Providing Hope and Opportunity Through Dance, Academic and Family Programs
summer 2011
danceup previously known as Saint Joseph Ballet
mELANIE RíoS GLASER, EXECuTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECToR
in the First Person Fernando, Class of 2011
I’ve been attending The Wooden Floor for about eight years, and they have been the best years of my life so far. Not only have I met some incredible staff members, but I have also made long-lasting friendships with people I would have never met at school. From experience, I know that if I wouldn’t have attended The Wooden Floor, I wouldn’t have been able to have the many possibilities of attending summer camps, taking free SAT workshops, or even getting financial help for my college tuition. The Wooden Floor has so much to give. I know that every time I come here, I always have someone to talk to if I’m sad or if I have some excitement to share; someone is always here to listen. We can come in with a frown on our faces and end up leaving with a huge smile. I think that’s one of the reasons why most of us call this place our “second home.” I have learned so much here about people, dance, and also about myself. I have become more open-minded about topics that people are usually afraid to talk about, and in general, I have become more talkative and outgoing. I feel that if it weren’t for the dance classes and concerts, I wouldn’t have been able to let go of fear and anxiety. A place like this doesn’t just come and go; it’s here to stay in our lives forever. As I say goodbye to go to college, I know that this won’t be the last time I’ll ever see my “second home”. This summer, Fernando will graduate from high school and simultaneously complete his AA degree. In the fall, he will attend either University of California Los Angeles or University of California Riverside, double majoring in dance and political science. Go to www. YouTube.com/TheWoodenFloor to get to know Fernando better via a short documentary produced by students at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.
Thursday, June 2 – Saturday, June 4
Friday, June 3
Choreographers’ Chat at the Irvine Barclay Theatre
Keep the Promise: A Wine Tasting Benefit
A profoundly inspiring performance as three of the nation’s most interesting experimental choreographers create new work in partnership with 144 underserved youth. Tickets available at www.TheBarclay.org
Enjoy a free pre-concert chat at 6:45pm at the Irvine Barclay Theatre hosted by True choreographers John Heginbotham and Melanie Ríos Glaser.
Save the date for an evening of inspiring stories and exquisite wines paired with gourmet hors d’oeuvres. For early reservations and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Keegan Bell at 714.541.8314 ext. 140.
True at the Irvine Barclay Theatre
Thursday, October 6
Complete information on events featuring the students of The Wooden Floor is available online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org
letter from Melanie Ríos Glaser
Supporter Spotlight
The Wooden Floor has a commitment to creating courageous, adventuresome, and important works of dance. It sets us apart. Why does this approach prove so transformational for the youth we serve? To start the Annual Concert process, students sign an agreement to show up to rehearsal on time all the time. This teaches accountability and commitment. We commission work from remarkable choreographers who are contributing in meaningful
ways to the field. They have a chance to learn from passionate, imaginative artists. The students are engaged in creating a new work by contributing their own ideas. This requires that they tap into their creativity and trust in themselves. They develop a strong sense of self by working with their intuition, perception, cognition, and will. The process will include explorations of movement material, spatial relations and groupings, problem
Helena Lea-Bastille About 15 years ago, Helena Lea-Bastille’s eyes landed on an article in the Los Angeles Times about Founder Beth Burns and The Wooden Floor, previously known as Saint Joseph Ballet. “I felt compelled to meet Beth and see the organization as soon as possible. The dance class I subsequently visited in the basement of a church in Santa Ana had a profound impact on my soul. I was hooked from day one.” Almost immediately, Helena shepherded the support of her family’s foundation, The Helen Sperry Lea Foundation, including underwriting The Wooden Floor’s performances at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, and REDCAT at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. “There hasn’t been a performance by The Wooden Floor that hasn’t had an emotional impact on me,” she says. “I’ve been deeply moved every time. The improvisational sections I find particularly riveting.“ Helena says there are two main reasons why she has stayed so passionately involved with The Wooden Floor. “I’ve had firsthand experience on how dance can heal and create great joy, so naturally I would like to help give this opportunity to others. Dancing freed me to think and dream; it helped me to unlock my imagination and to view the world as one with limitless possibilities. The second reason stems from a strong philosophical belief of the benefits of dance. Dance provides a physical connection to our spirits. The world of reality can have its limits, whereas the world of imagination and art can be boundless. Nurturing our spirits is vital to our happiness and growth.” This nurturing, she says, happens every day at The Wooden Floor. Helena hopes The Wooden Floor continues to grow and affect more lives, because as she puts it, “Dance teaches us how to trust the unknown and to celebrate our uniqueness. Dance programs involve working with others physically, transcending our individual self and abilities, transporting us to a higher expression for all to witness.”
