News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nightingale Hall – University of Nevada Reno

7:30 p.m.                                                                    For information contact:

$25.00 Adults                                                                        Jennifer Mannix

$15.00 Students                                                        Event Coordinator 775-848-4417

 

Sierra Nevada Ballet and The Reno Jazz Jazz Orchestra Present

A New and Unique Nutcracker

The real magic of the Nutcracker is a holiday tradition enjoyed by all.  This year’s new and unique Nutcracker – 20^th Century is no exception.

Set to the big band music of Duke Ellington and Count Basie, The Nutcracker – 20^th Century is a brand new story created especially for the Reno Jazz Orchestra and Sierra Nevada Ballet. This exciting new holiday event is designed, written and choreographed by former Prima Ballerina, Rosine Bena.  The production also features international tap star, Sam Weber, former Joffrey ballet principal Domingo Rubio and Sierra Nevada Ballet principal, Ananda Bena-Weber.

Although the original production is well known, this new version of the story is designed to discourage young people from using drugs.  The inspiring message is told in a fabulous story teller version complete with beautiful costumes, sets, drama, humor, fabulous music and exciting dance.  The combined partnership between the Sierra Nevada Ballet and the Reno Jazz Orchestra will create a new take on this well known ballet – one that has a contemporary story that will be entertaining as well as providing a message on modern life and a tale of morality. 

Advance tickets are available for $25.00 for general admission; student prices are $15.00. Tickets may be purchased on our website (renojazzorchestra.org) thrugh PayPal (there will be a handling fee).  Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Funding is provided in part by the Carole Franc Buck Foundation, City of Reno Arts and Culture Commission,  E.L. Cord Foundation, Nevada Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, supported by the Stimulus Funding through the Nevada Arts Council’s SNAP Grant program, Nightingale Hall, RJO’s Band of 100 and Prototypes Graphic Arts.

The Sierra Nevada Ballet has been providing the region with a wide variety of versatile and innovative programs for many years and is Reno’s only professional ballet company.  The Sierra Nevada Ballet is a small, classically based company founded in 2001. Under the direction of Rosine Bena, the company has presented acclaimed performances of world  premier full-length ballets, choreographed by Bena herself, as well as highly regarded contemporary works.

The Reno Jazz Orchestra is a nonprofit organization committed to consistently evaluating ways to grow their organization through high quality and culturally enriching musical activities that continue to provide audiences with a greater understanding of the Arts in Reno.

For information, contact the Reno Jazz Orchestra at www.renojazzorchestra.org. or at sierranevadaballet.com or Jennifer Mannix at 775-848-4417

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Lee Koch 775-832-6547
Artistic Contact: Rosine Bena 775-783-3223
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE’S ABT II RETURNS TO RENO / TAHOE
~ Sierra Nevada Ballet and American Ballet Theatre Collaborate to Present Event
on October 9 at the Pioneer Center ~
(RENO, Nevada), September 18, 2009 — On October 9, 2009, the Reno/Lake Tahoe region will
be treated to an evening of spectacular dance, costumes and music presented by New York’s own
American Ballet Theatre’s ABT II at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno
beginning at 7:30 pm. As part of a new collaboration between ABT II and Sierra Nevada
Ballet (the professional ballet company for northern Nevada) ABT II will travel to Reno to
present an “eclectic program with something to please all tastes,” said Rosine Bena, Artistic
Director for the Sierra Nevada Ballet. The dancers will perform Jerome Robbins’ Interplay, the
White Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake, the pas de trois from Le Corsaire, and Jodie Gates’ A
Taste of Sweet Velvet.
“When we brought the young company here last year, the audience raved and raved about
them.” said Bena. “We are proud that this event will be the beginning of an on-going
collaboration between ABT II and SNB to enhance the region’s cultural profile and share the
greatest young dancers in the world with residents and visitors alike.”
ABT II is a classical company of thirteen young (ages 16 – 19) professional dancers.
Directed by Wes Chapman, ABT II prepares dancers to enter American Ballet Theatre and
provides opportunities for the emergence of new choreographers. Reaching more than 25,000
students each year through national performances, lecture-demonstrations and academic
residencies, ABT II’s goal is to serve as a cultural ambassador to communities around the nation.

