Meet the Faculty

MARYELIZABETH MOCK
ARTISTIC / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PRINCIPAL BALLET MISTRESS / JAZZ DEPARTMENT HEAD
ZUMBA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR

MaryElizabeth Mock was born in Southern California and began dancing at the age of three on Camp LeJeune MCB in North Carolina.  Her formal training in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern Dance began at Florida Ballet Arts School where she trained for twelve years under the direction of Lynn Winslow and faculty members Catherine Huh, Systie Fairweather, Kim Freedom, Fletcher McClendon, and Bryan Tippen.  She furthered her training at Connecticut's prestigious Nutmeg Conservatory under the tutelage of Sharon E. Dante, Joan Kunsch, Eleanor D'Antuono, Denise Warner-Limoli, and Scott Thyberg.  While attending Nutmeg Conservatory, Ms. Mock studied extensively in the pedagogy of the Vaganova Syllabus.  Following her training with Nutmeg Conservatory, Ms. Mock studied under Linda Kintz and Mark Mejia at the Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet in McClean, VA.  There, she had the opportunity to work under the notable artistic interpretations of Mr. Mejia, who is well known for his choreography and attention to detail. Ms. Kintz, whose distinguished career has taken her to such heights as performing at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, took Ms. Mock under her wing. She fondly describes her experience with Mr. Mejia and Ms. Kintz as the "icing on the cake". During her time in the Washington D.C. area, Ms. Mock also worked with Rudolph Kharatian.  Formerly a Ballet Master with the Kirov Academy, Mr. Kharatian was born in Armenia and is a graduate of the Vaganova Choreographic Institute. 

Her acceptances to summer intensives include Boston Ballet, Princeton Ballet where she was awarded scholarships by Princeton Ballet's founder Audrey Estey, Washington Ballet, Colorado Ballet, workshops with Alex Ursiliak of Germany's Stuttgart Ballet, a workshop with renowned Ballet Master Azari Plissetski of Switzerland's Bejart Ballet, a workshop with Galina Shlyapina, former prima-ballerina of the Moscow Classical Ballet, and Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA where she was awarded a full scholarship, and worked closely with people such as Denise Pons, Michael Maul, David Howard, and Sydelle Gomberg.
 
At the age of 14, Ms. Mock was selected by Jean Allenby-Weidner and Eddy Toussaint to join the former Sarasota Ballet Junior Company under the artistic direction of the world acclaimed Eddy Toussaint.  At ages 16 and 17, Ms. Mock performed with the Nutmeg Ballet Company in Connecticut in soloist roles such as "Columbine Doll" and "Marzipan Soloist" in The Nutcracker while attending the Nutmeg Conservatory. Ms. Mock's professional performing experience in Ballet includes the Sarasota Ballet of Florida under the direction of Pavel Fomin and Sasha Yapparov, Classical Ballet Theatre under the direction of Mark Mejia, and guest performances with Miami City Ballet, Ballet South, and Southern Ballet Theatre.  Her most memorable ballets performed were Walpurgis Night from the opera "Faust", Giselle, Raymonda, Paquita, Don Quixote, "Arabian" Pas de Deux and "Marzipan" Pas de Deux in The Nutcracker, Serenade, Symphonic Variations, variations form La Bayadere, "Wheat Fairy" from Sleeping Beauty, Tarantella, Pas de Quatre, the principal role of "Peter" in Mejia's Peter and the Wolf, and the soloist role as a bride in Mejia's production of Dracula! 

As a jazz and lyrical dancer, Ms. Mock performed for Starpointe Jazz Productions under the direction of Fletcher McClendon. With Starpointe, she danced for Industrials, Festivals, Benefit Shows and for the Oxy Chem Corporation's National Convention. In 1997, she assisted Mr. Frank Hatchett, "Master of Jazz" and owner of the world famous Broadway Dance Center in NYC, as a

OCTAVIO MARTIN
GUEST BALLET MASTER / PAS DE DEUX COACH

Octavio Martin was born in Havana, Cuba and received his early dance training at the Alejo Carpentier School and finished his training at the Nacional de Ballet.  Mr. Martin joined the prestigious National Ballet of Cuba in 1994 under the direction of Alicia Alonso.  During his twelve years at the National Ballet of Cuba, Mr. Martin performed principal roles such as Basilio in Don Quixote, Albrecht in Giselle, Siegfried in Swan Lake, Don Jose in Carmen and Franz in Coppélia.  
 