2 The Wooden Floor | summer 2011
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED:
Class of 2011 Beats the Odds When the Class of 2011 entered The Wooden Floor, they embarked on a journey of movement and possibility that impacted their lives both positively and permanently. Along the way, they logged an incalculable amount of time on our dance floors, spent endless hours in the Betty L. Hutton Education Center with tutors, performed in front of thousands, toured the wilderness during sponsored summer camps, and received priceless personal mentoring. Keeping up with the success marked by every graduating class of The Wooden Floor since 2005, 100 percent of the Class of 2011 will complete high school on time and enroll in college, opening up educational and professional opportunities. They have beaten the odds, outperforming nearly three-fourths of their socioeconomic peers on a national level. Many of these youth are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Based on their GPAs, 17 of the 19 graduates will receive four-year scholarships from The Wooden Floor totaling $4,000-$10,000. The Class of 2011’s resilience, hard work, and determination to finish their decade-long tenure in our organization is a testament to the strong community building and life-long relationships that are born at The Wooden Floor. Join with us in supporting the Class of 2011 throughout college, and continuing to be inspired by their achievements!
Presenting the Class of 2011: Sandra Alcantara Fernanda Alvarez T Osmara Armenta T Jennifer Arteaga T Jessica Benitez T Kathi Camanos T Jocelyn Castillo T Berenice Cortez T Enrique Herrera T Alexandria Law T Alix Portillo T Shantel Prado T Gerardo Reyes T Tatiana Rivera T Maria Elena Ruiz T Fernando Sosa T Emily Vazquez T Paola Velasco T Kenia Vicente T T
Members of the Class of 2011 have been admitted to: 8 of the 10 University of California campuses including Berkeley, Irvine, Los Angeles, and San Diego T 11 of the 23 California State University campuses including Fullerton, Long Beach, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo T 18 out of state and private schools, including Cal Arts, Columbia University, Boston University, George Washington University, Cornell University, and NYU T
Keep the Promise: A Wine Tasting Benefit Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 6pm Save the date for an evening of inspiration, celebration, and enjoyment. The 5th annual Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit features a “blind” strolling wine tasting, specially paired hors d’oeuvres, an exciting opportunity drawing, and much more, to raise funds for The Wooden Floor’s year-round programs. As a guest, you will explore 12 spectacular wines, including 2007 reds considered among the best vintages produced in the last 20 years from France’s Rhone region. Attendees will
taste six whites and six reds, each with an average rating of 95 points, and valued up to $110 per bottle. For the fifth straight year, the featured wines have been passionately hand-selected by dedicated Premiere Sponsors John and Janice Markley. This year, Markley has enlisted the help of Steven Poe, who is one of fewer than 200 people worldwide to hold the distinctive title of Master Sommelier. “The wines are powerful, yet graceful and wonderfully complex with intense flavors of lip-smacking cher-
solving, and assembling all the pieces together to create a new whole. Students will engage in abstract thinking and notice that problems might have multiple answers. using a curious and inquiring mind is rewarded as it leads to innovation. While entertaining, the dances we make at The Wooden Floor are meant to be thought-provoking, and to touch a deeper chord. The work requires the audience ignite their own associations, encouraging not one but a multiplicity of meanings. It will help us tap into our own life experiences, access our empathy and be in
communion with others. While individuality is honored, we learn that we are stronger when we build community. I hope you will join us for the rich experience that is True, our 2011 Annual Concert. For the part you play we thank you!
