OUR GUESTS

Elsy Barrios, born in Caracas, Venezuela. She started her ballet training at the age of seven. She graduated as a dancer in 1987 joining Ballet Nacional de Caracas. Ms. Barrios obtained her Professional Ballet training with ballet teachers such as Nina Novak, H. Walkerm, Elena Madam Vera, W. Burmann and Vladimir Issaev. In 1989, she became soloist of the company; later a principal dancer, performing all the classical and neo-classical roles. Ms. Barrios participated in all international tours of Ballet Nacional de Caracas. In 1996 she received the " Best Performance Award" at the III Classical and Neo classical Ballet Choreographic Competition in Caracas Venezuela. Since 1996 Ms. Barrios has been a guest dancer for the Ballet Florida's Nutcracker and since 1999 for Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, Issaev's production of The Nutcracker.

Mary Catoya from Venezuela, began her training at the age of six in Caracas, and began her professional career at the age of 13. She danced with the Youth Ballet of Venezuela, the Contemporary Ballet of Caracas, the Cleveland Ballet, and as a principal with the National Ballet of Caracas, where she was coached and trained by Ballet Master Vladimir Issaev. Currently she dances as a principal at the Miami City Ballet. Her repertoire includes works of George Balanchine, Vicente Nebrada, Dennis Nahat and Vladimir Issaev. Ms. Catoya has danced extensively abroad at many festivals and galas, including an international gala before the King and Queen of Spain, the inauguration of the Theater Simon Bolivar in Brazil, Dance Aspen, and the Gala of Stars at the Festival International Santander. She received the award "Premio Casa del Artista" as Best Classical Dancer of the Year in 1999.

David Fonnegra is from Venezuela and began his ballet studies in Caracas. He received classical training with Wilhelm Burmann and Vladimir Issaev, among others. Mr. Fonnegra joined the Ballet Nacional de Caracas - Teresa Carreño in 1984. Named a principal in 1987 he danced roles in Romeo & Juliet, George Sand, Apollo, Geminis, Firebird, Swan Lake and many more. Venezuela awarded its highest artistic honor, The Casa del Artista, to Mr. Fonnegra in 1994 for his accomplishments in classical dance. He performed extensively as a guest artist with other companies, and participated in the BNCs’ International tours. Since joining Miami City Ballet in 1995, he has danced principal roles, which include Reus, Who Cares?, Diamonds, Nutcracker and Serenade. Mr. Fonnegra has performed with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida since its debut in 1997 as Guest Dancer.

Franklin Gamero was born in Venezuela, and received his training with Nina Nikanorova. He was chosen as a finalist at the Fourth International Ballet Competition in Moscow. He began his professional career with the Cleveland Ballet, and later danced as a soloist in Germany. Since joining Miami City Ballet in 1987, he has danced leading roles. Mr. Gamero has an extensive guesting schedule with dance companies and international festivals, including the 20th Anniversary Gala for Wolf Trap, and the Vail International Dance Festival. In 1997, he was a featured performer in honor of the Folger Shakespeare Library's 65th Anniversary and received an invitation to the White House. In 2001 he was awarded with the highest honor for the Arts in his native country Venezuela “The Arturo Michelena Award”, Mr. Gamero is married to Iliana Lopez, also a principal with Miami City Ballet.

Wilman Gamero, began his ballet studies at the age of 12 with Nina Nikanorova at the Valencia, Venezuelan State Ballet School. In 1983 he became a member of the Ballet Nacional de Caracas, until 1984 when he was awarded a scholarship to continue his ballet training with the Deutcher Oper Berlin School of Ballet. Upon graduating in 1985, he was invited to join the Deutcher Oper Am Reich in Dusseldorf, Germany, where he performed successfully for several years. He has previously danced principal roles with Ballet Florida, Southern Ballet Theatre and, Ballet Clasico de Camara Nina Novak.
Mr. Gamero has participated in many guest performances in Venezuela and United States. Since July of 1999 Mr. Gamero has been training with Maestro Vladimir Issaev and is a resident dancer for Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida

Isanusi Garcia, Guest dancer courtesy of Carolina Ballet, comes from Ballet Nacional de Cuba. He began his study of dance in 1986 at the National School of Arts in Cuba, following at the Academy of Ballet and Jazz in Brazil. . Mr. Garcia has danced principal roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Don Quixote and Sleeping Beauty and has received awards for best interpretation in both modern and classic dance in Cuba, South America and Europe. He has also performed with Torino Ballet, Ballet Juvenil de Caracas and Academy Ballet in Sao Paulo Brazil. Mr. Garcia has performed the role of the Cavalier (Sugarplum) for Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida.

Maksim Knysh, Mr. Knysh trained with at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy beginning his professional ballet training in 1978. In 1986 he joined the Moscow State Musical Theatre as a principal dancer and in 1990 he joined the world famous Bolshoi Ballet as a soloist. Maksim was invited as a guest artist at the Spoleto Festival of 1991 and toured Europe with Russian Ballet Stars of the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet. Maksim is a soloist of Orlando Ballet, under the direction of the acclaimed Fernando Bujones.

Iliana Lopez was born in Venezuela, and began her training with Nina Nikanorova. She was a finalist at the Fourth International Competition in Moscow. She danced with the Cleveland Ballet, and as a soloist in Germany with Deutsche Oper Berlin and Deutsche Oper am Rheim. Since joining Miami City Ballet in 1987, she has danced principal roles. Extensive guesting engagements include the 20th Anniversary Gala for Wolf Trap and the Vail International Dance Festival. In April 1997, she was a featured performer in honor of the Folger Shakespeare Library's 65th Anniversary and received an invitation to the White House. In August 1997, Dance Magazine featured Ms. Lopez on its cover. In 2001 she was awarded with the highest honor for the Arts in her native country Venezuela “The Arturo Michelena Award”, She is married to MCB principal dancer Franklin Gamero.

Renato Penteado was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he began his dance training at the age of seven. Always trained under the Russian method, Mr. Penteado has always been rewarded for his exceptional skills. In 1997 he studied at the Centro Pro Danza of Havana- Cuba, under Laura Alonso’s direction. Since then, he has always performed principal roles in The Nutcracker, Giselle and Swan Lake. Among his many awards: 1st Place “Masculine Variation repertoire”, 2nd place Grand Pas de Deux repertoire and Classical Group, at the 15th International Dance Festival of Joinville. He was also a semi finalist in both Varna Competition and the International Competition in Jackson Mississippi in 1998. He joined Miami City Ballet in 1999. This is the second season Mr. Penteado performs with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida as a guest artist. Tonight he will be parterning Ms. Catoya in Issaev’s work Le Printemps Pas de Deux.

Claudio Sandoval , born in Venezuela, and began his ballet training with Vladimir Issaev at the Escuela de Ballet Teresa Carreno, and was a scholarship student at The Kirov Academy and The School of American Ballet.
He joined Dance Theater of Harlem as an apprentice in 1998 ,where is now a soloist. He has been a member of ABT's Studio Company and the Dancing Through Barriers® Ensemble. He has also danced with Ballet Nacional de Caracas, Cincinnati Ballet and New York Theatre Ballet.
Claudio has danced the Sugarplum Cavalier with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida.