doug Caldwell. Being a former “Tremaine” scholarship winner, she had the opportunity to work with many great choreographers in L.A. Her expertise lies in jazz, contemporary and rhythm tap. Her students have received top awards in regional and national dance competitions, including many cash awards. She has worked professionally as a dancer/choreographer in theaters, revues, night club acts, commercials, cruise ships and has served as a judge for various dance organizations. Jodi owned and operated her own studio for thirteen years before giving it up to pursue other opportunities including enjoying more time with her young son and husband. Although she has had extensive experience as a performer, her true passion is teaching and choreographing the wonderful art of dance.

Barbara Sloan is a veteran of both the dance and acting stage. Barbara has been Director of Dance at the University Center for the Performing Arts for the past 20 years and was the Artistic Director of Body & Soul Dance Theatre which led to international touring engagements. She has also performed with Mary Street Dance Theater and DuoDada Dance Theater. After an extensive career in dance, Barbara turned her talents towards the theater stage. She is an award winning actor that has appeared in more than 30 plays and is a five time Carbonell Nominee for Best Actress in a Drama. You may also have seen her in various television commercials and in the docudrama “Adrift” on the Discovery Channel. Other recent projects include working with her partner, Richard Brookens, on two performance art pieces commissioned by the Miami Light Project and as a guest theater teacher in high schools throughout Miami.

Paola Escobar was born in Colombia. She has danced with the modern dance company, L’explose with which she participated in the Festival de Almada, Portugal; Festival de Teatro de Cadiz; Festival de los Veranos de la Villa, Madrid; and Festival Madrid Sur, Festival Latinidades, Sao Paulo. While with the company, she also performed at La Maison de la Danse, Lyon; Theatre de la Comedie, France; Teatro Colon and Teatro de la Candelaria, Colombia. She was part of Afrocontemporaneo 34% visibles project and participated in the “Let’s Kick Up Our Heels” Festival, Toronto; Festival de San Sebastian, Spain; and the Festival de Treatro de Medillin, among others. As a Flamenco dancer, she has worked in Havana, Cuba with the companies Ecos and Aires. In Bogota, Colombia, she directed her own company Taconearte. Her work, Flamenco 24 horas, received the National Prize in 2005 and the award for creation Pasos 2002 among others. Currently residing in Florida, she has participated in Calle Flamenca with Bailes Ferrer in 2006 and the lead role in Las brujas de salem with Ballet Flamenco La Rosa in 2007. In 2006 she premiered her work Viaje de regreso at the Colony Theater in Miami Beach.

 

Kristina Timofeeva, a native of Russia, was born into a musical family. At age 12, her studies began in classical guitar, piano, music theory and literature. She is a graduate of the College of Music in Russia where she taught guitar in the House of Culture. After moving to the U.S., she taught classical guitar at the Arts and Music Center in Chicago. She teaches works of world composers like Villa-Lobos, Tarrega and traditional Spanish, Latin American, Russian and Ukrainian folk music and more. She believes that music is a tool to express oneself and, therefore, she customizes her program to the taste and capability of each student while encouraging hard work and discipline by setting short term goals to achieve the best results.

Elena Garcia holds a degree in Modern Dance and Cuban Folklore from the National School of the Arts of Cuba. She was a company member of the prestigious Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba. Her style is very unique with a Latin twist combined with various ethnic and contemporary forms of movement.
Ms. Garcia’s international credits include working as an instructor, dancer and choreographer in Spain, Germany, Argentina and the Dominican Republic. After relocating to South Florida, she founded the Iroko Afro-Cuban Dance Theater, presenting full seasons of performances and outreach programs in South Florida for seven years. Ms. Garcia has been commissioned to choreograph for numerous artists and companies including a Lambada piece for Fernando Bujones’ presentation in Miami in 1990, numerous presentations of Latin diva Albita including the video “Azucar pa’ tu amragura”, and several plays for the Prometeo Theater. In the last twenty years, Ms Garcia has been a frequent guest of different Dance Festivals including the Florida Dance Festival in Miami, Florida, the Hispanic Festival at the Global Education Center in Nashville, Tennessee, the “Fa Nyere Fa Annual African Dance & Drum Conference” in Atlanta, Georgia and the Summer Dance Institute of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance in Denver, Colorado. She was part of the first Miami cast of the nationally acclaimed project: “From the Horses’ Mouth” in 2004. Ms. Garcia serves as Adjunct Faculty of African Diaspora, Caribbean and Modern Dance at Florida International University and the New World School of the Arts. She collaborates with ArtSpring where she created the program “Raices” to teach creative art and movement to the Latino population at the Broward Correctional Institution.

