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MAY 2011

BBBAAALLLLLLEEETTT AAAPPPEEETTTRRREEEIII St. Tammany’s Own Resident Company 829 Asbury Drive ~ Mandeville, LA 70471

985.624.3622 FAX 985.845.2791

IIINNN TTTHHHIIISSS EEEDDDIIITTTIIIOOONNN:::

School is letting out, vacations are being planned, things are winding down…but our

ballet season is still in full swing!! After a lovely evening and wonderful performance at our

Grande Echappe, dancers were back at work in the studio preparing for our next

production….Swan Lake which will be held Sunday, May 22nd at 2 and 7 pm. We hope to see

all of you there as Swan Lake is much more than a “recital”…it’s a full-length ballet

production! Think Swan Lake will leave you wanting more? Well mark your calendars now for

our summer production of La Bayadere is just around the corner…Thursday, July 21st at a

new venue…The Furhmann Auditorium in Covington…promises to be a lovely summer evening!

At this time, we would like to thank you for your continued support of Ballet Apetrei and ask

that you help spread the word throughout our community…remember to fan Ballet Apetrei on

Facebook, and please pass this newsletter on to businesses and individuals in our community

who may be able to help with their support! Until Sunday….

~BBBaaalllllleeettt AAApppeeetttrrreeeiii

VOL #1 ISSUE #6

• GRANDE ECHAPPE’ RECAP

• SWAN LAKE MAY 22nd

• RECITAL NOTES/VOLUNTEERS

• SUMMER INTENSIVE

• SUMMER DANCE CAMPS

• LA BAYADERE JULY 21st

• DANCENTER 2011-2012 REGISTRATION

• CORPORATE SPONSORS NEEDED

• UPCOMING EVENTS

A beautiful evening was shared on March 26th at the Fuhrmann Auditorium as Ballet Apetrei presented

its 7th Annual Grande Echappe

Highlights included dinner, drinks, silent auction, and musical entertainment. Most importantly,

guests were treated to a showcase performance by Ballet Apetrei company dancers, featuring excerpts

from Swan Lake and La Bayadere.

Grande Echappe, our only fundraiser, raised over $8000. We thank all of those who attended and helped to make this evening such a success. We hope to see many more ballet patrons next year!

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SWAN LAKE tickets on sale now at PINEAPPLE GALLERY!!

“God gives talent…work transforms talent into genius!” ~Anna Pavlova

Swan Lake

Sunday, May 22nd 2pm and 7 pm

Benilde Hall – St. Joseph’s Abbey

RRReeeccciiitttaaalll NNNooottteeesss!!!!!! *Tickets on sale NOW at Pineapple Gallery through Friday, May 20TH …any remaining tickets will be sold at the door! *DRESS REHEARSAL will be held at ST. JOSEPH’S ABBEY on SATURDAY, MAY 21ST…All dancers should arrive at the Abbey, dressed in costume, at the following times (report to auditorium, do NOT go backstage until instructed):

Dancers in ACT I 2:30 pm Dancers in ACT II 3:30 pm

Dancers in Jazz/Tap only 4:30 pm Dress Rehearsal should end by 6 pm.

*There are 2 RECITAL performances…2 pm and 7 pm…ALL DANCERS PERFORM IN BOTH SHOWS!! Dancers are to arrive 30 minutes PRIOR to showtime (arrive at 1:30 and 6:30!) and enter theater at backstage door. Parents are to enter theater through lobby, only…NO ONE is allowed on stage or backstage at anytime before, during, or after shows! Dancers in ACT I only will be escorted to theater at intermission and may either sit with their class in the front of the theater to watch the rest of the performance, or leave at that time…they may not sit in the audience, even if a ticket is purchased for them.

Thank you for your cooperation… W.e look forward to a wonderful performance!!

Company Dancer Performance will be held July 21st!

