University Center for the Performing Arts

2240 S.W. 70th Ave. Unit A

Davie, Florida 33317

PHONE: (954) 475-3000

FAX: (954) 916-8500

E-mail us: info@universitycenterfortheperformingarts.com

Acting has always been a huge part of my life and I have been fortunate enough to live in both New York and Los Angeles where quality acting classes were abundant. I was fearful that I would never find as good an experience here in South Florida. Was I ever thrilled to have found the UCPA. Working with Gigi is a unique and wonderful journey. She teaches unlike any instructor I have ever studied with and each week I leave class feeling extremely fulfilled and satisfied, not to mention exhausted and exhilarated. The warm and inviting environment has been extremely condusive to my growth both as an actor and a person. I look forward each week to laugh, to cry, to really feel alive. I am grateful to have found this gem in South Florida.

Marlena Martino

When I moved to Miami, I was looking for an opportunity to learn how to act and mostly, express myself and become less inhibited. My first class was terrifying. All for good reasons. Gigi was very experienced and I felt like she already knew us. She knew just how much to push me to expand myself. At the end of 6 weeks I felt refreshed, more myself. I felt like I could finally express myself and not be afraid to be who I am. I loved the dancing, yelling, crying, laughing and fighting. It was all acting, but it all seemed so real. My experience was incredible, and I wish I would have stayed longer to take more classes, but Chicago was calling my name.
Annie, now in Vermont

Since my daughter, Lexi, enrolled in Ms. Gigi’s beginning acting class earlier this fall, she has eagerly looked forward to class each week. Lexi loves the role playing she gets to do each week and, as her mom, I am so proud of how well she takes direction. Lexi did not know any of the other students in her class before she began at the UCPA but, with Ms. Gigi at the head of the class, Lexi is comfortable and vivacious. Lexi has really found her niche and I couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you Gigi and UCPA.

Cori Schwartzberg

The University Center for the Performing Arts is one of the few institutions, in my humble opinion, that truly offer a rare experience, education, and opportunity to learn your craft whether it be as a dancer, actor or singer. I am a student of acting. Gilda Pianelli is the most inspirational and influential teacher I’ve ever studied with. She is someone who truly cares about your evolution as an actor and, more importantly, as a person. Her classes are innovative, intimate, and instrumental in your development as a professional actor. Each class is disciplined to enhance, develop, explore and distill the acting process into simple theories of application that stimulate your creativity and success as an artist. I have witnessed people come into her classroom with years of “experience” and within moments realize they know very little. Her classes are challenging, vigorous and, most importantly, truthful. These classes insist upon an in depth analysis of your entire person, which I promise you will be an adventure in itself. You will get to know yourself in ways you’ve only dreamed. She accepts no less than truth and honesty from you as a person and an actor. These classes are about truth, life and listening. Gilda teaches you how to live truthfully in the moment, not to indicate behavior and fake life or “act”. Your craft and work as an artist become finely tuned so that you can take the practical lessons and apply them to your work as an artist or just as general principles in your life. The classroom structure, and the UCPA in general, is friendly, open, creative, intuitive, and welcoming to any and all new faces. This institution is alive with some of the most professional and personally accepting professors and talent I’ve ever encountered. It’s been an honor to be a member of the UCPA. It’s been a privilege to study under Gilda. My education as a student of the arts, via Gilda and the UCPA, cannot be priced. It’s the difference between diamonds and glass. Self discovery is the product afforded to me by means of the University Center for the Performing Arts
Scott O’Boyle

My sister began taking Flamenco classes at UCPA when she was 7 and I was 11. I had an interest in performing since the third grade but was extremely shy. I enrolled in Gigi’s (Gilda’s) children’s acting class and was immediately welcomed by both Gigi and her students. I continued taking her classes and workshops in addition to voice classes with Vindhya for 3 years. I was auditioning for my school’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” when Gigi asked me if I could audition for the UCPA’s production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Of course I said yes and auditioned. I got the part of Anne and we had a very successful run in March. That was an incredible experience for which I thank Gigi and our amazing director, William Butland. Prior to “Anne Frank” I had another very big audition coming up for a musical theatre conservatory held at Juilliard. Vindhya worked very hard with me to get my voice into shape for the audition. I flew up to NYC in January and was accepted into the program. The artistic director even complimented Vindhya on what a wonderful job she’s done with my voice with only a year and a half of training.