After moving to the United States, Mr. Martin joined the Sarasota Ballet of Florida in 2006 under the artistic direction of Robert DeWarren.  Mr. Martin performed to highly sought after perfection, the principal role of Basilio in FBA's presentation of Don Quixote at the Van Wezel in May of 2007 as well as a version of the Dying Swan variation choreographed by the famous Cuban choreographer.  We welcome with excitement, Mr. Martin to the FBA guest faculty for the 2007/08 season.

SABIRJAN "SASHA" YAPPAROV
BALLET MASTER

Sabirjan "Sasha" Yapparov was born in Russia and received his academic and ballet training
from the Institute of Choreography in Perm, Russia. He studied with some of the best teachers in the country, including Honored Artist of the Russian Republic, Julius Plaht, a student of the celebrated Professor A.Y. Vaganova, founder of the present system of Russian ballet training. 
From 1972 to 1974, Mr. Yapparov was a soloist with the Opera and Ballet in Sverdlovsk. From
1974 to 1976, he worked with Boshoi Ballet Uzbekistan. From 1976 to 1990, he was a principal with the Odessa State Opera and Ballet Theatre.  During his career, he was also a guest principal and worked with many great choreographers and dancers including Gordeyev, Vasiliev, and Plisetskaya. 

An experienced dancer in the classical, neo-classical, and contemporary repertoires,
Mr. Yapparov has had such leading roles as Albrecht in Giselle, Siegfried in Swan Lake, Prince Desiree in The Sleeping Beauty, Ivan in Hunchback Horse, and Prince Star in Masquerade. He
has danced throughout the former Soviet Union as well as in Italy, Spain, India, Portugal, Hungary, Finland, and Canada.   Mr. Yapparov has won many competitions in the former Soviet Union. In 1979, Mr. Yapparov won the prestigious Ukrainian Ballet Competition in Kiev. In 1980, he was a winner of one of the top prizes in the All-Union Competition of Choreographers and Ballet Dancers in Moscow.  In 1984, he was awarded the rank of Honored Artist of Ukraine. Since 1993, Mr. Yapparov has been the choreographer for the Sarasota Opera productions, including the special ballet portions that he choreographed for the Sarasota Ballet's participation. He has gained critical praise for The Bartered Bride, The Sicilian Vespers, The Fair Maid of Perth, and the Verdi Concert, which included a thirty minute ballet.  Mr. Yapparov joined the FBA faculty in 2006. 

Mrs. Lose holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Masters of Fine Arts in the school
of Visual Arts and Dance from Florida State University. During her time at FSU she
worked closely with Suzanne Farrell, Sheila Humphreys, Garth Fagan, Doug Varronne, Myra Woodruff, Anthony Morgan, Linda Davis,and Richard Sias. The curriculum that Mrs. Lose studied at FSU, among others, includes The Theory and Practice of Dance Technique, Kinesiology, Choreography, Conditioning for Personal Advancement and Rehabilitation, Production, and Performance Directing.Mrs. Lose studied abroad in Italy during her years at FSU. While in Itlay, she trained intensely in Classical Ballet. She performed key roles with the Department of Dance at FSU as well as with the Tallahassee Ballet and also appeared as a guest artist the Cairo Ballet. These roles include Snow Queen, Dew Drop, Lead Marzipan, and Arabian inThe Nutcracker, Kitri from Don Quixote, Prayer from Coppelia, and Balanchine's Elegie and Valse Fantasie.
 
Mrs. Lose has her certificate in the Pilates method of body conditioning. The Pilates technique involves movement therapy with profound understanding of the human body and mind. Ms. White incorporated a Pilates conditioning business called Movement Source, Inc., to help those develop deep torso strength, muscle control, flexibility, circulation, balance, strength and tone. These programs are designed for the individual and benefit all.  Mrs. Lose joined the FBA faculty in 2003.

MORGAN RIVERS
ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, ELEMENTARY DIVISION
BALLET MISTRESS / CREATIVE MOVEMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD
 
Morgan Rivers began her dance training at Florida Ballet Arts School under the direction of Jean Spear. She attended college at Appalachian State University where she performed with the Appalachian State University Dance Ensemble. Mrs. Rivers graduated from the University of South Floridawith honors and holds a B.A. in Education, with a minor in Child Psychology.

