Miss California Intl leads an all-star cast for Ventura County Ballet Company’s "The Nutcracker"

Oct. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Bringing a beloved holiday classic to life, the Ventura County Ballet Company (VCBC) invited several local personalities to kick up their heels with its 2011 cast of professional dancers from around the country.

The all-star cast will include 2012 Miss California International, Dedria Brunett of Ventura County and radio personality Bo Jaxon of Cumulus Broadcasting’s B.95.1.

Southern California beauty, Season Winquest, trained with the Boston Ballet, The Colburn Institute and the Santa Clarita Ballet. She will dance the role of “Dream Clara” with VCBC veteran Ryan Camou, who has danced with the Smuin Ballet, Houston Ballet and currently with the State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara.

“Ryan has extensive experience dancing as a Prince in our shows including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and the Nutcracker,” said Kathleen Noblin, executive director of the VCBC. “We are so excited to have him return to Ventura County and to also introduce Miss Winquest for yet another incredible performance.”

The VCBC educates and trains its pre-professional dancers by providing opportunities to dance with seasoned professionals. Many student dancers in the program spent their summer months at intensive dance programs preparing for “The Nutcracker” performances. Madeleine Riddle, one of two dancers in the coveted role of Clara, was no exception. She trained with Paloma Herrera of Argentina, one of the premier ballet dancers of the new century, at the San Diego Civic Ballet intensive. Makenna Ortiz, performing as Clara on Saturday evening and at the Sunday matinee, also attended a summer intensive dance program with American Ballet Theatre in Irvine for the third year.  

For the second year in a row, the VCBC will collaborate with the 52-piece Ventura College Symphony Orchestra (VCSO).

Ballet Information:
What:       Ventura County Ballet Company presents “The Nutcracker”
When:       2 p.m. on Nov. 19 and 2 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 20
Where:            Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard CA
Cost:              Adults: $10 to $25; children: 10 years and under $12; seniors: 65 and older
                        $17. A sugar plum cookie reception will follow each matinee and is
                        complimentary to ticket holders
Tickets:   805-486-2424 or http://www.venturacountyballet.com/Performances.html

About the Ventura County Ballet Company and Ballet Academy Ventura
Celebrating its 18th year, the Ventura County Ballet Company presents two to three large scale productions each year. The productions feature professional dancers as well as VCBC pre-professionals, students from Ballet Academy Ventura, the official school of the VCBC.

Kathleen Noblin, a recipient of the City of Ventura 2008 Mayor’s Arts Award, founded Ballet Academy Ventura, as the official in-residence school of the Ventura County Ballet Company in 1992. She has served as executive director of the company since its inception. Students are taught creative movement as early as 2 to 3½ years and pre-ballet to the age of six. A complete and graduated ballet program, beginning through pre-professional, including adults is taught. Other classes include flamenco and Hip Hop for 5-12 year olds.

For more information, or to sponsor an upcoming ballet or educational program, call (805) 648-2080 or visit www.venturacountyballet.com.

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