Photo Credits:
Photographer: Heidi Marie Photography:
https://www.heidimarie-photography.com/
Photographer: Heidi Marie Photography:
https://www.heidimarie-photography.com/
Marina del Rey Symphony
at Burton Chace Park-2020
We regret to announce that the Marina del Rey Summer Concert series has
been canceled for 2020, in an effort to slow the spread of the novel
coronavirus (COVID-19) and in compliance with the Order of the Health
Officer of LA County.
PLEASE KEEP SAFE, KEEP WELL, AND CONTINUE SOCIAL DISTANCING.
This page shows last season's concert.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Burton Chace Park, Marina del Rey
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, California 90292
Sights, Sounds & Dance in America
Frank Fetta, Conductor and Artistic Director
Marina del Rey Symphony
Nancy Dobbs Owen, Choreographer, and The Dancers
For parking and additional information: LINK
Nancy Dobbs Owen returns after last year's triumph of our Bernstein at 100 concert. This year's concert features works by American composers, Gershwin, Safan, Copland, and Stravinsky-a Russian Immigrant who lived in Los Angeles, and of the cities he lived in over his life, Los Angeles is the city where he lived the longest.
PROGRAM
Igor Stravinsky - The Firebird, Suite
Craig Safan - "Sirens," from his "Odysseys"
Choreographed by Nancy Dobbs Owen
Cast: Kate Coleman and Michael Tomlin III
Darby Epperson, Sarah Gomez, Eryn Orsburn, Jacob Byrd, JM Rogriguez, Spencer Ramirez
Singers: Soprano Emily Dyer and Bass-Baritone Jóhann Schram Reed
INTERMISSION
Aaron Copland - 4 Dance Episodes from Rodeo
George Gershwin - An American in Paris
Choreographed by Nancy Dobbs Owen
Cast: Aria Alekzander and Spencer Ramirez
Kate Coleman, Darby Epperson, Sarah Gomez, Eryn Orsburn, Michael Tomlin III, Jacob Byrd,
JM Rogriguez, Luis (L.T.) Martinez
All Bios are at the bottom of this webpage.
Bring a picnic, a jacket, a blanket to sit on and one to wrap yourself in.
IT CAN GET CHILLY AND DAMP.
If you bring a chair, please make sure it has a low back to not obstruct the view of those behind you.
Parking and more information
Nancy Dobbs Owen: Choreographer Program Notes and credits:
Sirens:
Craig sent me the entire collection of movements that make up “Sirens” and I went through them all, pairing them in groups until I came up with a trio that created a cohesive narrative arc. That said, this is an abstract ballet, not a literal retelling of Odysseaus’ journey through The Odyssey. I followed Craig’s musical lead and took the emotions and feel of the epic tale to choreograph a journey where individuals fight for connection and love and ultimately find a path through life’s storms by coming together.
Credits:
Dancers:
Kate Coleman and Michael Tomlin III
Darby Epperson, Sarah Gomez, Eryn Orsburn, Jacob Byrd, JM Rodriguez, Spencer Anderson
Costumes: Nancy Dobbs Owen and Sylvie Gosse
An American In Paris:
Here’s an idea: take the most iconic music in the American canon, which has already been preserved in Oscar and Tony winning form on film by the legendary Gene Kelly and on stage by the incredible Christopher Wheeldon, and create something new. No pressure. Have fun!
So....with that in mind I tackled the 25 minute ballet that is at the heart of both the stage and film productions of An American In Paris . The score that we are dancing to is the same as that in the film, however that ballet was created with hundreds of dancers, costumes, edits, set and light changes. Clearly that approach would not work in the stripped down venue of an open stage under the stars. The stage version by Christopher Wheeldon provided slightly more context, but he did a very “ballet company” version with abstracted movement and once again, a rotating set. So, I set out to create my own story. A group of friends, supporting the last of their group to find love. The setting is a park and we used the repeating musical phrases, which in the movie are represented by different characters, to create a cohesive movement vocabulary. The result is pure exuberant dance celebrating love, youth and the endless possibilities that life holds when you simply open your eyes and heart to those walking by.
Credits:
Dancers:
Aria Alekzander and Spencer Ramirez
Kate Coleman, Darby Epperson, Sarah Gomez, Eryn Orsburn, Michael Tomlin III, Jacob Byrd, JM Rodriguez, L.T. (Luis) Martinez
Costumes: Nancy Dobbs Owen
Sirens:
Craig sent me the entire collection of movements that make up “Sirens” and I went through them all, pairing them in groups until I came up with a trio that created a cohesive narrative arc. That said, this is an abstract ballet, not a literal retelling of Odysseaus’ journey through The Odyssey. I followed Craig’s musical lead and took the emotions and feel of the epic tale to choreograph a journey where individuals fight for connection and love and ultimately find a path through life’s storms by coming together.
