TCHAIKOVSKY’S “THE SLEEPING BEAUTY” BALLET, FULLY STAGED
BY THE JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY
(Jacksonville, Fla. – April 16, 2015) Tchaikovsky’s enchanting ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, which has captivated audiences for more than a century, will be performed by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. The fully-staged production features internationally renowned principal dancers Yumelia Garcia and Mauro Villanueva, both formerly with the Joffrey Ballet, and Emily Bromberg and Alex Manning from Miami City Ballet. The cast is comprised of dancers from Jacksonville’s own First Coast Nutcracker and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Performances take place on Friday, May 2 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 3 at 3 p.m. at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts in the Jim and Jan Moran Theater.
The ballet is choreographed by Rhonda Stampalia, after Marius Pepita’s choreography of the original masterpiece. “Our dancers are thrilled to perform to Tchaikovsky’s beloved music again this season with the Jacksonville Symphony,” said Stampalia, who also choreographs the First Coast Nutcracker. Conducting the performance will be Chelsea Tipton, II, music director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas. Tipton conducted the Jacksonville Symphony earlier this season for a “Classical Holiday” special event.
“Classical ballet is a fabulous experience for audiences of all ages and The Sleeping Beauty is one of the most popular of all,” said volunteer Linda Holmes “The authentic Russian-made costumes and sets are exquisitely detailed.” The community-wide effort includes countless hours of rehearsal from the dancers, dozens of parents and volunteers assisting behind the scenes, and rehearsal space generously provided by Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and Jacksonville University.
The Sleeping Beauty was Tchaikovsky’s first famous ballet. His timeless music and the story of The Sleeping Beauty are a perfect match for ballet. Generations of audiences have been spellbound by its royal celebrations, magnificent castle scenes, magic spells, the battle of good and evil and the triumphant victory of everlasting love.
Family activities are planned before the Sunday, May 3 performance beginning at 2 p.m. Children are welcome to come in costume and can stay after for picture-taking in lobby with the cast, including Cinderella.
Tickets and information are available through the Jacksonville Symphony Ticket Office at 904.354.5547 or online at JaxSymphony.org. Ticket Prices range from $35 to $65.
EVENT INFORMATION
Jacksonville Symphony
SLEEPING BEAUTY BALLET
Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 8 pm
Sunday, May 3, 2015, at 3 pm (Pre-concert activities for children at 2 p.m.)
Location: Jim and Jan Moran Theater, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts
Special Event
Chelsea Tipton, II, conductor
Rhonda Stampalia, choreographer
Tchaikovsky’s enchanting ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, has captivated audiences for more than a century. Experience it in a full production, featuring internationally renowned principal dancers Yumelia Garcia and Mauro Villanueva, both formerly with the Joffrey Ballet, and Emily Bromberg and Alex Manning from Miami City Ballet. The cast is comprised of dancers from Jacksonville’s own First Coast Nutcracker and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Special thanks to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and Jacksonville University for generously providing rehearsal space.
Ticket Prices: $35-$65. Call 904.354.5547 or log on to JaxSymphony.org for information.
About the Principal Dancers:
Yumelia Garcia (Princess Aurora)
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Yumelia Garcia received her professional training at the Escuela de Ballet Gustavo Franklin. She was invited to join the National Ballet of Caracas at age 15 and promoted to soloist just one year later. Ms. Garcia began her career in the United States at the Ohio Ballet and later as a principal dancer at the Milwaukee Ballet where noted choreographer Katherine Possen created a version of Scheherazade especially for her. She was invited to join the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago in 2009 and danced with the company for five seasons. For several years, she has danced the Sugar Plum Fairy in the First Coast Nutcracker with the Jacksonville Symphony. Garcia continues to dance as a guest artist all over the country, coaches and teaches. She is also pursuing a bachelor degree on Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Mauro Villanueva (Prince Désiré)
Mauro Villanueva grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and at age nine he joined the University of Incarnate Word Ballet School directed by the co-founders of The Joffrey Workshop Texas. Villanueva joined the Joffrey Ballet in 2000 as an apprentice and two years later received a full company contract. During his 13 years at the Joffrey Ballet he danced many ballets throughout the world, was a union representative for the artists, and was one of two dancers chosen to participate in its artistic director search. He is a dancer, educator, coach, and choreographer and has been named co-director of The Joffrey Workshop Texas.
Emily Bromberg (Princess Florine)
Emily Bromberg trained with Kirov Academy of Ballet, Boston Ballet and Ballet New England. She joined Festival Ballet Providence where she performed many principal roles, including Kitri in Don Quixote and the Sugar Plum Fairy. She went on to Colorado Ballet where she performed principal roles including My Funny Valentine from Lar Lubovitch’s Smile with your Heart. In 2010 Bromberg joined Miami City Ballet where she has since performed Crossover Girl in Twyla Tharp’s In The Upper Room, Dark Angel in Balanchine’s Serenade, Principal Couple in Paul Taylor’s Mercuric Tidings, Sugar Plum Fairy in Balanchine’s The Nutcracker and Juliet in John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet. Bromberg was promoted to soloist for MCB’s 2015-16 season.
Alex Manning (The Bluebird)
Raised in State College, Pennsylvania, Alex Manning trained at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. While at CPYB, he also trained with Darla Hoover, Bruce Thornton, and was coached privately by Laszlo Berdo. He also received the Jerome Robbins Scholarship during his time at CPYB. Manning joined the Miami City Ballet in 2013 as an apprentice and was promoted to the Corps de Ballet in 2014. Manning has performed works by some of the world’s most renowned choreographers, including George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp and John Cranko.
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Complete information is available at JaxSymphony.org. Purchase tickets online at JaxSymphony.org or by calling the Jacksonville Symphony Ticket Office at 904.354.5547. Like JaxSymphony on Facebook, share #JaxSymphony on Instagram and follow @JaxSymphony on Twitter. All programs, dates, artists and ticket prices are subject to change. All individual ticket sales are final, no refunds or exchanges.
