Photo by Raul Otero
Honey AlmazarHailing from England and dancing since she was eight years old, Honey Almazar received her training in ballet and modern dance at the
Royal Academy of Dance.Also training with Gwen Lansley and Laura Connors. After moving to the US in 1990, Ms. Almazar held her own classes and also directed talent competitions. While attending Glendale College, also trained with Stanley Holden and Margaret Hills, and Ron Guidi at Oakland Ballet(1993-95).She then became a member of modern dance companies,
Contemperus Arts Theatre and Winifred Harris'
Between Lines Company.Her professional career as a ballet dancer was launched when she was invited to join
Pasadena Dance Theatre as a corps member in 1991. In 1993, she toured with Katja Biesanz and also danced with
Sinay Ballet as a soloist. After recuperating from an injury in 1994, Ms. Almazar resumed her dancing when she signed with
State Street Ballet, Guest Artist with Dance Peninsula Ballet, Soloist
The National Ballet, and eventually joined the
G.I.T.I.S. Foundation as a principal dancer in 1999. Currently Guest Artiste with Lions Pounce Dance Theatre.
Ms. Almazar has also worked as a guest artiste, choreographer, and teacher with
A Place Called Home, Lyn Fields Dance Academy, Westside Ballet, Westchester Dance Academy in Los Angeles. Guest teacher for Scholars Program at DanceEast in England.
She has trained dancers that have gone to Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, ABT, Media City Ballet.
She feels privileged to have had the opportunity to study and work with renowned ballet companies and dancers around the world, and wishes to continue to pass on her knowledge to other dancers.
Ms. Almazar is currently serving as Co-Artistic Director, Choreographer, and Coach ,Leading Dancer to
Santa Monica Contemporary Ballet.
James KeeneJames Keene began studying ballet, tap and jazz at the age of 10 at the Dorothy Farnon School of Dance in South Lake Tahoe, California. In his 8 years with Dorothy Farnon, James performed in the main showroom of Harrahs Lake Tahoe and in numerous musical theater productions through the Lake Tahoe Theater Company.
In 1987, James went to the Boston Conservatory where he studied for 4 years earning his B.F.A in dance performance and choreography in 1991. While in Boston, James had the opportunity to dance with the Boston Ballet, Ballet Theater of Boston and Beth Soll. James returned to South Lake Tahoe in late 1991 and began dancing with the Nevada Festival Ballet and assumed the role of Dance Master for the Dorothy Farnon Dance Company.
In 1997 James relocated to Southern California , where he worked with the Donlavy Modern Dance Company. In 2006 James then joined
Santa Monica Contemporary Ballet Company. Now he has his own modern dance company. Earthwalk Dance Company opened in 2007.
Maria Pena.
Started herTraining with Stanley
Holden.at 8 years old and then went to train with Yvonne Cusack Where she completed her R.A.D training .Then onto Walnut Hill school. Ms.Pena was then accepted into CalArts. In 1992 she was invited to dance with Katja Biesanz Dance Theatre.
Currently Ms.Pena is a member of Santa Monica Contemporary Ballet and she also works as a travel agent to such stars as Beyonce.
Former SMCB Dancers:
Company Members:
Yvonne Glenn (2006)
Jennifer Kelbe(2006)
Ilona Pociunas(2007)
Theryl Smith(2006-07)
Emily Morrow (2007-08)
Betsy Uhler (2006-08)Maritsa Navarro (2007-2008)
Mary Tarpley( AUG -Oct 2009)
Apprentices:
Sebastian Heil (2007)
Crystal Walker(2007)
Mary Tarpley( March-May 2009)Jesus Rodriguez (2007-2008 Trainee/2008 Apprentice)