Credits:
Dancers:
Kate Coleman and Michael Tomlin III
Darby Epperson, Sarah Gomez, Eryn Orsburn, Jacob Byrd, JM Rodriguez, Spencer Anderson
Costumes: Nancy Dobbs Owen and Sylvie Gosse
An American In Paris:
Here’s an idea: take the most iconic music in the American canon, which has already been preserved in Oscar and Tony winning form on film by the legendary Gene Kelly and on stage by the incredible Christopher Wheeldon, and create something new. No pressure. Have fun!
So....with that in mind I tackled the 25 minute ballet that is at the heart of both the stage and film productions of An American In Paris . The score that we are dancing to is the same as that in the film, however that ballet was created with hundreds of dancers, costumes, edits, set and light changes. Clearly that approach would not work in the stripped down venue of an open stage under the stars. The stage version by Christopher Wheeldon provided slightly more context, but he did a very “ballet company” version with abstracted movement and once again, a rotating set. So, I set out to create my own story. A group of friends, supporting the last of their group to find love. The setting is a park and we used the repeating musical phrases, which in the movie are represented by different characters, to create a cohesive movement vocabulary. The result is pure exuberant dance celebrating love, youth and the endless possibilities that life holds when you simply open your eyes and heart to those walking by.
Credits:
Dancers:
Aria Alekzander and Spencer Ramirez
Kate Coleman, Darby Epperson, Sarah Gomez, Eryn Orsburn, Michael Tomlin III, Jacob Byrd, JM Rodriguez, L.T. (Luis) Martinez
Costumes: Nancy Dobbs Owen
Photo Credits above for "Sirens and "An American in Paris":
Photographer: Heidi Marie Photography: https://www.heidimarie-photography.com/
Photographer: Heidi Marie Photography: https://www.heidimarie-photography.com/
Sirens
The following photos are from the rehearsal of "Sirens," Craig Safan-Composer, Nancy Dobbs Owen-Choreographer.
Photos by Joelle https://www.gingersolephotography.com/
The following photos are from the rehearsal of "Sirens," Craig Safan-Composer, Nancy Dobbs Owen-Choreographer.
Photos by Joelle https://www.gingersolephotography.com/
Read the reviews of our July 25, 2019, concert, "Dance in America."
Broadway World Los Angeles. Website LINK or pdf LINK
L.A. Dance Chronicle Angeles Website LINK or pdf LINK
Broadway World Los Angeles. Website LINK or pdf LINK
L.A. Dance Chronicle Angeles Website LINK or pdf LINK
An American in Paris
The following photos are from the rehearsal of "An American in Paris," George Gershwin-Composer, Nancy Dobbs Owen-Choreographer.
Photos by Joelle https://www.gingersolephotography.com/
The following photos are from the rehearsal of "An American in Paris," George Gershwin-Composer, Nancy Dobbs Owen-Choreographer.
Photos by Joelle https://www.gingersolephotography.com/
Burton Chace Park
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Department of Beaches and Harbors
Gary Jones-Director
Kerry Silverstrom-Chief Deputy Director
Carol Baker-Division Chief of the Community
& Marketing Services Division
Parking
County Lot 4: 13500 Mindanao Way, West of Admiralty Way-fee as posted
County Lot 5: 4545 Admiralty Way, entrance on Bali Way-fee as posted
County Lot 77: 13560 Mindano Way, West of Admiralty Way-fee as posted
The Culver City Symphony Orchestra is the parent orchestra.
Rich Capparela of KUSC, 91.5fm, is the concert host: LINK
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Department of Beaches and Harbors
Gary Jones-Director
Kerry Silverstrom-Chief Deputy Director
Carol Baker-Division Chief of the Community
& Marketing Services Division
Parking
County Lot 4: 13500 Mindanao Way, West of Admiralty Way-fee as posted
County Lot 5: 4545 Admiralty Way, entrance on Bali Way-fee as posted
County Lot 77: 13560 Mindano Way, West of Admiralty Way-fee as posted
The Culver City Symphony Orchestra is the parent orchestra.
Rich Capparela of KUSC, 91.5fm, is the concert host: LINK
Bios for the Singers and Dancers
Bios for the Nancy Dobbs Owen and the Dancers
Nancy Dobbs Owen has performed throughout the United States, with both ballet and modern companies and then as a ballerina and a Meg cover in the National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Regional theater includes American Musical Theatre of San Jose, The Magic Theater, 42nd St. Moon, and Berkeley Opera. LA theatre includes Theatre of Note, The Alex Theater, The Hudson Theater, Santa Monica Playhouse and Lucy in the Production Company’s critically acclaimed Sweeney Todd. She starred in the West Coast premiere of The Bridge Club at Deaf/West Theatre. Recent stage work includes Nixon in China with the LA Philharmonic at Disney Hall. Recent film and television work includes Sia’s directorial debut; Music as well as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, American Princess, VEEP, and the 2019 Deadwood Feature.
