October 24 & 25, 7:30 p.m.
Royal Jubilee
Choreography: Rachel Berman, in collaboration with the dancers
Music: Violin Concerto #3 in A major Hob. Vlla: 3 Allegro by Joseph Haydn
Dancers: Niko Black, Niobe Engman, Amelia Gonzalez, Alexia Hernandez,
Miyabi Matushita, Nettie Nguyen, Ashley Oei, Nathania Schwob, Emma Yagi
Pua Sāmoa and Sasa
Choreography: Marru Mikaelian and Tupua Productions
Music: Pua Sāmoa by Faiva,
Sasa Drumming: Tupua Productions – Stephen and Melody Seanoa
Costumes: Melody Seanoa
Dancers: Maria José Arizmendi, Caitlin Bates, Laura Brizuela, Kendall Chrisman,
Felicity Devitt, Kayla Fauese, Taylor Ho, Violette Negrete, Miah Nguyen,
Trisha Nguyen, Ashley Oei, Carolina Pienberg
Our dancers perform a traditional style Siva Samoa, or Samoan dance, with graceful hand gestures telling the story of the beautiful flower of Samoa. The song speaks of adorning oneself with the fragrant flower whose beauty is unmatched and admired by the world. The word sasa means “to strike.” This form of dance was originally performed by villages and depicted actions from everyday life. This dance is performed in the sitting position and incorporates various sequences of clapping and hand motions with traditional as well as more contemporary moves.
Singin' in the Rain
Choreography: Holly Scheall-Mehling, in collaboration with the dancers.
Music: Singin' in the Rain by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown. Performance by
Adam Cooper from the 2012 London Cast Production of Singin' in the Rain
Dance Captains: Antoinette Avila and Megan McElroy
Dancers: Antoinette Avila, Niobe Engman, Alyssa Graves, Amanda Martz,
Megan McElroy, Ari Pulido, Nathania Schwob, Harper Turpin
Special Thanks to Aspen Duong, Tricia Nguyen, Sam Katz, and Linda Sohl-Ellison
for their inspiration and support.
we’re only as sick as our secrets (2023)
Choreography: Zachary Groenewold
Music: Bass Boosted HD
Lighting: Brock Cilley
Dancers: Bruno Hernandez, Emma Manzanares, Miyabi Matsushita, Yun Yu Naing,
Billy Nguyen, May Me Yone Shwe, Sydney Tanji
this dance is selected as a finalist for the 2024 Palm Desert Choreography Festival
Borikén
Choreography: José Costas
Music: La Borinqueña by Lola Rodriquez De Tio & Danny Rivera
Semilla de Libertad by Chamir Bonano & El Hijo de Borikén
Despierta Borinqueño by Misael Rodriguez Corazón
Yo Soy Puertorriqueño by Manolo Ramos & Olga Tañon
Dancers: Maria Jose Arizmendi, Luis Bruno, Maryann Gallo, James Lithuge,
Emma Lopez, Violette Negrete, Ashley Oei, Santiago Rivera, Corey Robinson,
Sarah Elyse Rodriguez, Svitlana Selska, Harper Turpin, Jordyn Wolsleger
* Intermission *
(There will be a 15 minute intermission)
Drum Thunder (1991)
Choreography: Linda Sohl-Ellison
Music: Benny Golson; arranged by Jeff Mayor, performed by RIT musicians: Sal Lozano,
Jeff Mayor, Jardine Wilson, and Jack LeCompte
Costumes: Tim Wilson
Sound Boxes: Brock Cilley
Dancers: Anisa Johnson and Mary Thomas
2nd Cast: Autumn O’Sullivan and Adisten Perry will perform at OCC Student Dance Showcase, Dec. 4, 2024
Drum Thunder is a 1991 archival work from the repertoire of Rhapsody In Taps, a tap dance and live music company founded in 1981 by OCC dance faculty member Linda Sohl-Ellison. Linda choreographed this work to Benny Golson's high energy Bebop score, "Drum Thunder (Miniature) Suite," originally recorded in 1959 by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Rhapsody In Taps’ shorter version was arranged by OCC former dance musician, Jeff Mayor, with Benny Golson’s permission and support. Throughout RIT’s 37 year touring history, Drum Thunder was an audience favorite and became a signature work for the company. Thank you to both OCC casts for your brilliant tap dancing and for your assistance reconstructing this historic work. Tonight’s performance is dedicated to the late, great jazz saxophonist, composer and educator, Benny Golson, who died Sept. 21, 2024, at 95 years of age. Thank you, and RIP Mr. Golson.
