I have always been a huge fan of dancers. The way they tell a story through dance always moves me in a special way. I love to dance and have recently started taking classes again and one of the things I found difficult to do was ballet. The control, discipline and refinement needed to achieve those shapes and lines is something I long to do in my lifetime. That is why I have so much respect for people who do ballet.
When I heard the news that Filipino-American prima ballerina Stella Abrera of the American Ballet Theatre was coming to the Philippines to do a special three-night performance at the Maybank Theater in BGC, Manila together with her fellow American Ballet Stars, my excitement level went through the roof. I told myself I was not going to let this once in a lifetime opportunity pass.
Stella Abrera who was born in Manila and was raised in Los Angeles, California joined American Ballet Theatre’s corps de ballet in 1996. In 2001 she was promoted to soloist and 14 years later to principal dancer. Stella came home to Manila to perform in Ballet Philippines’ 2014 production of Giselle. In that same year she founded Steps Forward for the Philippines, a charity that helped rebuild and supply a school in Guiuan, which was destroyed by Super Typhoon Haiyan. This year Stella returns to Manila to help raise funds for CENTEX (Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education), Ayala Foundation’s flagship education program who also happens to be celebrating their 20th anniversary.
Sofia Zobel Elizalde, founder of STEPS Dance Studio and committee chair for the benefit performance expressed her excitement and gratitude to have Stella Abrera join this wonderful endeavor. Sofia says, “She’s not only an amazing dancer and artist, but a true lady in every way. I am thrilled that our Filipino audiences will get a chance to see her live and be inspired by her spirit. What a treat!”
I cannot wait to see Stella and her fellow American Ballet Stars Alban Lendorf, Arron Scott, Blaine Hoven, Catherine Hurlin, Gillian Murphy, Isabella Boylston, Roman Zhurbin, and Jose Sebastian create magic on stage. I am also looking forward to seeing set designed by award-winning production designer Gino Gonzales. Committee member Mia Borromeo shared with me how special this production will be since the proceeds from the show will be going to a worthy cause.
An Intimate Evening with Stella Abrera and American Ballet Stars promises to be a special event where we will experience the full richness of ballet.
Tickets will be available on TicketWorld starting February 5, 2018.
For more information, visit http://www.ayalafoundation.org or https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/Online/default.asp
See you at the theater!
Blessings,
