This collaborative showing of Dance Artists, is one that will have its audiences talking long after leaving the theater. Each dancer and choreographer performing in this collective show, are colorful threads of the dynamic Ellie Potts-Barrett tapestry and influence. Humbly, Ellie says that she wanted to bring this group of friends and loved ones together, due to the loss of some special people in her life. She jokingly adds, " and to see my work on stage."

In observing and speaking with the dancers, creative individuals in their own rite, reflections of this Matriarchal Icon can be seen and felt on and off the stage. The mutual respect and support the dancers share, shines in each piece striking a variety of emotions; from whimsical to soul-deep. Mrs. Barrett's positive influence is even evident in the works and dancers of Voci Dance. Ellie shares, "there have not been a lot of opportunities for us all to meet at one time."

She adds, "sometimes there might be weeks between rehearsals," though it is quite evident that professionalism and lack of ego goes the distance to bring such talent from a variety of locations in the U.S.

This family unit allowed for all of its members to add their input to the conversational images on stage (as it should). 12 Dancers begin their introduction with the bright Bach accompaniment. "Tango" continues to work corners of the mouth upwardly with it's light-hearted movement and spirit.

Opal chimes in, through Eliza Harwood Watson, with such clarity in "For Opal." Her story (inspired by actual events), shows a woman who slipped through life's cracks as a result of archaic thought and lack of understanding.

As if to return levity to the conversation, Eliza and cast, inspires a giggle or two in "Two for Tutu." "Interlude" allows Mila Makarova to bring her intensity and perfection to the table and holds your attention in the palm of her hand for the duration.

Mary Clymene B. Wilkens brings forth feelings from the Mother Land with Voci Dance, in "Ritual." The Voci dancers creatively escort you into the video game world with Genevieve Bernard's "Monitor." The ladies of "Storm" sweep you up into an exciting frenzy with lifts and movement that is lightly staccato, but is smooth going down.

Also is the choreography of Lucas Crandall from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, wrapped around the form or Cheryl Mann (formerly of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago).

Such artistic contributions should not be missed, especially if you've wondered what else Central Florida has to offer. Check out BARRETTWERKS and VOCI DANCE IN CONCERT and be amazed by the depth of talent in your backyard.

BARRETTWERKS IS…………….
Ellie Potts Barrett (Choreographer/Director of BARRETTWERKS/Artistic Advisor for Voci Dance) Trained at Boston Conservatory and graduated with a B.A. in Dance from the University of South Florida. She is a highly sought after dancer/ teacher/ choreographer by National Dance Organizations, Professional Theatre Companies and Universities. Ellie danced with the Ina Hahn Modern dance Company, Boston Dance Company and Mary Anthony in New York, and has been an associate at the Atlantic Center for the Arts to Master Artists Merce Cunningham, Meg Harper and Elizabeth Streb. She teaches at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, the School of Performing Arts in Orlando, the Dance Company in St.Augustine and Dance Olympus/Dance America Ellie is thrilled to be producing BARRETTWERKS and thanks you all for coming to the party!
Luis Abella (Dancer) has performed all over the world as a Principal Dancer and a soloist with many renowned ballet companies including the National Ballet of Cuba, Company of Mexico, Bellas Artes National, and Minnesota Ballet. His formal dance training was completed at the National School of the Ballet of Havana, Cuba. Mr. Abella has studied with numerous international teachers including Alberto Alonso and Laura Alonso (National Ballet of Cuba), Asara Prizesqui (Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow), Ramona Dezat (Kirov Ballet in St. Petersburg), and Robert Gardner at School of American Ballet in New York. Luis resides in St. Augustine, Florida and is currently an artist in residence at Florida School of the Arts, as well as teaching at several studios in the area.

Sara Bailey (Dancer) began dancing at age five and at the age of ten began studies under the direction of Monika Macbeth, Carole Dickens and Marcellus Brown. She continued under the direction of Ellie Potts Barrett and was accepted to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts as a high school dance major studying under Rhonda Stampalia and Dr. Phyllis Penney. She graduated from Douglas Anderson in 1998. Sara has attended many prestigious summer dance programs such as Jacobs Pillow and The Dance Theatre of Harlem. She was accepted and attended SUNY, Purchase, and New York as a dance major. Upon returning to St. Augustine in 1999, she began teaching for The Dance Company while attending Flagler College. Sara graduated from Flagler College in 2002 with an Accounting degree and Business minor. Sara recently accepted the Director position at The Dance Company.

Mary Evelyn Freeman (Dancer) I would like to give thanks to God, my family, and friends for always encouraging and supporting me. After stopping dance 14 years ago due to dance-related injuries, I was delighted to find out 'The' Ellie Potts Barrett was still teaching modern in Central FL. After stalking the studio I eventually relented and took an 'adult' modern class. The romance was immediately rekindled with dance. My resume-Hmm? Let's just say, I feel honored to be a part of the show. I studied under the wise and creative direction of Ellie and the late Ari Bloustein. I then studied in Chicago at Lou Conte Dance Studio before hanging up the shoes. Today I practice locally as a therapist. I would like to give a special thanks to Ellie, for giving me one more dip in the rosin box. It's been a complete delight!!!! And as for my peers…aren't they fabulous?!!!