Guest artists include a repeat visit from Luis Fuente (former principal dancer with Joffrey Ballet),

and new to Apetrei instructors Howard Merlin and Kenneth Busbin.

Our summer performance of LA BAYADERE will feature additional dance pieces choreographed by these Guest Artists as well as our own Kelly and Constantin Apetrei.

“If you dance with your heart, your body will follow” ~Mia Michaels

Kenneth Busbin ~ A native of Douglasville, Georgia, Ken began his dance training on scholarship at William Martin Viscount's Southwest Ballet Center in Fort Worth, Texas, continued on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, Seattle, then on scholarship in New York at the school of former Joffrey dancer Marjorie Mussman. Then while training at The Atlanta Ballet School with Tom Pazik, Ken became a member of The Atlanta Ballet under the direction of Robert Barnett, dancing productions such as Dennis Nahat’s Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Donald Byrd’s “Drastic Cuts,” and Balanchine’s “Pas de Dix,” “The Nutcracker,” “Allegro Brilliante,“ and “Square Dance.” After four seasons and dancing the company’s full range of repertory at The Atlanta Ballet, Ken then joined the Augusta Ballet under the direction of Ron Colton and Zanne Beaufort, dancing title roles in the company's productions of "Carmen," "Coppelia," "Guys and Dolls," “Romeo and Juliet,” and "Swan Lake.” His experience with many dance forms led him to be cast in Vicki Uris' "Hearth of Embers," Anthony Ferro's "Red Wagon", and his signature role of Count Dracula in Peter Powlus' "Dracula." In 1992, Ken rejoined The Atlanta Ballet, where his dramatic talents were challenged in such famous works as Anthony Tudor's "Lilac Garden," Kirk Peterson's "Belling the Slayer," Eugene Loring’s “Billy the Kid,” Jill Bahr's "Rite of Spring," and Fernand Nault's "Carmina Burana," and “Symphony of Psalms.” In 1996, Ken joined Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a New York based company which solely tours, traveling from Tulsa to Tokyo, Scotland to Sidney, and every city between. This past summer while dancing in Japan, Ken performed Merce Cunningham's "Cross Currents and New York City Ballet's Robert LaFosse's "Stars and Stripes Forever." Ken has worked in nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry to include featured roles in U.S. tours of “42nd Street” and “Phantom of the Opera,” summer stock, industrials, theme parks, costume design and construction, teaching, choreography, and has several commercial and film credits to his name. He also holds a BFA in sculpture from Massachusetts College of Art and is currently Head Draper for Boston Ballet Wardrobe Department and is a freelance costume designer.

Luis Fuente~ BALLET MASTER, was a principal dancer for the Joffrey Ballet,

with whom he danced for 12 years and later served as Ballet Master for three years. He was recognized nationally and internationally in roles created especially for him by Gerald Arpino and Robert Joffrey: Viva Vivaldi, Olympics, Fanfarita and Postcards. He was principal dancer for the National Ballet of Washington, Holland’s Het Nationale Ballet, London Festival Ballet, National Ballet of Spain, Ballet Clasico y Contemporaneo de Madrid, Antonio’s Ballet de Madrid, as well as the Touring Company of Ballet Stars. Throughout his career, he has also been invited as guest artist for countless dance companies in Europe and the United States. Fuente’s critically acclaimed performances in leading classical repertory roles include: Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Coppelia. He was coached by the greatest names in the dance world: Robert Joffrey, Gerald Arpino, George Ballanchine, Frederick Franklin, Ben Stevenson, Andre Eglevsky, Igor Youskevitch, Margot Fonteyn, Edward Villela, Melissa Hayden, Rudi Van Dantzig, Hans Van Manen, and Antony Tudor among others. Luis Fuente has served as director and resident choreographer for the National Ballet of Spain. He has worked extensively for television, taught throughout Europe and the U.S., and coached professional dancers in major companies all over the world.

