Who says that my dreams have to stay just my dreams?
Artists of Ballet Fantastique |
Bob Williams Photography
Ballet Fantastique would like to recognize that our ballet theatre production is being held on the traditional lands of the Kalapuya People. We offer respectful recognition to the Native communities in our region.
We honor their enduring connection to the land, and acknowledge the contributions Indigenous people have, and continue to make to our region and beyond.
Letter
from the
President
On behalf of the Ballet Fantastique Board, I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to our world premiere performance of The Little Mermaid. We are honored by your presence as we unveil this reimagined production, crafted through the exceptional artistry of our talented dancers, innovative choreography, immersive set design, elegant costumes, and live music.
This evening, we invite you to journey beneath the surface and immerse yourself in a narrative that explores themes of longing, sacrifice, and the pursuit of an immortal soul. Although many are familiar with the lighter Disney adaptation, our interpretation returns to Hans Christian Andersen’s original, evocative story, offering both poignancy and depth.
Through the integration of contemporary ballet, we aim to present the ocean not merely as a backdrop, but as a dynamic and vital presence.
As Ariel traverses the boundaries between her underwater kingdom and the world above, parallels may be drawn to Edith from Dickens’ Dombey and Son, whose resilience and quest for autonomy within a restrictive Victorian society reflect the proto-feminist spirit that informs tonight’s choreography.
Whether you are a loyal patron or attending for the first time, it is our hope that this performance will resonate with you long after the final bow. Thank you for supporting live performing arts and for being part of the Ballet Fantastique community.
Now take a deep breath and let the artistic tide of tonight’s performance sweep you away.
PHILIP PIELE
BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear BFans,
Welcome to the magic of Ballet Fantastique’s 2025–26 VENTURE 25th Anniversary Season!
This year, we’re diving headfirst into the unexpected. From haunted forests and toyshop magic, to deep-sea kingdoms and the Wild West frontier, each ballet in this season dares to push storytelling further bringing iconic tales to life with the imagination, live music, and daring that defines BFan.
We’re so excited to kickstart the holiday season with Christmas in Toyland, set to the swinging holiday beat of Duke Ellington’s epic jazz Nutcracker and other holiday jazz classics, this original production is playful, heartwarming, visually enchanting, nostalgic and new.
Thank you for being here!
YOUR NEW ART IS HERE
DONNA MARISA BONTRAGER
& HANNAH BONTRAGER
FOUNDING CHOREOGRAPHER-PRODUCERS
People
Donna Bontrager, Founding Artistic Director
Hannah Bontrager, Founding Executive Director
BOARD PRESIDENT
Philip Piele
SECRETARY
Dianna Pounder
BOARD MEMBERS
Kate Eitenmiller
Stephen Webster
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Darby Giannone
Isabelle Bloodgood / Dancer Representative
Board of Directors
Mary Spilde
Matthew King
Emily Dew
Thea Vandervoort
Amy Stoddart
Gina Bolles Sorenson
Steve Robinson
Advisory Board
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Donna Marisa Bontrager, Founding Artistic Director, Costume Design/Vision
Allison Ditson, Costume Design & Production
Debora Peña, Set Design & Construction, Custom Paintings
Sydney Elise Miller-Peterson, Stage Manager
Gustavo Ramirez, Hannah Bontrager, Production Managers
Lance Deal, Jeff Faust, Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Carl Peterson, Sets Design, Construction, Properties Masters
JP Durand, Music Director
Gerry Rempel, Resident Composer & Arranger
Elizabeth Roberts, Costume Construction, Wardrobe Support
Mitra Gruwell, Headpieces
Deborah Speer, Libretto, Historical, Music Research, Creative Team
Genevieve Speer, Artistic Associate; Libretto, Historical, Music Research Support
Rebecca Welch, Wardrobe Support -
Ashley Bontrager, Development Director
Emily Knowles, Administrative Support
Rebecca Welch, Director of Community Engagement
Elizabeth Chapa, Academy Coordinator, Administration Support
Sara Stewart, Academy Relations Manager & Youth Backstage Coordinator
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director
Genevieve Speer, Finance Manager
Dianna Pounder, Academy Billing
Jeff Mecredy, Leadership & Growth -
Isabelle Overstreet, Marketing Coordinator
Elizabeth Chapa, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Emily Knowles, Marketing Support
Jeremy Bronson, Film, Audio, Marketing
