Marena Perez & Carlos Madera Set for Alameda Civic Ballet's THE NUTCRACKER This Weekend

MARENA PÉREZ, principal dancer of the Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico and CARLOS MADERA, will appear as guest artists in the Alameda Civic Ballet's production of The Nutcracker this weekend, December 20 and 21, 2014 at the Kofman Theater in Alameda, California.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, MARENA PÉREZ began her ballet training at Ballet de Nana Hudo. Among her teachers while as a student and professional dancer have been Miguel Campaneria, Maria Carrera, Jose Pares, Carlota Carrera, Lourdes Gomez, Joaquin Banegas, Lolita San Miguel, Susan Pilarre, Ray Sullivan, and Nana Hudo.

Ms. Pérez began her professional career as a dancer with the Compania de Ballet Teatro Municipal of San Juan. In 1998 Ms. Pérez joined Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico and was promoted to the rank of soloist in 2002.

In 2005 Ms. Pérez joined Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico, and was promoted to the rank of principal dancer. From 2007 to 2009 Ms. Pérez joined Andanza, a contemporary dance company in Puerto, and in 2010 she returned to Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico to resume her career as a principal dancer.

Ms. Pérez's repertoire includes principal and soloist roles in the 19th century classics including the title role in Giselle, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the title role in Carmen, the title role in Cinderella, Odile in Swan Lake, Swanhilda in Coppelia, and the roles of Charlotte in The Phantom of the Opera, Cerrito in Grand Pas de Quatre, Nikiya and Gamzatti in La Bayadere, The Dying Swan, and Paquita.

Ms. Pérez has also received critical acclaim for her performances in neo-classical and contemporary roles including roles in George Balanchine's Serenade, Jerome Robbins' In The Night, William Dollar's The Combat, Emilia in Jose Limon's The Moor's Pavane, Septime Webre's Carmina Burana, Alberto Mendez's Munecos, and pas de deux including Satanella, Flames of Paris, Don Quixote Pas de Deux, Talisman, William Tell, Esmeralda, Le Corsaire, and Spring Waters.

Ms. Pérez appeared with Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico during its tours in the United States, Taiwan and other countries. In 2004, 2005 and 2010, Ms. Pérez was invited to participate in the International Dance Festival in Miami. In 2005 she participated in the Segundo Certamen Interamericano de Danza in Buenos Aires, Argentina, winning two gold medals and one bronze medal. In 2010, Ms. Pérez participated in the Festival de Ballet de Panama.

Ms. Pérez has performed as a guest artist with the Charlotte Youth Ballet of North Carolina, Ballet Etudes in Miami, Florida, the Midstate Ballet, and the RMT Ballet in Haiti.

Ms. Pérez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics Education. She has also studied drama under the guidance of Puerto Rico's leading acting teachers and has received awards in acting competitions.

CARLOS MADERA, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, started dancing at the Puerto Rico School of Dance in Ponce at the age of 18 under the direction of Honey Defilló. In 1997 became a company member of Ballet Teatro Musical in Ponce, directed by Julie Mayoral. In 2001 he joined Ballet Señorial Company in Ponce, where he danced principal roles, under the direction of Grace Bigas.

Between 2005 and 2007, he danced with the Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, in San Juan, as a principal soloist, under the direction of Carlos Cabrera. From 2007 to 2012 Mr. Madera danced with Ballet Brio of Bayamón, directed by Rodney Rivera, as principal dancer, receiving acclaim for his dancing in both classical ballet and contemporary pieces.

Since 2012 Mr. Madera has pursued a career as a guest artist performing with many of the ballet companies in Puerto Rico and also appearing with ballet companies in the United States.

His repertoire of principal roles includes Basilio in Don Quixote, Prince Desiree in The Sleeping Beauty, Alain in La Fille Mal Gardee, Athos in The Three Musketeers, Ali in Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, Flames of Paris Pas de Deux, Black Swan Pas de Deux, Diana and Acteon Pas de Deux, Snow King and Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Paquita Grand Pas de Deux, Spring Waters, Flower Festival at Genzano, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, the Prince in Cinderella, and Raymonda Pas de Dix.

Mr. Madera has appeared as a guest artist with the Marion Ballet Theater, Western Ballet Theater, Ballets de San Juan, Northwest Florida Ballet, and the Bristol Ballet. He also appeared in the UPR Puerto Rico's production of Evita.

Mr. Madera has studied under the guidance of many renowned teachers including Honey Defilló, Rosemary Price, Julie Mayoral, Carmen Millie González, Luis Bravo, Miguel Campanería, Tato Molina, José Rodríguez, Lee Edwards, José Costas, Grace Bigas, Junitza Maldonado, Jaqueline Chamorro, Joey Sarazen, Ileana Lastres, Mayra Montero, Roberto Rodríguez, María Cristina Palacios, Carlos Cabrera, Lourdes Gómez, Paschal Guzmán, Víctor Gili, Eva Evdokimova, María Carrera, Matthew Thornton, Carlota Carrera, Brunilda Díaz, Roberto Benejan, Jesús Miranda, Nahir Media, Orlando Carreras, Joaquín Banegas, Jane Miller, Alicia Díaz, Elizabeta Calero, Rodney Rivera, Israel Rodríguez, Katia Garza, and Todd Eric Allen.

Mr. Carlos Madera earned his B.A in elementary education and his M.A. in education administration.

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