Choreography includes Skeleton Stories (Best Choreography Nomination, BroadwayWorld.com) and Have You Seen Alice, and Welcome to the Whit at Theatre of NOTE, Assassins with Sight Unseen Theatre, M. Butterfly, Sweeney Todd (Seven Ovation nominations), Working (Outstanding Choreography, Small Theater) and Enron (Outstanding Choreography, Small Theater), all at the Production Company, The Snow Queen (Memorable Choreography, Small Theater) at the Fremont Centre Theatre, Where's Charley for 42nd St. Moon, as well as additional choreography for I’d Rather Be Right at the Hudson Theater, Dolls! at the Santa Monica Playhouse and Pacific Opera Project's The Mikado. She is thrilled to be returning to the Marina Del Rey Symphony after choreographing last year’s production of West Side Story Suites and Three Dance Episodes from On The Town.
Film and video choreography includes the music video for the Band Pie's gorgeous song Yo Se, a flash mob scene for the hot web series Squad 85, My Life on the F List, the feature film Hollywood Fringe and Lullaby a Zombie Musical. Recent commercial work includes four national spots for Big Lots and a web video for Poise. With Weyward Sisters Productions, she created two dance films; Surrender to the Mystery and Nevada Line. Her most recent work is the dance film Too Many Bodies, which has been accepted into over 20 film festivals including SF International Dance Film Festival, the Santa Barbara International Dance Film Festival and the Sedona International Film Festival. It has won numerous best of awards and continues to add accolades daily. The film is a call to conversation regarding gun control and leads to action items and a website with resources for victims and activists.
She made her LA directorial debut in August 2012 directing and choreographing SkyPilot Theatre's smash hit War Bride, which received rave reviews, an extension and 7StageScene LA awards, including Outstanding Direction of a Play. She made her Fringe Festival Directorial debut in 2015 with Skanky Me From Kankakee, which received a producers' encore presentation. She has also worked with Fierce Backbone and Fresh Produc'd on new works. She is both and InkFest and Hollywood Fringe Festival veteran, with shows featured each year.
With Weyward Sisters Productions, a multi media production company focused on creating beautiful, thought provoking, emotionally bare work in film, theater, music and visual/fine art she created two dance films; Surrender to the Mystery and Nevada Line.
She holds a BA from UC Irvine. She completed the Teacher Artist Training Program through the Music Center in 2010 and participated in the 2011 Directors Lab West at the Pasadena Playhouse.
She is on the faculty at AMDA-LA, The Performing Arts Center, Degas Dance Center and guest teaches throughout LA.
A proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA and an associate member of SDC. www.nancydobbsowen.com
Kate Coleman (dance captain) Originally from Chicago, Kate Coleman grew up learning from the finest artist and teachers around the Chicagoland area, studying ballet and contemporary dance. She has her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Theatre from AMDA College and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. She is currently a company member of LA Contemporary Dance Company and Company Rhome. Kate has traveled to France and Morocco as the lead dancer in Anais: A Dance Opera. She is the director and choreographer of the narrative dance web series Tales of the Universe . Website: coleman.dance
Michael Tomlin III
A contemporary and commercial artist from California who began training at Debbie Allen Dance Academy as a scholarship student. He has worked with Odyssey Dance Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah, dances with the Lula Washington Dance Theater and is currently Lula’s assistant. Michael was the first African American to receive a full dance scholarship at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where he graduated with a BFA in Dance and minor in Math. During his time at CalArts he performed 'Memoria' with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Music Center and has worked with Merce Cunningham's musician John King, Barak Marshall, Body Traffic in La, Danielle Agami. Post graduation he moved to Japan and worked for Tokyo Disney Sea in a stage production Mystic Rhythm. While in Japan he choreographed his first international piece 'IBUKI.' After living in Japan for 3 years, he continues to dance with Lula Washington Dance Theater. In 2016, he set work on Cal State LA students and taught a class in Tel Aviv, Israel. Michael continues to choreograph and teach across the country as Teaching Artist. For the past 3 years he has danced in the ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ with Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet as the Nutcracker Prince and debuted as Cavalier in Jacksonville, Fl. Tomlin has been teaching dance at within Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) since his return in states 2015. In 2017,Michael became the CAP Americorp Lead Fellow where he helped launched a new dance program at Dorsey High School Hip Hop Music Video Workshop. Michael Tomlin III gives honor to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and thanks his family for their love and support.
