BIOGRAPHIES
ARTISTIC TEAM

Jacques Cesbron, Professor of Music, Choreographer
In his native France Jacques Cesbron began his performing career with the Paris Opera where he danced for 8 years performing soloist and principal roles. He came to America at the invitation of George Skibine, Artistic Director of the Paris Opera Ballet to join the Harkness Ballet and partner Marjorie Tallchief, Native American Ballerina. With The Harkness Ballet he toured extensively in America, Europe and Africa. He was invited by President Johnson to perform with Marjorie Tallchief at the White House. In addition, he danced as a Principal Dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet and with the Metropolitan Opera Company performing soloist and principal roles. He worked with Le Theatre du Silence (Paris, La Rochelle) as Ballet Master, teacher and dancer of Principal roles. Jacques has been on the faculty of the Joffrey Ballet and Dance Theater of Harlem in New York teaching both the company and school. More recently he was Guest teacher with the American Ballet Theatre Company and Intensive Summer Program. He has choreographed more than 40 ballets during his 19 year tenure at Indiana University including The Nutcracker, The Rite of Spring, Les Noces, Daphnis et Chloe and Madame Bovary. His choreography for Carmina Burana was awarded an Indiana Arts Commission Fellowship. He received an Arts and Humanities Grant for the choreography of Cinderella.

C. David Higgins, Designer
C. David Higgins has been designing scenery since 1972 when he began working at the Indiana University School of Music as a master scenic artist. Now a faculty member, he teaches set design and has been designing opera and ballet scenery and costumes across the globe for theaters in the United States, England, Italy, Iceland, and Korea. With over 150 productions to his credit, he has been described as one of America’s finest scenic painters by Opera News magazine and is best known for his detailed, Italianate painting style.

Imre Palló, Conductor
Maestro Imre Palló was born in Budapest, Hungary into a musical family. His father was the leading baritone of the Budapest State Opera as well as its General Director. Mr. Palló made his American debut in 1973 with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C. and shortly thereafter became Principal conductor of the New York City Opera. He has conducted for numerous opera companies both here and abroad, including the Canadian Opera Company, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Portland and San Francisco Operas to name only a few.  His international career includes appearances with Frankfurt Opera, where he was Principal guest Conductor from 1987 – 1992, Vancouver Symphony, Bavaria State Orchestra Munich and many more.  Mr. Palló is currently the Chair of the Instrumental Conducting Department at Indiana University School of Music.

Virginia Cesbron, Associate Professor of Music, Ballet Mistress
Trained privately with Martha Manners and at the School of American Ballet. Apprentice with the American Ballet Theatre. Former dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet Company, Metropolitan Opera Ballet and New Jersey Ballet. Former teacher and ballet mistress, Ballet Hispanico of New York, the Dance Movement and Theatre du Silence. In addition, extensive work in Arts and Education in New York City including original faculty member of the Special Program for Gifted and Talented at The New Ballet School of the Eliot Feld Ballet. Director Swans Island Dance, Maine. Choreography includes numerous original works for Indiana University Ballet Theater and Pre-College Ballet Program. She has served on the Indiana Arts Commission and is Director of the Pre College Ballet Program at Indiana University.

Guoping Wang, Visiting Lecturer, Ballet Master
A native of China, Mr. Wang studied ballet at the Ballet Department of the Shanghai Dance School and in the graduate program at the School of Music of Indiana University.  He danced with the Shanghai Ballet Company from July 1980 to October 1991 and Mr. Wang joined Ballet Chicago in 1993 performing leading roles with the company through 1995.  In 1997, while also a member of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Mr. Wang was recognized by the Chicago Dance Community with a Ruth Page Award for Outstanding Dance Achievement.  Mr. Wang has been on the faculty of the School of Ballet Chicago and a guest teacher and coach for the Indiana University Ballet Theater.  This is Mr. Wang’s first year as a full-time faculty member at IU. 

Diane Booth, (Principal of “The Orient”, March 25) joined IUBT in 2003 and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in Business. Ms. Booth began her training with Ballet Pacifica and was a scholarship student with the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. She has been a corps member with Ballet Pacifica in California and with Pennsylvania Ballet. While with IUBT Ms. Booth has appeared in Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), Sleeping Beauty Act III (Spring Ballet 2004), Nutcracker (2004), and Viva Vivaldi (Fall Ballet 2004).

Claire Bletz, (The Fairy of “Autumn”, March 25) a native of Pennsylvania,is in her final season with the IU Ballet Theater. She will graduate in May 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in Comparative Literature. Ms. Bletz received her training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and attended the national summer program at the Boston Ballet. During her four years with the IUBT, Ms. Bletz has been in numerous productions and has been a featured dancer in Sleeping Beauty, Act III (Spring Ballet 2004), and was the Dew Drop fairy in the Nutcracker (2003, 2004).