Gigi has allowed me to assist her in teaching her children’s acting classes for some time now and that experience has helped me a tremendous amount with my leadership skills. I now run the entire drama program at the just-opened West Broward High School. I would never by where I am artistically and as a person if it weren’t for the skills and friendships I acquired at UCPA. Thank you so much Gigi and Vindhya for your guidance and friendship. I love you!!!!
Alli Reich, 14 years old

I met Gilda Pianelli at the UCPA in August, 1993. I was running a very succussful delicatessen/catering business at the time and I’d never taken an acting class in my life until that night…Originally planning on just sitting quietly and just observing what transpired during an actual “acting class”, I reluctantly got up on the stage. Onstage and semi-blinded by the lights, I answered as Gilda, several rows back in the audience, began asking me questions about why I was here, what I did for a living…and then about my family. Little did I realize at that time how incredibly skillful she was in her pursuit of an emotional level she was hoping to extract…and within 2 minutes, she got it out of me. Gilda led me down an emotional memory path so vivid in my mind…and at the precise moment of her choosing, she led me right into the monologue, which was the purpose of that exercise that night. After the class, Gilda came to me and…I remember her exact words as if spoken to me just last night…”if you give this up you’re a fool.” I understood. Completely.

I began studying with Gilda once a week and, whenever I could, two nights a week. After a year and a half, Gilda did something that, in retrospect, was one of the most unselfish and kind acts anyone has ever done for me. Before class one night, Gilda asked me to stay after the class so she could talk to me. Afterwards, when everyone had departed, we sat down to talk. She told me I had to leave. Leave UCPA.

That it was in MY best interest to leave. Gilda continued talking, praising, encouraging, imploring, and ultimately “convincing” me…that it was time for me to USE what she’d taught me…in the real world. That Los Angeles was where I needed to be. That I had more than enough skills and a mastery of the craft to handle myself with absolutely ANYONE in any scene, episodic or film anywhere. She said she HATED to see me go…but seeing me at UCPA every week, instead of seeing me on television or in the movies every week was not an option I should consider. That was an emotional and tearful time for me. Let’s face it…I wasn’t a kid..and I was about to completely up-end my entire life, which included my wife’s life. Sell my business. Leave that “comfort-zone” behind. Start over..in a career with…what?…98%+ enemployment rate? Yet here was this incredible woman…this amazing, passionate human being…telling me it was time for me to leave the roost, because MY time had come to go out and absolutely prove myself against the best the industry has to offer.

Gilda may not remember that night…not sure…but I will NEVER forget that night, EVER. It was an epiphany. That conversation; that pep-talk; that heart-felt plea to go out and use what I’d learned and do what so many others were hesitant to do…afraid to do…
And I did. Guest Starred on LAW & ORDER and COSBY in New York, then left for Los Angeles. Guest Starred for Steven Bochco 3 times; David E. Kelley 3 times. As of this writing, I’ve just wrapped my 45th Guest Starring on network TV, CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS).

Gilda, you’ll be my mentor, my teacher, my inspiration for this craft, and most of all…you’ll be my dear, dear friend…for life. I love you, G. You gave me the skills. You gave me the inspiration. I could never ask more of anyone.