Aria Alekzander is a native Californian and began her training at the age of four with the Anaheim Ballet. As a student Ms. Alekzander danced the role of Clara in San Francisco Ballet's The Nutcracker multiple years and appeared in various youth roles with American Ballet Theatre including its nationally broadcast Le Corsaire. She was awarded a scholarship to the San Francisco Ballet School and American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive in New York. Ms. Alekzander was runner-up at the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards at the age of fourteen, won the Orange County Performing Arts Center's Tomorrow's Stars Award, was awarded the Los Angeles Youth America Grand Prix title, and was a finalist in the NYC Youth America Grand Prix. She is a Screen Actors Guild member and has appeared in various stage, TV, and film productions most recently including Gilmore Girls, Glee, TV Land Icon Awards, MTV’s Video Music Awards, The Ellen Show With Iggy Azalea, Music Videos with One Direction and Imagine Dragons. She recently toured across America with America’s Got Talent performing a duet for Blue Journey. Ms. Alekzander joined American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in 2006 and the Houston Ballet in 2007 and continues to reach audiences performing in galas and as a guest artist across America as well as Europe.
Ms. Alekzander’s repertoire includes numerous contemporary works, Balanchine’s Serenade, Theme and Variations, Symphony in C, Jewels, Ballet Imperial, and many other Balanchine classics. Her repertoire also includes Giselle, Swan Lake, Flames of Paris, La Bayadère and Coppélia among others. She has performed soloist and principal roles in Stanton Welch’s The Core, Paquita and Marie, Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, as well as Ben Stevenson’s Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker.
Spencer Ramirez is incredibly excited to be working with choreographer Nancy Dobbs Owen Dance at the Marina this year. Credits: Off Broadway: The Girl With the Alkaline Eyes (Oliver). Regional: MAME (Ralph Divine, Riverside Theater), Newsies (Albert, Tuacahn Center for the Arts) Mamma Mia (Ensemble, Tuacahn), Shrek (Ensemble, Tuacahn). TV: Fuller House, Paris By Night. Concert Dance: Mark Morris Dance Group, BODYTraffic Dance, Dance Heginbotham. Juilliard Class of 2012. Sober Class of 2019.
Ensemble Dancers:
Jacob Byrd started his dance education at the age of 6 in Kansas City, Missouri. After high school he moved to Los Angeles to attend The American Music and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) where he graduated from the Dance Theatre Conservatory program. Upon graduation from AMDA he signed with Go 2 Talent Agency. Some of Jacob’s recent credits include Paula Abdul MixTape video with choreographer Tyce Diorio, Disney’s Rock The Dots commercial, Sister Act the Musical with choreographer Michelle Elkin, The Shout with choreographer Yusuf Nasir, and Carolyn Duboc’s “Wavelenghth" music video. He is thrilled to return to the Marina Del Rey Symphony this summer.
Darby Epperson is currently a freelance dancer based in Los Angeles. She holds a BFA in Dance Theatre from AMDA-LA and has worked with choreographers, such as Genevieve Carson, Johnnie Hobbs III, Andrew Pearson, Nicole Berger and many more. Recent work includes Highways’ NEW SHOES 18, Epic International Summit, and Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series: Bernstein at 100. She can also be seen in blendid.tv’s concept dance film, “#F_ckYourPolitics.” Offstage, Darby assists on many projects, including this year’s Hollywood Fringe “Rewind: A New 80s Pop Musical” directed by Nancy Dobbs Owen. IG: @darby_epperson
Sarah Gomez is a professional dancer and college instructor living in Los Angeles. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Sarah recently earned her Master of Arts in English Literature at the University of Oregon, where she studied the repercussions of childhood adversity and literary portrayals of dance. She currently applies her interests in literature, dance performance, and higher education at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, College and Conservatory as an English and writing instructor. Sarah is thrilled to perform with the Marina del Rey Symphony this summer.
Luis "L.T." Martinez Los Angeles-native, Luis "L.T." Martinez (@eLTigreus), began his performance career as a musician; his love for music led him to the theater which inspired him to seriously pursue technical dance training in high school and on through to college as well as continue his musical efforts independently. He is a BFA graduate of the American Musical & Dramatic Academy with a deep passion for film production as well as a not-so-secret affinity for musical theater. Credits include: "ANNIE" at The Hollywood Bowl (Ensemble); "In The Heights" at Musical Theater West (Graffiti Pete); Jacob Jonas The Company (Apprentice).
