donors Corps de Ballet ($25-$99) Betsy Alexander Lindsay Coe Margaret Chong Paul Noel Fiorino Polly Sanders-Peterson Denise and John Youngquist Sandra Walchak Micky Williamson Sherri and Bruce Wolin Juanita Audre Chris Maxwell Dorothy Clarke Jessica Strong Ken Kuhn Callie Peterson Elizabeth Gariti Soloists ($100-499) Helen Ankele Joan Casey Edward and Julanie Chan Laura and David Fiorini Jane and George Potts Tracy Renner Nancy Sedar and Ira Sherman Daniel & Nina Shultz Mary and Rick Sours Eric Sturgis Sara Sturgis Margaret Trousdale Joan and Todd VandenBurg Klasina Vanderwerf Julie Fincham and Brad Volin Susan Majka Principal Dancer ($500-999) Kristin Desmarais and Kevin Morris Adam Dudek Donald Shriver and Marvena BakerShriver David Andrews Edward Dempsey Karen and John Allen Donna Norton and Michael McFaul Elizabeth Grace
Director’s Circle ($1000 or more) John Richardson Lise Woodard and John Reilly Ann and Max Sturgis Carol Welsh and Stuart Ferguson Colorado Creative Industries Denver Ballet Guild Nora Roberts Foundation Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Denver and Bonfils Foundation Rodney Gasch in Memory of William L. Gasch Brian Fun and Charles Jordy, Jr. Janet MacFarlane Redline Arts Relief
costumes & props Sue Crow, Ilena Norton Jessica Sturgis
photography & design Peter Strand, David Andrews
board of directors Mary Sours, president Joan Casey, vice president Jane Potts, secretary John Richardson, treasurer Sally Augden Janet MacFarlane Ilena Norton
technical & lighting director Brian Billings
company manager Yoshiko Brunson
Narration and consultation on the ballet provided by the Molly Brown House Museum
Konservatoriet (The Conservatory) Choreography: August Bournonville Music: Cesare Pugni Staged by: Oleg Dedogryuuk with Patricia Renzetti Ballet Master Alexandru Glusacov Ballet Pupils Ensemble Christina Bargelt, Yoshiko Brunson, Brandy Carwile, Kristin Coors, Chloe Edelstein, Marcelina Gaudini, Katie GraceShamburek, Obinna Morton, Julie Novoa, Montana O’Brien Pas de trois/quatre Marcelina Gaudini (soloist #1) , Katie Grace-Shamburek (soloist #2), Yoshiko Brunson (soloist #3) —-pause-— The Tale of Molly Brown Choreography: Ilena Norton Staged by: Rebecca Dean and Ilena Norton Music: Gossamer Winds – Founded in 2005, an Augustana Arts performing group, is spreading an eclectic view of the woodwind quintet in the Denver Metro area Musicians: Amanda Rusten, flute. Katie Smith, oboe. Joel Lusby, clarinet. Jo Burian, horn. John Richardson, bassoon Act I – Leadville Music:: Old American Suite, traditional; Edward MacDowell; From Uncle Remus, Edward MacDowell; Jig, traditional; To A Wild Rose, Edward MacDowell; At An Old Trysting Place, Edward MacDowell; Yankee Doodle Traditional Daniel Tobin (brother) Helen Tobin (sister) Margaret “Molly” Brown JJ Brown John Campion - Mine owner Other Leadville Friends
Julie Novoa, apprentice, was born in Lima, Peru and moved to the States with her
family as a young child where she started dancing ballet. Later on she pursued ballet more seriously and went to train at National Ballet of Denver under Cornell Callender where she graduated. Julie has then started teaching in the Denver area and is now dancing with Ballet Ariel. Kristen Coors, apprentice, started her ballet training at age 6. She received most of
her training at Institute of Dancing Arts under Diane Revie. She also received training from John Vandervelde at Institute of Dancing Arts Kristen has spent summers at Ballet Magnificat and at Telluride Ballet Workshop under Valerie Madonia. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to be an apprentice with Ballet Ariel this year. Brandy Carwile, guest dancer, started her dance training at the Gwinnett Ballet
Theatre. She continued by attending Brenau University as a dance major where she was also a member of the Gainesville Ballet. Brandy then joined Ballethnic Dance Company where she performed soloist and lead roles in a variety of ballets during her 12 seasons. She then served as a principal dancer for 3 seasons with the Montgomery Ballet. Brandy is currently a company member of Kim Robards Dance. Peter Strand, guest dancer, has danced with several companies: Oakland Ballet,
Minnesota Ballet, Granite State Ballet in New Hampshire, Micheal Mao Modern Dance Company, Les Ballets Trocaderos de Monte Carlo, the Connecticut Ballet, and as a principal for “Pirouettes” International, the Lexington Ballet (KY), and The Quad Cities Ballet. Locally, he has danced with Zikr Dance Ensemble. Currently, he is the Department Chair for the Multimedia Graphic Design program at Pikes Peak Community College and designer/photographer for Ballet Ariel.