Eliza Harwood-Watson (guest artist) is a seasoned professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Broad-based background including classical and modern dance with leading dance companies in the southeast. A gifted communicator with an understanding and background in teaching and performing, as well as human resources. She has danced with Southern Ballet Theater(Orlando Ballet), Tampa Ballet, Florida Ballet at Jacksonville, Atlanta Ballet Apprentice Dancer, Louisville Ballet, The Happenstance Dance Series, Mary Luft Tigertail Productions. Her teaching includes Southern Ballet Theatre, Artist in Education program, The Nutcracker project in Jacksonville Florida, Louisville Ballet Apprentice program First Coast Nutcracker, New School of Orlando, Dance Masters of Florida, Central Florida Dance Festival, Florida Dance Festival, ames Dance Center and The Osceola Performing Arts School. Guest teacher for Dance Olympus/Dance America in Houston Texas and Omaha Nebraska.

Kara Hill (Dancer) Kara is a third generation dancer from Orlando, FL. She currently is a member of the Georgia Ballet. She has danced with Southern Ballet Theatre and the Dayton Ballet. Kara graduated magna cum laude from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. During her eight seasons with the Georgia Ballet she has performed: Big Swans in Swan Lake, Dark Angel in Balanchine's Serenade, Concerto Barocco, Yes Virginia... Another Piano Ballet, Janusz Mazon's American Dreamer and Lloyd Whitmore's Andante Cantabile. In addition to performing, Kara is a full time faculty member with the Georgia Ballet School. She travels with the Dance Olympus/Dance America organization and has taught for the Georgia Governors Honors Program. She is honored to be back in Orlando performing under the direction of Ellie Potts Barrett.

Krysten Hill (Dancer) Originally from Orlando, FL, Krysten is a graduate from the University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music. Ms. Hill has currently completed her 4th season with The Georgia Ballet where she has performed in The Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Balanchine's Serenade and Concerto Barocco, and Janusz Mazon's Firebird. Krysten has also performed soloist roles in Giselle, Swan Lake and Paul Taylor's Esplanade`. Aside from performing, she teaches for The Georgia Ballet School, Sugarloaf Performing Arts and nationally recognized Dance Olympus Dance America. Recently, Krysten has been appointed Director of Dance for Georgia's Governors Honors Program.

Natalie Miller (Dancer) Natalie Miller began training as a dancer in ballet, tap, modern and jazz in Shreveport, Louisiana and was a founding member of the Louisiana Dance Theatre. She performed at the Jazz Dance World Congress in Chicago, Illinois in 1992 and participated in a television documentary for a "Dancers for Peace Exchange" in the former Soviet Union. Natalie has over nine years experience in yoga instruction and holds certifications from The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and The Pilates Institute of America. For the past six years, she has received modern dance instruction under Ellie Potts Barrett. Natalie is a Speech Language Pathologist with Orange County Public Schools and teaches Yoga and Pilates at the YMCA and Core Body Designs. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders from Florida State University and a Master's Degree in the same field from the University of Central FloridaEliza Harwood-Watson (guest artist)

Derrick Smith (Dancer) was born in 1985 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He moved to Georgia as a young boy, with dreams of becoming an actor. However, after graduating from the DeKalb School of the Performing Arts high school, Derrick's life took a turn and dance became a more passionate art form to him than acting. Immediately after graduating high school, Derrick received a Presidential Scholarship to the Florida School of the Arts College where he majored in dance. There he completed both is Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees. He then signed a contract to perform professionally with Celebrity Cruise (Royal Caribbean) as a production dancer. He is multi-talented and skilled in various dance styles. Derrick is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in dance at Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga. He has dreams of touring the world with a contemporary company in the near future.

Cheryl Mann (guest artist) fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a Hubbard Street dancer in 1997. She has been fortunate in her career to travel and perform in 15 countries, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and countless domestic cities in the U.S. Ms. Mann retired after 10 1/2 years with the company in October 2007. She feels forever grateful to have had Mrs. Ari, her late childhood teacher, introduce her to the many opportunities that dance can bring to a young girl who needed inspiration and a goal in life. Along with her, Ellie was another great source of light and love. She is ecstatic to be here tonight and share the stage with her childhood dance studio partner in crime, Mary Evelyn Freeman. Big kiss to my family, who will always be around to support me in any project I take on next. For Mrs. Ari…we dance.

Voci Dance is…………….

Genevieve Bernard (Artistic Director/Choreographer Voci Dance) is a founding member of Voci Dance and has performed and choreographed with the company for the past six years. She holds her Masters in Dance Education from Temple University and has received numerous awards and fellowships for her choreography. In addition to working with Voci, Genevieve is the Associate Producer of the Orlando International Fringe Festival. Genevieve is inspired by the humor and pedestrian movements of everyday life!