Robert Catrini
http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/robertcatrini
http://www.reelaccess.com/talent/robertcatrini

My two kids have been going to the UCPA for the past 8 summers and there’s no other place that I would send them. The staff is so incredible. There’s no other theater program in Broward County that does what they do for your child in just weeks. All the children, every year, walk away so happy and say it was the best 4 weeks they ever spent. What more could a parent ask for?
Susie Bernstein

There are not enough wonderful things to say about the University Center for the Performing Arts! My daughter, Kaity, has gone to camp here for the past two years. Thie first year she had such a wonderful time that she BEGGED to go back the next summer (and…please, Mommy? Can it be for BOTH sessions?!) The time and effort that everyone puts into the kids is awesome! The INCREDIBLE shows at the end of each 4 week session are better than some of the shows I have paid a lot of money for! The best part is when your child comes to you and they are so proud of the work they have accomplished. The self-esteem burst could not be better. Kaity also attends all types of classes during the year. She was VERY excited about the belly dancing class and has really been enjoying it. So, we live at UCPA 3 days a week and we wouldn’t change a thing! Thank you to ALL of the staff for building up the confidence of not only my daughter, but for all of the kids who are lucky enough to be a part of such an amazing place! We tell all our friends about UCPA and will continue to do so!
Nikki Pollack

There is an old expression that says, “If it is not broken, it does not need to be fixed”. This statement applies to the University Center for the Performing Arts summer program. My now 20 year old daughter attended the camp for several years and loved every moment. My 11 year old daughter is about to complete the first session of the same program. She has enjoyed it as much as her big sister. The warmth and care shown by the staff was always, and continues to be, a primary ingredient of this enjoyable formula which embraces the talent that each of our children possess. Thank you for helping mold both of my girls’ creative beings.
Randi Lazarus

I cannot find enough words to express my gratitude…
Andrea’s achievements and the interest that she has developed for the arts makes me so proud, and I thank you for this wonderful opportunity to share with great performers and teachers that you provide your students with.

UCPA sets very high standards and the support that you give to all the companies that you are affiliated with is an inspiration to all of your students who learn about team work, honesty, generosity and family.

Thank you for opening the door to the wonderful world of the arts.
Jean Britton

ACTING

ADULT DEPARTMENT STATEMENT: The Eric Morris System is based on the 80 year old system created by Stanislavski and brought to the States by Lee Strasberg under the name of The Method. Morris’s work goes beyond the method in dealing with the instrument with the belief that it is virtually impossible for an actor to learn. or execute a process of acting without first eliminating blocks, tension, fears, inhibitions and other such obstacles to expression. It is the first system of acting to be developed in 80 years. The system has hundreds of exercises and techniques dealing directly with freeing the instrument and thus allowing the actor to be him/herself. From a state of “doing no more or less than what he/she feels” the actor can then use a craft that enables him/her to create reality on the stage or before a camera. Every actor’s fundamental training begins with work on him or herself with the exercise of will, concentration and sensory responses. The actor learns to think, to experience and to behave. Together with the use of improvisation, scene and monologue work, this creates the foundation for his/her “craft” and the development of imagination.

Technique Class – Monday, 8:00-10:00 p.m.

Each class will include relaxation preparations, group craft explorations and individual exercises related to liberating the “instrument” (oneself), eliminating emotional obstacles and learning to achieve a “being” state. Students learn through scene/character work, improvisation, cold-readings, and monologue work. The methodology is based on the “Eric Morris System” (Method) technique to fulfill emotional obligations of dramatic material from an organic, honest place.

Actor’s Workshop – Tuesday, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
This class helps the actor build their resume and prepares the actor to work in a professional field. This class is limited in size. Every 8 weeks, a full scale production is performed by the students. Students will learn how a production is put together from behind the scenes to center stage.

Acting for the Camera – Wednesday, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
This class enable the actor to experience an “on location” filming environment, as well as studio work using the Tony Barr System. Students are involved completely with the development of script to finished product.

Warehouse Theatre Company
WTC is the resident theatre company at the University Center for the Performing Arts. There are four main stage productions that are staged throughout the season. Auditions are required and are held 3 times a year. This enables the students and professional actors a full season of performing opportunities presented at the Center’s Black Box Theatre or at other theatres in the south Florida area.