Jose Chanduvi Katie Grace-Shamburek Yoshiko Brunson Gregory Gonzales Robert Shelley Brandy Carwile, Kristen Coors, Obinna Morton, Peter Strand —Intermission—
Act 2 – Denver Music:: Prelude: Rialto Ripples, George Gershwin; Merry Widow Waltz, Franz Lehar; Jig, traditional; Solace, Scott Joplin; Battle Hymn of the Republic, traditional
* Please no video or photography during the performance
Helen Brown (Daughter) Mrs. Crawford Hill (a society leader)
Katherine Grace-Shamburek was born in Colorado, and trained withEliza-
beth Shipiatsky. She studied on full scholarship at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. Katie then moved to St. Petersburg, Russia, to train and graduate from the Vaganova Ballet Academy. She was awarded 1st place in YAGP semifinals, and Denver Ballet Guild Young Dancers Competition. She has danced with Ballet Melange and Zikr Dance Ensemble. She joined the ballet company of the National Opera of Ukraine..
Sacred 36 (elite society club) Polly Pry (a Denver Post reporter) Suffragists
Chloe Edelstein was born in Syracuse, NY. For the past 4 years she has been an artist
with Ballet Tucson, performing in full length ballets and Balanchine works. Prior to joining Ballet Tucson, she danced with Nevada Ballet Theatre. She received her BFA in Dance Performance from Butler University, performing in numerous productions. She toured Europe with the Butler Chamber Ballet, and trained with the Polish National Schools of Ballet in Warsaw and Poznan, as well as The National Conservatories in Prague, Czech Republic and Bratislava, Slovakia.
World Dancers
Titanic Survivors
Robert Shelley has always been a very athletic person throughout high school and
Lead Mourner Finale
Spanish: Brandy Carwile, Obinna Morton, Arabian: Marcelina Gaudini, Greek: Christina Bargelt, Montana O’Brien, Russian: Chloe Edelstein, Chinese: Katie Grace-Shamburek Katie Grace-Shamburek, Brandy Carwile, Chloe Edelstein, Obinna Morton, Montana O’Brien, Marcelina Gaudini, Yoshiko Brunson as Molly Christina Bargelt All —Intermission—
American in Paris Choreography: Ilena Norton Gregory Gonzales (Sidewalk Artist scene) Music: George Gershwin
and soloist roles in Jill Oliver’s Thrive Ballet productions. She also attended summer programs at Joffrey Ballet School, Ballet West, and Colorado Ballet. Christina went on to study ballet and ballet pedagogy at University of Utah’s Ballet Program under notable faculty members. She graduated in May of 2019 with a BFA in Ballet (Pedagogy Emphasis), a Ballet Teaching Certificate, and a Minor in Violin Performance. Christina danced professionally with Reformation Dance Company as a Soloist.