Gustavo Ramirez, Film, Audio, Marketing
Hannah Bontrager, Graphic Design, Program Magazine Design -
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director, Youth Cast Lead
Amanda Kay Arens, Young Dancer Division, Youth Cast Lead
Sara Stewart, Youth Cast Costumes, Academy Manager
Ashley Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Hannah Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Brianne Falanga, Professional Division, Young Dancer Division
Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Professional Division
Tavari Groesbeck, Professional Division
Jenavieve Hernandez, Professional Division,Teen/Adult Division
Preston Andrew Patterson, Teen/Adult Divison
Gustavo Ramirez, Company Rehearsal Director
Hadassah Slater, Young Dancer Division, Professional Division, Adult/Teen Division -
Attic Media
Bronson Studios
Eddie Bruning
Miki Markovitch
Chappel Miller
Gustavo Ramirez
Bob Williams -
Dianna Pounder, Angel
Jitendra Joshi, Web
Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Sets, Dancer PT
Lance Deal, Sets, Welding
Carl Peterson, Sets, Engineering
Tessa Richards, Theater PT
Barbara Mossberg, Resident Historian
Elizabeth Roberts, Costumes
Erin Whitaker, Costumes, Art
Halie Henderson, Costumes
Christie Rodewald, Costumes
Kate & Bill Eintenmiller, Angels
BFan’s Academy Families
BFan’s Board of Directors
& many, many more -
Nils & Jewel Hult Endowment Fund
BFan Events Calendar
MEET THE MAKERS
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Choreographer - Producer
Founding Artistic Director
Costume Design DirectorBallet Fantastique's Canadian-born Artistic Director, Donna, is a choreographer, designer, and expert master teacher in the Vaganova Syllabus. Ms. Bontrager's performance résumé embraces work with New York companies, including Empire State Ballet, Buffalo City Ballet, Royale Dance Theatre New York, and Festival Choir Ballet. She was one of ten dancers invited to perform as part of the international Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Israel, and has been invited to join the World Congress on Dance. Ms. Bontrager has overseen Ballet Fantastique repertoire and productions involving partnerships with choirs, opera, and soloist vocalists, symphony and chamber orchestras, literary and visual artists, and composers. Ms. Bontrager has visioned, choreographed, produced, and staged the entire critically acclaimed all-original Ballet Fantastique repertoire of over 92 original works since 2000—including 26 full-length contemporary narrative ballets, and 25 consecutive productions with live music, including creating new work during the Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown. She has also led BFan commissions for Eugene Symphony, Oregon Mozart Players, and many others. Under Donna's leadership, Ballet Fantastique has toured across the NW. Donna also oversaw BFan's sold out, critically-acclaimed international debut at the Palariviera Theater as the first US dance company invited to perform in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy. Donna's love of the arts also extends to her design work as an alumna of the University of Oregon's School of Architecture and in the design of BFan's critically-acclaimed costumes. Donna has also developed the complete Academy of Ballet Fantastique curriculum.
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Choreographer-Producer
Founding Executive DirectorHannah is Ballet Fantastique's Executive Director, Co-Choreographer Producer, and lead grant writer. Hannah graduated at the top of her class (summa cum laude and phi beta kappa) from the Robert D. Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon where, as a full scholarship student, she earned concurrent degrees in Dance and English Literature and a minor in Arts Administration, as well as the American Association of University Women Award, the Dance Achievement Award, and the Dean's Award for Service, and was the invited Honors College graduation speaker. Under Hannah’s leadership, Ballet Fantastique has earned touring invitations on behalf of Ballet Fantastique nationally and internationally; grant awards from major foundations; and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and in-kind corporate and individual support.
Hannah is listed among the international Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals, is a Comcast Newsmaker, and Blue Chip "20 under 40" award recipient. Hannah also leads a number of educational initiatives for Ballet Fantastique, including Passport to Dance and The EXPERIENCE DANCE! Project, which have brought innovative dance experiences to thousands of schoolchildren across Oregon ever year for the past 20+ years.
