After Performance Reception with the Artists At
Caligaris, 144 W. 18th StreetNY, NY 10011
Les Ballets Eloelle-Grandiva
is an all male comedy ballet company, one of only a handful in the world, that has performed to sold out theaters in Japan, China, Korea, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, St. Barts, and the United States. Founded and directed by Victor Trevino, Ballet Eloelle features over 15 active ballets in its repertoire. The dancers, all comic male ballerinas of exceptional talent, astound audiences dancing on pointe-shoes in tutus with humor and grace. And the performers' personas transcend the stage!
Victor Trevino, Ballet Eloelle-Grandiva Artistic Director and Choreographer
Mr. Victor Trevino is the founder and artistic director of Ballets Eloelle-Grandiva, Men in Tutus and Men in Pink Tights, has created various works for the company including Romeo and Juliet, Le Petite Nutcracker Suite, Spartacus, Swan Lake Act II, Bolero, Near the Middle Somewhat Below, Minkus Gala and more. Mr. Trevino also was an original member of Ballet Florida under Marie Hale and danced with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo for ten years. Victor's extensive career as a Ballerina include most of the great female leads. He still enjoys the laughter of a live audience and is thrilled to be able to contribute to the dance community.
Ballet Eloelle & Friends Program
Pas De Quatre
Choreography: Victor Trevino after Perrot
Music: C. Pugni
Performed by Palomana Carrera( Jonathan Mendez), Marianela Moreoless( Walter Battistini), Teresa Cariño( Estefano Gil) and Maya N. Ruinskaya(Kevin Ortiz Lemus) of Ballet Eloelle-Grandiva
Tango, tango
Choreography: Roger VanFleteren
Music: Desolación (Astor Piazzolla) by El Desquite
Performed by Andres Castillo and Madison Ryan of Alabama Ballet
Paquita Solo
Choreography: Victor Trevino after Petipa
Music: L. Minkus
Performed by Paloma Carrera(Jonathan Mendez) of Ballet Eloelle-Grandiva
Reflection
Premiere 2008 by ARC Dance Company, Leo Krielsheimer Theater, Seattle, WA
Choreography: Marie Chong
Music: "Count your blessings” Irving Berlin
Costumes: Alice Cao
Performed by Aaron Loux and Ethan Schweitzer-Gaslin of ARC Dance
Le Corsaire Pas de Deux
Choreography: Victor Trevino after Mazilier
Music: A. Adam
Performed by Marianela Moreoless(Walter Battistini) of Ballet Eloelle-Grandiva and Tonatiuh Gomez of San Diego Ballet
Gym-Me
Choreography: Antonio Fini
Music: Summer, Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by Antonio Fini of FINI Dance New York
-Intermission-
Moonlight (World Premiere)
Choreography: Calvin Royal lll
Music: Claude Debussy,"Clair de Lune"
Performed by: Jacek Mysinski and Luigi Crispino of American Ballet Theatre
Odalisques Pas de Trois
Choreography: Victor Trevino after Mazilier
Music: A. Adam
Performed by Paloma Carrera(Jonathan Mendez), Marianela Moreoless(Walter Battistini) and Teresa Cariño(Estefano Gil) of Ballet Eloelle-Grandiva
Pas De Deux excerpt from Anna Karenina
Choreography: Yuri Possokhov
Music: Ilia Demutsky
Performed by Amanda Assucena and Alberto Velazquez of The Joffrey Ballet Chicago
Harlequinade Variation
Choreography: Victor Trevino after original
Music: R. Drigo
Performed by Marianela Moreoless(Walter Battistini) of Ballet Eloelle-Grandiva
Dying Swan
Choreography: Victor Trevino
Music: C. Saint-Saëns
Performed by Paloma Carrera(Jonathan Mendez) of Ballet Eloelle-Grandiva
Minkus Gala Coda
Choreography: Victor Trevino
Music: L. Minkus
Performed by the full cast of Ballet Eloelle & Friends.