American Girl Policeman French schoolgirls Flower Seller Fashionable Ladies
Obinna Morton started dancing at Ballethnic Academy of Dance and Atlanta
Ballet in Georgia. She attended summer programs at Atlanta Ballet and Alvin Ailey. Upon graduation, she became serious about training with Ballethnic Academy of Dance, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Institute of Atlanta, and STEPS On Broadway. She was most recently a trainee with the Roanoke Ballet Theatre for two seasons, and performed
Christina Bargelt, Brandy Carwile, Kristen Coors, Chloe Edelstein, Marcelina Gaudini, Montana O’Brien, Obinna Morton, Yoshiko Brunson as Molly
Act 3 – Travels Around the World, the Titanic, and back home in Colorado Music:: Klezmer Dance, Freylekh, traditional; Old American Suite, traditional; At The River, traditional;Tiger Rag, traditional
Ballet Arizona, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, The Jillana School, Colorado Ballet Academy, and with Elizabeth Shipiatsky. She has a BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah where she performed in many classical and original works. There, she trained under Pablo Piantino, Calvin Kitten, and Jan Fugit among others. After graduation, she joined the Charlottesville Ballet in VA.
Christina Bargelt was born and raised in Denver, CO. She performed principal
Christina Bargelt, Marcelina Gaudini, Montana O’Brien, Peter Strand Obinna Morton
—-pause-—
Montana O’Brien started dancing at the age of 4. Growing up she studied at
beyond. He found that this enhanced his performance as a dancer. Robert started off his ballet career with the pre-professional company, Maine State Ballet, dancing as a soloist for them from 2014-2019. He then graduated in 2021 from Dean College with his Bachelor’s in dance. He is eager to continue pursuing his passion for dance with Ballet Ariel.
Julie Novoa Chloe Edelstein
Can-can dancers Impresario Artist Gentlemen Waiter
Jennifer Kuhn/Marcelina Gaudini Robert Shelley Obinna Morton, Julie Novoa Brandy Carwile Chloe Edelstein (lead), Christina Bargelt, Marcelina Gaudini/ Kristin Coors Katie Grace-Shamburek (lead), Yoshiko Brunson, Montana O’Brien Gregory Gonzales Jose Chanduvi Robert Shelley, Peter Strand Peter Strand
Ilena Norton, Artistic and Executive Director, founded Ballet Ariel
Ballet Ariel Company Dancers
in 1998 and has directed and created ballets for the Ballet Ariel Company including Ballerina by Degas, Appalachian Spring, and Rikki-Tikki Tavi. She studied and
Jennifer Kuhn, Guest Artist began her formal training with the Marin Ballet,
performed with Ballet Arts Theatre under Larry Boyette and Paul Fiorino, and has a
studied with Joffrey Ballet in New York, Richmond Ballet, Ballet West, and Alonzo King’s Lines Contemporary Ballet. She attended the University of Utah on scholarship, receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and Master of Fine Arts degree with a teaching and choreography emphasis. Ms. Kuhn has performed with Utah Ballet, Montgomery Ballet, Boulder Ballet, 7 Dancers, Jayne Persch’s Briah Danse, Zikr Dance Ensemble, and numerous independent projects. Ms. Kuhn was a principal dancer for many years with Dawson/Wallace Dance Project, formerly David Taylor Dance Theatre where she also served as a Rehearsal Director and Répétiteur.
Bachelor’s Degree from Stanford University and post graduate education from Yale University and the University of Colorado. She recently completed a graduate certificate in nonprofit management at CU Denver.