SSSUUUMMMMMMEEERRR IIINNNTTTEEENNNSSSIIIVVVEEE AAATTT AAAPPPEEETTTRRREEEIII!!! 6 week Intensive Study Program

June 6-July 1 July 11-July 22

BALLET II (agest 10-12) $300 – 6 hours a week/6 weeks

BALLET III (ages 12-14)

$500 – 10 hours a week/6 weeks

BALLET IV (ages 15 and up) $800 – 20 hours per week/6 weeks

Howard Merlin~ started dancing at the age of 6 under the direction of

Joan Kunsch and Leslie Swazee. There he trained with such dance legends as Bill Martin-Viscount, Jorge Salavisa, Anna-Marie and David Holmes, to mention a few. At 18 he joined his first professional ballet company, Hartford Ballet, under the direction of Michael Uthoff. Here he danced various corps, soloist and principal roles. He also toured extensively through the U.S. and China. After 6 years, he joined Boston Ballet under the Direction of Bruce Marks and Anna-Marie Holmes. Here he danced various styles of Classical to Modern works by greats such as Balanchine, Cranko, Twyla Tharp, Bill T. Jones, Paul Taylor. After 8 years, Mr. Merlin spent a few years traveling and performing with such companies as The Israeli Ballet, The Atlanta Ballet, and the National Ballet of Korea. He now teaches what he has learned to those who aspire to be great dance performers.

Don’t forget to fan BALLET APETREI on

SSSUUUMMMMMMEEERRR DDDAAANNNCCCEEE CCCAAAMMMPPPSSS

Ages 3-9 CAMP 1: MAY 30-JUNE 3

CAMP 2: JULY 25-2922

AGES 3-5 attend Mon-Fri 9-11am $95 per session

AGES 6-9 attend Mon-Fri 9am-2pm

$150 per session Call Kelly at (985)674-2466 or email kapetrei@bellsouth.net for more info!

APETREI DANCENTER registration for the 2011-2012 year has begun… Please register at the Dancenter prior to recital!

Call (985)624-3622 or e-mail kapetrei@bellsouth.net with questions.

LaBayadere Thursday, July 21st at 7pm

Fuhrmann Auditorium – Greater Covington Center

DDDooonnn’’’ttt mmmiiissssss BBBAAALLLLLLEEETTT AAAPPPEEETTTRRREEEIII’’’SSS SSSuuummmmmmeeerrr ssshhhooowwwcccaaassseee pppeeerrrfffooorrrmmmaaannnccceee………

• MAY 22ND 2PM & 7 PM ….SWAN LAKE at St. Joseph’s Abbey

• MAY 30-JUNE 3….SUMMER DANCE CAMP FOR AGES 3-9

• JUNE 6-JULY 1….SUMMER INTENSIVE FOR AGES 10 AND UP

• JUNE 15TH …COMPANY DANCER/PARENT MEETING

• JULY-11-22….SUMMER INTENSIVE FOR AGES10 AND UP

• JULY 2ST 7PM…LA BAYADERE at Furhmann Auditorium

• MONDAY, AUGUST 8TH…1ST DAY OF DANCENTER CLASSES

• LATE AUG/EARLY SEPT…TBA…COMPANY DANCER/NUTCRACKER AUDITIONS FOR AGES 5-UP

• EARLY OCTOBER…BALLET APETREI MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

• FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2ND…NUTCRACKER SHOWS FOR SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS

• SAT/SUN, DECEMBER 3RD & 4TH…BALLET APETREI’S 23RD ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF THE NUTCRACKER

UUUPPPCCCOOOMMMIIINNNGGG EEEVVVEEENNNTTTSSS......... All dates and times are subject to change!

HELP WANTED!!! Volunteers are needed for Swan Lake performance! Men/trucks needed for sets, volunteers for lobby, ushers, etc.

Please contact Beth Geohegan if you can help…bandbgeo@hotmail.com

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BALLET APETREI !

