Artistic Director/ Choreographer began his impressive dancing career under full scholarship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the William Reilly Academy of Ballet, under the direction of Peter William Reilly. Yet another scholarship enabled Mr. Bray to study in Chicago, Illinois, at the Ruth Page Foundation for the Arts, under the direction of school Director, Larry Long. One of Mr. Bray’s most profound and life changing events as a dancer took place in Chicago Ill., where he got the opportunity to meet and work with the Renowned Vaganova Ballet Master, Madame Elizabeth Boitsov, former School Director of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, Russia, Madame Boitsov and Mr. Bray enjoy a continued relationship to this day. Mr. Bray jumped at a special opportunity to travel over seas to Paris, France to study at the Ballet of the 21st Century with world-renowned Director and Choreographer Maurice Béjart. At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Bray was accepted into the Alvin Ailey American Dance School in New York City. Mr. Bray collimated his extensive dance training in London England at the London Contemporary Dance Theater under the tutelage of Mr. Robert Coham, a twenty-year veteran of Martha Graham. During his professional career, Mr. Bray has toured throughout the United States, Canada and Europe as a principal dancer with numerous dance companies and has been a guest performing artist with companies such as “American Ballet”, “Milwaukee Ballet”, “Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra”, “West Port Ballet” Kansas, “Florentine Opera”, the “Chicago Pops Dance & Concert Series”. Mr. Bray has also had the pleasure of performing with Motown super star “Lionel Richie” on his Can’t Slow Down tour. Upon Mr. Bray's return to New York City he had the great honor of fulfilling the life long dream of dancing professionally with the internationally recognized “Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater”. His choreographic credits include “Escape the Shadows”, “The Compilation”, “Nutcracker Variations”, “Swan Lake Variations”, “The Compact Physic”, “Total Confusion”, “The Rock Opera”, “Innocent Soul”, “Le Rive de Charlie”, “Don Quixote” “La Esmeralda” and the “Ballet Homeless” to name a few. Mr. Bray produced and choreographed an interpretive series of dance pieces for his “Don't Do It” program (sponsored by D.A.R.E.) This all youth show toured throughout the Midwest speaking out against drugs, alcohol, and violence. The overwhelming success of Don't Do It is just one example of Mr. Bray's commitment to promoting dance and performing arts as an alternative for youths in our communities. Director Bray produced and choreographed the full-length ballet “Nutcracker” to nearly sold-out audiences at the Oconomowoc Arts Center this past December. $1.00 for every ticket sold was split between Lake Country Free Clinic and Urgent Needs in Oconomowoc. In addition, patrons were asked to bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the Oconomowoc Food Pantry. (See for yourself)... www.wedancenutcracker.com Thousands of students have benefited from Mr. Bray's energy, experience and passion for the art of dance. He has taught master classes and workshops throughout the U.S. including, “Milwaukee Performing Arts Center”, “Alverno College”, “Carroll University”, “Marquette University”, “University of Illinois”, “St. Mary's Academy”, “Studio San Damiano”, “Kendic Dance Studio”, “North Shore Dance Academy”, “Milwaukee High School of the Arts”, “William Reilly Academy of Ballet”, “West Port Ballet”, “Gus Giordano Jazz Studios”, “Foursis Dance Academy”, “Boitsov Classical Ballet”, “Swiss Turners”, “Milwaukee Turners”, “La Fleurs”, “Salto”, “Lake Country School” “Brookfield Montessori School” and the list goes on. Mr. Bray has served as Resident Choreographer and Ballet Master for the 20th Century Theater Dance Co. and the Midwest Center for Dance Arts. Currently he is serving as the Artistic Director for the MainStage Academy of Dance. There Mr. Bray continues to “Impact Lives Through the Art of Dance” by providing a comprehensive curriculum of professional development that facilitates fun, learning, family, and artistic growth to dancers of all ages. As an teacher and director Mr. Bray understands the need for continued training, and the pursuit of knowledge as it relates to his Art. Most recently Mr. Bray was honored to spent a week with the last living dancer of the Original Bolshoi Russian Ballet and a former pupil of the great Agrippina Vaganova! “Learning The original Marius Petipa Choreography for “Don Quixote”, “Swan Lake Odile” and “La Corsaire” has to be a highlight of my career”. -Director Bray These credits are just a sample of Director Bray's accomplishments, from his avant-garde choreography to his devotion to classical perfection. Director Bray is not only committed to the art of dance, but to the art of being a dancer. *View Director Bray’s Vision Statement http://www.wedancenutcracker.comAbout_Us.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1