June 19
30 youth from The Wooden Floor head off to two different sponsored summer camps. many of these students have never before experienced being out of the city and in the wilderness. They will be at camp for nearly two weeks.
28th Annual Concert:
June 2
This year’s Annual Concert, True, comes to the Irvine Barclay Theatre with 144 talented young artists performing contemporary works made in partnership with three top-of-their-field choreographers. The Wooden Floor’s Annual Concert is the crown jewel of our year-round programs, allowing our students to gain the confidence and drive necessary for understanding their self-worth, while exposing them to the creativity and self-expression of inventive art-making. True will debut two newly commissioned works, including pieces of Wood, choreographed by longtime company member of the mark morris Dance Group, John Heginbotham, and featuring 98 youthful and energetic dancers. “It is fun to work with such a gigantic cast,” Heginbotham states, “The energy and imagination they bring into the dance studio is inspiring.” He says working with these youth allows him to create work that he would rarely, if ever, be able to produce anywhere else. The result is an unexpected contemporary dance that is layered, unique, and sophisticated. “It is beautiful to watch these young artists take on movement; they tend to move without the trained consciousness of adults. I love to watch them deliver their own versions of the dance material.” Heginbotham’s piece, based substantially on music by American composer Steve Reich, features Clapping Music and Music for Pieces of Wood to be performed by The Los Angeles percussion Quartet. True also features the premiere of Too, by the 2010 Alpert Award winning Choreographer Susan Rethorst, as well as a new restaging of the exuberant True or False: I Was Born in the Nederlands, choreographed by Executive & Artistic Director melanie Ríos Glaser. Join us for an experience so profound that is touches audiences, while powerfully moving its young performers towards a fuller life.
Four Performances Only June 2-4, 2011 at the irvine Barclay Theatre 8:00pm nightly, with a 2:30pm Saturday matinee General Seating: $20 Benefit Seating: $50* Children under 13 and students: $10
the wooden floor news feed
get Your Tickets Today! online: www.TheBarclay.org By phone: 949.854.4646 ext. 1 In person: Irvine Barclay Theatre Box office, 4242 Campus Drive in Irvine
Media Sponsor:
*Includes $30 tax deductible contribution
Plan Your Visit
our 144 “stars” arrive for opening night of True at The Irvine Barclay Theatre. Shining under the bright lights of their dressing room, the children will see their names on large silver stars. Thank you to our concert and Star Sponsors for helping to create this unforgettable moment.
May 14
Several alumni of The Wooden Floor reunite to discuss the organization’s newly established Alumni professional Networking Group. For more information please contact mayra Aviña at 714.541.8314 ext. 128.
May 12
Chapman university’s Dodge College of Film and media Arts debuts Modern Man, a documentary showcasing Fernando (Class of 2011) and the effect dancing at The Wooden Floor has had on his life.
April 23
KTLA’s TV series Young Icons airs an episode featuring Jocelyn (Class of 2011) and her extraordinary story of being the first in her family to go to college. She will attend Southern methodist university this fall.
April 19
A free workshop series on parent communication begins at The Wooden Floor. This seminar is one of several provided by The Wooden Floor’s all-encompassing Family Services program.
April 13
Visiting the Barclay is effortless, with close parking and an easy to find location. Get directions, check out local eateries, and learn more about contemporary dance at www.TheWoodenFloor.org.
Structural, mechanical, and Biomedical Engineers from Fluor, Edwards Lifesciences, and mcLarand Vasquez Emsiek & partners participated in a Career Night for students, opening up possibilities for future career paths. one month earlier, students were introduced to health industry careers including toxicology, nursing, occupational therapy, and surgical oncology by panelists from Hoag Hospital, Allergan, and the oC Department of Health.
April 5
Students embark on a tour of pomona College with our College preparatory Coordinator, Nelie Ramirez, setting their sights on college early in their high school careers. They toured uSC, the university of Redlands, and uC San Diego a week later.