Kelli Cummins (Executive Director - Voci Dance) holds her BFA in Dance and her Masters in Interdisciplinary Arts. In 2005 she was appointed by the Florida Secretary of State to serve on the Arts and Education Grant Panel Review Board. She has written numerous educational programs for Voci and was awarded a grant from Arts for a Complete Education for her project integrating language arts, visual arts and dance. She is currently on staff at the Dellecave Institute of NY where she teaches K-5 educators how to incorporate movement into their classrooms.

Christin Carlow (Dancer) Christin Carlow attended Jacksonville University on scholarship where she received her BFA in dance. She has also trained at the American Dance Festival, Sarasota Ballet, and was on work-study at the Mark Morris Dance Center. She has had the pleasure of performing in works by David Dorfman, Alvin Ailey, and Jawole Zollar. She has performed with Chen and Dancers, Ballethnic Dance Company, "The Festival of the Lion King" show at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Notes in Motion, Avodah Dance Ensemble, and Voci Dance group; for whom she was also the rehearsal director. She has taught at the Central Florida Ballet School, Ballethnic School of Dance, Pinewood Elementary Fine Arts Magnet Program, and in women's correctional institutions as part of her outreach work with Avodah Dance Ensemble. Her own work has been shown at the Florida Dance Festival, American College Dance Festival, and the Orlando Fringe Festival. Christin is also a certified Pilates instructor.

Angela Gewinner (Dancer) was born and raised in Southwest Florida and graduated from Cypress Lake Center for the Arts. She has taught dance all throughout the state of Florida and now teaches in Palatka, Florida. Angela recently graduated. from Florida School of the Arts with an A.S. in Dance Studio Management and is continuing her education in psychology. Angela currently works with Communities In Schools of Putnam County, Inc. where she balances her time between working with children at Communities In Schools and dancing with Voci.

Mila Makarova (Dancer). Continues a strong family dance tradition. After receiving her initial training with her parents Juanita and Nikolai, a Bolshoi trained star of the famed Don Cossack Chorus. Ms. Makarova studied at the NC School of the Arts and later in Chicago with Gus Giordano. During her career, she has performed principal and soloist roles with many of the outstanding choreographers of our day. Among her favorites were Ann Reinking, Lar Lubovitch, Claire Bataille, Lynn Taylor-Corbett, Randy Duncan, Frank Chaves, Pattie Obey, Andre George, Wayne Bascomb, Zeeva Cohen and Dwight Rhoden. Ms. Makarova is a 42-year-old cancer survivor, mother to 10-year-old dancer Gina, a highly ranked Women's Gymnastics Judge and current Ballet Mistress for Rolanns School of the Dance in Longwood, FL.

Lisa Mie (Dancer) is honored to join Voci Dance after a successful year on the nationally recognized University of Central Florida Knight Moves Dance Team. Hailing from Denver, CO, she was a 7 yr. dance major at the Denver School of the Arts, graduating with a fine arts endorsed diploma, she has danced with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and Kim Robards Dance. Lisa has studied under many dancers and choreographers including Hannah Kahn, Leah Belliston, Jerald Vincent and Dave Rickard, in many styles ranging from modern and Egyptian, to hula and cirque aerial arts. She performed with the National Broadway Touring Company of Joseph! and can now be found dancing at Walt Disney World. She has loved using dance as a means to reach and enlighten her community and is looking forward to continuing that mission with Voci Dance.

Heather Rose (Dancer) recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Boston Conservatory where she received a B.F.A. in dance. She began her training in Durham, North Carolina and played an active role in the Triangle Youth Ballet under the direction of Lauren Lorentz de Haas. She then went on to attend high school to further her dance training at Interlochen Arts Academy. She has traveled to New York City, NY; Interlochen, MI; and Boston, MA to enrich her training among such renowned programs as the Joffrey Ballet School, Joffrey Midwest Workshop, North Carolina Dance Theatre and the American Dance Festival. She is currently a member of Florida Dance Theatre where she is both a dancer and a teacher. In the past year she has had the pleasure of working with such artists as Carol Erkes, Ferdinand De Jesus, Earl Mosley, Nikole LaChioma, and Daryl L. Foster.

Mary Clymene Wilkins (Dancer/Choreographer) graduated with a BFA in Dance and with an Honors Award for Distinction in Choreography from Fordham University/ The Ailey School in New York. During her time at The Ailey School she performed in The Alvin Alley Repertory Ensemble and with The Alvin Alley American Dance Theater. She also apprenticed with the Sean Curran Dance Company in New York. She currently teaches dance at Douglas Anderson High School for the Arts in Jacksonville Florida and is a Mental Health Counselor at UCF.

Joel Wilson (Board Operator) grew up in Flagler Beach and attended the University of Central Florida where he received a Masters Degree in Digital Media. He learned to run the light board helping his wife Casey Saxon, who is the artistic director of Cinedance Jazz Dance.