Elaine Almonte was born in Dominican Republic where she began her theatrical training at the age of 9 at Centro de la Cultura in Santiago, Dominican Republic. She continued her education at Palacio de Bellas Artes de Santiago where she spend five years growing as a young actress. Elaine is a graduate of the Instituto de Cultura y Arte (ICA) in Santiago, Dominican Republic, where she received a BA degree in Dramatic Arts. Victor Checo, Iván Garcia, Claudio Rivera, and Verónica López are some of the master directors she had the opportunity to work with. After moving to the United States she found the University Center for the Performing Arts where she studied the Eric Morris technique with Gilda Pianelli, and she has been teaching acting technique to young student ages 3-17.

Karen Rodensky Rassler has been involved with the University Center for the Performing Arts for over 20 years. As a graduate of the University of Michigan in Theatre and Voice Education and the completing her Graduate studies at the Drama Studio, London, Karen spent several years performing in stage productions as well as the South Florida condo circuit. Shortly after moving back to South Florida, she decided to dedicate herself to arts training and education of children and adults joining Barbara Sloan, Gilda Pianelli and Debi Rodensky as Directors of the UCPA where she now acts as a consultant and master teacher. She is proud to have so many students who have successfully chosen theatre arts as a career and continues to keep in touch with many of them. In addition to the University Center, Karen is the Treasurer and Co-Director of the Paul L. Rodensky Foundation for the Arts (PLR Foundation), named after her incredible father whose love and dedication of the arts inspired her throughout her childhood.

Cheri Valenzuela is Artistic Director and founder of TranZenDance Dance Productions, Inc. She received her early dance training in New York through the age of 14. She studied ballet, tap, and jazz. She went on the study at the University Center for the Performing Arts where she studied flamenco with Damaris Ferrer and modern dance under the direction of Barbara Sloan. She continued her studies at Broward Community College and then went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from Florida International University. Her love of anthropology has led her to explore many areas of cultural dance forms, especially Afro-Haitian. Cheri decided to utilize all her training and experience by creating her own company in which she can explore, grow as an artist, and give back to her community. Her company, TranZenDance, is one of the resident companies of the University Center for the Performing Arts where Cheri is Administrative Director and also teaches tap and ballet.

Ken Benjamin combines all of his training and professional experiences to bring a unique flavor to his Hip Hop classes. Ken received his dance training from Charles Russell for ballet and Barbara Sloan for Modern and jazz. Ken was the assistant artistic director, co-choreographer of the “Body & Soul Dance Theatre.” He also studied at The New World School of the Arts while performing in the contemporary modern company “Houlihan and Dancers” under the direction of Gerri Houlihan. Ken has been in a number of music videos and live stage performances for artist like Will Smith, Ricky Martin, Paulina Rubio, Bonnie Rait and Jean Michel Jarre. He has a list of television commercials to his credit and recently played the part of a henchman in an episode of the new USA network series “Burn Notice”. Ken has also directed a number of plays at Nova Southeastern University.

John Wittenborn is a native Floridian and has 25 years of experience in the world of dance and musical theater. He began his theatrical training at Dillard High School in the performing arts department where he studied musical theater, dance and voice. He continued his education at the Atlantic Foundation for the Performing Arts, where he spent five years honing his skills and talent in the disciplines of classical ballet, jazz and tap under the direction of Ruth C. Petrinovic. His professional experience spans the globe performing as a dancer/singer at the Lido de Paris, France; the Son Amar in Majorca, Spain; the Sheraton Wallker Hill in Seoul, South Korea; the MGM Grand in Las Vegas; Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe; the Sands in Atlantic City; and on the Vistafjord SS World Cruise. John was also a member of the Cincinnati and Los Angeles Ballet Companies and he was assistant choreographer for the musicals “Grease” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” for the North Carolina Theater. Most importantly, John is dedicated to the growth and development of the art of dance in his community, and his experience as a performer, instructor and choreographer, makes him a valuable asset to the University Center for the Performing Arts.