Performers
Jonathan Mendez
Jonathan began dancing at the age of nine in Cali,Colombia at the Colombian Institute for Classical Ballet(Incolballet). Upon graduation, he joined Incolballet, Colombia's premier dance company. Jonathan received a full scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre.He performed with Dances Patrelle in the Nutcracker and Their 2010 Spring Season, In May 2010, Jhonatan performed with Avi Scher and Dancer at the Kennedy Center, In December 2010 Jonathan was a Guest Artis with Alberta Ballet for the production of the Nutcracker in canada. Jonathan Joined Les Ballets Eloelle-Grandiva in July 2010 where he perform in many tour all around Japan, Australia, New Zealand, China, South Africa,Malaysia. Jonathan is a Amerian Ballet Theatre certified teacher and he is also featured in the American Dance Documentary, “First Position”.
Paloma Carrera
The triple crown princess of ballet was groomed for success by an ex-member of the "Estable de Baile del Teatro Colon". Winning the Princess Margaret Award placed Paloma on the fast track to ballet stardom and showed the world a thoroughly new breed of ballerina. With unbridled passion and restless spirit that cannot be broken, she is chomping at the bit to move forward in her career and onward to greener pastures.
Though highly competitive, Palomina (to her friends) has one great wish for world peace.In that spirit, she is offering an olive branch to all those ballerinas who she has flown by if they will just accept that she is the prettier and more talented one
Walter Battistini
Walter Battistini is originally from Mendoza, Argentina. In 2002 he received a scholarship to join the school of Teatro Colón. Walter graduated from Teatro Colón in 2008. In 2006 Walter was a shortlisted finalist for the Prix de Lausanne in Latin America, Cordova, Argentina. In 2007 he was awarded a scholarship to visit the Spinelli Escola de Dança in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
where he had the opportunity to dance in the carnival with the Escola de Dança do Cubango. In 2010 Walter was awarded a six-months scholarship by the Askjun Ballet Theater of New York City.
In 2011 he auditioned for Ballet Eloelle/GranDiva. He is currently a member of this New York City-based company, with which he had the opportunity to tour Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, South Africans and Malaysia.Additionally, Walter danced in productions with different companies in the United States like New England Ballet (CT) Joan Lynn Dance Company (CT) Staten Island Ballet (NY) Bangor Ballet (ME), Long Island Ballet Theatre (NY) International Ballet Classique (PA) and American Liberty Ballet (NJ).
Marianela Moreoless
Is pretty much, take or give a little one of the best little ballerinas in her social circle. This princess from the Pampas learned to dance on the back of a steer and that’s no bull. Her high flying moves as a rodeo queen made her more or less a cowgirl ballerina that drew crowds from near and far to watch her roping, bumping and grinding technique. Her competition said she was less of a cowgirl and more of a—well… money maker shaker which got her barred from the corral. Her career at the cowgirl circuit more or less
Estefano Gil
Mr. Gil was born in Caracas, Venezuela and began his ballet training at Ballet-Arte School Gustavo Franklin Foundation under the Direction of Lidija and Isabel Franklin and continued his training at Nina Novak Ballet Academy. He joined Ballet Teresa Carreño performing Demi-Soloist and Soloist Roles and participated in the III International Dance Gala in Montevideo (Uruguay). In 2007 he joined the Caracas Contemporary Ballet under the Artistic Direction of María Eugenia Barrios, performing as a Soloist. In 2008 Estefano traveled to Colombia and became a member of INCOLBALLET. He performed as a soloist dancing in Europe, Central and South America. He represented Colombia in The Colombia Bicentennial World Celebration in Belgium, Holland and Russia, Since 2012 Estefano has been a Guest Artist in the Staten Island Ballet and New England Ballet.
