Polaris Dance Theatre thanks the following artists for their recent artistic contribution...

Howard Waldron, Lighting Designer
Howard Waldron started in the theater in 1964 as an actor and dancer. Twenty years later he moved off the stage to design lighting and in 1988 created a Christian production company called “In Production. He currently lights, stages, or directs fifty show each year through his company. He is also the technical director for the Jefferson Dancers.

John Bacone, Artist
John Bacone is a sculptor, painter, animator, and musician whose visual work ranges from abstract forms to pop-up cards. He taught in the Manhattan Art Project for three years, before moving to Portland two years ago. Since then he has completed works for the Indianapolis Zoo and begun working with SoundView Recording Studio. Introduced to Polaris Dance Theatre by M’Liss Stephenson (whom he will soon marry), John has enjoyed the opportunity to work for them behind the scenes - as a stagehand, editing video and music, and working on sets.

Midori Hirose, Artist
Midori Hirose is a portland native. She has a background in installation artist, sculpture and early childhood education. The basis of her work deals with the surreal design inspiring fantasy compelled with serene nature scenes. She enjoys expressing and manipulating such materials as astroturf, glitter and faux fur to express and alter the beauty and essence of nature. Her work has been shown in such places as Basil Hallward Gallery, Motel Gallery, Modern Zoo, Tube, PSU, and PNCA. midorihirose@excite.com

Julie Barnes, Dancer
Julie Hoel Barnes, a member of A-WOL Dance Collective, comes to Portland from her hometown of Chicago. She began taking ballet, tap, jazz, and gymnastics classes at age six. Continuing to dance in college, she received a Dance Minor with an emphasis in Modern from St. Mary’s College while attending Notre Dame. In Portland, she has trained and performed with A-WOL and Pendulum Aerial Dance Theatre. Ms. Barnes has a Master’s Degree in School Psychology and is employed in the Portland Public School District.

Brandy Guthery, Dancer
Brandy Guthery, originally from Tampa Bay, Florida, (home of the Buccaneers) moved to Oregon seven years ago. She has trained in ballet, modern, flamenco and aerial dance. Brandy has performed with A-wol Dance Collective, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Pendulum Aerial Dance Theatre, Portland Opera and North West Academy, where she credits her accomplishments to the teachers and dancers that she met there.

Cristina Patricelli-Betts, Dancer
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Tina trained at Cornish College of the Arts, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. She received her first professional contract at the age of 18 with Oregon Ballet Theatre, under the directorship of James Canfield. She has worked with choreographers such as Donald Byrd, Bebe Miller, Karole Armitage, Kabby Mitchell, William Whitener, and Balanchine Trust members Francia Russell and Vicky Simon. Tina has also danced with Kansas City Ballet, Ballet West, Portland Opera, Seattle Opera, and Sarasota Opera in Florida. Currently a member of Bodyvox, Tina is honored to be working with Robert Guitron on this production.

Stacey Silva, Dancer
Stacey Silva, a native Oregonian, is a member of A-WOL Dance Collective. She began her training with the Royal Academy of Dance and continued her study of dance in London. Stacey has a background in ballet, lyrical jazz, modern, and aerial dance. She has performed with Pacific Northwest Ballet, A-WOL Dance Collective, Pendulum Aerial Dance Theatre, Bill Holden Dancers, Robert Guitron and Agnieszka Laska. Locally, Stacey has trained with Mary Hunt and Tracey Durbin. Ms. Silva is very excited about the opportunity to work and study with Robert Guitron and Polaris Dance Theatre.

Jen Summers, Dancer
Ms. Summers has performed with A-WOL Dance Collective, Pendulum Aerial Dance Theatre, Mary Hunt and Dancers, Jayne Persch/Hypaxis Dance and Bill Holden Dancers. She has trained locally with Mary Hunt, Tracey Durbin, Robert Guitron and Agnieszka Laska. Jen choreographs for local high school dance programs, teaches modern dance in Portland, and guest teaches at Portland area studios. In her spare time she is a Registered Dietitian and a proud finisher of the Portland Marathon, several half-marathons and has been a team runner in the Hood to Coast Relay for 6 years.