American Ballet Theatre II to Perform in Reno:

In an audience survey taken after the ABT II performance in 2008, Sierra Nevada Ballet
discovered that the youthful ABT II performance made more of an impact on the young people
in the community than many of the other touring performing groups. “We believe this is because
the young dancers are spectacular athletes and because they are wonderful role models for young
people. We hope that all the young artistic athletes in the community will come to see these
young artists as they are an inspiration for all ages and interests.”
Tickets are now on sale through the Pioneer Center. Adult prices range from $20 – $34;
children/students/senior pricing ranges from $12 – $19. Group discounts for 20 or more are
available at a 10% discount. Doors open at 6:30 pm with the performance slated to start promptly
at 7:30 pm. For complete information, visit pioneercenter.com or call 775-686-6600.
The Sierra Nevada Ballet has been providing the region with a wide variety of programs
for many years. This event is the start of an annual collaboration between SNB and ABT II.
Acclaimed music, theater and dance critic Jack Neal reviewed Sierra Nevada Ballet as a “truly
professional dance company emerging in the Reno metropolitan area.”
Versatile and innovative, Sierra Nevada Ballet is northern Nevada’s only professional
ballet company and incorporates the popular with the experimental. Always a crowd pleaser, the
Ballet offers music and different types of dance from well known classical to new age
contemporary original pieces. For more information about these events, and the Sierra Nevada
Ballet, visit sierranevadaballet.com or call (775) 783-3223.
ABT II Master Classes Set for October 10
ABT II will be offering two public Master Dance Classes on October 10th. For complete
information, contact the Sierra Nevada Ballet.
PHOTO CREDITS IF APPLICABLE:
ABT II Performs Swan Lake / Dancers: April Giangeruso, Brian Waldrep – Photo: Erin Baiano
ABT II Performs Interplay / Dancers: Ty Gurfein (green); Calvin Royal III (blue); Alberto Velazquez (purple);
Irlan Silva (red) – Photo: Erin Baiano; ©The Jerome Robbins Trust. Interplay is performed by permission of the
Robbins Rights Trust.

Media Contact: Lee Weber-Koch
Sierra Nevada Ballet
775 846 5444
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUCEMENT
BEST OF BROADWAY RETURNS TO THE BEACH
“Local Celebs Dance to Raise Funds for Youth”
(INCLINE VILLAGE, Nevada), July 9, 2009 — Back by audience demand, the Sierra Nevada Ballet will
present an all new spectacular musical theater medley as a sequel to last year’s “THE BEST OF
BROADWAY” bringing a two-hour medley filled with live music, song and spectacular dancing of all
genres to the water’s edge at Sand Harbor State Park on Friday, August 28th. This spectacular musical
theater program is filled with some of the best hits of Broadway from the 50’s through today’s favorite
award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, Hello Dolly, Chorus Line, Carousel and much more.
Renown vocalist Cami Thompson – and the Cami Thompson Trio – will return for another
spectacular night bringing jazz, swing, big band, blues and ballads to the beach beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The Broadway event will also showcase electrifying tap dancing performances from Sam Weber – “the
fastest man on two feet”, the fabulous Domingo Rubio with the sensuous Ananda Bena-Weber, and the
excitingly versatile, energetic SNB dancers.
The highlight of this benefit event is the “Dance with the Stars under the Stars” where
prominent local residents of Lake Tahoe’s North Shore and the Reno area will dance live with the Sierra
Nevada Ballet artists in a Grand Finale presentation.
Show to Benefit Local Kids
One of the greatest moments of this annual performance may not even be seen on stage as youth
throughout the region will benefit through donations generated by the show’s ticket sales. The Sierra
Nevada Ballet, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Reno Tahoe Airport Authority and Charter
Communications have joined forces for the first time in this public/private business effort to raise money
for the Reno Boys and Girls Club, Swoop Middle School, the D.G Menchetti Young Shakespeare
Program and the Sierra Nevada Ballet’s “Dance in the Schools” educational fitness program. For
complete information, visit www.sierranevadaballet.com or call 775 783-3223. To purchase tickets, visit
www.laketahoeshakespeare.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Artistic Contact: Rosine Bena 775-783-3223
Media Contact: Lee Koch 775-832-6547
SIERRA NEVADA BALLET DANCES INTO LOCAL COMMUNITIES THIS SUMMER
(Reno/Lake Tahoe), June 20, 2008 — With the summer in full swing, members of the Sierra Nevada
Ballet are practicing through the night in preparation for their biggest summer yet. Performances
scheduled for the month of August include “Jazz and Beyond” in Carson City on the 16th of August with
“The Best of Broadway” concluding their busy summer schedule at Lake Tahoe’s Sand Harbor on August
29th. The evening will conclude with a command performance from some of the region’s more prominent
residents and members of the media performing in “Dancing with the Stars, Under the Stars.”
“We are fortunate to have been invited to participate in a variety of family events this year,” said
Rosine Bena, Artistic Director. “It is a true joy to bring electrifying and educational dance programs into
the lives of locals and visitors alike, this summer.” For event times, locations and pricing, visit the
Ballet’s website at sierranevadaballet.com or call 775-782-3233.
Jazz and Beyond, August 16
The Brewery Arts Center will showcase the Sierra Nevada Ballet on August 16th as part of the
Center’s most popular summer event, “Jazz and Beyond ‘08”. This program will be performed at the
outdoor venue beginning at 1:00 p.m. and will feature several original new works with musical
compositions by Susan Mazer, Dallas Smith and Andy Heglund and choreography by Rosine Bena.
Characterized by a large range of fun activities with over 2000 attendees,” Jazz and Beyond ’08” will
present over 25 musical acts ranging from internationally renowned bands to local solo players and food,
drink and art vendors of all kinds.
(MORE)
The Best of Broadway & Dance with the Stars, Under the Stars, August 29
The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor brings ballet to the water’s edge with “The
Best of Broadway” on tap for August 29 at the Trepp Amphitheater on Lake Tahoe. This spectacular
musical theater medley, designed especially for the Shakespeare Festival, is filled with live music, song
and spectacular dancing. Musical numbers from some of the all time favorite musicals such as West Side
Story, Show Boat, The Barkley’s of Broadway, Top Hat and more will offer “a vivid performance under
the stars for all ages and musical interests”, according to Bena. The program will include singer, Cami
Thompson who has an extensive background in musical theater, light opera and professional jazz music -
singing around the world for over 30 years. A highlight of the night will include a “Dance with the Stars,
Under the Stars” performance from some of the area’s more admired residents and media members pared
with the Ballet’s professional artists.
Performances Filled with International Talent
All of the summer’s programs will feature Sam Weber in several new works. Weber known as
the “fastest feet in tap” is considered one of the greatest tap dancers in the world. In addition to
composer/musicians Susan Mazer and Dallas Smith and Andy Heglund, the programs will showcase
Joffrey dancer, Domingo Rubio, star of the Robert Altman film, THE COMPANY with the Ballet’s
professional principals Ananda Bena-Weber, Ramona Cachinero, Rachael Spiedel, Mary Beth Beasley
with soloists E.Cort Larson, Alexander Biber, Arthur Reloj and several new SNB professional dancers.
The programs will include several young dancers from the Ballet’s apprentice program and students from
the Reno/Tahoe/Carson areas.
Included in these programs will be several new choreographic works by other choreographers
including Sam Weber, Domingo Rubio, Gina Kaskie-Davis, Jennifer Boyle-August and Ananda Bena-
Weber and several pieces by Artistic Director, Rosine Bena, and several original compositions by Susan
Mazer and Dallas Smith, and Andy Heglund.
Acclaimed music, theater and dance critic Jack Neal reviewed Sierra Nevada Ballet as a “truly
professional dance company emerging in the Reno metropolitan area.” Versatile and innovative, Sierra
Nevada Ballet is northern Nevada’s only professional ballet company and incorporates the popular with
the experimental. Always a crowd pleaser, the Ballet offers music and different types of dance from well
known classical to new age contemporary original pieces.
For more information about these events, and the Sierra Nevada Ballet, visit
sierranevadaballet.com or call (775) 783-3223