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Over 20 years of Excellence in St. Tammany Parish!!

SPONSORSHIP FORM Join the excitement

by becoming a sponsor of

BALLET APETREI

Company Name:_____________________________ Contact Name: ______________________________ Phone: (_________)___________-________________ Address: _____________________________________ City: _________________________________________ State:_____________ Zip: _______________________ E-mail: _______________________________________ Amount of Sponsor $:_________________________

_____$10,000 Title Sponsorship Sponsor a full production of Ballet Apetrei's, either The Nutcracker production scheduled for the first weekend in December of 2010 or the Summer Repetoire production scheduled for the end of July, 2011. A Title Sponsorship will entitle your business name and logo to be placed on all production promotional materials, including newspaper advertisements, poster, flyers, tickets and the program cover. Your sponsorship will be announced in press releases, our Ballet Apetrei newsletter and at our school performances of The Nutcracker including brochures that will be mailed to all St. Tammany Parish schools in August. Your company will receive 6 reserved seating tickets to the 2010 production of The Nutcracker, 6 reserved seating tickets to the summer performance, and invitations to all patron parties and events for the 2010/2011 season.

_____ $5,000 Snow Scene Backdrop Sponsorship By sponsoring the new hand painted snow scene backdrop (designed and painted by local artist, Alexander Stolin) your company will become "a lifetime sponsor" of the backdrop. In every annual production of Ballet Apetrei's Nutcracker, your company will be acknowledged for donating the funds needed to produce this original piece of art for our company. You will receive 4 reserved seating tickets to the 2010 production of The Nutcracker, 4 reserved seating tickets to the summer performance, and invitations to all patron parties and events for the 2010/2011 season. Your company's name and logo with acknowledgement of your sponsorship will be placed in all press releases, Ballet Apetrei newsletters and in the production program for the LIFE OF THE BACKDROP. (20 plus years).

_____$3500 Costume Sponsorship Your business may choose between sponsoring the summer production of Giselle's costuming (27 tutus & headpieces) or the 2010 Nutcracker costuming of party children and Mother Ginger. Your company will be acknowledged in all press releases, Ballet Apetrei newsletters and the production program for your sponsorship of these specific costumes. You will receive 4 reserved seating tickets to the production you sponsor, 2 reserved seating tickets to any other performance, and invitations to all events and patron parties for Ballet Apetrei's 2010/11 season.

_____ $500 and higher Organizational Support Sponsorship

By donating $500 or more to Ballet Apetrei, your company will become an organizational support sponsor for the Ballet's 2010/11 season. These funds will be used for operational expenses for the company(such as storage rental for scenery, sets and costuming, guest choreographers, utilities, general printing expenses, etc.) Your company's name will be listed in programming for all 2010/11 productions, in the Ballet Apetrei newsletter and in all press releases for the season. You will receive invitations to all ballet events and patron parties for the season. Sponsorship for $1000 or higher will receive 2 reserved seating tickets to the 2010 production of The Nutcracker, and 2 reserved seating tickets to the summer performance,

Ballet Apetrei is a 501c3 organization. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by the IRS. Ballet Apetrei's federal tax identification number

is !"#$$%&'(&!for your tax reporting purposes.

Ballet Apetrei, Inc. is a non-profit company founded in 1988 by Constantin and Kelly Apetrei, whose purpose is to give young talented dancers

the opportunity to train in a professional environment and to bring to our area, fine

performances by these young people as well as international guests artists.

___Yes! I want to become a sponsor of Ballet Apetrei today!

For information call (985)624-3622 ___My check is enclosed and made payable to:

BALLET APETREI 829 Asbury Drive, Mandeville LA 70471

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LEVELS OF SPONSORSHIP !!!!

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St. Tammany’s Own Resident Company Constantin Apetrei, Artistic Director

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Please share with your employers and businesses in our community. We hope your company or favorite establishment will become a part of the BALLET APETREI family!

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