Eryn Orsburn, originally from the small town of Carpinteria, California, is a well-rounded, technical dancer and performer. She began training at the age of four in nearly every style of dance and continued this training at AMDA College of the Performing Arts, receiving her BFA in Dance Theatre. Eryn has kept busy performing since graduation with concert dance in Los Angeles numerous commercials, dance films, and live performances. She is excited to return to the Marina Del Rey Symphony this summer!
JM Rodriguez: After graduating from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), where he trained in Ballet, Horton, and Luigi Jazz just to name a few, JM. moved to Pennsylvania to attend college for Archaeology and Geology. However, after a few years, he decided to move back home to LA and change his course of action. At the beginning of 2011, with the help of one his mentors, JM. decided to take on dance professionally in both the concert and commercial dance scenes.JM. Rodriguez has been dancing for LA Contemporary Dance Company since 2012, and has been growing in the contemporary modern field ever since. Some of the choreographers/instructors that JM. has trained under are: the legendary Horton master Don Martin, Beth Hirschhaut-Iguchi, KaRon Brown Lehman, Denise Leitner, Fionna Lummis, Kitty McNamee, Adam Parson, Tovaris Wilson, and Edouard Kouzmich. JM. has also performed with a few other local dance/entertainment companies such as Karamgraphy Bollywood Fusion, Freelusion Video Mapping, Imagination Entertainment, and the LA Follies.He had the opportunity to dance in a few TV shows such as Disney’s Shake It Up, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and even the recent Angie Tribeca series on TBS. He has traveled around the US and Canada performing with Yo Gabba Gabba and his other credits include music videos for artists Pharrell and Penatonix, commercials and promotions for Microsoft and The Greatest Showman, and an Xbox video game. In 2013, JM. was one of the three members of SensEtion from AGT Season 8, having the wonderful opportunity to perform at the Radio City Music Hall with the 3D Video Mapping Dance group (also known as Freelusion). With a passion for both dance andthe arts in general, JM. brings life to his movement, and will continue to push the dance scene further and further into the depths of his life and career.
Nancy Dobbs Owen has performed throughout the United States, with both ballet and modern companies and then as a ballerina and a Meg cover in the National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Regional theater includes American Musical Theatre of San Jose, The Magic Theater, 42nd St. Moon, and Berkeley Opera. LA theatre includes Theatre of Note, The Alex Theater, The Hudson Theater, Santa Monica Playhouse and Lucy in the Production Company’s critically acclaimed Sweeney Todd. She starred in the West Coast premiere of The Bridge Club at Deaf/West Theatre. Recent stage work includes Nixon in China with the LA Philharmonic at Disney Hall. Recent film and television work includes Sia’s directorial debut; Music as well as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, American Princess, VEEP, and the 2019 Deadwood Feature.
Choreography includes Skeleton Stories (Best Choreography Nomination, BroadwayWorld.com) and Have You Seen Alice, and Welcome to the Whit at Theatre of NOTE, Assassins with Sight Unseen Theatre, M. Butterfly, Sweeney Todd (Seven Ovation nominations), Working (Outstanding Choreography, Small Theater) and Enron (Outstanding Choreography, Small Theater), all at the Production Company, The Snow Queen (Memorable Choreography, Small Theater) at the Fremont Centre Theatre, Where's Charley for 42nd St. Moon, as well as additional choreography for I’d Rather Be Right at the Hudson Theater, Dolls! at the Santa Monica Playhouse and Pacific Opera Project's The Mikado. She is thrilled to be returning to the Marina Del Rey Symphony after choreographing last year’s production of West Side Story Suites and Three Dance Episodes from On The Town.
Film and video choreography includes the music video for the Band Pie's gorgeous song Yo Se, a flash mob scene for the hot web series Squad 85, My Life on the F List, the feature film Hollywood Fringe and Lullaby a Zombie Musical. Recent commercial work includes four national spots for Big Lots and a web video for Poise. With Weyward Sisters Productions, she created two dance films; Surrender to the Mystery and Nevada Line. Her most recent work is the dance film Too Many Bodies, which has been accepted into over 20 film festivals including SF International Dance Film Festival, the Santa Barbara International Dance Film Festival and the Sedona International Film Festival. It has won numerous best of awards and continues to add accolades daily. The film is a call to conversation regarding gun control and leads to action items and a website with resources for victims and activists.
She made her LA directorial debut in August 2012 directing and choreographing SkyPilot Theatre's smash hit War Bride, which received rave reviews, an extension and 7StageScene LA awards, including Outstanding Direction of a Play. She made her Fringe Festival Directorial debut in 2015 with Skanky Me From Kankakee, which received a producers' encore presentation. She has also worked with Fierce Backbone and Fresh Produc'd on new works. She is both and InkFest and Hollywood Fringe Festival veteran, with shows featured each year.
