CHOREOGRAPHER

SANDRA ORGAN SOLIS was Houston Ballet's first Black ballerina, and after 15 seasons under Ben Stevenson, left to found Sandra Organ Dance Company (SODC), now EARTHEN VESSELS. Taught in the Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus by Valerie Roche in Omaha, Nebraska, she graduated valedictorian from Duchesne Academy, entering Houston Ballet Academy on scholarship. Her international career with the Houston Ballet encompassed a diverse range of roles in the classical and contemporary realm, from choreographers Balanchine, and MacMillian to Bruce and Taylor. She has choreographed nearly 90 ballets in the last 13 years, has served as Trustee for Dance/USA, and is married to Dr. Carlos Solis.

ARTISTS

REBEKAH CHAPELL is from Williamsburg, Virginia. She graduated with a BFA in Dance from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2009. She attended and performed at American Dance Festival, Dance New Amsterdam, and North Carolina Dance Theater summer intensives. Rebekah was a founding company member of The Doniphan Project. She has recently relocated to Houston after living and teaching dance in Costa Rica.

CANDACE RATTLIFF graduated from Texas Christian University with a BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance earning a TCU Fine Arts Guild Scholarship, and danced in Susan Jaffe's Uncaged,. Her early dance training: Beverly Torres' School of Dance, Margo Dean School of Ballet and Alvin Ailey Summer Intensives. She has danced with EVSODC three seasons as well with Hope Stone.

ROBERTA CORTES received her classical ballet training in Brasil, and earned her Associates Degree in Arts from Houston Community College, with Heinen Scholarship. She has performed in Brazil and the United States: HCC Ensemble, Lisa Gonsales and Psophonia. Currently Roberta teaches and dances for Hope Stone Dance Company, Pink Ribbons Project, Inc., and her 5th season with the EVSODC.

RICHARD HUBSCHER is a former dancer of Houston Ballet and still moonlights for them. He has performed with EVSODC since 2007 reprising and creating many roles as an artistic of experience, maturity and craft. Richard is a visual and performance artist in his own right, performing his own works in many venues in our city.

JANETTE SIIRINH holds a B. F. A. in Dance from Belhaven University. While in college she also studied at the American Ballet Theatre and the American Dance Festival. Janette has danced professionally with Stӧrling Dance Theater, FrenetiCore, and Sandra Organ Dance Company. In 2009, she produced her first dance show, Seeing, in the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

SHAWN RAWLS is a graduate of Belhaven College and was brought to Houston as a trainee with Dance Ad Deum. Shawn joined Earthen Vessels in "Flip Switch Reel" at The Contemporary Arts Museum and danced as well with Earthen Vessels in Amahl and the Night Visitors and Luck of the Draw. Shawn is also dances with Psophonia Dance Company.

MARY MICHAELA BARTA, a native Houstonian and graduate of Duchesne Academy, received her dance training from Adamson Ballet School and Mercyhurst College. Her repertoire includes: The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Christopher Taddiken's Dichotomies, Sarah Mastrocola's L'art Vivant and Grasping at Constructs at the 2011 Mid-Atlantic American College Dance Festival and Project Abolition, an original piece about human trafficking by SoMar DanceWorks.

JEANNA VANCE received her training from Grand Rapids Civic Ballet, Houston Ballet Academy, and Ballet Magnificat. Her career has included performing with Ad Deum Dance and Psophonia Dance Companies, Sandra Organ Dance Company, Suchu Dance, Hope Stone, Ballet Excelsior, and Interactive Theatre Company. Currently she serves on faculty for Dance Revolution dance conventions, and directs the Ballet Excelsior Trainee Company.

DESIREE DAVIS, Houston Repertoire Ballet alumni, began her career training with Gilbert Rome and Victoria Vittum. Traveling between NYC, LA and Las Vegas she worked with well known choreographers and artists and in a variety of TV and Award shows. Her credits include Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Sean Paul, Missy Elliot, and the Pussycat Dolls

PAOLA GEORGUDIS was born in Santiago, Chile. Her international studies in dance have included modern, jazz, tap, contact improvisation, and ballet. She began her professional dance career in 1986, working with a wide range of companies and choreographers including Karen Connolly Dance Company, Contemporary Santiago Ballet, and Santiago Ballet. She moved to Houston in 1997, and has danced for Sandra Organ Dance Company, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Ad Deum Dance Company, and Hope Stone, Inc., among others. Ms. Georgudis is a founding member of DWDT and has received praise from critics like Marene Gustin of Dance Magazine who called her "powerful" after DWDT's inaugural program. Most recently, she was honored as a Critic's Choice for "Outstanding Female Dancer" in 2005 by Dance Europe for her performance in Walsh's Bello, and also received praise for her portrayal of Juliet in Walsh's world premiere Romeo & Juliet. Ms. Georgudis is also a certified Pilates and Gyrotonic® instructor. She enjoys doing voiceover work, practicing yoga, and being part of the Ecstatic Dance Houston community.