Oleg Dedogryuk, Rehearsal Director is a graduate of the Leningrad Vaganova Ballet Academy and has a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education. He was a principal dancer with the Leningrad Modern Ballet Theatre under Boris Eifman, the Boshoi Theatre Grigorovich Ballet, the Moscow Renaissance Ballet, The National Ballet Theatre in Yugoslavia, the City Ballet in San Diego, and he was a soloist with the Colorado Ballet. He has won prizes for best partner at the 7th International Competition in Moscow, and is Laureate from the International Nureyev’s Festival and the International Festival of Dance in Spoleto, Italy. Rebecca Dean, Rehearsal Assistant is happy to be working with Ballet Ariel again. Rebecca performed as a Soloist with Ballet Ariel for several years (highlights: Clara in Nutcracker, Coppelia in Coppelia, Helen in Molly Brown, the Phoenix in Fire Dances) Rebecca was a founding company member of Apex Contemporary Dance Theatre directed by David Reuille, and served as Rehearsal Director. She has also performed with Performance Now Theater, Inspire Theater Company, David Taylor Dance Theatre, 7Dancers, Kim Robards Dance, and Ballet Magnificat. Rebecca is the Ballet Director of Colorado School of Dance. Rebecca graduated from University of Utah with an honors BFA in Ballet Performance and Teaching and a minor in business. Gregory Gonzales, Resident Choreographer, was a principal dancer for the Colorado Ballet from 1996-2004. He also danced with Ballet Pacifica, Ballet Arizona, Nevada Dance Theatre, and David Taylor Dance Theater. Major roles include the Preacher in Appalachian Springs, Dark Angel in Serenade, Pat Garrett in Billy the Kid, Head Wrangler in Rodeo, Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet, and Franz in Coppelia. Gregory graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance/Kinesiology from the University of Northern Colorado. He studied with Larry Boyette, James Clouser, Nadia Tikhanova, Cherie Noble and others. Gregory was a choreographer in residence at Colorado Ballet from 2002-2004. Gregory has choreographed Messengers, “figs. of my im.” for Ballet Ariel among others. Patricia Renzetti, Ballet Mistress, Patricia began her career with Ballet West of Salt Lake City, before moving to New York and then Europe. Patricia was the prima ballerina for the Colorado Ballet for twelve years, as well as a senior soloist in the London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet), principal with Scapino Ballet of Holland, the Iranian National Ballet, and the Tampa Ballet. As the Academy Director for the Colorado Ballet, she began the second company, Colorado Ballet II. Patricia earned an MFA in Dance-Choreography at the University of Iowa, and an MA in Counseling Psychology at the University of Colorado in Denver. She also was Associate Director for Ballet Ariel in Denver for seven years, 2005-2011.
Alexandru Glusacov, Guest Artist trained at the Academy of Ballet of Republic of Moldova. Upon graduation, he joined the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of the Republic of Moldova. He later moved to Moscow and joined the Russian Classical Ballet and then the Russian State Ballet. With these companies he toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States. Mr. Glusacov has danced around the country as a guest artist including Colorado Ballet. Mr. Glusacov has a degree in pedagogy in dance from the Academy of Music, Theater and Fine Arts, Moldova. Yoshiko Brunson started ballet at Hawaii State Ballet School at age 6. In Co-
loardo, she performed and participated in competitions like YAGP and WBC, including 1st place at the Denver Ballet Guild. She joined the Eugene Ballet Company as an apprentice. She then danced at Ballet Theatre of Maryland, as a demi-soloist artist. After taking some time to pursue her education, completing a B.S. Biology from UCD, and she does admin work with CMDance in Denver. Jose Mario Chicas Chanduvi was born in Montreal, QC and moved to
Plattsburgh, NY. At the age of 7 he began training in many styles and performing with the Langlois Racine Dance School. He has also been in North Country Ballet Ensemble, dancing major roles. He became a Choreographer for the Genesee Cheer and Dance teams. Jose was also named Solo National Grand Champion in the U.S finals in Myrtle Beach, SC in the dance category. Jose has also trained at Steps On Broadway in New York City, and Royal Dance Theatre in Buffalo NY. Marcelina Gaudini is originally from Miami, Florida where she began her training
at the age of 4 at South Florida Ballet. She continued her training at Miami City Ballet School and Colorado Ballet Academy. Upon graduation, she joined Ballet Ariel as an apprentice and was promoted to company dancer the following season. She has performed many roles at Ballet Ariel. Marcelina is also a company dancer with Reformation Dance Company and recently performed with Zikr Dance Ensemble.for two seasons.