Becky Hertell Dance Instructor began her dance training as a child with Milwaukee Ballet School. After high school she continued her dance training at the University of Wisconsin, in downtown Milwaukee. There she studied under Ed Burgess, Janet Lilly, Marcia Parsons, and Brian Jeffery, and performed in works by Sean Curran, Heidi Latsky, and Alan Sener. Earning her B.F.A. in dance in 1997, she joined Dance Works Performance Company. Becky has taught children's classes at both Dance Works and The Milwaukee Ballet. Taking a break from dance to raise her 6-year-old daughter, Samantha. Becky has been teaching at MainStage Academy of Dance for the past Three Years. Hannah Zlomke Dance Instructor McKayla Spanton Dance Instructor Shannon Gibbons Dance Instructor started dancing when she was 3 in home town of Wis. Rapids. Studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern at Academie De La Danse. Taught ballet and tap classes at home studio during high school. Had early release from high school each day to study at UW-Stevens Point under the direction of James Moore. During summers, studied at the Milwaukee Ballet School and Ruth Paige Foundation School of Dance in Chicago, IL. Studied in Madison, WI under the direction of Salvador Barillas and performed with the Madison Chamber Ballet. Danced on the WR High School Pom Pon Squad, as well as the UW-Eau Claire Pom Pon Squad for 4 years. Also, judged various high school pom pon competitions during that time. Taught dance throughout college at the Eau Claire School of Dance for 4 years and the Lodi School of Dance for 2 years. Shannon is going into her second year with MainStage Academy of Dane Georgia Gavran Dance Instructor began her dance training at the MainStage Academy of Dance in Dousman, WI, under the direction of Artistic Director Eddy Bray. Georgia has accompanied Director Bray to Chicago, IL, for the past four years where she has had the opportunity to study with the renowned Madame Elizabeth Boitsov, former School Director of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, Russia. Georgia has also taken Master Ballet Classes with Valery Lantratov, Director of the Russian National Ballet Foundation. Georgia has performed in many of Director Bray’s productions including Gala, Pump Up the Volume, Genesis2 & Alive. Georgia is currently performing in Director Bray’s Tribute to the “King Of Pop” Michael Jackson. Georgia joined the MainStage teaching staff in Fall of 2008. Miss Georgia most recently received a scholarship to attend the the University of the Arts dance program in Philadelphia! We at MainStage wish her the best, look for her in our 2011 Production of “Nutcracker” Christopher Gilbert Dance Instructor Growing up in Milwaukee , Wisconsin Chris Gilbert was inspired by the Prestigiousness of his Mother Shirley Gilbert, Showmanship of James Brown, Uniqueness of Cedric Gardner. In his years of coming up in a dance oriented environment he only displayed his movement in church, in Washington High School’s dance studio (where his mother worked), in the convenience of his own home. Now while his mother worked at Washington …he was able to dance with the high schools dance team (Kinetic Energy) only at the age of 8!  Until he entered the arts department in high school at Wisconsin Lutheran where he exposed the talent that he once only displayed in selective places! Then shortly after doors begin to open up in his life! During that year he had became a member of Rhema Dance a (liturgical, African dance company)! Now over the years he spent at Wisconsin Lutheran...he landed his 1st teaching job at Pat Keller's Dance Studio in Wauwatosa , Wisconsin as there 1st Hip Hop instructor. Then eventually branched out to teach more, also expand his dance vocabulary, and perfect his craft.  Later on he decided to attend the auditions of one of thee biggest Dance Shows known to mankind! So You Think You Can Dance...and he ended up making it as a contestant in the Las Vegas round to represent for the city of Milwaukee and the whole state of Wisconsin ! Since departing from the show he has learned ballroom, even taught at Fred Astaire in (Downtown Milwaukee)! He also has traveled quite often assisting Cedric Gardner from (SYTYCD-Season 3) teaching, and hopefully inspiring other dancers out there, promoting individuality! He has also been choreographing for the Milwaukee based dance crew founded by Terry Spears (Visual Artsz)    Credits: ·Kinetic Energy (Washington High School Dance Team) ·Ko Thi (African Dance Company) ·Rhema Dance (Liturgical Dance Company) ·So You Think You Can Dance- Season 4 (Vegas Week Contestant) ·Visual Artz (Artistic Movement)

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