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Mrs. Arellano received her early training while growing up in New York
and, at the age of sixteen, moved to Texas and joined the Lone Star Ballet under the artistic direction of Neil Hess.
There, she performed for the next seven seasons and enjoyed dancing principal roles in "The Nutcracker", the
outdoor musical drama "Texas", and "LSB Premiers". She earned both a BFA and MA from
West Texas A&M University and has been teaching, choreographing and directing for over 20 years. k She served as
the Artistic Director of 21st Century Dance Company in Missoula, Montana and later spent six years in Chicago, where she established
a non-profit performing youth company. While in Chicago, she worked with a select group of professional
dancers and was recognized for her contemporary choreography in Dance Chicago’s emerging choreographers’ showcase. Most
recently, she has relocated to Dallas. k She has had the privilege
to work with some of the finest choreographers and directors from New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West
and the Louis Falco Repertory. Her rich experience led her to cultivate a unique perspective of the arts.
Jennifer teaches at the School of CBD and throughout the Metroplex. She premiered "Diablo" in CBD’s Danse Macabre and is excited to premiere a work for Peace, Love & Dance!
Meet Choreographer Kate Walker
Founded in 2008 by Kate Walker, DekaDance consists of highly athletic,
professional dancers performing a quirky and entertaining style of modern dance. The refined technique combined
with out-of-the box partnering and movement pushes the physical limits of dance and dancers. l Originally from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Kate began her dance training under Darrell and Sally
Notara. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from
Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington in 2004. She was a member of Chiaroscuro Dance Company and Dallas Black
Dance Theatre II, as well as rehearsal assistant for DBDT II. Kate teaches master classes around the country. She currently teaches ballet and modern at Dallas Black Dance Academy, the School of
CBD and at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. l She has been featured in Dance Teacher Magazine, Dance Studio Life & The First Step, a fitness-based reality television show. Her company has performed as Guest Artists
in CBD main stage concerts, including H20|08, Boogie Woogie Christmas Carol & Wild & Free.
She premiered an original piece on the CBD members for the first time in Danse Macabre!
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Jill S Rucci is a proud to
call Texas her new home! Relocated here from NYC, she was principal dancer and guest
choreographer for Vissi Dance Theater for over 10 years. j j
Jill has trained, taught, performed
and presented her choreography in many cities including Boston, Los Angeles and New York. Jill earned a B.F.A. in dance from Dean College in Franklin, MA, where she studied all forms of dance, musical theater and voice. j j
While in NY, Jill also performed with JSR Dance Co., Bare Bones Dance Co. and was a principal West African-stylized
dancer with Magna BA Drum and Dance Co. Jill also studied at Alvin Ailey and, while attending two of their intensive certificate
programs, earned certifications in modern and contemporary. j j Texas has welcomed Jill with open arms! Jill premiered her piece, "Pointillism," on CBD in October 2010 for Wild & Free, and she restaged and added sections to another work for our concert Sidewalk Stories! CBD is so pleased that she premeired a new work, "Hall of Mirrors," for CBD's Halloween
Extravaganza Danse Macabre on October 21-22 at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, Texas!
Meet Choreographer
Michael Mayes
 Originally from Dallas, TX,
Michael began his professional dancing career in 1988. Michael has performed and choreographed professionally for Alonzo King's
Lines Ballet Company, Ballet Dallas, Texas Ballet Theatre, Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, Oakland Ballet & Ballet Metrocrest.
He has trained with Ben Stevenson, Soili & Leo Ahonen, Tom Clower, Ben Houke, Kurt Hathaway and Joyce Seaborne Bader. jfMichael received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Film and Journalism at the University of North Texas. His credits include principal spots in “Swan Lake,”
“The Nutcracker,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Snow Queen,” “Giselle,” “Dracula”
and many others. He has made appearances in feature films such as “Dakota,” “Born on the 4th of July”
and danced in a public awareness commercial. He has also choreographed for television and commercial work. k jf
His artistic ability has resulted in award winning performances and professional productions nationally.
Michael also founded his own professional performing company, Company Mayes.
Company Mayes is contemporary jazz & lyrical based movement
and was formed in 2005 in San Francisco. Mr. Mayes' unique, clean, interpretive Lyrical and jazz fusion, combined with
a strong technical ballet background, quickly attracts cutting edge dancers. Michael and his company, Company Mayes, now reside in the Dallas area. j f
k Michael premiered a piece on CBD
for the Wild & Free concert last October, set to the gorgeous music stylings
of Texan Norah Jones, and we were thrilled to have him set his second work for CBD for Sidewalk Stories! Michael will be returing to set a new piece for CBD set to
the music of Elton John in Peace, Love & Dance!
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