Staff

California Dance Theatre celebrating our 24th year!

ballet • lyrical • contemporary • tap • jazz • acro • hip-hop • musical theatre • children • adults • beginners • professionals

Staff

A Passion for Dance

Lori Sorensen (left) and Kim Maselli (right)

Kim Maselli Artistic Director (KM):

American Ballet Theatre II, Joffrey Concert Group, LA Ballet, LA Chamber Ballet, FAME TV Series 4-year veteran. Feature Films including Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, TV Specials & Stage. Artistic Director/Choreographer of CDT's PACIFIC FESTIVAL BALLET, Resident Ballet Company at the Countrywide Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. She is a member of Dance Masters of America.

Lori Sorensen Administrative Director (LS):

Teacher/Choreographer with business degree and over 40 years experience as dance educator. Co-founder of CDT's Competition Team 21 years ago. She also enjoys scheduling dance, choral, theatre and musical groups for the annual Thousand Oaks Arts Festivals and Alliance for the Arts special events. Lori is the Vice President & Treasurer of PACIFIC FESTIVAL BALLET, the Resident Ballet Company at the Countrywide Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. She is a member of Dance Masters of America.

Margie Weisman (MW):

Has taught ballet in Boston, New York, Los Angeles and the Conejo Valley. She received her BFA from the Boston Conservatory and was trained in Vaganova technique by Witaly Osins, Lorenzo Monreal and Ruth S. Ambrose. She has studied ballet in Amsterdam, Netherlands with the Scapino Ballet, in New York City with David Howard, and in Los Angeles with Stanley Holden and Tanya Lichine. Margie danced professionally as a soloist with Boston Dance Theatre, Boston Massachusetts and Albano Ballet Company in Hartford Connecticut. She danced in an Adagio Act in Cabarets in New York City and in musical reviews with Princess Cruises, in modern and jazz companies in Los Angeles and performed in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Margie has choreographed for competition teams and conceived and created a two-act ballet, "Alice in Wonderland." Margie's goal as a ballet teacher is to teach 'sound' technique at every level, to build strong, supple bodies, and to instill a life-long love and appreciation of dance in every student.

Gregg Russell (GR):

Tapped with Bette Midler, Gene Kelly, Gregory Hines and Cedric the Entertainer. Most recently, he choreographed and directed a commercial for Carvel Ice Cream. Gregg has worked with musical artists Sugar Ray, Smashmouth, Reba McEntire, Jason Mraz, Alanis Morrisette and the B-52's. He was a guest performer and choreographer on the Disney Show Even Stevens. He also was featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; danced in many movies including Newsies and Clueless and appeared as a guest on the show 3rd Rock from the Sun many times. Gregg developed his own corporation titled 3D Dance Network and his tap company, Tap Sounds Underground.

Jennifer White (JW):

has been training and dancing for more than 12 years. She has been a student and assistant teacher at CDT for 10 years and is the proud mom of four children, all whom are current students and aspiring dancers. She is excited to be a part of the CDT staff again this year.

Jonathan Sharp (JS):

Began his dance training at the School of American Ballet. He also danced professionally with the Boston Ballet and the Pennsylvania Ballet. He has performed on Broadway in The Red Shoes, Carousel (revival at Lincoln Center), The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live, The Dance of the Vampires, and Fiddler on the Roof (2004 Revival). His television credits include a contract role on Another World and guest starring parts on Gilmore Girls, Law and Order, Jack and Jill, and The Cosby Mysteries. Jonathan danced the role of Prince Raphael in Pacific Festival Ballet's world premiere The Sea Princess, and Cotton Candy Prince & Spanish in their annual Nutcracker.

Mayme Paul-Thompson (Mayme):

Performed on Broadway in "A Chorus Line," "The Tap Dance Kid," "Little Johnny Jones," and The 1984 TONY Awards. She has also worked Off-Broadway, in National Tours, in numerous Regional Theaters and has appeared in over 20 commercials. As an instructor, she has taught dance and acting to all ages and has directed and/or choreographed over 60 musicals for professional theaters, community theaters, universities and schools. Mayme is currently directing the musicals at Lindero Canyon Middle School and Agoura High School. She is Artistic Director of Gypsy Productions which was founded seven years ago.

Jean Lubin (JL):

As a teenager, Jean danced on full scholarship with the School of American Ballet Theatre in New York, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Teatro alla Scala in Milan. She then danced as a soloist with Harkness II in New York under the direction of David Howard. She was also offered a full ballet scholarship at Indiana University. She studied under and was taught original staging and choreography by Alexandra Danilova, Anton Dolin, John Kriza and Lupe Serrano. Along with being featured for several years in the Danskins are for Dancing ad campaign, Jean was runner-up to Miss America (winner of the talent award) and has danced and starred in dozens of national commercials, as well as many television shows and feature films. She has taught at various schools and her students have won top awards in regional and national competitions.

Judy Russell (JR):

Dancing since the age of 5, Judy opened her own studio in Wooster, Ohio, in 1982. Besides performing in and choreographing numerous community benefit functions including high school presentations of "West Side Story" and "Fame," she incorporated dance in fashion shows as fashion coordinator for local major department stores. Her students have won numerous national competitions and many are now teaching and performing professionally all over the world including her sons Robert and Gregg. With five grandchildren, she has begun a third generation of dancers! A past member of Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America.

