Grand Ballet Gala 2009 a triumphant success and very memorable evening!

Ballet Etudes of South Florida would like to offer its sincerest gratitude to the patrons who attended Grand Ballet Gala at the Miramar Cultural Center this past weekend. The performance was a great success but it was even more so thanks to the enthusiastic and attentive supporters in the audience.

The evening began with the return of Les Sylphides by Ballet Etudes after a 23-year absence from its repertoire. One of the earliest ballets from the Romantic Era, the ethereal choreography based on the original by Michael Fokine is designed to make the audience feel like it is in a dream world. The Waltz and Mazurka variations were danced by Ballet Etudes soloists Maria Alvarino and Christina Herrera. The Prelude Variation was danced by Prima Ballerina Dagmar Moradillos who was partnered in the Pas de Deux by Guest Artist Jose Rodriguez from Ballet Nacional de Puerto Rico. They were supported by a corps de ballet of sixteen sylphs.

Next, the program featured two original works by Artistic Director Susana Prieto Elden. The premiere of Prima Donna, a work centered on the premise of a diva reliving the highlights of her career, was met with raucous applause. The ballet was created especially for Dagmar Moradillos who was partnered by Jose Rodriguez, Jose Nodar, Jose Luis Uz and Sanford Placide.

Following Prina Donna was Autumn from Verdi's The Seasons, originally choreographed in 1987 and another crowd pleaser. The first variation was danced by Ballet Etudes soloist Monica Villar and the second by Principal Dancer Jessica Tome. Ms. Tome, Ms. Herrera, and Ms. Alvarino also danced the Adagio with Mr. Nodar, Mr. Uz, and Laynier Bernal.

The evening ended on a joyous note with the Act III from Coppelia, staged by Artistic Advisor Rodolfo Rodriguez, which featured the return of Ballet Etudes Principal Dancer Jessice Lemoine in fine form as Swanhilda and Wilder Herrouet as the charming Franz. Jessica Tome also danced the Dawn variation and Ballet Etudes Soloist Stephanie Kronick performed the Prayer variation. They then joined Laynier Bernal to lead the Waltz of Hours in a beautiful pas de trois. The Wedding Pas de Deux as performed by Jessica Lemoine and Wilder Herrouet was a fantastic ending to the evening.

Ballet Etudes of South Florida would also like to thank the Miramar Cultural Center for all their support in putting this performance together, particularly the Management, Technical Crew, and Box Office Staff. The Company very much looks forward to its return to Miramar Cultural Center for its run of The Nutcracker production in December 2009.

The Company will next appear as featured artists in Ballet Etudes newest performance tradition: Tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month, which this year will take place on October 11th, 2009 at the Hialeah Performing Arts Theater.