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rosine Bena
775-783-3223
rsoineb@hotmail.com
NEVADAN BECOMES ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO BE
CERTIFIED IN NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Rosine Bena, former international ballerina and director of Sierra Nevada Ballet, was
invited by Kevin McKenzie, Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre, to be one of
the first in the nation to be trained and certified in the ABT Training Curriculum for
Ballet. Bena traveled to Los Angeles for the ABT Alumni Curriculum Training in March
of 2008 and is one of the first master teachers in the USA to be certified in the ABT
National Curriculum for Teaching Ballet. Bena became certified to teach levels-Primary
through level 3. American Ballet Theatre is the official national ballet company of the
USA and the ABT teaching curriculum is expected to become the standard curriculum for
teaching ballet for the country.
“ This is exactly what is needed in professional ballet,” states Bena. “There are many
dancers who attempt to become teachers in this country without the proper training. They
mean well and some may even have an aptitude for teaching but lack the experience.
Without the proper guidelines, teachers can easily harm students. Ballet is a very
scientific art form and there are reasons we teach certain things at certain times in proper
training.”
Bena danced throughout the USA and Europe for many years as a professional ballerina
and simultaneously trained as a master teacher under the tutorage of her mother, master
ballet teacher Anne Bena, and Mary Day of the Washington Ballet. Bena also trained in
the Mensendieck System of Functional Movements under Physical Therapist, Michael
Keropian. With their help through her 35 years of teaching, Bena developed a curriculum
for teaching ballet from beginning through professional level. This curriculum combines
floor work for body alignment, barre work for body placement and technical clarity and
center movement for strength, agility, grace and artistry. Bena’s curriculum has been
successfully producing professional dancers for the past 20 years.
In February of 2007, Bena was invited to attend a retreat consultation about the ABT
curriculum with McKenzie, the ABT staff, selected members of the International
Association for Dance Medicine and Science and a few selected master teachers from the
US. “ I am VERY impressed with this work” says Bena. “ this curriculum has been
developed by the very best experts in the country.” Though similar to the curriculum that
Bena developed, the ABT curriculum has been written out and goes into extensive detail
to help the less experienced teacher.
“When I trained a new teacher, I would have to be at their side constantly explaining and
clarifying what to teach and how to teach it. The ABT training binder is very clear and
will be a great help to the new teacher as well as the more experienced master teacher;
the students and their parents.”
Bena has already begun to implement the ABT curriculum into her teaching and is
finding the Nevada dance community very receptive. “ The students are very enthusiastic
about the training and are looking forward to the examinations that are being designed for
the curriculum.”
“This a very exciting time to be involved in the ballet world” states Bena. “ We are all
grateful to Kevin and the ABT staff for developing such a fabulous curriculum for the
nation.”
Besides directing Sierra Nevada Ballet, the professional ballet company for Northern
Nevada, Rosine Bena is the head of ballet at Western Nevada Performing Arts Center in
Carson City and In Motion Studio of Dance in Reno.
Sierra Nevada Ballet is northern Nevada’s only professional ballet company. Jack Neal,
local music, dance and theater critic, reviewed SNB and said: “At last a truly
professional dance company is emerging in the Reno metropolitan area.” Versatile and
innovative, Sierra Nevada Ballet incorporates the popular with the experimental. Always
a crowd pleaser, it offers music and different types of dance from well known classical to
new age contemporary original pieces. For more information on Rosine Bena and the
Sierra Nevada Ballet visit www.sierranevadaballet.com or call (775) 783-3223.