With Weyward Sisters Productions, a multi media production company focused on creating beautiful, thought provoking, emotionally bare work in film, theater, music and visual/fine art she created two dance films; Surrender to the Mystery and Nevada Line.
She holds a BA from UC Irvine. She completed the Teacher Artist Training Program through the Music Center in 2010 and participated in the 2011 Directors Lab West at the Pasadena Playhouse.
She is on the faculty at AMDA-LA, The Performing Arts Center, Degas Dance Center and guest teaches throughout LA.
A proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA and an associate member of SDC. www.nancydobbsowen.com
Kate Coleman (dance captain) Originally from Chicago, Kate Coleman grew up learning from the finest artist and teachers around the Chicagoland area, studying ballet and contemporary dance. She has her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Theatre from AMDA College and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. She is currently a company member of LA Contemporary Dance Company and Company Rhome. Kate has traveled to France and Morocco as the lead dancer in Anais: A Dance Opera. She is the director and choreographer of the narrative dance web series Tales of the Universe . Website: coleman.dance
Michael Tomlin III
A contemporary and commercial artist from California who began training at Debbie Allen Dance Academy as a scholarship student. He has worked with Odyssey Dance Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah, dances with the Lula Washington Dance Theater and is currently Lula’s assistant. Michael was the first African American to receive a full dance scholarship at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where he graduated with a BFA in Dance and minor in Math. During his time at CalArts he performed 'Memoria' with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Music Center and has worked with Merce Cunningham's musician John King, Barak Marshall, Body Traffic in La, Danielle Agami. Post graduation he moved to Japan and worked for Tokyo Disney Sea in a stage production Mystic Rhythm. While in Japan he choreographed his first international piece 'IBUKI.' After living in Japan for 3 years, he continues to dance with Lula Washington Dance Theater. In 2016, he set work on Cal State LA students and taught a class in Tel Aviv, Israel. Michael continues to choreograph and teach across the country as Teaching Artist. For the past 3 years he has danced in the ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ with Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet as the Nutcracker Prince and debuted as Cavalier in Jacksonville, Fl. Tomlin has been teaching dance at within Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) since his return in states 2015. In 2017,Michael became the CAP Americorp Lead Fellow where he helped launched a new dance program at Dorsey High School Hip Hop Music Video Workshop. Michael Tomlin III gives honor to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and thanks his family for their love and support.
Aria Alekzander is a native Californian and began her training at the age of four with the Anaheim Ballet. As a student Ms. Alekzander danced the role of Clara in San Francisco Ballet's The Nutcracker multiple years and appeared in various youth roles with American Ballet Theatre including its nationally broadcast Le Corsaire. She was awarded a scholarship to the San Francisco Ballet School and American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive in New York. Ms. Alekzander was runner-up at the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards at the age of fourteen, won the Orange County Performing Arts Center's Tomorrow's Stars Award, was awarded the Los Angeles Youth America Grand Prix title, and was a finalist in the NYC Youth America Grand Prix. She is a Screen Actors Guild member and has appeared in various stage, TV, and film productions most recently including Gilmore Girls, Glee, TV Land Icon Awards, MTV’s Video Music Awards, The Ellen Show With Iggy Azalea, Music Videos with One Direction and Imagine Dragons. She recently toured across America with America’s Got Talent performing a duet for Blue Journey. Ms. Alekzander joined American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in 2006 and the Houston Ballet in 2007 and continues to reach audiences performing in galas and as a guest artist across America as well as Europe.
Ms. Alekzander’s repertoire includes numerous contemporary works, Balanchine’s Serenade, Theme and Variations, Symphony in C, Jewels, Ballet Imperial, and many other Balanchine classics. Her repertoire also includes Giselle, Swan Lake, Flames of Paris, La Bayadère and Coppélia among others. She has performed soloist and principal roles in Stanton Welch’s The Core, Paquita and Marie, Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, as well as Ben Stevenson’s Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker.
Spencer Ramirez is incredibly excited to be working with choreographer Nancy Dobbs Owen Dance at the Marina this year. Credits: Off Broadway: The Girl With the Alkaline Eyes (Oliver). Regional: MAME (Ralph Divine, Riverside Theater), Newsies (Albert, Tuacahn Center for the Arts) Mamma Mia (Ensemble, Tuacahn), Shrek (Ensemble, Tuacahn). TV: Fuller House, Paris By Night. Concert Dance: Mark Morris Dance Group, BODYTraffic Dance, Dance Heginbotham. Juilliard Class of 2012. Sober Class of 2019.
