Program Notes: Upcoming on "Body and Soul"

This season, Brenda Neville's Neville Dance Theatre brings a contemporary Nutcracker with a world of difference to Brooklyn's Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts (Long Island University). With a Brooklyn-based setting that features techie toys for kids of all ages and a party mix of capoeira, tango, Irish dancing and more, this production puts a fresh spin on the beloved winter classic.

Thursday, December 18th, 2008 (Gala) at 8pm
Friday, December 19th, 2008 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 20th, 2008 at 3:00pm (Family Performance) and 7:30pm

Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts
1 University Plaza, Brooklyn
Information and ticketing: 718.488.1624 or Web site

Brenda R. Neville (Director/Choreographer), has spent the last two decades performing and choreographing ballet, modern, Argentine Tango, Flamenco and other ethnic dances in over 18 different countries with companies such as the Milwaukee Ballet, Indianapolis Dance Company, AllNations Dance Company, Marc DeGarmo & Dancers, Covenant Dance Theatre and in numerous musical theatre productions. Her expertise covers a vast array of dance styles giving her choreography exceptional diversity and color. She has trained and performed with some of the top talents in dance today, including Juan Carlos Copes, Soledad Barrio, Sean Curran, Elizabeth Parkinson, Marjorie Mussman and Graciela Kozak.

An active dance teacher in the New York City area, she is a current faculty dance instructor at The Ailey School and Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn. Her students have been accepted by some of the most reputable dance programs and schools in the country, including American Ballet Theatre, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and LaGuardia Performing Arts High School. An expert ballet pointe shoe fitter, she has assisted in the development of the Gaynor Minden pointe shoe and currently works with Freed of London. She is a cum laude graduate of Butler University, receiving a B.A. in Dance Pedagogy, and is a co-founder of World Dance Theatre.