Marisol Ibanez, a native of Chile, started her musical and pianistic career at a very early age at the Rudolf Steiner Academy in Santiago, Chile. It was there that she received training in the rudamentary aspects of music and piano technique before continuing her advanced studies at the Conservatory of the Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Chile. Under the formidable instruction of Professor Maria Angelica Belaustegui, Marisol readily advanced in her studies while acquiring extensive experience in solo as well as chamber music recitals. In addition, she was making a name for herself as a pedagogue at the Taller de Artes of Ana Maria Mantellero. More recently, Marisol has studied with renown Ukrainian pianist, Professor Lilia Zaiarna, head of the piano department at the New World School of the Arts in Miami. At present, Marisol maintains a following of students in the Miami area and at the University Center for the Performing Arts in Davie.

Roxanne Lamendola has been a singer/actress/songwriter for most of her life, and has been performing live on guitar and piano in countless venues across South Florida and New York City. A recent graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYC), ever since she can remember, Roxanne has been a performer. Whether on stage or in the studio, Roxanne has always loved contributing to the worlds of music and theater. She has participated in many shows at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and other respected theaters in South Florida and NYC, often in leading roles. Other projects include: radio spots for the Macy’s “This Is It” Juniors campaign; writing and performing the theme song for the BECON TV series, “It’s the Write Time” (airs locally in South Florida); co-host of the television series, “Real Time Science Connections”, also filmed at BECON TV studios; member of the hip-hop/performance group PUSH PLAY (2002-04) which performed at numerous venues and festivals in South Florida. Roxanne teaches vocal technique, performance technique, movement, and acting to students ages 6-18 years.

Emilia Kawashima, a Florida native, began her dance studies at the age of five. She has studied in both Florida and New York. Her classical ballet, jazz and modern training began at the University Center for the Performing where she has trained with Barbara Sloan, Damaris Ferrer, Lu Welters, Anna Onipko and John Wittenborn, to name a few. She has been a member and soloist with the Children’s Ballet Theatre Project for many years. She was featured as a soloist in such productions as, “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, “The Toymaker”, “Cirque du Ballet”, “Alice in Wonderland” and “Classical Interludes.” Emilia was also a featured performer in “Alfonsina: La Mujer en el Mar”, a production from Flamenco in the Sun 2007 presented by Bailes Ferrer Flamenco Dance Company. Emilia has been with Jubilee Dance Theatre, under the artistic directions of Lu Welters, since 2007 and is now a full company member. She is currently attending Florida Atlantic University studying engineering and dance.

Katie Sopoci-Drake holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and a BA in Theatre/Dance and a Minor in Vocal Performance from Luther College. She is currently completing her Graduate Certification in Laban Movement Analysis at Columbia College of Chicago. Katie taught dance and theory courses at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI and Lawrence University in Appleton, WI until she and her new husband moved to The Sunshine State! As a Graduate student, she danced for and with New York choreographers Sara Baird of Anemone Dance Theater, Claire Byrne, Rodger Belman and Barbara Grubel. In Milwaukee, WI, Katie performed and choreographed for Wild Space Dance Company, Your Mother Dances and the Florentine. Katie’s Minneapolis, MN credits include dancing and singing with Rosy Simas Danse, Vox Medusa, Soft Eyed Co. and The Minnesota Opera. Katie has presented her own work in Milwaukee at Danceworks, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Turner Hall; and in Minneapolis at the Southern Theater.

Gayle Giese teaches early childhood Music Play classes at the University Center for the Performing Arts. She delights in seeing young children have fun discovering music. Gayle has a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Music degree and K-12 teaching certificate from the University of Miami. She taught music classes at A Children’s Carousel preschool from 1995 to 1998 and worked for Warner Bros. Publications in various positions including classroom music editor and director of publications from 1987 to 2005. She currently serves as the director of music ministry and pianist at the River of Grass Congregation in Plantation.