Teresa Carino
This South American sweetheart, a temple of artistry, is a theatrical ballerina with a big heart of gold and a small tin ear. She has won audiences over with her winning smile, syncopated rhythm and her very unique style of movement which has made many ask “What the?” Shamelessly using selfies to promote her cause and herself, her work with the coordinately challenged has led her to be considered a saint to those with two left feet. She has been given a wide berth by her fellow dancers, creating a spot on the stage for herself that only she can fill. Always dancing to the beat of her own drum and nothing else she has risen to the middle.This loving, sparkling personality would like to share the following, “Laugh and the world laughs with you, fall and the world laughs.
Kevin Ortiz Lemus
Kevin Ortiz Lemus is originally from Guatemala, he is an actor and dancer by profession. Kevin began his artistic training at the National School of Dramatic Art ¨Carlos Figueroa Juárez¨ in Guatemala City where he graduated with a degree in Dramatic Art. After graduation he was part of the Garabato Company. Kevin studied dance with a full scholarship at the "Antonio Crespo Morales" School and was trained by the renowned International Teacher Lisseth Aguilar Stockli.
Kevin was part of the National Modern and Folkloric Ballet of Guatemala, In the year 2019 Kevin was a guest dancer of the National Ballet of Guatemala ¨Christa Mertins" Currently, Kevin is a full scholarship student at the Peridance Center in New York City, where his mentor is Igal Perry, founder and director of Peridance Center.
Maya N. Ruinskaya
Maya’s early career was marred by a vicious pyramid scheme that left her penniless. She took to the jungle to survive living off bananas and chocolate. And coffee lots and lots of coffee. Yes, she didn’t sleep much but Maya is no stranger to sacrifice. She has sacrificed a lot. Her approach to learning ballet is almost ritualistic. She has painstakingly enshrined and merged the teachings of all the great ballet schools -Russian, Italian, French, English, and Barnum and Bailey- creating a unique style that has helped her climb the steps to reach the capstone of success. Now, at the pinnacle of her powers, she has her finger on the pulse of balletomanes. Maya holds your heart in her hands when she performs the Dying Swan. Her Giselle will tear your heart out. Her Samson and Delilah will make you lose your head. She is an attraction not to be missed. Critics are dying to see her next performance.
Andres Castillo
Andres Castillo, from Cali, Colombia began his training at INCOLBALLET at the age of 9. After 8 years with the school, he joined the professional company when he was just 17 years old. During his time with compañía colombiana de ballet he performed all around the world in countries like Germany, Spain, Russia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Uruguay and others. In 2013 Andres moved to the USA looking for new opportunities and ways to grow as an artist. Since, he has danced in companies like Ballet San Antonio (2015-2018) and currently with the Alabama Ballet (2018-2022), where he has performed famous principal roles like Basilio in Don Quixote, James in La Sylphide, Cavalier in the Balanchine’s Nutcracker, Prince Désiré in Sleeping Beauty, and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, just to name a few. Throughout his 13 years as a professional dancer, Andres has worked with remarkable choreographers and teachers like Annabel Lopez, Gaetano Petrosino, Amy Fote, Dominic Walsh, Amanda Mckerrow, John Gardner, Ben Stevenson and Jorge Amarante.
Madison Ryan
Madison Ryan grew up in Louisiana, training at A Touch of Class Performing Arts under the direction of Lori Rayborn, and The New Orleans Center of Creative Arts. Madison spent summers training with Sarasota Ballet School, Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet and Modas dance under the direction of Duncan Cooper. Since starting her professional career, Madison has worked with prominent choreographers, danced at international ballet festivals, performed principal roles in ballets including Don Quixote, George Balanchine’s Serenade, Nutcracker and Western Symphony. She is currently a company dancer with Alabama Ballet.
Aaron Loux
Aaron Loux is a Seattle-born, New York City-based dance artist and educator. He holds a BFA from The Juilliard School, is a certified yoga teacher, and leads ballet, modern dance, and yoga classes to adults of diverse backgrounds, from beginners to professional dancers to persons living with Parkinson's disease. From 2010-2022, Aaron was a company member of the renowned Mark Morris Dance Group, where he performed in over 40 works by Morris and served as assistant to the choreographer from 2017-2019. He has also performed with Christopher Williams, Charlotte Bydwell, and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. Aaron first appeared with ARC Dance in 2004, and participated in their summer seasons in 2008 and 2009, which included the creation of Reflections in 2008. He is thrilled to dance this work again and to represent ARC Dance at Ballet Eloelle and Friends.