Mouth to Mouth
The only way through it is through it, but the best way through it is together
Choreography: Shana Menaker
Music: Georg Handel: Lascia ch’io pianga
Frederic Chopin: Prelude in A-flat major Op 28, #17
Frederic Chopin: Prelude in C major Op 28, #1
Dario Marianelli: Dawn
Dancers: Niobe Engman, Emma Manzanares, Yun Yu Naing, Nathania Schwob,
May Me Yone Shwe
National Dances of Mexico
Choreography: Rosa Garcia
Music: El Son de la Negra and Jarabe Tapatio by Mariachi Vargas
Dancers: Daniela Campos Alatorre, Briana Bui, Kayla Fauese, Maryann Gallo,
Alexia Hernandez, Taylor Ho, Trisha Nguyen, Svitlana Selska, Harper Turpin,
Valezka Vega
Law of the Jungle
Choreography: Zachary Groenewold, in collaboration with the dancers
Music: Glenn Morrison
Dancers: Niko Black, Amelia Gonzalez, Bruno Hernandez, James Lithuge,
Emma Manzanares, Miyabi Matsushita, Yun Yu Naing, Billy Nguyen,
May Me Yone Shwe
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BIOGRAPHIES
A multi-cultural woman, originally from Hawaii, RACHEL BERMAN has had a diverse career in all aspects of the field of dance, the bulk of which was a decade spent performing principal roles with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. She has also performed with, among others, Ballet Hispanico, May O’Donnell, The American Repertory Dance Company, The Joyce Trisler Danscompany, and the hula companies of Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu and Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima O Nuioka. She has appeared in numerous television productions with the Taylor Company and was featured in the Academy Award nominated documentary DANCEMAKER. Ms. Berman served as Associate Producer for Dancers Responding to AIDS, Company Manager for Company C Contemporary Ballet, the Development Officer for the Paul Taylor Company and was the Programs Manager at Dance/NYC, a dance advocacy organization which works in alliance with the National service organization, Dance/USA. She is often a freelance writer for Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher and Dance Studio Life. She has re-staged Mr. Taylor’s works on universities and professional companies throughout the United States and is herself a choreographer. Ms. Berman has been on faculty at the Joffrey Ballet/ New School BFA program, Mid-Pacific School of the Arts, LASALLE-SIA Singapore College of the Arts, the American Dance Festival, University of the Arts, the Colburn Dance Academy, California Institute of the Arts, Mills College, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the Taylor School. She also teaches at the William J. Gillespie/ American Ballet Theatre school at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. She is the co-director of LA MOVES - a summer dance Intensive at USC. Ms. Berman earned a BFA from Purchase College and an MFA from Hollins University/American Dance Festival. She is certified through Level 5 of the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum® and is a 200-hour Certified Yoga Teacher.
JOSÉ COSTAS began his dance training in his native Puerto Rico and was a principal dancer with Ballet Hispanico for nine years, creating lead roles and performing throughout the United States, Europe and South America. He has also worked extensively as an educator and choreographer. He earned BS and M. Ed. degrees from Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and his MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. In 1995 he received a Modern Dance Award given by the Puerto Rican Institute of New York. Mr. Costas has taught for educational programs including Ballet Hispanico, City Center and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and master classes in ballet, modern, jazz and ethnic dance styles throughout the country. He was on faculty at California State University, Dominguez Hills for four years before joining the faculty of OCC in 1999. For several years he was the artistic director of Fiesta Latina, an OCC student dance outreach program focusing on the Latino dance/music traditions, receiving an award in 2008 for his efforts to improve community outreach. For a year Mr. Costas served as the Director of the prestigious Ballet Hispanico School of Dance in New York City, where he re-designed the school curriculum, created a new outreach performance program and was the choreographer in residence and Artistic Director for Ballet Hispanico II. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles based José Costas Contempo Ballet, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
ROSA GARCIA. Originally from Santa Ana, CA, Rosa Garcia has degrees in dance from CSULB and New York’s Alvin Ailey American Dance School paid by scholarships. She is the recipient of the Donald McKayle Medal Scholar from UC, Irvine with a MFA in Dance Choreography. Her passion in education brought her back to Southern California to give back to her community. Her passion in teaching dance of various styles has become a journey for her in becoming an eclectic teacher for over 30 years in higher education. She has developed dance programs for ages 1 and up for various organizations and community venues. Mrs. Garcia was appointed by Santa Ana City Councilman José Solorio to serve as Commissioner of the Arts & Culture for a 4-year term. She’s been an Ambassador for JazzXchange – Shinning Stars held at UCI and serves on the non-profit board. Ms. Garcia has performed for various venues and for many award-winning choreographers such as Loretta Livingston for the “Cesar Chavez’s Si Se Puede!” and Marie de la Palme featured in a film documentary, “Rhythms of Peace” premiered at the Newport Film Festival 2007.