Mrs. Rivers has taught kindergarten in both Sarasota and Fort Myers. She was nominated twice
in the state of Florida, for the Golden Apple Teachers Award and won the Golden Apple Scholarship Award.  She currently volunteers her time with the Sarasota Sailor Circus teaching strength training, movement, and drama and has been a teacher at Tatum Elementary School.  Mrs. Rivers has headed the Creative Movement Department at Florida Ballet Arts Academy for the past six years, teaches Pre-Ballet - Level III, and has developed our Tiny Dancers Camp and Geometry in Motion class for Summer Intensive students.  We are very pleased to have her on board with us, as she brings her teaching expertise to our future "ballerinas".  Mrs. Rivers joined the FBA faculty in 2000.

SYBIL MANZANO
(SEASONAL) BALLET MISTRESS

At the age of thirteen, Sybil Manzano began her formal Ballet training at the Florida Ballet Arts School under the direction of Lynn Winslow. During that time, her summers were spent at the Boston Ballet School and The Nutmeg Conservatory, earning many scholarships along the way. As a student, Mrs. Manzano had the opportunity to perform with the Cecchetti Students Ballet Company, the former Sarasota Ballet Junior Company under Eddy Toussaint, and the Nutmeg Ballet Company under Sharon Dante.

Mrs. Manzano began her professional career with The Bay Ballet in Tampa, FL under the direction of Christopher Fleming.  Later moving on to the Saraosta Ballet of Florida under the direction of Robert DeWarren.  At that time, she performed many soloist roles in ballet such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Firebird, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Balanchine's Rubies, and Alvin Ailey's Streams. Mrs. Manzano joined the Columbia City Ballet under William Starrett and performed soloist roles in Dracula, Dracula's Revenge, Swan Lake, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and de Mille's Rodeo.

Mrs. Manzano teaching experience includes South Carolina Performing Arts Center, Columbia Conservatory of Dance, Ballet Classique,and teaching assistance at Broadway DanceCenter and Eliot Feld's Ballet Tech New School in NYC.  She is currently dancing for Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina for their 2007/08 season.  Mrs. Manzano has been a member of the FBA faculty since 2002.

ADDUL MANZANO
(SEASONAL) BALLET MASTER

Addul Manzano began his ballet training at the age of eleven in Santiago de Cuba. Shortly after, he was selected to attend the National School of Ballet in Havana, Cuba. Upon graduation, Mr. Manzano was offered a position in the National Ballet of Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso. During that time, he toured North and South America, performing many soloist roles in Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Giselle, Coppelia, Themes & Variations, Poema de Fuego, and Canto Vital.

After arriving in the United States, Mr. Manzano joined the Columbia City Ballet under William Starrett as a Principal Dancer, and later guested with Septime Weber's Washington Ballet. In the summer of 2003, he joined Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City. While at DTH, Mr. Manzano performed various principal roles in Dougla, Son of Dead Warriors, Balanchine's Agon, Concerto, Barocco, The Four Temperaments, Serenade, and Apollo. Mr. Manzano had the opportunity to tour the United States, England, Ireland, Scotland, and his personal highlight was performing Balanchine's Apollo in Athens, Greece.  From 2004 until 2006, he performed for the Sarasota Ballet of Florida in principal roles such as Seigfried in Swan Lake.  He is currently a Principal Dancer with North Carolina Dance Theatre under the artistic direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride.  Mr. Manzano has been a member of the FBA faculty since 2004.

ROBYN LYNN LAPORTA
JAZZ DEPARTMENT / CHILDREN'S HIP HOP

Robyn Lynn LaPorta began her training at the age of nine at Flex Florida Dance Exchange under the artistic direction of Ginny East and staff members Alison Norton and Steven Vincent.  At the age of eleven, Ms. LaPorta began three years of formal ballet training at Florida Ballet Arts School under the artistic direction of Lynn Winslow and faculty members Catherine Huh, Systie Fairweather, Bryan Tippen, Kim Freedom, and Fletcher McClendon. While studying at "FBA", Ms. LaPorta was selected by Jean Allenby-Weidner and Eddy Toussaint to join the former Sarasota Ballet Junior Company under the artistic direction of the world acclaimed Eddy Toussaint.  Ms. LaPorta expanded her training in Jazz, Lyrical, and Tap at Beverly's School of Dance (currently Starz Choice Dance Academy) under the artistic direction of Fletcher McClendon for six years. As Mr. McClendon's assistant for two years, she trained to become a dance teacher and choreographer. Ms. LaPorta specialized in Jazz and Lyrical, and taught and choreographed for Beverly's School of Dance, Venice Little Theatre, Venice High School and Steven Vincent's The Dance Studio.