Ethan Schweitzer-Gaslin
Ethan Schweitzer-Gaslin is from Western Massachusetts where he began studying ballet at the age of 5 at Amherst Ballet. He then trained on scholarship at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as at summer programs at schools around the country. After graduating from the UNCSA high school boarding program, he was a member of Oregon Ballet Theatre for two years and Company Artist at Ballet Idaho for eight years. He joined ARC Dance Company in 2015 and has performed with Project Flux Dance in Boise, ID since 2018.
Tonatiuh Gomez
Principal Dancer at San Diego Ballet, social entrepreneur, marketer strategist and producer. Appointed Ambassador of the Performing Arts by the Ministry of Culture of the State of Mexico. He has been invited to participate in different parts of the world as a guest artist in some of the most important events and competitions of the history of ballet. Founder of Tonatiuh Gómez Foundation, The Golden Door Center, Goodboys Ballet and co-founder of Males on Pointe, organizations and initiatives that are looking to propel and create extraordinary stories within the creative industries and with the philosophy of inspiring to live an extraordinary life through an artistic and creative lifestyle. Tonatiuh has given more than 680 conferences with audiences of 20 to 3000 people of different ages, he has had experience speaking in media and events such as television, radio, newspaper, forums, conventions, theaters, workshops, universities, festivals, Ted talks, among others. He is looking to inspire the new generations of artists and entrepreneurs leaving a positive footprint on the planet.
Antonio Fini
"Fini Dance Italian international Dance Award Host and Creative Director"
Artistic director of Fini Dance New York. Principal Dancer for the Michael Mao Dance of New York and was special guest for the Martha Graham Dance Company, Erick Hawkins Dance, Long Island Ballet, Staten Island Ballet, Boca Ballet theatre and Roi Escudero. Antonio is Special guest judge for Dancing with the Stars Italy. Since 2018 Ambassador of dance as a means of diplomacy for the ACD Agency for Cultural Diplomacy in Vienna. He choreographed for the New York Opera at Lincoln Center, The Players of the Square and for the National Ballet of Kosovo and since 2015 he is recognised by the United States of America in America as a permanent citizen for artistic merits. Antonio Fin's productions and artistic directions include the Italian International Dance Award in New York, the Tirana Dance Festival, Bulgarian International Dance Festival and the documentary film on Amazon Prime and Rai 5 DANCE the Audition. @antoniofininyc
Jacek Mysinski
Jacek Mysinski, originally from Warsaw, Poland is an internationally acclaimed concert pianist and creative project collaborator. Mysinski is a graduate of the Juilliard School, and has won Vladimir Horowitz and J.S. & B.P Johnsohn scholarships, the Polish Ministry of Culture, and Grand Prix at the Frederic Chopin International Piano Competition in Szafarnia among many others. He has performed in engagements at Alice Tully Hall, Museum of Modern Art, Peter J. Sharp Theater, Focus! Festival, Steinway Hall in NYC, Frederic Chopin Society, the National Philharmonic Hall in Warsaw, Poland, a tour of Japan and Great Britain. In October 2015, he joined the American Ballet Theatre as a Company Pianist and has performed with the company on tour and at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for the past seven years.
Luigi Crispino
Luigi Crispino is from Naples, Italy. At the age of 8 he entered the Ballet School at the Teatro San Carlo where he studied ballet for 10 years, receiving his diploma in 2015. Upon graduation from San Carlo, Crispino was offered a full scholarship to American Ballet Theater’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in New York City. In 2016 he joined ABT Studio Company, in 2017 he became an Apprentice with ABT, and in 2018 he joined the Corps de Ballet. In 2017 Crispino was awarded “Dancer of the Year on the International Stage” at the 45th edition of Positano Premio La Danza Léonide Massine and, most recently, was awarded the prestigious “Vespoli Junior Prize” at the 50th edition of Positano Premio La Danza Léonide Massine.