Also a trained professional dancer and performer, Hannah studied Vaganova pedagogy with her mother, Donna Marisa Bontrager. She also trained at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC. Hannah spent a season with Colorado Ballet Company and subsequently with Manassas Ballet Theatre in the Washington, DC metro area (where she performed leading roles including Sugar Plum Fairy, Nutcracker and the lead in Vivandière/ Markitenka). Donna and Hannah have collaborated to produce bold cross-disciplinary Ballet Fantastique contemporary ballet premieres and collaborations at home and on tour, including the entire body of Ballet Fantastique's work. As a founding principal dancer with Ballet Fantastique, Hannah has earned rave critical reviews in myriad soloist roles.
Hannah is proud mom to Finn (age three) and Liam (age one), and is thrilled to be back on stage with her BFan family.
Academy of Ballet Fantastique
CLASSES FOR YOUNG DANCERS
AGES 2-7
OPEN CLASSES FOR TEENS/ADULTS
AGES 13+
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION
Ages 7+
CONTACT US TO AUDITION
Ballet Fantastique
Secret Society
We would like to recognize the incredible generosity of the individuals, foundations, and businesses who support Ballet Fantastique’s mission and programs. Pledges and contributions received between 7/1/24–PRESENT
Juliet Bender
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Carla Hoeger
Matthew Johns
Darby Giannone & Marvin Re'Voal
Jillyn & Graham Kaiser
Dave & Sherrie Kammerer
Andrea Kingsley
Nancy Nathanson & Steve Robinson
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Susan & Arthur Palsbo
Debra Peña
Philip & Sandra Piele
Helmut Plant (in memory of Carol Hamrick Plant)
Dianna Pounder
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
Steven Webster
2025-26 Director’s Circle
Join our Director’s Circle today by making a gift to Ballet Fantastique of $1,000 or more. Please denote “Director’s Circle” on your gift.
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A. L. Kingsley Fund of Oregon Community Foundation
Clement Family Charitable Fund
gratitude to Judy Clement, who contributed in honor of McKenna Morrigan
Dorothea M. Lensch Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Ellen Glendel Hyman Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation
Eugene Elks Lodge
Fidelity Charitable
Givinga Foundation
Herbert J. Merker Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Hult Endowment Fund of the Western Oregon Community Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation
Marie Lamfrom Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Neil Chinn Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Arts Commission
Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Cultural Trust
Percent Impact Foundation
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Ronald W. Naito Foundation
San Francisco Foundation
SHO — Support Hult Operations
Silva Endowment Fund of the Western Oregon Community Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Tamolitch Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Walker Charitable Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Woodard Family Foundation
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Stephanie & Ted Coopman
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Alpha IT
Bicoastal Media
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Anonymous Angel
Dr. Averno & Wendlyn Rempel
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Sandra Wright Piele & Philip K. Piele PhD
Dianna Pounder
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aktree Residential Living, Elman Babayev
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
Summit Funding, Sherrie & David Kammerer
Andrea Kingsley
Debra Peña
Volt Strategies, Brandy Rodtsbrooks,
Downtown Athletic Club
Staszak Physical Therapy
Summit Bank
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Merritt Bennett
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Attic Media
Vicky Mello
Steven Webster
Steven Yett
Silvan Ridge Winery
Bob Williams Photography
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Martha & Ken Alderfer
Zack Blalack
Tirzah & Ravi Brounstein
