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Navigation on this site requires Flash and Adobe Reader   218 THF Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 63005, 636.537.1998 info@stlouisballet.org Website ©2008 |
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Navigation on this site requires Flash and Adobe Reader 218 THF Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 63005, 636.537.1998 info@stlouisballet.org Website ©2008 |
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Tanya Strautmann is a native of St. Louis and began her training with Berkely Evans continuing on to St. Louis Ballet School. She spent summers on scholarship training with Kansas City Ballet, Gus Giordano and the Joffrey Ballet Trainee Program in NY. Since joining SLB in 1996 Tanya has been featured as Odette/Odile in SWAN LAKE, Sugar Plum Fairy in THE NUTCRACKER, the title role in GISELLE, Waltz Girl and Russian Girl in Balanchine's SERENADE, as the lead in Christopher d'Amboise's CIRCLE OF FIFTHS as well as those in Francis Patrelle’s RHAPSODY IN BLUE, BLACK FORREST CAROUSEL, Dennis Nahat's BRAHMS QUINTET and Gen Horiuchi’s BOLLING SUITE, WAKE UP, ONCE IN A BLUE MOON and RETOURNER ENCORE. In 2000, she was a guest artist in Osaka, Japan performing Horiuchi’s TWO OF A KIND and also was a guest for Toledo Ballet in 2007 performing as Sugar Plum Fairy. 
Jennifer Welch Cudnik is a native of St. Louis. At age 15, she moved to New York City to study on scholarship at the School of American Ballet. While there, she studied under renowned teachers Stanley Williams, Kay Mazzo and Suki Schorer and performed roles in ballets by George Balanchine, August Bournonville, Christopher Wheeldon and Damien Woetzel. Jennifer spent summers training on scholarship with SAB, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the State Ballet of Missouri. She danced professionally with the Pennsylvania Ballet before returning home to St. Louis in 2003. As a member of SLB, Jennifer has been featured as Russian and Waltz Girl in Balanchine's SERENADE, first and sixth soloists in DIVERTIMENTO NO. 15 and the lead in VALSE FANTAISIE, Dennis Nahat's BRAHMS QUINTET, Gen Horiuchi's RETOURNER ENCORE, ONCE IN A BLUE MOON, as the Sugar Plum Fairy in THE NUTCRACKER, as Giselle in GISELLE, and as Aurora in the SLEEPING BEAUTY. 
Elliott Geolat began his training at the Ballet Conservatory in St. Louis under the direction of Nathalie LeVine. He also studied at the American Ballet Theater Summer Intensive and Houston Ballet Academy both on full scholarship. He was a two-time winner of the National Society of Arts and Letters dance competition and has danced principal roles as a guest artist for Peoria Ballet. In the fall of 2000 he joined Saint Louis Ballet where he has performed such roles as Snow King and Cavalier in THE NUTCRACKER, as Prince Siegfried in SWAN LAKE, as Prince Albrecht in GISELLE, in Christopher d'Amboise's CIRCLE OF FIFTHS , as Prince Desire in SLEEPING BEAUTY and featured in Balanchine's SERENADE, Dennis Nahat's BRAHMS QUINTET, Francis Patrelle's RHAPSODY IN BLUE, Jessica Lang's CONFESSIONS and Horiuchi's BOLLING SUITE and RETOURNER ENCORE. Elliot was also a guest artist for Toledo Ballet performing as Cavalier and Snow King in 2007.
Milan Valko was born in Kosice, Slovakia, Mr. Valko began dancing with Dance Studio "S" and continued training with the Dance Conservatory in Kosice, Slovakia. He spent his junior and senior years with Idyllwild Arts Academy after receiving a full scholarship from Foundation for Civil Society and went on to become a semifinalist in the 9th Annual Spotlights Awards in Los Angeles, CA. He began his professional career in 1997 with Louisville Ballet where he danced many roles within their extensive repertoire. Milan made his debut with Saint Louis Ballet in 2005 when he performed Italian in SWAN LAKE and since has been featured in Balanchine's SERENADE, in GISELLE as Prince Albrecht, the Cavalier in THE NUTCRACKER, in Christopher d'Amboise's CIRCLE OF FIFTHS, as Prince Desire in SLEEPING BEAUTY and in Dennis Nahat's BRAHMS QUINTET. Mr. Valko joined Saint Louis Ballet in 2004.
Pamela Swaney is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she trained with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School and participated in the PBT Schenley Program. She also trained with the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet and attended various summer programs including Chautauqua, BalletMet, the Joffrey Ballet, and the School of American Ballet. Prior to joining the Saint Louis Ballet, Pamela danced professionally with the Lake Erie Ballet. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Dance and a minor in Arts Administration. Since joining the company in 2006, she has performed Snow Queen, Arabian, and Marzipan in THE NUTCRACKER, Balanchine's SERENADE, Horiuchi's MORE MORRA, lead wili in GISELLE and Aurora in THE SLEEPING BEAUTY. Pamela was promoted to Soloist in 2008.