Karyl Noily (KN):

Owned her own studio in Tarzana for over 26 years. She teaches students from age three to adults in Cecchetti & Russian technique. Many of her students received scholarships to San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and other prestigious companies. Karyl specializes in very young children, believing that the study of dance should be an exciting and rewarding experience. She also created a special ballet program for adults called "Gentle Ballet," providing the benefits and joys of ballet in a simplified and less strenuous format than can be found in most classes. "You are filling an incredible need for so many women," as stated by one of her Gentle Ballet students.

Laura Klein (LK):

Laura has appeared in both the National and International Companies of the Broadway Show A Chorus Line and the Broadway Show Carmelina. She has taught master classes at several National Dance Conventions and has choreographed many award-winning competition numbers. Laura is most proud of her former students who are dancing professionally throughout the world. She is a 25-year member of Dance Masters of America.

Jamie Ohlrich (JO):

Began her formal ballet training at California Dance Theatre studying under the direction of Kim Maselli, Stanley Holden, Charles Maple, and Patrick Frantz. She performed with Pacific Festival Ballet as the lead in Cinderella, as well as many other lead roles in The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Pas de Quatre, and Heaven & Hell...the Journey, to name a few. She has also trained with the Milwaukee Ballet School and with the Marla Bingham Contemporary Ballet Company, with whom she performed in Firebird. Jamie performed representing CDT in Paris, France, and in Austria at the Tanzsommer Invitational Dance Festival. She has competed nationally at the New York City Dance Alliance and the Los Angeles Dance Force. Jamie received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology - Exercise Science from California State University Northridge. She is also a BASI certified pilates instructor.

Elizabeth Asman Highway (EH):

Received her formal ballet training from Yvonne Mounsey and Rosemary Valaire at the Westside Ballet in Santa Monica, CA. Upon graduating high school, she started her professional career at the Milwaukee Ballet and went on to dance with the Pittsburgh Ballet, Indianapolis Ballet and as a principal with the Buffalo City Ballet. In 2005, she choreographed A Tribute to George Balanchine for Pacific Festival Ballet. Her teaching experience includes the American Academy of Ballet and the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride.

Melissa Hurley Cassidy (MC):

Equity Tours: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. World Tours: David Bowie, Cher, Reba Mc Entire, LA Chamber Ballet. Films: Rent, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Haunted Mansion, That Thing You Do, The Mask, What's Love Got to do with it, I'll do Anything, Mobsters, For the Boys, Three Men and a Little Lady, My Blue Heaven. Television: Fame, Fame LA, Matlock, Coprock, Gambler 4, Love and War, Coach, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Cinderella (Movie of the Week), Mrs. Santa Claus (Movie of the Week), Bob Hope 90th Birthday Special, 69th & 72nd Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Country Music Awards, MTV Movie Awards, The Tonight Show.

Mimi Holden Stabile(Mimi):

Our beloved STANLEY HOLDEN'S daughter, Mimi, trained with Royal Ballet masters including her Dad, until moving to Philadelphia as an apprentice with Pennsylvania Ballet at age 16. She was with Pennsylvania Ballet for 6 years, and danced with Stanley in 1979 when he came out of retirement for the company in Coppelia. She later joined San Francisco Ballet under the direction of the late Michael Smuin. Mimi was cast for her comic and dramatic abilities. Principal roles include, Prodigal Son, and Medea. She also teaches Pilates, and is a licensed skin care therapist. We welcome her to our CDT family, as she carries on Stanley Holden's legacy.

Nader Hamed (NH):

Was Russian-trained in Leningrad. He was a principal dancer with Berlin Opera, La Scala di Milan, and Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires. Nader was Artistic Manager and Ballet Master at Cairo Opera House and worked with Rudolph Nureyev for four years in Europe.

Roxanne Lee (RL):

Stage: Liza Minelli’s Steppin Out, (USA & International Tours), 42nd Street, Wizard of Oz, David Copperfield, and first twins on Broadway in Annie along with her sister, Sherry, (Molly & Duffy). Also, Arsenio Hall Show, Joey Lawrence Video, D.C. Talk Video, MTV’s Spring Break Bash, Rhythm & Blues. National Champions L.A. Dance Force, Showstoppers and Dance Masters of America. Roxanne is a certified teacher and adjudicator for DMA and winner of the Sherry Gold award for Most Outstanding Choreography - Miss & Mr. Dance of America Dance competition July 2000.

Vivian Grigorian Goldes (VG):

One of the first alumni of CDT, earned her B.A. in Dance from UC Irvine where she also danced with Opera Pacific at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. She attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and earned her MFA in Dance working with choreographers David Parsons and Bebe Miller. She danced with various choreographers in New York and was a member of Battery Dance Company, touring nationally and to India and Sri Lanka. Vivian taught ballet, tap, jazz and modern at the Peri-Dance Centre and the Steffi Nossen School of Dance in New York. Vivian is also on the dance faculty at Moorpark College.

Valerie Boucher Gardhouse (Val):

An original and featured member of the California Dance Theatre's competition team The Dance Connection, studying tap, jazz, and ballet for over 15 years. She studied tap privately with Louis De Pron. She also danced with the Alan DeWames Dance company doing industrial and commercial work for LA Gear, Miss California and Texas Beauty Pageants, Child Help USA benefits, and appeared on Star Search for two seasons. She began teaching at 18 years of age and has taught all types and levels of dance to all ages. She is starting her 15th season as choreographer with the Westlake High School award-winning show choir, and recently choreographed the advanced choir in a pilot for Warner Bros. She is also a guest choreographer with John Jacobsen on his national summer tour for high school show choirs. Valerie holds a Master's Degree in Nutritional Science and is a Registered Dietitian.