Judy Grubbs & Barry Polonsky
Carla Hoeger
Shirley & Michael Hull
Matthew Johns
Aubrey Lyche & Carlos Real
Nancy Nathanson & Steve Robinson
Gordon Tavern
Gordon Hotel, Brian Obie
Nicole & Daniel Roselio
Sara Stewart
Kristopher Stewart
Mary & Mike Staszak
Converted Kitchen
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Gregory Ahlijian
Irene & Kevin Alltucker
Elizabeth Bates & John Coit
Juliet Bender
Sharlen Bennett
Cindy Bedell & Rich Blanton
Mary Bruskotter & John Thompson
Robert Cummings
Charlcie Kaylor & Charles Crawford
Kay Crider & Patrick Phillips
Darby Giannone & Marvin Re'Voal
Margaret Hallock
Marcy Hammock & Herbert Merker
Jillyn & Graham Kaiser
Linda Lawrence & Robert Canaga
Laura Lee
Leslie Lessenger
Eileen Loritsch & Irving Weiner
Sue McClelland
Steven Milosevich
Susan & Arthur Palsbo
Helmut Plant
Patricia Thomas & Russell Mecredy
Sarah Sweet
Barbara & James Walker
Solid Ground Foundation, Margie & Bill Van Dorn
Eugene Symphony
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Margie & Logan Anderson
Patricia Ahlen
Zach Batt
Sylvia Bender
Annette Briggs & Scott South
Polly & Brian Caughey
Judy Clement
Gayle & Jeff Faust
Danny Havel
Jill Hendrickson & Nathan Markowitz
Ernest Lessenger
Sarah Maggio
Barbara Morris
Linda & David Nelkin
Susan Ordonez
Debby & John Phillips
Michelle Reid
Tessa Richards
Mike Shrum
Clare & Alex Vonderhaar
Wallpaper Northwest
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Tara Aarnio
Patricia & Dennis Hyatt
Rachel & Bob Williams
Katheryn & George Wood
Susan Hekimoglu
Diane Horvath-Pearson
Deborah Carver & John Pegg
Kate & Dave Moss
Charles & Merissa Merritt
Shelly Kane
Jeff Mecredy
Polly Ashworth & Robert Horner
Kevin Riley
Jennifer Ulum & Tim Gleason
Vanessa Toney
helli GramzBarbara & Brent Stone
Melva Bowler
Elizabeth Hughes
Corinne & Greg Klein
James Meadows
Gerald Morgan
Carolyn Rasche
Sandra & Jerry South
David Stright
Bradley Garrigus
Erika Backstrom
Vicki Blackman
Olivia Batt
Jennifer Clark
Reida & Charles Kimmel
Steven Heckern & Kimberly OBrien
Sally & Eric Overstreet
Cynthia Secrest & Douglas Pierce
Lynn & Tom Lamoree
Wendy Westcott
Michele Henney
Peter Hollens
Bailee Seeley
Coastline Housekeeping
James Johnson
Anna Lagattuta
ighten Up with Jill
John Li
Nicholas Hedden
Kathy Magnusson
Julie Moffenbier
Elizabeth Ovitt
Shirley Vinson
Jennifer Webster
Cynthia & Stephen Wright
Patty Ferguson
Beaudet Jewelry, Charles Beaudet
Mike Blevins
Alandra & Steven Duncan
Mark Heerema
Judith Horstmann & Howard Bonnett
Jason Krakow
New Twist
Colin Overstreet
Leigh Rieder
Andrew Sonabend
Josephine & Peter von Hippel
\Adele Walter
Kimberly Wilbur & Dennis Fisher
Shauna Stec & Corey Harmon
THE CHARACTERS
Photos by Bob Williams,
Eddie Bruning
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler as
Ariel
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Gustavo Ramirez as
Prince Mickey
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Preston Andrew Patterson as
Poseidon
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Jacob Amey as
Sebastian - The Lobster
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Jasmine Gilbert as
Flounder - Ariel’s Bestie
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Hannah Bontrager as
Roxanne
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Ashley Bontrager as
The Queen, Roxanne’s Alter Ego: Vanessa
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Isabelle Overstreet as
Seahorse, Electric Eel, Party Crasher
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Jenavieve Hernandez as
Seahorse, Electric Eel, Party Crasher
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Hadassah Slater as
Jellyfish, Eligible Princess
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Lucy Pearce as
Jellyfish, Eligible Princess
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Brianne Falanga as
Sea Anemone, Eligible Princess
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Aliyah Casper as
Sea Anemone, Eligible Princess
THE STORY
Photos by Bob Williams Photography & Eddie Bruning
Academy Youth Cast
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Beauregard Grimes
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Emelia Stewart
