LAUREL BALLET PROPRIETORS
Eleanor Viecelli
Tornblom~ Artistic Director, Master Teacher
Ms. Tornblom was
born into an Italian family whose belief in rounding out the children's
education with participation in the arts lead her toward a career in dance.
She has trained throughout her life with many Masters including Karl
Heinrich, the younger Folkeim, Kolpokova, Asfaf Messerer, Galina Ulanova,
Marowski, Ginnadi Vostrikov, and Edward Caton. Her
odyssey began with the opening of Eleanor’s Dance Studio in 1957, later to
be renamed Laurel Youth Ballet Theatre in 1974. When Ms. Tornblom
welcomed her first students, Pittsburgh Ballet had not yet been formed.
She had grown a school of almost 500 students and like many local instructors,
taught a variety of genres including tap and jazz. Then Nicolas and Mary
Petrov came to Pittsburgh to build and direct PBT. Ms. Tornblom was
delighted by the opportunity to further her own education and that of her
students. She was afforded the unusual privilege of being able to observe
classes and in doing so, she devoted herself to learning from every Master
Teacher available, to become a Master herself. She was first aided in
this endeavor by Nicolas and Mary Petrov who not only grew to respect her
but have remained her life long friends. Shortly after she began
attending classes with Nicolas and Mary, Ms. Tornblom reduced her school's
curriculum to ballet only, her enrollment dropped to less than 100
students, but those 100 students got something rare and wonderful; a real
education. This tradition of excellence still exists today. Ms.
Tornblom has passed this along to her two daughters, Judy Rae and Joy, and
demands it from every guest teacher who is invited into the
studio. Ms. Tornblom continues to attend seminars and participate in
summer programs dedicated to teaching the Vaganova syllabus. As a result,
the small rural school she began over half a century ago has produced students
who have receive scholarships, summer
workshop acceptances, and entrance into some of the worlds most prestigious
ballet companies. Her students perform classics and contemporary works
regularly as part of their superior education and many have gone on to
professional careers. Artist Director Eleanor Tornblom's aspiration for
perfection, dedication to the art form and genuine affection for her students
is the foundation of a school that is definitely a local treasure.
Judy Rae Tubbs~ Resident
Choreographer, Teacher
Ms. Tubbs began
her studies with Eleanor Tornblom then went on to study and perform with
Pittsburgh Ballet as well as with the American Dance Ensemble and several
regional ballet companies. She studied with world renowned masters
including Asaf Messime, Richard Katon, and Edward Van Muden. At the
tender age of 16 she developed a love for choreography and began to develop
short pieces for herself and fellow dancers. By the age of 20 she was
teaching and choreographing for Laurel Ballet and was doing guest work with
many local companies. In the late 1980's she received a grant from the
Pittsburgh Dance Council and produced her first contemporary work entitled Revoltade. Since that time Ms. Tubbs has put original choreography to six classic
ballets including The Nutcracker which has been performed annually with
the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra since the early 1990's. She has also
choreographed over two dozen original ballets and many contemporary
works which has given Laurel Ballet the incredible distinction
of being a small regional youth company with a vast repertoire. Judy
Rae Tubbs continues to educate herself in the quality instruction and
presentation of ballet. She takes great pride in her students and their
accomplishments.
Joy Uschak~ Company Manager, Teacher
Ms. Uschak began her training with Eleanor Tornblom and went on to
study ballet with such Master teachers as Nicolas and Mary Petrov, Messerer,
Folkeim, Marowski, Caton and Vostrikov. She found that she not only had a
gift for instruction but also for Arts Management and eventually used those
talents to participate in the founding of Laurel Youth Ballet. Ms. Uschak
has used her extensive dance education to instruct the schools youngest
students, giving them a rock solid foundation on which to build while using her
extraordinary management skills to keep this invaluable young company
afloat. Her contributions to the performing company have included forays
into choreography as well as being responsible for much of the costume design
and production. Ms. Uschak is the most well rounded and invaluable of the
Laurel Ballet partners.
LAUREL BALLET STAFF
Jacob Paulson is currently pursuing his B.A. in dance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Jacob is an energetic and hard working individual who loves to teach and dance. Proficient jazz, modern, and ballet, his training is based on Luigi, Graham, and Russian ballet. Also Jacob has trained in Cecchetti as well as Royal Academy and is highly influenced by the works of Bob Fosse.
Christina Schwaner Ballet Technique/pointe/variations - began her training with Clara Salles. She danced professionally with Sesi Minas in Brazil, Louisville Ballet, Utah Regional Ballet and Cleveland San Jose Ballet. She was awarded First Place at the Joinville International Competition in Brazil in 1994 & is presently a soloist with Pittsburgh Ballet.
Stephan Hadala Ballet Technique/Pointe/Pas - is from Detroit where he began his training at the Allard Academy Dance. He also trained at
Marygrove College, Dance Theatre of Harlem and the School of American Ballet before coming to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
He has enjoyed dancing lead roles in Dwight Rhoden's Carmina Buranaand Twyla Tharps Octet as well as the Mad Hatter in Derek Deane's Alice in Wonderland.
Nichole Waugaman-Slavin Modern and Choreography - earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelpia. Her college career also includes Tisch School of Arts in
New York and the Laban Center in London, England. She was accepted in to many summer intensive programs including Cleveland Ballet and the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts on full scholarship.
Cynthia Ridler is a teacher at Point Park University in Pittsburgh.
Jurai Adamik Character and Folk - is a long time member of the Tamburitzans of Duquesne.
Damien Martinez Born and raised in Matanzas, Cuba. He received his ballet training from the Vocational School of Art in Matanzas, Cuba and the National Ballet School in Habana, Cuba, where he performed several classical PDD rolls and contemporary works. He danced a year in the National Ballet of Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso, before coming to the United States. He danced with Columbia Classical Ballet, under the direction of Radenko Pavlovich in Columbia, SC. He just finished the season 2009-2010 with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre under the direction of Terrence Orr.
LAUREL BALLET COSTUMER
Margaret Gilfillan received her
BFA from The Art Institute of Chicago and The Goodman Theatre School. While attending classes at Carnegie Mellon University
Ms. Gilfillan’s talents were quickly recognized and she was awarded a full
scholarship, earning her MFA in Costume Design.
She has been a teacher at East Carolina University, Seton Hill
University, and The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Ms. Gilfillan has been a freelance designer
for over 15 years. In addition to
working with LBPC, she is currently creating full scale productions with St.
Vincent professional Summer Theater and Apple Hill Playhouse. Ms. Gilfillan’s work demonstrates that she is
a true master in her art form.