Sierra Nevada Ballet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Artistic Contact: Rosine Bena 775-783-3223
Media Contact: Lee Koch 775-832-6547
BROADWAY COMES TO THE LAKE TAHOE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
~ Sierra Nevada Ballet Promises A Vivid Performance ~
Lake Tahoe, NV — The Best of Broadway will be presented as part of the Lake Tahoe
Shakespeare Festival on August 29 at 7:30 PM. This spectacular musical theater medley will be
performed at the Sand Harbor Warren Trepp Amphitheater on beautiful Lake Tahoe by the Sierra
Nevada Ballet and musical friends. The event, designed especially for the Shakespeare Festival, is
filled with live music, song and spectacular dancing. Musical numbers from some of the all time
favorite musicals such as West Side Story, Show Boat, The Barkley’s of Broadway, Top Hat and
more will offer “a vivid performance under the stars for all ages and musical interests”, according
to Sierra Nevada Ballet artistic director, Rosine Bena.
The program will be performed by local composers and dancers in residence with
choreography by several different renowned choreographers. According to Bena, musicians
Susan Mazer and Dallas Smith, accompanied by renowned jazz singer Cami Thompson, will hold
the pulse of the performance for the Sierra Nevada Ballet’s international dance stars. Sam Weber
“the fastest feet in tap”, the fabulous Domingo Rubio – from the Robert Altman movie, THE
COMPANY, and the sensuous Ananda Bena-Weber are just part of the cast of versatile dancers.
With an extensive background in musical theater, light opera and professional jazz
music (singing around the world for over 30 years), Cami Thompson will light the
stage with her passionate sound, robust style and comedic timing.
As this is a one night only event, the show is expected to sell-out. For ticket information,
visit www.laketahoeshakespeare.com or call 775 call 800-74-SHOWS.
Acclaimed music, theater and dance critic Jack Neal reviewed Sierra Nevada Ballet as a
“truly professional dance company emerging in the Reno metropolitan area.” Versatile and
innovative, Sierra Nevada Ballet is northern Nevada’s only professional ballet company and
incorporates the popular with the experimental. Always a crowd pleaser, it offers music and
different types of dance from well known classical to new age contemporary original pieces. For
more information visit sierranevadaballet.com or call (775) 783-3223.

Sierra Nevada Ballet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Artistic Contact: Rosine Bena 775-783-3223
Media Contact: Lee Koch 775-832-6547
3 Sierra Nevada Ballet company members have been selected
to travel to Australia and represent the company as they perform
with the “Tasmanian Classical Ballet Company”
Alexander Biber,Courtney Jankovic and Laura Lunde will be
travelling to Australia with SNB Principal Dancer ,Ramona
Cachinero, choreographer for the Tasmanian Classical Ballet
Company.
This is a great opportunity for these dancers and we are
thrilled to have them back as international artists upon their return!