ZACHARY GROENEWOLD is a dance educator and choreographer based out of Southern California. As a faculty member of the Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, Orange Coast College, and Mt. San Antonio College dance departments he specializes in hip hop/street dance and jazz/contemporary techniques. Zach began dancing at a young age where he was fortunate enough to perform in a variety of media including New Line Cinema’s The Wedding Singer, a commercial for Saban’s Power Rangers, and as part of ABC FAMILY presents WESTLIFE: LIVE. As a performer, Zach was a member of the San Diego based company Axxiom Dance Collective where he was selected to represent the company as a soloist. In 2010, Zach became a member of Team Millennia and in 2012, his dancing and leadership skills earned him the position on the team’s artistic board. His leadership helped head the team to 1st place at San Diego’s prestigious Fusion Dance Competition, as well as placing top 5 at other dance competitions. Concurrently, Zach was also fortunate enough to perform and choreograph in a variety of venues including LA Fashion Week, OC Fashion Week, the World of Dance Industry Awards, and Vidcon. Zach is currently performing as a member of Kings and Queens dance company. Zach obtained his master’s degree in dance education from the University of Northern Colorado.
SHANA MENAKER began dancing at the age of three in order to learn the difference between right and left. After receiving her BFA from Tisch School of the Arts, she joined the New York based Sara Rudner Performance Ensemble touring the United States, Canada, and Europe. Over the years Shana has danced as a freelance performer with a number of choreographers including Douglas Nielsen, Louis Falco, Douglas Dunn, Alvin Mayes and Heather Ahern. Here in California Shana earned an MFA in dance from California State University, Long Beach. For more than twenty years she has choreographed and taught Modern Dance, Choreography, Improvisation, Yoga for Dancers, Pilates Mat and Dance Appreciation in the dance departments of Orange Coast College, Soka University, UC Irvine and Chapman University. Shana embraces a deep appreciation of all art forms, while seeking a spirit of originality and creative play.
MARRU MIKAELIAN has been studying the art of Polynesian dance since age 6. Born and raised in Huntington Beach, California, she fell in love with the Hawaiian culture during family trips to Maui and embraces many different forms of Polynesian dance. She has studied dances from the islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa and the Cook Islands. Marru holds a B.S. Degree in Biology from UCLA. Marru has been performing for over 30 years and is currently a lead dancer, choreographer, and instructor for Tupua Productions under the direction of Melody and Stephen Seanoa. She has won several awards in various Tahitian dance competitions and was invited to dance in the Heiva i Tahiti in 2012 with Tahitian group Ahutoru Nui. She has participated in televised events such as the Rose Parade and the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
HOLLY SCHEALL-MEHLING, originally from Northern California, earned a BA in Theatre, from CSU, Chico, with a concentration in music; an MFA in Dance from UC, Irvine; and is an ABT ® Certified Teacher in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT ® National Training Curriculum. Additionally, she is a RYT-200 through Yoga Shakti. Her professional performing credits include seven years with the Los Angeles-based Rhapsody in Taps (RIT), and dancing on Fox’s MadTV. While still an undergraduate, Holly choreographed and performed professionally in numerous musicals at Chico City Light Opera. From 2001-2018, Ms. Mehling served as the the Director of Dance at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, in San Juan Capistrano, teaching, choreographing, directing, and producing biannual dance concerts, as well as choreographing and mentoring student and adult choreographers for the school’s extensive musical season; encompassing grades K-12. She has taught all levels of ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, social dance, yoga and Pilates for over 30 years at many schools and conservatories including: University of California Irvine, Chapman University, Irvine Valley College, Mira Costa College, and Ballet Pacifica. Ms. Mehling has trained extensively with Linda Sohl-Ellison, Monie Adamson, Donald McKayle, Lawerence Rosenberg, Diane Diefenderfer, Christine Baltes, Colleen O’Callaghan, Pauline Hagino, and many other inspiring masters.
