Ballet

Media City Ballet Company celebrated the close of its fifth season following the performance of "The Nutcracker" on Dec. 10 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Cutting a birthday cake baked to mark the occasion were company principals, including artistic director Natasha Middleton- Kettebekov ; her husband and "The Nutcracker" choreographer and director Askar Kettebekov ; her father Andrei Tremaine , formerly a principal dancer with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo; Ruben Tonoyan , associate director, ballet master and dance coach; Cindy Pease , president of the board of directors; and her husband, Tom Pease , who directed his choir, the Taft High School Vocal Ensemble, during the performance.

Media City Ballet will perform with a live orchestra for the first time when it presents Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" Dec. 8 to 10 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. The Burbank ballet company will be accompanied by the San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra, with James Domine conducting, said ballet company artistic director Natasha Middleton-Kettebekov. Because the company has always used recordings for its productions, dancing to music created by a live orchestra will be a new and exciting experience for the dancers, she said.

For lovers of the performing arts, families looking for a delightful and moving holiday story and fans of California Theatrical Youth Ballet's productions, this year brings an even more compelling reason to see "the show." In addition to the refreshing holiday presentation of Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen, the story about the struggle between good and evil as taken on by a little boy and girl, Gerda and Kai, performers from one of Mexico's premiere youth ballet troupes will infuse the production with international flair.

The Media City Ballet board of directors threw a gala reception an hour before curtain for the "Pasión de España" Saturday evening at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Major sponsors, Los Angeles cultural arts representatives and local members of the entertainment industry met company officials while sipping beverages and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres in the terrace lobby of the historic venue. Ballet company Executive Director Natasha Middleton-Kettebekov mingled with guests along with her mother, Natalie Middleton; father, Andrei Tremaine, a renowned dancer, choreographer and dance coach and his wife, Hiroko.

International ballet stars are shining for the first time in the United States as members of Burbank's Media City Ballet Company. Principal dancers, including Yeon Jin Cho from Korea, are in final rehearsals this week for the company’s encore presentation of "Pasión de España" (Passion of Spain) Saturday at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. The choreography is the same for Georges Bizet’s "Carmen" and Leon Minkus’ "Don Quixote" seen last summer at the Alex, Artistic Director Natasha Middleton-Kettebekov said.

A new version of "Pasion de Espana" ("Passion of Spain"), featuring principal Media City Ballet dancers in performance with advanced students from the company's Apprentice Summer Intensive program in excerpts from "Bolero," "Don Quixote," "Carmen" and a special treat for Tango lovers. This is the second production in the company's fifth anniversary season. The Alex Theatre is at 216 N. Brand Blvd. in Glendale. The show will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. Tickets are $40, $32 and $18 each and may be purchased by calling the Alex Box Office at 243-ALEX (2539)

On Friday the principal members of the California Theatrical Youth Ballet in La Cañada have promised to appear at the Second Annual Community Family Concert in support of the New Heaven on Earth Foundation. The foundation, located in Lake View Terrace, is raising funds in its effort to follow in the footsteps of legendary cowboy actor and stunt man Johnny Carpenter. For years Carpenter had rented the Lake View Terrace ranch where he would bring mentally and physically challenged to share his joy of horseback riding.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Miami City Ballet, led by Founding Artistic Director Edward Villella, will be performing at the Music Center from June 30 to July 2 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Miami City Ballet skillfully blends an international mix of dancers with a distinctive Miami flare, which will be highlighted in their repertory program. Their season repertory will include "Dances at a Gathering" and "Fancy Free," choreography by Jerome Robins. "Western Symphony" and "Stravinsky Violin Concerto" choreography by George Blanching.

When Mary Goodrich first heard an opera on the radio, she knew she wanted to be an opera singer. The 85-year-old Glendale resident majored in music at Immaculate Heart College and took voice lessons and trained to be a soprano. As a requirement for her major, she also learned to play the piano, trumpet, trombone, flute and violin. Goodrich performed in community theater groups in Los Angeles and took on the lead female roles in operas including "Pagliacci" and "La Boheme." Goodrich never made a living as an opera singer because she moved several times to accommodate her husband's job relocation.

Bonnie Bonham of La Cañada didn't quite know what to think when Erin Holt, artistic director for La Cañada-based California Theatrical Youth Ballet, took her by the hand and guided her through her first rehearsal as a dancer-actress in the opening scene of the company's seasonal ballet "The Snow Queen," to be performed this month at the Glendale Community College Theatre. Bonham's two children, Kate and Jacob, ages 6 and 9, attended the show's auditions held in September and each child was successful in securing several performing roles.