Allison DeBona, (“Stepsister”, March 25) is a junior at IU pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance. Prior to joining IUBT, Ms. DeBona studied with the Pittsburg Youth Ballet and attended the American Ballet Theater summer program. For three years, Ms. DeBona received awards from Regional Dance America. While with IUBT, Ms. DeBona has participated in a number of pieces while at IUBT including Rite of Spring (Fall Ballet 2003), Swan Lake, Act II (Spring Ballet 2003), The Four Temperaments (Spring Ballet 2003), Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), Sleeping Beauty, Act III (Spring Ballet 2004), and The Nutcracker (2002, 2003, 2004).

Lauren Fadeley, (Principal of “Spain”, March 25 & Fairy of Autumn, March 26), began her dance training in Florida before moving to New York City at 15, to attend the School of American Ballet on scholarship. In the fall of 2001 Ms. Fadeley was selected by Peter Martins to join the New York City Ballet, where she performed numerous works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Christopher Wheeldon, in which she originated a role in his ballet, "Carnival of the Animals." After two years with New York City Ballet, Lauren decided she would like to pursue higher education and became a member of IUBT in Spring 2004. While at IU Lauren has performed principal roles in Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004) and Sonatine (Fall Ballet 2004). Lauren is also a regional title winner of the Youth America Grand Prix, and a member of the "Corps de Natilie" for Natilie Dancewear.

Lydia Grace Haug, (“Godmother”, March 25 & “Stepsister”, March 26) is in her final season with IU Ballet Theater. In her native Florida, she trained at the Arts Triumphant Dance Conservatory. While with IUBT, Ms. Haug has been highlighted by IU faculty members as well as Guest Choreographers such as in Hymning Slews (Fall Ballet 2002), American Quartet (Fall Ballet 2003), as Arabian and Snow Queen in The Nutcracker (2003, 2004), in Viva Vivaldi! (Fall Ballet 2004) and Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004). In May of 2005, Ms. Haug will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in English.

Lisa Hennessy, (“Stepmother”, March 26) trained with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in her home state, and attended a range of prestigious summer programs including the American Ballet Theater. In the 2002 season, Ms. Hennessy performed in the corps of the Lexington Ballet. While with the IUBT, Ms. Hennessy has performed in The Rite of Spring (Fall Ballet 2003), Sleeping Beauty, Act III (Spring Ballet 2004), Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004), and The Nutcracker (2003, 2004).

Theodore Keener (Father), a Pennsylvania native, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in Business and a French Minor. Mr. Keener has trained with the North Carolina School of the Arts (Chancellor’s Award for Excellence) and the Rock School of Ballet (Full Scholarship). In addition to Indiana University School of Music awards, Mr. Keener also has an academic scholarship from the Honors College. During his two seasons with the IUBT, Mr. Keener has been in several ballets including Quartet in D-Major (Fall Ballet 2003, Herr Drosselmeyer and the Snow King in The Nutcracker (2003 & 2004) and Viva Vivaldi! and Glassworks in Fall Ballet 2004.

Stephanie Lampe, (“Stepmother”, March 25 & “Stepsister”, March 26) a New York native, is a double major pursing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Prior to attending IU, Ms. Lampe studied at Interlochen Arts Academy. Her summer program experiences include BalletMet Columbus and the School of American Ballet (both on scholarship), to name a few. In 2004, Ms. Lampe was awarded fourth place in the National Society of Arts and Letters competition. While with IUBT, Ms. Lampe has performed in The Nutcracker (2003, 2004), Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), Sleeping Beauty, Act III (Spring Ballet 2004), Viva Vivaldi! (Fall Ballet 2004), and Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004).

Amelia Larkin, (“Godmother”, March 26) a Kentucky native, trained privately with Mona Williams and with the Academy of Cincinnati Ballet, where she performed in the corps during the 2002 season. Additionally, Ms. Larkin has attended numerous prestigious summer programs including those with the American Ballet Theater and the Boston Ballet. Currently a junior with a School of Music Merit Scholarship, Ms. Larkin has performed in a number of IUBT productions including as Odette (The White Swan) in Swan Lake, Act II (Spring Ballet 2003), the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker (2003), the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Act III (Spring Ballet 2004), the “Dark Angel” in Balanchine’s Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), and principal roles in Viva Vivaldi! (Fall Ballet 2004) and Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004).