April 1 ries, bramble, and a signature white peppery spiciness that can only come from the Rhone,” says poe. In the tasting, poe says, “Chateauneuf du pape is the star,” yielding a “one of a kind beauty that is sure to amaze and delight all those fortunate enough to indulge.” Keep the promise has been dubbed orange County’s “best kept secret” by Riviera magazine, gaining immense popularity not only from friends and supporters of The Wooden Floor, but also among Southern California’s wine enthusiasts. Due to the growth in the number of attendees, the location of the event has been moved to Big
Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach. Last year’s event sold out, netting $90,000 helping the organization to keep the promise of providing its youth with the tools and support to see them through high school and on to college. Come join us and help us keep this promise! To learn how you can get involved, or for sponsorship inquiries, please contact Keegan Bell, Director of Development, at 714.541.8314 ext. 140 or Keegan@TheWoodenFloor.org.
18 Juniors attend one of several Kaplan SAT prep courses offered for free to our high school aged students. This begins the first step in their college application process.
March 30
Executive & Artistic Director melanie Ríos Glaser is recognized in La opinión newspaper’s mujeres Destacadas Awards along with 29 other Southern California Latinas.
www.TheWoodenFloor.org 3
PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE
previously known as Saint Joseph Ballet
PAID
1810 N. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92706 714.541.8314 www.TheWoodenFloor.org
SANTA ANA, CA PERMIT NO. 302
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The Wooden Floor Board of Directors 2010-2011 Damien Jordan, Chair Senior Vice President, General Manager, The American Funds Service Company Ernesto Vasquez, Chair-Elect AIA, Founding Partner, McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners Jim Slaughter, Vice Chair Attorney at Law, Slaughter & Slaughter, LLP Frank Foster, Secretary Principal, Residential Strategies, LLC Richard C. Hunsaker, Treasurer President, Hunsaker Management Glennda Adair Community Leader Joan Beall Community Leader Catherine Chase Senior Vice President, Credit Suisse Private Bank Arlene Craig President, The Betty L. Hutton Title Holding Co. Vice President, The Hutton Foundation Jim Driscoll Community Leader Frank Hall Vice President Resource Development, Retired St. Joseph Health System Sharon Hartshorn Community Leader Virginia Hunsaker Community Leader Yvonne M. Jordan Community Leader Juan Laguna, Parent Representative Attorney at Law Catherine MacIver Senior Vice President, Bank of America Insurance Services Group Danny Melita Community Leader Donald McKayle Professor of Dance, Emeritus, University of California, Irvine Yvonne R. O’Neill Certified Public Accountant, O’Neill Financial Management Cyrus Parker–Jeannette Interim Associate Dean of the College of the Arts, California State University, Long Beach Melanie Ríos Glaser Executive & Artistic Director, The Wooden Floor Samuel Ruiz, Parent Representative Machine Maintenance Manager, ERAN Engineering Kristy Santimyer-Melita Community Leader Larry Stofko Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, St. Joseph Health System
Every Star Should See Their Name in Lights!
“You don’t walk into many places and see your name on a star,” says Angelica. When she entered the Irvine Barclay Theatre last year for her first ever Annual Concert performance, seeing her very own star filled her with excitement. “I got very happy and excited when I saw my name. I felt important and special.”
Just like Angelica, 144 students will arrive this year at the Irvine Barclay Theatre on opening night of the 28th Annual Concert, True. Next to the bright lights of the dressing room mirror, the children will see their names displayed on large silver stars. This moment represents months of rehearsals and tremendous dedication. On stage and witnessed by an audience, these students know that who they are and what they have to say matters – this they will never forget.
Susan Whittaker Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, St. Joseph Health System
You can play a key role in supporting this life-changing experience for one or more underserved youth. Your generous Star Sponsorship celebrates the creation, production, and presentation of a remarkable moment in a child’s life. Stars start at just $25.
Barbara Yingling Community Leader
Won’t you consider sponsoring your Star today?
William Yingling III Community Leader Beth Burns, Board Emerita Founder of The Wooden Floor and Artistic Director (’83-’05) Socorro Vasquez, Board Emerita Community Leader
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Online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org By returning your sponsorship in the enclosed donation envelope By contacting Susie Forbath at 714.541.8314 ext. 115
Thank you to the corporate sponsors that have come forward this spring to support students of The Wooden Floor.