As a Jazz and Lyrical dancer, Ms. LaPorta performed for Starpointe Jazz Productions under the
direction of Fletcher McClendon. With Starpointe, she danced for Industrials, Festivals, and for the Oxy Chem Corporation's National Convention and Video.  In addition to her Jazz and Lyrical training under Fletcher McClendon, Ms. LaPorta has also studied with Frank Hatchett, Mia Michaels, Keith Clifton, Carol Conners, Randy Allaire, Jacqueline Hill, Rhonda Miller, Gregg Russell, Pamela Bowling in Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Tap.  Ms. LaPorta has choreographed and performed for the Venice Little Theatre, The Players Theatre, and starred in the show "1940's Radio Hour" at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. Other professional credits include dancer for the USBL SHARKS Basketball Dance Team. She is proud that her choreography won highest point and 1st Place during the 2002 Pro-Bowl Hawaii Competition.

Ms. LaPorta is a graduate of the University of Florida's Journalism and Communications School specializing in radio and televisionbroadcasting. She received her minor in Women's Studies from the University of Florida's Women, Gender and Research Center. Her experience includes Gainesville's TV station WLUF-LP, Channel 10 where she was the on-air host, producer and editor for the weekly show, "On The Spot".  Miss LaPorta joined the FBA faculty in 2006.

ANN DOWIE
CHOREOGRAPHY / PRODUCTIONS ASSISTANT

Ann Dowie began her training at Florida Ballet Arts School under the direction of JeanSpear and continued her training under the direction of Lynn Winslow and facutly members Systie Fairweather and Catherine Huh. Upon her graduation from High School, Mrs Dowie was selected to attend the prestigious dance program at Florida State University in Tallahassee as a Dance Major where she studied under world renowned teachers and choreographers.  Upon Mrs. Dowie's return to Sarasota, she was invited by Eddy Toussaint, former artistic director of the Sarasota Ballet of Florida, to perform with the company. While dancing under Mr. Toussaint, Mrs. Dowie performed original contemporary works by the world acclaimed choreographer.

Throughout the years, Mrs. Dowie has remained an important part of the FBA Family, serving as a teacher, choreographer,
costume mistress, production manager, and as President of the Florida Ballet Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization
whose sole purpose is to benefit FBA and the students of FBA. Mrs. Dowie has continued to choreograph and serves as a substitute teacher for Florida Ballet Arts Academy. She is a productions assistant for our annual productions of "The Nutcracker" and "Imaginique" and is in charge of printing production for all performances and events.  Mrs. Dowie has been a member of the FBA faculty since 1994. 

AARON MATTES, R.K.T., L.M.T. #3864
http://www.stretchingusa.com/
INJURY PREVENTION & CARE
ACTIVE ISOLATED STRETCH
 
 
TINA FORRISTALL
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

 
LYNDA HOLLAND-BRADEN 
ADMINISTRATION

LAUREN BOERNER
ADMINISTRATION

choreography demonstrator for his South Florida Master Classes.  Ms. Mock has studied with Frank Hatchett, Keith Clifton, Randy Allaire, Jacqueline Hill, Rhonda Miller, Gregg Russell, Aurey Reitz and Thymme Reitz in Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop.   Before the commencement of Florida Ballet Arts Academy in 2000, Ms. Mock taught and choreographed for the former Florida Ballet Arts School, West Florida Ballet in Oldsmar, and BJ's School of Dance in St. Petersburg. In 1994 and 1995, while dancing with Classical Ballet Theatre, she served as the Ballet and Lyrical coach to the Olympic Gymnast Trainees in Gaithersburg, MD.  Since returning to Sarasota, Ms. Mock has maintained a large privately coached clientele and a faithful following of students who travel from as far away as St. Petersburg, FL, Jonesboro, Tennessee, Washington D.C. and McLean, Virginia to study with her at Florida Ballet Arts Academy.  She also gives Master Classes and guest teaches on a regular basis for companies and schools such as the San Diego Ballet.  Her extensive training in classical ballet has given her the opportunity to study in the methods of Vaganova, Cecchetti, and the style of Bournonville.  She trains her students under the strict pedagogy of the Vaganova Syllabus. 

In addition to Ballet and Jazz, Ms. Mock is also a Zumba Certified Instructor.  Zumba is dance fitness based on international rhythms and is the hottest cardiovascular workout sweeping the globe.