Elizabeth Luse, (The Fairy of “Summer”, March 25) a native Floridian,will graduate from Indiana University this May with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in Applied Health Science. Ms. Luse has previously trained with the Southern Ballet Theatre in Orlando, FL, as well as the summer program of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. During her four years with IUBT, she has performed in numerous ballets including the Voices of the Lost Seal (Fall Ballet 2002), Swan Lake, Act II (Spring Ballet 2003),Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), Viva Vivaldi! (Fall 2004) and the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker (2004).

Michelle May-see Mahowald, (The Fairy of “Spring”, March 26) is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in English Literature. Before joining the IU Ballet Theater, Ms. Mahowald trained with the Continental Ballet Company in her native Minnesota, and has attended such nationally recognized summer programs as American Ballet Theater in New York. During her two years with IUBT, Ms. Mahowald has performed in Serenade (Spring Ballet 2003), Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004), Viva Vivaldi! (Fall Ballet 2004), and as Lead Mirliton and “Chinese” in The Nutcracker (2004). Ms. Mahowald received first place in 2005’s National Association of Arts and Letters held January 2005.

Lauren Menger, (The Fairy of “Winter”, March 25 & “Cricket”, March 26) a New York native, will be graduating in May from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in Business. Ms. Menger trained with the Long Island Ballet Center and Seiskaya ballet Academy, and also attended the Miami City Ballet, the American Ballet Theater, and the Joffrey Ballet (tuition scholarship) summer programs. Ms. Menger performed as an apprentice with the Washington Ballet. While with IUBT, she has performed as Dew Drop Fairy, Arabian, and Lead Mirliton in The Nutcracker (2002 – 2004), and has been a featured dancer in Voices of the Last Seal (Fall Ballet 2002), Souvenir de Florence (Spring Ballet 2004), Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), and Voices of the Last Seal.

Jennifer Marie Moll, (The Fairy of “Spring”, March 25) a native of Ohio, trained at the Christine Jones-Meneer School of Dance before coming to IU on both academic and merit scholarships. A former corps member of the Ohio Ballet, Ms. Moll also received training from the American Ballet Theater Summer Program. During her four years with the IUBT, she has been featured in several pieces created and staged by IU faculty and Guest Choreographers such as Hymning Slews (Fall Ballet 2002), as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutrcracker (2002, 2003, 2004), Stars and Stripes Pas de Deux (Fall Ballet 2002), Souvenir de Florence (Spring Ballet 2004), Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004), and Viva Vivaldi! (Fall Ballet 2004). In May of 2005, Ms. Moll will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in Psychology.

Joseph Morrissey, (Prince) a Massachusetts native, will graduate this May with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance. Mr. Morrissey has trained with the Boston Ballet School (Volunteer’s Assistant Scholarship, 1997) and the Harid Conservatory (full scholarship). He returned to the Boston Ballet as an apprentice for the 2001-02 season. While at IU, he has received the Kenneth Whitener Award for Ballet and the School of Music Dean’s Award. He has been featured in a number of IUBT productions including Four Temperaments (Spring Ballet 2003), Cavalier and Prince in The Nutcracker (2003, 2004), Prince Desire in Sleeping Beauty Act III (Spring Ballet 2004), Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), Sonatine (Fall Ballet 2004), and Viva Vivaldi! (Fall Ballet 2004). Mr. Morrissey also has several choreographic accomplishments including original works for Boca Ballet Theater and Central Florida Ballet.

Christopher Nachtrab, (“Dragonfly”, March 25 & “Dance Master”, “Jester”,) trained with his mother in his native New York. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in Comparative Literature, Mr. Nachtrab also acts as the Student Representative of Ballet and is a member of Phi Eta Sigma, an academic honor society. His many honors include the Marina Svetlana Award (NSAL) in 2004, the Kenneth C. Whitener Award for Ballet, and the Founders Day Scholastic Award. During his three years at IUBT, Mr. Nachtrab has been featured in several ballets including Herr Drosselmeyer and the Snow King in The Nutcracker (2003, 2004), Gold in Sleeping Beauty, Act III (Spring Ballet 2004), and as a featured dancer in Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004), and Viva Vivaldi!(Fall Ballet 2004). This past summer Mr. Nachtrab performed as an apprentice with the Chautauqua Ballet Company where he also received the Mark Diamond (of North Carolina Dance Theater) Award for Best Choreography.

Jillian Nealon, (“Cricket”, March 25) a native New Yorker,is a graduating senior completing her Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in Athletic Training. Her numerous summer programs include American Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, and the Kirov Academy. While in attendance at IU, she has been awarded the E.H. Claus Scholarship and a faculty award. Ms. Nealon has performed several IUBT productions including Four Temperaments (Fall Ballet 2002) and Swan Lake, Act II (Spring Ballet 2003); she was a featured dancer in Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004) and the Lead Mirliton in The Nutcracker (2004).

