Alameda Civic Ballet to Present THE NUTCRACKER

MARENA PÉREZ, principal dancer of the Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico, and ROBERTO VEGA, former first soloist of the National Ballet of Cuba, will appear as guest artists in the Alameda Civic Ballet's production of The Nutcracker on December 19 and 20, 2015 at the Kofman Theatre in Alameda, California.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, MARENA PÉREZ began her ballet training at Ballet de Nana Hudo. Among her teachers while as a student and professional dancer have been Miguel Campaneria, Maria Carrera, Jose Pares, Carlota Carrera, Lourdes Gomez, Joaquin Banegas, Lolita San Miguel, Susan Pilarre, Ray Sullivan, and Nana Hudo.

Ms. Pérez began her professional career as a dancer with the Compania de Ballet Teatro Municipal of San Juan. In 1998 Ms. Pérez joined Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico and was promoted to the rank of soloist in 2002.

In 2005 Ms. Pérez joined Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico, and was promoted to the rank of principal dancer. From 2007 to 2009 Ms. Pérez joined Andanza, a contemporary dance company in Puerto, and in 2010 she returned to Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico to resume her career as a principal dancer.

Ms. Pérez's repertoire includes principal and soloist roles in the 19th century classics including the title role in Giselle, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the title role in Carmen, the title role in Cinderella, Odile in Swan Lake, Swanhilda in Coppelia, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, the title role in Carmen, Lise in La Fille Mal Gardee, and the roles of Charlotte in The Phantom of the Opera, Cerrito in Grand Pas de Quatre, Nikiya and Gamzatti in La Bayadere, The Dying Swan, and Paquita.

Ms. Pérez has also received critical acclaim for her performances in neo-classical and contemporary roles including roles in George Balanchine's Serenade, Jerome Robbins' In The Night, William Dollar's The Combat, Emilia in Jose Limon's The Moor's Pavane, Septime Webre's Carmina Burana, Alberto Mendez's Munecos, and pas de deux including Satanella, Flames of Paris, Don Quixote Pas de Deux, Talisman, William Tell, Esmeralda, Le Corsaire, and Spring Waters.

Ms. Pérez appeared with Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico during its tours in the United States, Taiwan and other countries. In 2004, 2005 and 2010, Ms. Pérez was invited to participate in the International Dance Festival in Miami. In 2005 she participated in the Segundo Certamen Interamericano de Danza in Buenos Aires, Argentina, winning two gold medals and one bronze medal. In 2010, Ms. Pérez participated in the Festival de Ballet de Panama.

Ms. Pérez has performed as a guest artist with the Charlotte Youth Ballet of North Carolina, Ballet Etudes in Miami, Florida, the Midstates Ballet, and the RMT Ballet in Haiti.

Ms. Pérez is a certified Pilates instructor and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics Education. She has also studied drama under the guidance of Puerto Rico's leading acting teachers and has received awards in acting competitions.

ROBERTO VEGA was born in Cuba and received his ballet training at the School of Ballet Alejo Carpentier, and the National Ballet School in Havana, Cuba.

Mr. Vega joined the National Ballet of Cuba rising to the rank of First Soloist. He has danced principal roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Napoli, Cinderella, and La Fille Mal Gardee. Mr. Vega has also danced roles in ballets specifically created for the National Ballet of Cuba.

While a member of the National Ballet of Cuba, Mr. Vega appeared in the company's international tours including engagements in Canada, Central America, Italy, France, Spain, China, and Australia.

Besides Alicia Alonso, Mr. Vega has also studied under the guidance of Loipa Araujo, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Azari Plietzeski, Aurora Boch, Lazaro Carreno, and Maria Elena Llorente.

Since leaving the National Ballet of Cuba, Mr. Vega has been based in the United States where he has been a popular guest artist.