Amanda Assucena
Amanda Assucena started ballet at the age of eight in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At age 14, she moved to the United States and completed her ballet studies at The Harid Conservatory in Florida. Assucena joined The Joffrey Ballet in 2013, and since then has performed works by world renowned choreographers like Liam Scarlett, Christopher Wheeldon, Yuri Possokhov, John Neumeier, George Balanchine, Frederick Ashton, Alexander Ekman, Justin Peck, Wayne McGregor, Cathy Marston, and Jiří Kylián. Her repertoire includes lead roles such as Juliet, Cinderella, Odette/Odile, Giselle, Sylvia, Sugarplum Fairy, Anna Karenina, and Jane Eyre. Since joining the Joffrey, Assucena has performed on stages all over the world such as England, France, and Russia.
Alberto Velazquez
Alberto Velazquez, originally from Havana, Cuba, started ballet at age nine at The National Ballet School of Cuba. He then continued his studies in Mexico with his mother, Adria Velazquez. At the age of 17, he moved to New York City and joined American Ballet Theatre’s school, eventually joining the second company. In 2011, Velazquez joined The Joffrey Ballet, and has performed many works by choreographers such as John Neumeier, Christopher Wheeldon, Jiří Kylián, Frederick Ashton, Wayne McGregor, Liam Scarlett, Yuri Possokhov, George Balanchine, and William Forsythe. In his time with The Joffrey, he has performed roles such as the Prince in Cinderella, Siegfried in Swan Lake, Albrecht in Giselle, Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Aminta in Sylvia, Romeo, and Count Vronsky in Anna Karenina. Velazquez has performed in stages all over the world, including Russia, Italy, and France.
Choreographers
Marie Chong, ARC DANCE Artistic Director and Choreographer
Chong had a professional performing career for twenty years. After retiring from performing, Chong started ARC Dance Company in 1999 and opened the School in 2004. Chong is an accomplished choreographer, director, and dance educator. In addition to directing and choreographing for ARC Dance, she has directed and choreographed for Cirque du Soleil and Disney Theatricals (NYC) and recently concluded 3 years as the Rehearsal Director with Dance Theatre of Harlem(NYC).
Chong is an internationally respected and critically acclaimed dance artist, director, educator and choreographer who has worked and toured extensively nationally and internationally.
Calvin Royal III
Calvin Royal III began his formal dance training at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was a finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix Competition and awarded the Ethan Stiefel Scholarship to join American Ballet Theatre’s JKO School in September 2006. Royal was promoted to ABT Main Company as an apprentice in October 2010 and the corps de ballet in April 2011. He was appointed a Soloist in September 2017 and a Principal Dancer in September 2020. Royal has soared across stages and been featured in digital and print campaigns worldwide as well as produced and directed choreographic works for film and stage. For more, follow Calvin on Instagram @calvinroyaliii or visit www.calvinroyaliii.com
Stage Manager
Richard Scandola
Photo Credit
Ballet Eloelle: Dolores Dégagé Hopkins, Matthias Knapp, ARC Dance: Suzy Petrucci, CalvinRoyalII: Maria Baranova, Jacek Mysinski : Jade Young, Luigi Crispino: Karolia Kuras, Alberto velasquez and Amanda Assucena: Cheeryl Mann, Andres Catillo and Madison Ryan: Melisa Dooley, Tonatiuh Gomez: carlos Quezada, Antonio Fini: Rachel Neville
Special Thanks
We thank all the people who have made this show possible, each and one of the artists who donated their talent and time, the artistic directors and choreographers for allowing their dancers to be part of the show and above all, each and one of the donors, sponsors and supporters for making this show possible.
Gratitude and all our support to Trinity Place Shelter, where their mission is to help homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ*) youth and young adults in New York City to safely transition out of the shelter system and grow into independent, positive, and productive adults. https://trinityplaceshelter.org/