Workshops and Private Instruction; Weekend Workshops – are offered with Mr. Eric Morris at the Center. Mr. Morris is one of the world’s most innovative acting coaches in the history of American film, theatre and television. His technique as used by actors such as Jack Nicholson, Johnny Depp, Melanie Griffith and Arnold Schwarzenegger, is taught throughout the world in colleges, universities and private schools.

Private Instruction – This is offered for those actors who wish to prepare audition material for theatre/film, on a one-on one basis. Tuition for privates varies.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S PROGRAM
Creative Dramatics ages 3-5: Monday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. & Tuesday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Children’s Acting ages 9-14: Tuesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Acting for the Camera: Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (by invitation-please inquire)
Children’s Acting ages 6-9: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. & Friday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Children’s Acting ages 9-12: Friday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Children’s Acting ages 8-14: Saturday, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Children’s Acting Workshop ages 8-14: Saturday, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

The methodology used for this group is based on the revolutionary Viola Spolin Method created in the 1940’s.

The ability to play is with us from birth. Acting for the theatre evolves naturally out of playing. Recognizing this source of energy, this method applies the game form to theatre disciplines. The games are simple, operational structures that transform complicated theatre conventions and techniques into game forms. Each game is built upon a specific focus or technical problem and is an exercise that militates against the artifice of self-conscious acting.

Every child is brilliant in their own way Theatre games motivate children to think in new ways and move in new directions to explore their relation to each other, themselves and their environment. There are games to free the actors tension, games to cleanse the actor of subjective preconceptions of the meaning of words, games of relationship and character, games of concentration-in short, games for each area with which the growing actor is concerned.

Playing theatre games helps to draw out the natural intelligence and humor inherent in each student, creating opportunities to explore their unique abilities and explore their own treasure house of creativity. This inspires an “I can!” attitude that stays with them long after they’ve left the stage.

YOUNG ADULT ACTING WITH AUDITION PREP: Ages 13+
Friday, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

The methodology for this class is based on the “Eric Morris System” (Method). The class is structured like the adult classes. This class is divided into warm-ups, improvisation, monologues, cold readings, scene and character study. Also, the art of “auditioning” is explored.

PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS
Musical Theater Workshop ages 8-13: Wednesday, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Young Actor’s Workshop ages 8-14: Saturday, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

These classes are by audition or invitation only and are designed to give students an opportunity to perform.

INSTRUCTORS
Gilda Pianelli – Theater/Film Department Director-Master Teacher

Barbara Sloan – Master Teacher/Actors Movement/Action Theatre
Karen Rassler – Master Teacher-Musical Theatre Workshop/Musical Director
Debi Rodensky – Master Teacher-Musical Theatre Workshop/Choreography
Elaine Almonte – Acting Teacher

DANCE

The UCPA offers dance classes in the areas ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, flamenco, ballroom and middle-eastern (belly dancing). Classes focus on technique training. Performance opportunities are offered through our bi-annual Adult Student Concerts and children may audition for the Children’s Ballet Theatre Project. All child/teen classes have a mid-semester open house for parents and a final presentation at the conclusion of the semester.

BALLET DEPARTMENT
The UCPA follows a syllabus created by Master Ballet Educator, Ruth Petrinovic. Ms. Petrinovic is nationally renowned for her ballet workshops and syllabus which is being implemented by ballet studios in Florida, Alabama and New Hampshire. Students who have trained with her have performed both nationally and internationally with such companies as American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Zurich Ballet and Dutch National Ballet, just to name a few.

The ballet classes are structured in such a way that students are placed based upon level and age. Students will advance to higher levels once they are able to demonstrate the required skills of their respective level. This syllabus, as designed by Ms. Petrinovic, emphasizes developing the dancer’s freedom to move with a flow of energy and security. Instructors carefully observe each student’s physical abiility and application of technique. Fundamental aspects of dance, such as posture and alignment are taught to each student based on his/her unique physiology to avoid bad habits that could result in injury. The artistic and emotional awareness of dance is also addressed as students progress.