Ensemble Dancers:
Jacob Byrd started his dance education at the age of 6 in Kansas City, Missouri. After high school he moved to Los Angeles to attend The American Music and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) where he graduated from the Dance Theatre Conservatory program. Upon graduation from AMDA he signed with Go 2 Talent Agency. Some of Jacob’s recent credits include Paula Abdul MixTape video with choreographer Tyce Diorio, Disney’s Rock The Dots commercial, Sister Act the Musical with choreographer Michelle Elkin, The Shout with choreographer Yusuf Nasir, and Carolyn Duboc’s “Wavelenghth" music video. He is thrilled to return to the Marina Del Rey Symphony this summer.
Darby Epperson is currently a freelance dancer based in Los Angeles. She holds a BFA in Dance Theatre from AMDA-LA and has worked with choreographers, such as Genevieve Carson, Johnnie Hobbs III, Andrew Pearson, Nicole Berger and many more. Recent work includes Highways’ NEW SHOES 18, Epic International Summit, and Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series: Bernstein at 100. She can also be seen in blendid.tv’s concept dance film, “#F_ckYourPolitics.” Offstage, Darby assists on many projects, including this year’s Hollywood Fringe “Rewind: A New 80s Pop Musical” directed by Nancy Dobbs Owen. IG: @darby_epperson
Sarah Gomez is a professional dancer and college instructor living in Los Angeles. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Sarah recently earned her Master of Arts in English Literature at the University of Oregon, where she studied the repercussions of childhood adversity and literary portrayals of dance. She currently applies her interests in literature, dance performance, and higher education at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, College and Conservatory as an English and writing instructor. Sarah is thrilled to perform with the Marina del Rey Symphony this summer.
Luis "L.T." Martinez Los Angeles-native, Luis "L.T." Martinez (@eLTigreus), began his performance career as a musician; his love for music led him to the theater which inspired him to seriously pursue technical dance training in high school and on through to college as well as continue his musical efforts independently. He is a BFA graduate of the American Musical & Dramatic Academy with a deep passion for film production as well as a not-so-secret affinity for musical theater. Credits include: "ANNIE" at The Hollywood Bowl (Ensemble); "In The Heights" at Musical Theater West (Graffiti Pete); Jacob Jonas The Company (Apprentice).
Eryn Orsburn, originally from the small town of Carpinteria, California, is a well-rounded, technical dancer and performer. She began training at the age of four in nearly every style of dance and continued this training at AMDA College of the Performing Arts, receiving her BFA in Dance Theatre. Eryn has kept busy performing since graduation with concert dance in Los Angeles numerous commercials, dance films, and live performances. She is excited to return to the Marina Del Rey Symphony this summer!
JM Rodriguez: After graduating from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), where he trained in Ballet, Horton, and Luigi Jazz just to name a few, JM. moved to Pennsylvania to attend college for Archaeology and Geology. However, after a few years, he decided to move back home to LA and change his course of action. At the beginning of 2011, with the help of one his mentors, JM. decided to take on dance professionally in both the concert and commercial dance scenes.JM. Rodriguez has been dancing for LA Contemporary Dance Company since 2012, and has been growing in the contemporary modern field ever since. Some of the choreographers/instructors that JM. has trained under are: the legendary Horton master Don Martin, Beth Hirschhaut-Iguchi, KaRon Brown Lehman, Denise Leitner, Fionna Lummis, Kitty McNamee, Adam Parson, Tovaris Wilson, and Edouard Kouzmich. JM. has also performed with a few other local dance/entertainment companies such as Karamgraphy Bollywood Fusion, Freelusion Video Mapping, Imagination Entertainment, and the LA Follies.He had the opportunity to dance in a few TV shows such as Disney’s Shake It Up, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and even the recent Angie Tribeca series on TBS. He has traveled around the US and Canada performing with Yo Gabba Gabba and his other credits include music videos for artists Pharrell and Penatonix, commercials and promotions for Microsoft and The Greatest Showman, and an Xbox video game. In 2013, JM. was one of the three members of SensEtion from AGT Season 8, having the wonderful opportunity to perform at the Radio City Music Hall with the 3D Video Mapping Dance group (also known as Freelusion). With a passion for both dance andthe arts in general, JM. brings life to his movement, and will continue to push the dance scene further and further into the depths of his life and career.
