Internationally acclaimed prima ballerina Stella Abrera is headlining a series of classical ballet performances for the benefit of young Filipino students.
Abrera will be performing alongside fellow American Ballet Theatre principal dancer James Whiteside and the ABT Studio Company, under the direction of Sascha Radetsky on Nov. 7 and 8 at the Maybank Performance Arts Theater in Bonifacio Global City.
The show, dubbed “Stella Abrera and Rising Stars of American Ballet Theatre Featuring James Whiteside,” is organized by Ayala Foundation, STEPS Scholarship Foundation, and Abrera to raise funds for the Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX), Ayala Foundation’s flagship education program.
CENTEX, founded in 1998, offers free quality education to bright students from marginalized communities.
Since Radetsky, Abrera’s husband, became artistic director of the ABT Studio Company, the latter has grown more aware and proud of the important work the company does.
“I see a parallel in the missions of CENTEX and ABT: both organizations offer a sanctuary where young people can be nurtured by passionate mentors to go on to bright futures,” notes Abrera.
Joining Abrera and Whiteside are six newly appointed ABT apprentices Leah Baylin, Kanon Kimura, Melvin Lawovi, Joseph Markey, Duncan Mcllwaine, and Chloe Misseldine who have just graduated from ABT.
Also performing are ABT Studio Company dancers Tristan Brosnan, Teresa D’Otorne, Cy Doherty, Glatz Tillie, Seon Mee Park, Gabriel Rajah, Andrew Robare, Yoon Jung Seo, Shino Tsurutani, Aleisha Walker, and gifted Filipino dancer and former CENTEX Tondo Scholar Elwince Magbitang.
“These lucky dancers spend one or two years, not only honing their technical skills, they also have a safe place for artistic exploration—reaching for the ultimate goal of finding employment with either ABT or other notable ballet companies,” says Abrera.
Tickets for the show are available on TicketWorld. Go to ayalafoundation.org or ticketworld.com.ph for more details.
