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<div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Youngstown youth invited to audition Sun, Sept 11 for Moscow Ballet soloist Mariia Skoruk<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></div>
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<div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Accepted applicants perform side-by-side with 40 professionals in the </SPAN></I><B><I><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Great Russian Nutcracker</SPAN></I></B><I><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> </SPAN></I></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"><v:formulas> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><br>
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<PRE><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT size=2>Contact</FONT>: </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Sally Michael <FONT size=2>Keyes</FONT> </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><A href="mailto:sally@nutcracker.com"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2>sally</FONT>@nutcracker.com</FONT></A><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(413) 499-1733 x21<o:p></o:p></SPAN></PRE>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">(Berkshires, MA) </SPAN></B><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Aug 30<SPAN style="COLOR: black">, 2011 </SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">– <A href="http://www.nutcracker.com/"><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Moscow Ballet</SPAN></A> <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>and <U>Kathi's Dance & Gym Center <A href="http://www.kathidgc.com/"><FONT color=#0000ff>http://www.kathidgc.com/</FONT></A></U> announce open auditions for 7 to 16 year old dancers to perform side-by-side with 40 Russian pros in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Great Russian Nutcracker</I>. Auditions are on</SPAN><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> Thursday, September 11, 5:00pm </SPAN><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">at</SPAN><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> Kathi's Dance & Gym Center</SPAN><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">, </SPAN><SPAN class=pp-headline-item><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">10825 Springfield Rd. Poland, OH 44514</SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">. </SPAN></B><I><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Kathi’s Dance and Gym Center</SPAN></I><B><I><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: maroon; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> </SPAN></I></B><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">offers various programs for both the serious and recreational students of all ages and levels. Our students are provided with the opportunity to achieve excellence in technique and performance skills while developing confidence and creativity.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3> </FONT></SPAN><B><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><U><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></SPAN> </div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Moscow Ballet soloist Mariia Skoruk is in town specifically to conduct the auditions and to train the young dancers for several days. Toledo studio owner Jenny Karl says, "This [opportunity] would be comparable to working one-on-one with an Olympic athlete…you are working with the best of the best." The live performance experience is a once-in-lifetime chance for most aspiring dancers. Dancer/teacher Michelle Dawson of Pittsburgh shares, “</SPAN><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN>"</SPAN><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN>Not only are you providing a fantastic opportunity for kids to perform alongside professionals…but to tackle what it means to be a performer, how you handle all of that." </SPAN><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Students from all area dance studios <SPAN style="COLOR: black">are invited.</SPAN> .<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Applicants must have dance training, dress in dance attire and may bring Pointe shoes.<SPAN style="COLOR: black"> <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Those accepted will perform in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Great Russian Nutcracker</I> Edward W. Powers Auditorium Monday, November 28, 8:00pm</B></SPAN><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></B></SPAN><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">For more information and to register, go to www.nutcracker.com/Audition or contact Kathi Halbart 330-549-2522.</SPAN></B><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: red; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></div>
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<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Mariia Skoruk</SPAN></B><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> was born in August 1989 in the city Kiev, Ukraine.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At just ten years old she was invited to attend the famous ballet school of the Kiev State Opera and Ballet Theater.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She graduated with a “Diploma of Distinction” and, seen as a talented ballerina, was invited to join the company of the Kiev State Opera and Ballet Theater.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black">The Kiev Opera and Ballet Theater began its history in 1867 and has developed one of the biggest repertories in the world including 24 ballets. Many famous dancers perform on the National Opera of Ukraine stage including Serge Lifar, Nadezhda Pavlova, Maya Plisetskaya, and more from Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater and the St. Petersburg Kirov Ballet.</SPAN> Since 2007, Mariia has also worked with Moscow Ballet. Her repertoire is comprised of the entire range of classical characters. .Among these are: <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Romeo and Juliet</I>, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Great Russian Nutcracker</I>, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Swan Lake</I>, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Don Quixote</I>, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Giselle</I>, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Cinderella</I>, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">La Bayadere</I>, and <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Carmen</I>. Maria was awarded "Honorable Mention" at the Fifth Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition in Kiev. In 2009 she graduated with a Choreographic Teaching Degree from the National Dragomanova Pedagogical University. She has performed internationally in the following countries USA, Canada, Holland, England, Switzerland, Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador.<SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></div>
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<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNoSpacing><FONT size=3><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'">Moscow Ballet’s <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Great Russian Nutcracker</I></SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'"> tells the beloved Christmas story of the girl who falls in love with a Nutcracker Prince – with Russian flair. Praised by the <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">NY Times Chief Dance Critic</I></B> as “thrilling and expansive” and </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Consolas">“elegant…brimful with feeling” </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'">the 40 impeccably trained Russian dancers leap, spin and lunge bringing the traditional story to life. The Act I Christmas party enchants with its magical toys, evil Mouse King and a journey through the glittering Snow Forrest. Unique to the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Great Russian Nutcracker</I>, Russian folk characters Father Christmas and the Snow Maiden escort Masha (aka Clara) to the Land of Peace and Harmony in Act II where she and the Nutcracker Prince are honored by emissaries from heritages the world over; African, Russian, Asian, European and Hispanic. Set to Pytor Tchaikovsky’s famous score, Moscow Ballet’s production features lavish costumes, nine hand-painted backdrops with 3-D ornamentation and fanciful, larger-than-life puppets designed by Russian puppet master Valentin Federov. A must see show for everyone in the family this holiday season! <A href="http://www.nutcracker.com/">www.nutcracker.com</A> </SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Consolas"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></FONT></div>
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<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Tickets are now on sale and </SPAN></B><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">start at $27.50. To purchase call 800-745-3000<SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> or go to </SPAN><A href="http://www.nutcracker.com/">www.nutcracker.com</A>. Group rates are available for ten or more, call 800 320 1733.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></div>
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<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Moscow Ballet - History</SPAN></B><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><br>
</SPAN><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Moscow Ballet is known for its annual, touring <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Great Russian Nutcracker</I> and full-length productions of the classic story-ballets; <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Swan Lake</I>, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Cinderella</I>, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Sleeping Beauty</I> and others. <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Created by award-winning Juilliard alumnus, composer/conductor and theatrical producer, Akiva Talmi, t</SPAN>he organization evolved out of Talmi’s all-star Russian "Glasnost Festival Tour" (1986-92)<SPAN style="COLOR: black">. Moscow Ballet made its debut in 1993 with the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Great Russian Nutcracker</I> which was directed and choreographed by soloist Stanislav Vlasov of the famous Russian Bolshoi Theatre. In 1994, Moscow Ballet invited the Moscow State Theatre of Natalia Sats, and the theatre's full orchestra, to expand the company to an 88-artist tour which was billed as the "19th Century Classical Nutcracker." In 2003, Moscow Ballet announced the appointment of Anatoly Emelianov, winner of the Diagelev award, and Vladimir Troshchenko, director of Odessa State Ballet and </SPAN>a pivotal figure in the ballet world<SPAN style="COLOR: black">, as co-artistic directors. </SPAN>Moscow Ballet continues to feature top graduates of Perm, Vaganova, Moscow State Academic Choreographic and Kiev schools in its productions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></div>
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<div style="CLEAR: both">Sally Michael Keyes <br>
Marketing and PR Consultant for the Arts <br>
keyes1545@aol.com <br>
413.528.5131</div>
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