Bios for the Singers
Soprano Emily Dyer has been noted as a promising young singer to watch in the professional circuit. She was most recently engaged with Opera Roanoke with a warmly-received Berta in Il barbiere di Siviglia. Recent seasons include appearances with Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater, performing an "exquisitely sung" Lily (The Secret Garden) (UTBAssociation) and Rapunzel (Into The Woods). She was featured at the Festival of the Arts Boca, singing Musetta in Puccini's La Boheme as part of the festival's sold-out "Opera for the 99%" campaign. Her bright performance was hailed as "a very fine Musetta, bossy and free-spirited, with an agile, strong voice" (Palm Beach Arts Paper). Additional roles include Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Micaëla (La tragedie de Carmen), Contessa Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro) Hanna Glawari (Die Lustige Witwe) and Pamina (The Magic Flute) Marian Paroo (The Music Man, cover) Laurey Williams (Oklahoma!). Ms. Dyer has concertized with the California Philharmonic, The New West Symphony, Golden State Pops Orchestra, The Redlands Bowl Symphony, and Amici Symphony Orchestra.
Jóhann Schram Reed has been noted internationally for his rich, warm sound and moving performances. The Icelandic bass-baritone was most recently seen as Don Basilio in Opera Roanoke’s exciting production of Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, “singing absolutely beautifully all the while” (Roanoke Times). Shortly before that, he portrayed the role of Escamillo in Opera Joie de Vivre’s concert production of La Tragedie de Carmen.
Mr. Schram Reed made his international debut as the soloist in Tokyo Sinfonia’s performance of Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem, a part of their quincentennial celebration of the Reformation. He has previously been a celebrated soloist in works such as the Mozart Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, the Bach Magnificat, Handel’s Messiah and many others. Most recently, he took part in Marina Del Rey Symphony’s stellar performance of La Bohéme. This fall, Mr. Schram Reed will join Portland Opera for their production of La Bohéme in the role of Colline.
Having recently claimed first prize at the 2019 Vox Domini Voice Competition in his native Iceland, he will then return to his homeland for a featured recital with the Icelandic National Opera next January.
As a successful crossover artist, Mr. Schram Reed was seen as Dr. Neville Craven in Utah Festival Opera's 2018 stunning production of The Secret Garden. During the same season, he was also featured as Mr. Whitley in Amazing Grace, as well as in multiple concerts and cabaret appearances. He has previously received acclaim for his portrayal of Emile de Becque in South Pacific as well as powerful performance as Inspector Javert in Bay View Festival’s Les Miserables.
Soprano Emily Dyer has been noted as a promising young singer to watch in the professional circuit. She was most recently engaged with Opera Roanoke with a warmly-received Berta in Il barbiere di Siviglia. Recent seasons include appearances with Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater, performing an "exquisitely sung" Lily (The Secret Garden) (UTBAssociation) and Rapunzel (Into The Woods). She was featured at the Festival of the Arts Boca, singing Musetta in Puccini's La Boheme as part of the festival's sold-out "Opera for the 99%" campaign. Her bright performance was hailed as "a very fine Musetta, bossy and free-spirited, with an agile, strong voice" (Palm Beach Arts Paper). Additional roles include Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Micaëla (La tragedie de Carmen), Contessa Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro) Hanna Glawari (Die Lustige Witwe) and Pamina (The Magic Flute) Marian Paroo (The Music Man, cover) Laurey Williams (Oklahoma!). Ms. Dyer has concertized with the California Philharmonic, The New West Symphony, Golden State Pops Orchestra, The Redlands Bowl Symphony, and Amici Symphony Orchestra.
Jóhann Schram Reed has been noted internationally for his rich, warm sound and moving performances. The Icelandic bass-baritone was most recently seen as Don Basilio in Opera Roanoke’s exciting production of Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, “singing absolutely beautifully all the while” (Roanoke Times). Shortly before that, he portrayed the role of Escamillo in Opera Joie de Vivre’s concert production of La Tragedie de Carmen.
Mr. Schram Reed made his international debut as the soloist in Tokyo Sinfonia’s performance of Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem, a part of their quincentennial celebration of the Reformation. He has previously been a celebrated soloist in works such as the Mozart Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, the Bach Magnificat, Handel’s Messiah and many others. Most recently, he took part in Marina Del Rey Symphony’s stellar performance of La Bohéme. This fall, Mr. Schram Reed will join Portland Opera for their production of La Bohéme in the role of Colline.
Having recently claimed first prize at the 2019 Vox Domini Voice Competition in his native Iceland, he will then return to his homeland for a featured recital with the Icelandic National Opera next January.
As a successful crossover artist, Mr. Schram Reed was seen as Dr. Neville Craven in Utah Festival Opera's 2018 stunning production of The Secret Garden. During the same season, he was also featured as Mr. Whitley in Amazing Grace, as well as in multiple concerts and cabaret appearances. He has previously received acclaim for his portrayal of Emile de Becque in South Pacific as well as powerful performance as Inspector Javert in Bay View Festival’s Les Miserables.