Mana Takada is from Tokyo, Japan where she graduated from the Tachibana Ballet School going on to perform with Asami Maki Ballet Company, New National Theater in Tokyo and Colorado Ballet Company in Denver. She won third place in the Saitama Dance Competition and was awarded a scholarship from the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan. Mana has been featured since joining Saint Louis Ballet in 2004 as the lead in Jessica Lang's CONFESSIONS, as Dew Drop Fairy and Snow Queen in THE NUTCRACKER, as Italian Princess in SWAN LAKE, in the Peasant Pas de Deux in GISELLE, as Russian Girl in SERENADE, as Bluebird in SLEEPING BEAUTY, in Dennis Nahat's BRAHMS QUINTET and Horiuchi's BOLLING SUTIE and RETOURNER ENCORE.
Miguel Chamberlain was raised in Santa Fe, NM. Miguel trained at the School of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and danced with New Mexico Ballet Company in DRACULA and THE NUTCRACKER. After a summer with American Ballet Theatre he moved to attend The School of Ballet Chicago and dance with the Studio Company. While with Ballet Chicago he performed in many works by George Balanchine including VALSE FANTAISIE, ALLEGRO BRILLANTE, SERENADE and WHO CARES?. Leaving Ballet Chicago in the fall of 2006, Miguel studied with Birute Barodicaite and performed as a quest artist with Chicago Ballet and The Conservatory of Dance. Since joining Saint Louis Ballet in 2007 he has been featured as Chinese in THE NUTCRACKER and in Puss n' Boots in SLEEPING BEAUTY.
Michelle De Villar spent much of her life moving about the United States with her family. She trained at various ballet schools including: Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson’s Academy, and Peoria Ballet. Summer programs she attended include American Ballet Theatre and Houston Ballet. Michelle attended college at Butler Ballet where she earned a B.F.A. in Dance Performance. While there, she danced principal and soloist roles and worked with renowned choreographers, including James Kudelka. After graduating, Michelle spent one season as an apprentice with Continental Ballet Company in Minnesota performing in Swan Lake, Nutcracker, and Coppelia. This is Michelle’s first year with the company. 
Jacob Garrett, originally from Rogers, Arkansas, began his training with Midwest Regional Ballet then moved to Houston to attend the Houston Ballet Ben Stevenson Academy. After his first year he was invited to join Houston Ballet 2. In New York City he extended his ballet performance studies with the Joffrey Ballet School where he performed in the NUTCRACKER as well as in THE SLEEPING BEAUTY. Jacob has also performed with Colorado Ballet in GISELLE, DRACULA, NUTCRACKER and WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. Since joining Saint Louis Ballet in 2007 Jacob has been featured in Jewels in SLEEPING BEAUTY and as Spanish and Arabian in THE NUTCRACKER.
Kate Highstrete trained at North Carolina School of the Arts under Melissa Hayden, Christine Spizzo, and Kee-Juan Han where she received the Melissa Hayden Endowed Scholarship and The Nutcracker scholarship. She went on to train with Diane Lauridsen, Charles Maple, and Alicia Head at South Bay Ballet. Kate has attended summer programs at the School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Marin Dance Theatre and on scholarship at Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet and Washington Ballet. Since joining the company in 2006 she has been featured as Arabian in THE NUTCRACKER, in Horiuchi's MORE MORRA, as a lead wili in GISELLE, as Lilac Fairy in SLEEPING BEAUTY and the lead in Christopher d'Amboise's CIRCLE OF FIFTHS. In 2007 Kate was a guest artist performing as Snow Queen with Toledo Ballet. 
Erin King is from Albuquerque, New Mexico. There she trained with Randall Graham, Suzanne Johnston, and Patricia Dickinson. As a student, she performed with the New Mexico Ballet Company in DRACULA, THE NUTCRACKER, and Balanchine's SERENADE. Erin attended summer intensive programs at the Joffrey Ballet, and the School of American Ballet. She went on to train year-round in New York at the School of American Ballet, and also privately with Michael Vernon. While in New York, she performed in Francis Patrelle's THE NUTCRACKER. Erin has her B.A. in Mass Communications from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois. Since joining the company this year, Erin has performed in Balanchine's SERENADE and SLEEPING BEAUTY.