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Penelope Chase
Beau Grimes
Meridian Hula
Kayleigh Jordan
Bella Preston
Emelia Stewart
Ruth Tanner
Chloe Whitaker -
Penelope Chase
Annabelle DeHart
Meridian Hula
Olivia Ingram
Kayleigh Jordan
Aysia Merthyl
Penelope Pappalardo
Aijah Preston
Bella Preston
Esper Ritch
Emelia Stewart
Ruth Tanner
Chloe Whitaker -
Beatrix Alldritt
Madeline Alldritt
Haven Amabisca
Minna Eitenmiller
Hazel Henderson
Ada Hubbard
Mirabel Poppy Lewis
Aviana Marie Rodewald
Morrigan Smith
Fiona Stacey
Louisa Stewart
Eloise Whitaker
Maddison Zundel -
Beatrix Alldritt
Jora Bates
Finley Bontrager Mecredy
Lydia Clemens-Stephens
Minna Eitenmiller
Hazel Henderson
Jocelyn Jimenez
Sam Johnson
Poppy Lewis
Noah Orr
Frances Robinson
Aviana Marie Rodewald
Rome Snyder
Louisa Stewart
Eleanor Traen
Martha Rodes Wikander
Petra Wren Wikander -
Beatrix Alldritt
Audrey Rose Angeletti
June Dawson
Mila Doperalski
Maya Elliott
Minna Eitenmiller
Vera Hayden
Hazel Henderson
Emily Holloway
Genevieve Ingham
Johanna Jamison
Clementine Janke
Poppy Lewis
Zaya Lundquist
Calliope Miller-Peterson
Ameliana Pearls
Aviana Marie Rodewald
Brigid Saulgrove
Jema Seeley
Maaike Snieder
Louisa Stewart
Juniper Sturdivan
Scarlett Wallace
SPECIAL THANKS
Debra Peña, Jeff Faust, Lance Deal, for their incredible set work
Nils & Jewel Hult Endowment Fund
Our amazing Academy of Ballet Fantastique Families
LITTLE MERMAID
PRODUCTION TEAM
FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, VISIONARY
Donna Marisa Bontrager
CHOREOGRAPHER-PRODUCERS
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Hannah Bontrager
with Gustavo Ramirez
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR
Gustavo Ramirez
MUSIC
Neon Revival LIVE playing 80’s hits
RESEARCH, LIBRETTO TEAM
Donna & Hannah Bontrager, Deborah & Genevieve Speer
ASSISTANT TO THE PRODUCERS
Emily Knowles, Elizabeth Chapa
COSTUME DESIGN/VISION
Donna Marisa Bontrager
COSTUME DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION TEAM
Allison Ditson - Design, Construction (Portland)
Elizabeth Roberts - Design, Construction (Eugene)
Primadonna Tutus - Design, Construction (LA)
YOUTH CAST COSTUMES
Sara Stewart
with Kate Eitenmiller, Erin Whitaker
SET/PROPERTIES MASTER
Debra Peña
SETS DESIGN & VISION & CONSTRUCTION
Debra Peña
with Lance Deal Whitacre, Jeff Faust
SETS SUPPORT
Lance Deal, Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Jeff Faust,
Sydney Miller-Peterson, Carl Peterson
LIGHT DESIGNER
Alyssandra Docherty (Philadelphia)
PROJECTION DESIGN
Gustavo Ramirez
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Hannah Bontrager, Gustavo Ramirez
STAGE MANAGER
Sydney-Elise Miller-Peterson
ACADEMY PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Lucy Pearce
YOUTH CAST LEADS
Lucy Pearce, Amanda Kay Arens
YOUTH CAST COACHES
Amanda Kay Arens, Ashley Bontrager, Brianne Falanga,
Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Lucy Pearce, Hadassah Slater
YOUTH CAST COORDINATOR
Sara Stewart
with Heather Amabisca, Kate Eitenmiller, Julissa Favela, Halie Henderson, Kendra Orr, Jenn Pfeifer,
Sarah Preston, Christie Rodewald, Genie Snyder,
Katie Stacey, Erin Whitaker
and our Academy of Ballet Fantastique Families
PROMO VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson
PROMO PHOTOGRAPHY
Bob Williams, Jeremy Bronson, Eddie Bruning,
Erin Whitaker
PERFORMANCE VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Rebecca Welch, Emily Knowles
MARKETING
Hannah Bontrager, Isabelle Overstreet, Elizabeth Chapa, Emily Knowles
DIGITAL PROGRAM DESIGN
Elizabeth Chapa
FRONT OF HOUSE
Emily Knowles with Rebecca Welch
Meet the Musicians
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Guitar
Liza Carbé began her musical journey at age five and started guitar at nine after moving to California. She created the Zil, a unique instrument with 32 piano strings, while studying at college, and performed on acclaimed albums by Jasun Martz. After graduating from Cal State Northridge, she toured with the 80s metal band Vixen and later with R&B artist Leon Patillo. Liza co-founded the eclectic group Red Van Go, toured Japan, and played with Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac during his solo tour.
