November 4, 2004

Local ballet students promoted to professional company

Damir Emric, 17, and Erena Ishii, 18, of Almaden Valley, have been promoted from Ballet San Jose School into the company of Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley (the professional dance company led by Artistic Director Dennis Nahat).

Ishii was an apprentice last season and will now become a first-year Company dancer. Damir served as a trainee last year and will now become an apprentice. This is Ishii’s fifth year in Ballet San Jose School and Emric’s seventh. Both have danced in the Company’s “Nutcracker” and various small roles in other main stage productions.

Both students hope to become professional dancers and are currently touring the competition circuit. Right now they are raising funds for Dance Grand Prix to be held next June 22-27 in Italy. If you are interested in supporting these two talented young people in their efforts, contact Jodi Porter, administrator of Ballet San Jose School at 408.288.2820 x 218 or e-mail to jporter@balletsanjose.org.