Lauren Lane is a native of Santa Monica, CA. She began her training with The Portland Ballet under the direction of Nancy Davis. While at TPB, she performed principal roles in ballets such as Paquita, Balanchine’s Who Cares?, and John Clifford’s Firebird and La Boutique Fantasque. Lauren also studied for two years at the Miami City Ballet School with Edward Villella, Carter Alexander, and Geta Constantinescu and performed in Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15 and Allegro Brillante. This is her first season with St. Louis Ballet.
Stephen Lawrence is from Lamoine, Maine and received his ballet training from Bossov Ballet Theatre and Houston Ballet Academy as well as being a graduate of Houston's High School for the performing and visual arts. He has been a guest artist with Kingwood Ballet Theatre for 3 years in and prior to joining Saint Louis Ballet, Stephen was an Arpino Apprentice with the Joffrey Ballet performing in ROMEO AND JULIET, THE NUTCRACKER, and MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM as well as appearing in the Joffrey Apprentice Performance at the Kennedy Performing Arts Center in D.C. Since joining the company in 2006, Stephen has been featured as Snow King and Arabian in THE NUTCRACKER, in Horiuchi's MORE MORRA, as the Peasant Pas de Deux couple in GISELLE and in Jewels in SLEEPING BEAUTY. 
Michelle Radin Seymour began her ballet studies with Antoni Zalewski and Ludmila Dokoudovsky at The Ballet Center of St. Louis. She also trained at the Joffrey Ballet School. In 1994, she joined The St. Louis Ballet with whom she performed roles in various ballets including CINDERELLA, RAYMONDA, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, PAQUITA, and LES SYLPHIDES. Since her return in 2003, Michelle has danced in THE NUTCRACKER, SWAN LAKE, GISELLE and Balanchine's VALSE FANTASIE, SERENADE and SLEEPING BEAUTY.
Noi Someya was born in Tokyo, Japan and trained at the Yuriko Kamaguchi Ballet School for 15 years. He then joined Ballet Chamber Ouest Ballet Company where he performed in COPPELIA, THE NUTCRACKER, LA SYLPHIDE as well as performing on tour in Russia. In 2007 Mr. Someya was awarded a scholarship from the Japanese Government Overseas Study Programme for Artists and was chosen by Mr. Horiuchi to perform with Saint Louis Ballet. Since joining Noi has been featured as Chinese and Candy Cane in THE NUTCRACKER and as Bluebird and Cinderella's Prince in SLEEPING BEAUTY.
Christine Stauber, born in Indianapolis, comes to St. Louis Ballet from Los Angeles where she has been dancing with the Inland Pacific Ballet for the past four years. She received her early training from the Academy of Ballet Internationale before leaving to study as a year-round scholarship student at Interlochen Arts Academy. She received additional training from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Conjunctive Points Dance Center and with teachers including Maria Vegh, Finis Jhung nd Stanley Holden. Since joining Saint Louis Ballet in 2004 Chris has been featured as Russian Princess in SWAN LAKE as well as performing in THE NUTCRACKER, GISELLE, Francis Patrelle's RHAPSODY IN BLUE, Jessica Lang's CONFESSIONS and Horiuchi's MORE MORRA.
Meghan West comes to us from Kansas City, MO and has studied at Kansas City Ballet, University of Missouri in Kansas City along with summer programs at Ballet Austin, Virginia School of the Arts, Jillana and Ballet Oklahoma. She has performed with Kansas City Ballet in THE NUTCRACKER, RAYMONDA VARIATIONS and COPPELIA. She first joined Saint Louis Ballet for the company's 2003 “Ballet Under the Stars” Summer Season in which she performed roles in SWAN LAKE, Francis Patrelle’s ASTAIRE: A TRIBUTE and Gen Horiuchi’s BOLLING SUITE and RETOURNER ENCORE. In addition she has been featured as Spanish and Chinese in THE NUTCRACKER, as the White Cat in SLEEPING BEAUTY in addition to dancing in Horiuchi's MORE MORRA, Patrelle's SWAN LAKE, Dennis Nahat's BRAHMS QUINTET, Balanchine's SERENADE and GISELLE.
Lori Wilson began her training at Ballet Lubbock under the direction of Yvonne Racz. She graduated from The Rock School's year round RAPA program in 2007 after spending the summer there on a full artistic merit scholarship. She participated in the Youth America Grand Prix and was a top twelve finalist in Philadelphia, PA after performing a solo choreographed for her by Christopher Fleming, her coach and mentor. She studied at the Chautauqua Institute with Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride. There, she performed with the North Carolina Dance Theatre in Mark Diamond's world premiere of Maestoso. She has just returned from a two and half week tour in China with the Long Beach Ballet where she performed principal roles in four sold out performances. Lori is excited about joining the St. Louis Ballet this year.