2009 Summer Intensive Staff
Directors
Rodney Gustafson, Artistic Director/Founder
Mr. Gustafson trained at the School of American Ballet and spent the majority of his performing career with American Ballet Theatre. He has worked with many of the great dancers and choreographers of our time including Alvin Ailey, George Balanchine, Rudolf Nureyev, Jerome Robbins, Anthony Tudor, and has appeared in the films The Turning Point, Baryshnikov's Nutcracker, and several Live from Lincoln Center specials for PBS. He continues his affiliation with American Ballet Theatre as an instructor and choreographer for their summer programs. In addition to his artistic merit, Mr. Gustafson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management. Gustafson founded State Street Ballet in 1994 where he has created several full-length ballets including Hollywood NutCracker, Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Nights Dream, Cinderellaand Jungle Book (2009).
Richard Dickinson, Summer Intensive Associate Director
Mr. Dickinson's career included Boston Ballet, Ohio Ballet, Chicago Ballet, and Honolulu Ballet. After a stellar career as a professional dancer, Richard went on to work as a ballet master with Boston Ballet, Ohio Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance. Mr. Dickinson currently directs his own school and company in Ohio and Co-directs the State Street Ballet Summer Intensive.
Faculty
Jennifer Rowe, Summer Program Coordinator/Coaching
She trained with John Landovsky of Hawaii State Ballet. At age 17, she was chosen to be one of 42 dancers from around the world to compete in the 2002 International Ballet Competition, and was commended for her fearless dancing. Shortly thereafter, Rodney Gustafson invited her to dance with State Street Ballet as an apprentice for the 2003-2004 season. She joined State Street Ballet in 2004.
Gary McKenzie, BalIet
Gary McKenzie is a California native. He received his primary training from Marguerite Phares, Vladimir Luppov, Alonzo King, and at Harkness House under David Howard in New York. While his performing career was primarily with Ballet Florida, he was also a member of Southwest Ballet, San Diego Ballet, and a founding member of State Street Ballet. In addition to teaching, McKenzie has choreographed several ballets, including choreography for Opera Santa Barbara.
Nancy Colahan, Modern
Ms. Colahan spent nine years as a Principal Dancer with Lar Lubovitch. She performed with Barshynikov's White Oak Dance Project from 1990-95 and she currently teaches at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Narankhand Dondog / Ballet
Ms. Dondog was born in Mongolia and received her primary training in Russia where she received a graduate degree at the Choreographic Ballet School of Perm, Russia. She has danced in Don Quixote, Paquita, La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Sheherezada, Coppelia, La Corsaire, Romeo & Juliet, The Fountain of Bahchisarai, Giselle, and Les Sylphides.
Marina Fliagina, Ballet / Character
Born in Russia, Ms. Fliagina graduated with distinction from the Perm State College of Choreography in Russia. In 1990 she was admitted to the Moscow State Theatre Kremlin Ballet where she worked with the renowned Vladimir Vasiliev. She toured internationally with the Russian Imperial Ballet, Moscow Classical Ballet, and the Moscow Festival Ballet. Ms. Fliagina joined State Street Ballet as a dancer in 1998 and was promoted to Ballet Mistress in 2001.
Alyson Mattoon, Jazz
Born and raised in Sedona, Arizona. She attended the Virginia School of the Arts on scholarship. Her professional dance career began the summer of 2000 after receiving an apprenticeship with State Street Ballet. Mattoon has performed several leading roles that were created for her by choreographers William Soleau, Robert Sund, and Rodney Gustafson. Mattoon's passion for dance takes her off the stage and into the classroom where she teaches and trains young dancers.
Dana Young / Jazz / Choreography
Born in Fresno, California, and received her ballet training at the Dance Studio of Fresno. She has trained in ballet, jazz and modern techniques. She was a company member of Martha Kelly-Fierro's Altered Modalities, which toured throughout the USA. She has spent her summers studying at the Joffrey Ballet, Houston Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. Dana joined State Street Ballet in 2006.
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