Angelina Sansone, (The Fairy of “Summer”, March 26) a North Carolina native, is in her second season with IUBT and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance at Indiana University. She trained at the Harid Conservatory and spent several summers studying at the Joffrey Midwest Workshop, both on scholarship. Before joining IUBT, Ms. Sansone apprenticed with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. While with IUBT, Ms. Sansone has been a featured soloist in Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), Viva Vivaldi! (Fall Ballet 2004), Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004), and Arabian in The Nutcracker (2003 & 2004).

Grace Schwartz, (Principal of “ Spain”, March 26) is in her second season with the IU Ballet Theater and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance. This Maryland native received training at the Baltimore School for the Arts as well as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Houston Ballet, and American Ballet Theater summer programs. Before joining IUBT, Ms. Schwartz performed as an apprentice with the Charleston Ballet Theater during the 2002-03 season. While with IUBT, she has been a featured dancer in Passage (Fall Ballet 2003), Souvenir de Florence (Spring Ballet 2004), Viva Vivaldi! (Fall Ballet 2004), and most recently as “Arabian” in Nutcracker 2004.

Meredith Strathmeyer, (“Stepsister”, March 25 & Principal of “The Orient”, March 26),a native Texan, trained with the Chamberlain School of Ballet and attended summer programs with the School of American Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, all on full scholarship. Ms. Strathmeyer, whom will graduate with a Bachelor of Science with an Outside Field in Comparative Literature in the fall of 2005, has been awarded a School of Music Merit Scholarship and an Indiana University Alumni Association Scholarship. While with the IUBT, Ms. Strathmeyer has been a featured soloist in Hymning Slews (Fall Ballet 2002), Four Temperaments (Spring Ballet 2003), as the Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker (2003, 2004), and the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Act III (Spring Ballet 2004).

Joshoa Sutton, (Principal of “The Orient”) a native Georgian,is a graduating senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance. Mr. Sutton has trained with the Joffrey Ballet School, the Interlochen Academy of the Arts, and the University of Michigan (full scholarship). At IU, he has received the Nina Neal and Hudson Holland Scholarships. He has appeared in several ballets while with the IUBT including Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake (Spring Ballet 2003), and the principal dancer in Voices of the Last Seal (Fall Ballet 2002), and has been a featured dancer in Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004), The Four Temperaments (Fall Ballet 2002), and American Quartet (Fall Ballet 2002).

Samuel Seaton Turner, (Principal of “ Spain”) a Florida native, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with a Minor in Fitness at Indiana University. He trained at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, and attended summer programs with the Boston Ballet (full scholarship) and Ballet Florida (full scholarship). While with the IUBT, Mr. Turner has been featured as “Spanish” and “Arabian” in The Nutcracker (2003, 2004), and a soloist in Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004).  

Jenna Wolf, (Cinderella) a native Georgian, will be graduating this May from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in Business, which Ms. Wolf completed in three years. Trained at the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theater, Ms. Wolf has excelled at IU both academically and artistically. Her skills have earned her the Robert Byrd Scholarship, second place in the National Society of Arts and Letters (2003 and 2004), an IU Honors College Scholarship, and a ballet merit scholarship through the IU School of Music. Ms. Wolf has been featured in several ballets while with the IUBT including Clara in The Nutcracker (2002, 2003, 2004), Silver Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Act III (Spring Ballet 2003), and in Sonatine (Fall Ballet 2004).

Catherine Wolfson, (The Fairy of “Winter”, March 26) an Indiana native, trained with Southold Dance Theater and attended summer programs with the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theater, among others. A sophomore at Indiana University, Ms. Wolfson is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in Psychology. While with the IUBT, Ms. Wolfson has performed in The Nutcracker (2003, 2004), Serenade (Spring Ballet 2004), Glassworks (Fall Ballet 2004), Viva Vivaldi! (Fall Ballet 2004), and was featured as “The White Cat” in Puss ‘n Boots from Sleeping Beauty, Act III (Spring Ballet 2004).

Justin Zuschlag, (“Dragonfly”, March 25) is in his second season with the IU Ballet Theater. Previously trained at the Harid Conservatory on full tuition scholarship, Mr. Zuschlag also attended summer programs at the School of American Ballet in New York and the Boston Ballet as a full scholarship recipient. While with the IUBT, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance with an Outside Field in English; he was featured in Fall Ballet 2004 in Sonatine and Glassworks and most recently performed as Fritz, the Prince, and “Spanish” in The Nutcracker 2004.