INSTRUCTORS

• Brianna Austin – Middle Eastern (belly dancing)
• Ken Benjamin – Hip Hop
• Willie Butts, Jr. (Amoure)- Hip Hop
• Paola Escobar – Flamenco
• Damaris Ferrer – Ballet/Pointe and Flamenco
• Adam Mack – Hip Hop
• Pablo Malco – Hip Hop
• Jodi McMahon – Jazz
• Anna Onipko – Ballet/Pointe
• Adina Pelicci – Ballroom, Salsa
• Pablo and Alicia Repun – Argentine Tango
• Brittani Richards – Hip Hop
• Debi Rodensky – Jazz and Tap
• Barbara Sloan – Ballet, Modern
• Cheri Valenzuela – Tap
• Danielle Wesley – Ballet
• John Wittenborn – Ballet/Pointe and Jazz

MUSIC

VOICE
This class is offered for children, teens and adults. Classes begin with basic breathing and singing technique exercises. The remainder of class time is spent working through repertoire. Repertoire for children’s classes is age appropriate and mostly from the Broadway musical theater genre. Adult students may choose from the Pop/Contemporary class on Mondays from 7:00-8:00 pm, or the Broadway/Classical class on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm. Class size is limited to 10 students per class.

PIANO and GUITAR
Private piano and guitar instruction is available for both children and adults. Beginning level students are taught fundamental technique and basic theory. Intermediate and advanced students are coached on technique and interpretation. Students are encouraged to participate in UCPA concert events.

MusicPlay
This is an interactive class for children ages infant – 4 years with a caregiver. Research shows that early childhood is the window of opportunity to increase the lifelong music aptitude of a child. MusicPlay is an innovative early childhood music and movement program that uses a series of interactive collections of children’s music during class which is also used at home to further stimulate musical learning through play. Produced by The Music Class (www.themusicclass.com), the curriculum is widely used by early childhood music educators nationwide and contains diverse musical styles such as classical, rock, jazz and blues. Children are exposed to the sounds, scales, instrument meters and rhythms of diverse ethnic groups, including Caribbean, African, Jewish, Romanian, Russian, Japanese and American. There is always an activity to do with the songs, such as clap, run, sing, play rhythm instruments, or dance. Even infants participate as their parents or caregivers hold them while doing the activities.

INSTRUCTORS

• Gayle Giese – MusicPlay
• Marisol Ibanez – Piano
• Vindhya Khare – Piano and Voice
• Rosella Lamendola – Voice
• Roxanne Lamendola – Voice
• Karen Rassler – Voice
• Kristina Timofeeva – Guitar

• Paul L. Rodensky Foundation for the Arts
• Ambassador Pictures
• Bailes Ferrer Flamenco Dance Company
• TranZenDance Dance Productions
• Masala Middle Eastern Dance
  Fusion
• Pfuzion Dance Theatre
• Flamencos Music and Dance Ensemble
• Pablo Repun Tango, Inc.
• Jubilee Dance Theatre
• Warehouse Theater Company
• Actor’s Workshop
• Children’s Ballet Theatre Project

REAL FILMS, INC. is the official Videographer/Photographer of the University Center for the Performing Arts.

Vindhya Khare

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.

***** There will be NO EVENING ADULT CLASSES on 8/4/10, 8/5/10 and 8/6/10 due to Summer Camp Performances in the UCPA. *****

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2010 SUMMER CHILDREN’S CLASSES

8-Week Session: June 14 – August 7, 2010

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2010 FALL CHILDREN’S CLASSES

17-Week Session: August 23 – December 13, 2010

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Private Piano instruction by appt. only – please inquire

CALL: 954-475-3000

PROPER ATTIRE REQUIRED FOR ALL DANCE CLASSES.

*U.C.P.A. DANCE UNIFORM REQUIRED. PLEASE INQUIRE FOR DETAILS.

**MUST BE CONCURRENTLY ENROLLED IN ACTING TECHNIQUE CLASS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CLASSES AND TUITION CALL 954-475-3000