For the past 15 years, Liza has worked with her husband, JP Durand, composing music for TV shows like Entertainment Tonight, American Idol, and Extreme Makeover. They’ve also written for various library CDs and films. She’s also involved with City Hearts, which brings music to at-risk youth, and is endorsed by AMPEG, MTD Basses, Alvarez-Yairi Guitars, and others.
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Vocals
Amy LeSage is a Portland, Oregon based vocalist with a background in gospel music from the University of Oregon. LeSage sings with LaRhonda Steele and the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir and has provided background vocals for various Portland based artists. Amy also toured China with the U of O Gospel Choir in 2013. In previous years, Amy sang for Ballet Fantastique's show, Esther, and their first run of Pride and Prejudice. She is honored to return for another wonderful show with such talented creators, dancers and musicians.
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Vocals
Tita Hutchison is a versatile vocalist who has recorded and performed with iconic artists such as Paul Anka, Foreigner, Dolly Parton, Michael McDonald, Gloria Estefan, and Herbie Hancock, among others. She has also worked with top producers like Rick Rubin and Brian Malouf. Her voice can be heard in commercials, TV shows, and films for brands like Calvin Klein and networks like FOX and ABC Family, both in the U.S. and Japan.
A published author with Hal Leonard, Tita co-wrote Advanced Vocal Technique: Middle Voice, Placement, and Styles (2008). She is a featured instructor at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, where she has been voted Instructor of the Year twice. Tita teaches a variety of courses, including private vocal lessons, performance workshops, and vocal technique, drawing on her extensive performance and recording experience to bring real-world insights into the classroom.
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Vocals
Betty is a self taught vocalist and seasoned performance artist who has transplanted from Kalispell, Montana. Known for her vocal versatility, Jaeger's artistic history spans over two decades of singing and touring for wide ranges of project genres, yet she finds herself closest to home within the organic minimalism and swooping orchestral ballads with her Eugene local string quartet, Baroque Betty. Adding to her artistic versatility, she also graces stages across the Pacific Northwest as a burlesque performer, and produces The Wax Poetry Revue burlesque and variety show.
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Percussion
Tim’s musical journey began at age five in Newark, Ohio, with influences spanning Folk, Jazz, R&B, and the Ohio State Marching Band. After moving to Southern Oregon, he won multiple state solo awards and studied at the University of Oregon (BM) and USC (MM), where he trained with top percussionists and led the Oregon Marching Band Drumline.
Tim has performed globally as a percussionist with Grammy-nominated artist Josh Groban, and recorded with icons like Herbie Hancock, Elton John, and David Foster. His TV and film credits include NCIS, JAG, The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio, and appearances on The Tonight Show and Good Morning America. Tim currently teaches at the Los Angeles Music Academy.
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GUITAR
JP Durand is a guitarist, composer, and producer known for his humor and intelligence (though he has a quirky fear of freshly-cut grass). Raised in a Peruvian family, he started piano lessons at seven and joined the Paulist Choristers in 6th grade, where he received advanced ear training. His musical path took a turn in 7th grade after hearing Jimi Hendrix’s "Purple Haze."
At UC Berkeley, JP earned a degree in economics while performing in an R&B group and playing blues at local venues. In 1995, he began collaborating with his future wife, Liza Carbe, leading to work with Paramount Music on shows like Entertainment Tonight. Over the years, they’ve written music for American Idol, Ellen, Extreme Makeover, and more.
Artists of Ballet Fantastique
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Ashley Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Dave & Sherrie Kammerer
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Hannah Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Andrea Kingsley Foundation
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Isabelle Overstreet
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by The Bennett-Hooper Family
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Gustavo Ramirez
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Philip & Sandra Piele
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Preston Andrew Patterson
PRINCIPAL
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Jacob Amey
ARTIST
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Jenavieve Hernandez
SOLOIST
sponsored by Dianna Pounder
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler
SOLOIST
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Tavari Groesbeck
SOLOIST
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Lucy Pearce
ARTIST
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Hadassah Slater
ARTIST
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Jasmine Gilbert
ARTIST CORPS
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Brianne Falanga
ARTIST CORPS
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Aliyah Casper
CORPS DE BALLET
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Meridian Hula
FELLOWSHIP APPRENTICE
Dancer Portraits by Bob Williams Photography
GET THE MERCH
Our Sponsors
What’s Next?