LINDA SOHL-ELLISON, OCC Dance Professor Emeritus and current part time faculty, has taught dance at OCC since 1978. Ms. Sohl-Ellison has a BFA from Ohio University in Dance and Graphic Design and an MA from UCLA. Her background includes extensive training in modern dance, ballet and jazz, and mentorships with the great tap masters Foster Johnson, Eddie Brown, Charles “Honi” Coles and James “Buster” Brown. Linda is Artistic Director, choreographer and soloist with Rhapsody In Taps (RIT), a tap dance and live music touring company that she co-founded in 1981. She toured the United States, Mexico, Asia, France and Germany performing and teaching as a soloist and with RIT. In 1990 Linda worked with Gregory Hines and helped stage Hines’ choreography for RIT, Toeing the 3rd and Fifth. Linda founded and directed the Southern California Tap Festival produced by RIT at OCC from 1993-1997. Recognized for her choreographic innovation in tap, Linda has been awarded five Choreographers’ Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, two Irvine Fellowships in Dance, a Dance: Creation to Performance grant from the James Irvine Foundation, and was nominated for the prestigious Alpert Award in Dance. Linda received Artist and Choreography Fellowships from the California Arts Council, Long Beach Arts Council, Public Corporation for the Arts, National Association for Regional Ballet and California Community Foundation. She received a first place choreography award from the 2003 Palm Desert Choreography Festival, a Lester Horton Dance Award for Outstanding Choreography from the Dance Resource Center, a Distinguished Alumni Award from Ohio University in 2006, a Milestone Award from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for more than 25 years of performances, programs and arts leadership in Los Angeles in 2007, a Tapestry Award from the 2010 Soul to Sole Tap Festival in Austin, a 2021 Hoofers Award from American Tap Dance Foundation in New York, and a 2022 Legacy Award from OC Tap Festival for her contributions to the field of tap dance. Linda and her husband Monti Ellison perform a duet repertoire of tap/percussion works, teach internationally and joyfully support and mentor future generations of artists.
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OCC DANCE FACULTY
Full-Time
Rachel Berman (Department Chair)
José Costas
Part-Time
Emily Chapman
Brande Dunn
Monti Ellison
Amythyst Fritzler
Rosa Garcia
Zachary Groenewold
Hiroko Hojo
Amelie Hunter
David McMahan
Shana Menaker
Marru Mikaelian
Angelika Nemeth
Holly Scheall-Mehling
Noelle Snavely
Linda Sohl-Ellison
Rebecca Wong-Burdett
Instructional Associate for Dance
Joe Lawrence
Part-Time Dance Musicians
Billy Meza
Malik Sow
PRODUCTION STAFF
Concert Director: José Costas
Lighting Design/ Technical Director: Quintin Powell
Stage Crew: David Cowan, Gina Ernst, Teddy Pagee, Joanna Reyes, Natalie Tolento
Program: Joe Lawrence
Printing: OCC Print Services
Tickets: OCC Bursar’s Office
A Very Special Thank You to
Chancellor: Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Dr. Angelica Suarez, President of Orange Coast College
Larissa Nazarenko, Dean of Visual and Performing Arts
Associated Students of Orange Coast College
for their continued support!
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* Coming Events *
FALL STUDENT DANCE SHOWCASE
Wednesday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m.
Robert B. Moore Theatre
OCC's Dance Department extends an invitation to an informal end-of-the-semester
presentation of classroom material and works in progress. The Student Dance Showcase
shows the department's wide range of dance styles including Jazz, Modern, Ballet,
Tap, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Mid-Eastern, Polynesian, African and Latin.
For more information, please contact Rachel Berman,
Dance Department Chair, at rberman3@occ.cccd.edu
We Need Your Support!
Your tax-deductible contribution will help offset costs for future OCC Dance Department performances. Your donations will be used wisely; they can assist the department in purchasing materials for costumes, paying for live music, commissioning guest choreographers and introducing our students to master teachers and guest artists. Donations might also provide scholarship opportunities for our dance students. For more information, contact Rachel Berman at 714-432-5691. If you wish to set up an endowed dance scholarship, contact the OCC Dance Department or Doug Bennett at the OCC Foundation.
For the courtesy of audience members and performers:
- Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off and not accessed at any time inside the theatre (before, during or after the performance and during pauses).
- Video recording and photographing by audience members is strictly prohibited.
- Parents, please take small children outside immediately if they are unable to sit quietly.
- Anyone creating a disturbance by shouting out inappropriately, or who cannot comply with theatre policies will be asked to leave the theatre.
Thank you for your courtesy to the dancers on stage and to fellow audience members.