KOMENKA ETHNIC DANCE AND MUSIC ENSEMBLE
BORN & RAISED IN NEW ORLEANS, LA!
THE LADIES:
NATALIA BALINA-ZBROROWSKA began her study of dance in her hometown of Tobol'sk, Siberia, where she received a 5-year Ballet Studio Diploma. She went on to receive her Associate's Degree in Choreography from the College of Fine Arts in Perm. Natalia also received her Major in Choreography from the St. Petersburg University of Fine Arts. Natalia has danced for the contemporary ballet company, Panfilov, in Perm as well as throughout the Musical Theater community in Vroclav, Poland. She is very excited to be dancing with Komenka!
LEIGH BROCKMAN became enthralled with the world of dance at the early age of 3 when her grandmother put Leigh into her very first dance class at the Joyce Brinkman School of Dance. Her classical and character training continued for many years at the Leila Haller School of Classical Ballet under Bobbe Willard. Leigh has made appearances on stages more times than she can count, as both performer and stage manager, most notably at Mary Washington College in Virginia under Dr. Stephen Burton and Mr. Leonard Wilson, for the Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus, Lorrie-Fraley Wilson School of Dance and the Pioneer Players in Washington, for the Loyola University New Orleans’ Ballet Program under Gayle Parmelee and Laura Zambrano, and of course, for Komenka! It is through these groups that she has had the chance to work with local, national and international teachers, coaches and directors, including David Baker, Lula Elzy, Carolyn Martin Santonicola, Valerie Smith-Concha, Konstantin Uralsky, Eddie Villalta and Svetlana Tchernatsova, and Vladimir Issaev. Leigh also taught for the Loyola University New Orleans’ Ballet Program for 5 years, through which an understanding and love for the Vaganova (Russian) method of classical ballet was fostered. She currently teaches at Dance, Etc. in Reserve, LA and conducts the summer workshop in character dance for the Myra Mier School of Classical Ballet.
ALINE DE SOUZA is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Her dance training began at the age of 6 when she was accepted into the State Dance School Maria Olenewa, which is part of the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro. She studied classical ballet there for 10 years and upon her graduation in 1997, furthered her understanding of dance through a study of the human body. Sher received her Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education in 2001. She came to the United State via the "Ringling Bros. and Barnnum and Bailey Circus" in which she was a dancer and later an aerial silks act artist. She currently lives with her husband in New Orleans, is a faculty member for the New Orleans Ballet Association and is a Fitness Teacher for the New Orleans Recreational Department. This is her first year with Komenka and she is thrilled!
SALLY FARRELL is happy to be dancing with Komenka again and thanks John and Dan for their love and support as well as the opportunity to dance the dances from so many countries. She has trained and performed with Ballet Hysell and Delta Festival and is currently dancing at the New Orleans Dance Academy plus assists in teaching young children ballet. She is a member of Young Audiences performing in “Jenna’s Cajun Experience” plus performing in “Comhaltas”, an Irish dance group. She thanks God for his grace to dance and for the many people He has brought into her life to help her.
ZUZANNA MROZEK (Zuzu)is in her second year as a performer with Komenka. She was born in Warsaw, Poland, and moved to the U.S. when she was 5 months old. She is now 15 and is currently attending Lusher Charter High School in pursuit of her certificate of artistry in dance. She is a proud student of the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) “Step Up Program”. Over the years she has danced with Lusher, NOBA, and Ballet Idaho, and she wishes to pursue a professional career in dance.
COLLEEN MURPHY is a 2008 graduate of Loyola University, where she also completed a 4-year minor in Ballet under Laura Zambrano and Gayle Parmelee. After graduating, Colleen was accepted into the American Repertory Ballet's Princeton Ballet School for their 5-week Summer Intensive. This is Colleen's first year with Komenka and she's having a great time!
LISA RICHARDSON's parents put her in a ballet class at age two to make sure she was never self-conscious. Her parents created a monster, however, as Lisa got really addicted to wearing glittery costumes and tiaras, and has happily continued life upon the wicked stage ever since. She has trained and performed with Ballet South of New Orleans, Mississippi Dance Company, University of Mississippi, Showstoppers, and the O’Conner Theatre Project. Her other job is being a teacher for God’s special students, whom she loves very much! She is also the Komenka member most likely to get lost in her own city (and everywhere else). parents put her in a ballet class at age two to make sure she was never self-conscious. Her parents created a monster, however, as Lisa got really addicted to wearing glittery costumes and tiaras, and has happily continued life upon the wicked stage ever since. She has trained and performed with Ballet South of New Orleans, Mississippi Dance Company, University of Mississippi, Showstoppers, and the O’Conner Theatre Project. Her other job is being a teacher for God’s special students, whom she loves very much! She is also the Komenka member most likely to get lost in her own city (and everywhere else).
RUTH MARIE SPERIERenjoys Komenka so much, she'll make rehearsal after being on the road all day for work - that's dedication! Ruth Marie's dance training began under the influence of New Orleans greats, such as Kathy Gamble, Gayle Parmelee, Reginald Denny, Myra Mier and Jackie Fry, to name a few. After a serious car accident threatened her dance ambitions, Ruth Marie was even more determined to put "mind over matter" and do what doctors said she might never do again: dance. After 2-3 years of intensive physical therapy, Ruth Marie began performing again with the Loyola Ballet and soon thereafter, joined Komenka - the fun hasn't stopped since! Beyond dancing, Ruth Marie is also the 2002 Gold Medalist of the International Wushu Federation in the Asian Fan Dance style.
MARY ESTHER TUCKERis a native of Birmingham, Alabama. She is a recent graduate of Loyola University, was a member of the Loyola Ballet throughout her collegiate years and has appeared with them post-graduation. She is continuing her education in the LIM graduate program. This is her second full year with Komenka! She would like to thank her fiancee, Richard Watson, for all of his support!
THE GENTLEMEN:
IAN BLANCO is in his fourth year performing with Komenka. Ian has been dancing since he was 6 years old. His dance education began at Lusher School where he participated in many performances throughout New Orleans as a member of the Lusher Dance Troup culminating in a performance in Washington, DC at The Kennedy Center in 2004. His dance experience continued through the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, the New Orleans Ballet Association, the Urban Ballet Theater of NewYork, the Mississippi Ballet, and of course, Komenka. He is also a 3.8 GPA academic student and has achieved the Boy Scouts of America level of Eagle Scout. Ian’s dream is to make it to Broadway.
RAUL MACHUCA was born in Columbia, South America and came to the United States four years ago. It was through Mark Petersen, who happened to be one of his English teachers at Tulane, that Raul discovered the possibility of continuing development of one of his true passions---dancing! He really appreciates the incredible dedication , support, patience, and understanding of his fellow Komenkians, particularly John, Daniel, and Cheryl.
MARK PETERSEN considers his 19 year stint with Komenka a major influence on his worldview: physical culture, teamwork and camaraderie of the first order – add exciting travel opportunities and you get the best involvement going. Thanks to all who have helped along the way.
ARTISTS ON REOCCURING GUEST ARTIST STATUS:
Jan Lapre and Rick Richardson
from Azerbaijan Suite
from Hassidic Suite
from Chinese Ribbon Suite
from Congo Suite
from Hungarian Suite
from Saudi Arabian Woman's Dance
from Zimbabwe Suite
from New Orleans Rhythm and Blues Suite
