Zohar Update 3.10.2026

[Vivian Sam]

Hello Zohar Community,

We have been seeing new students in all of our classes and we welcome you to our Zohar Community. It is a fun and loving group of people. We look forward to seeing more new faces as our community continues to grow. Now grab a cup of coffee / tea take your time reading through this update ❤️

ZOHAR PERFORMANCE SERIES #13, SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026 TICKETS AVAILABLE!

• Get your tickets now! This is a ONE NIGHT ONLY performance and seats typically sell out.

• Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zohar-performance-series-13-tickets-1981245431419?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 

• In addition to local artists in this program, there will also be a big Zohar presence.

  • Amrita has choreographed a piece featuring Zohar Ballet teachers: Karina Eimon, Tracy Fuller, and Brooke Wertwijn.
  • Brooke Wertwijn will be performing a solo titled "Dandelion"
  • Adrienne Foley has been the rehearsal director for Lisa Deyo's piece "As It Seems" and the Zohar dancers are: Susan Bailey, Vera Dorzhinova, Monica Espinosa, Gabriella Goldstein (Gavi), Adriana Hokk, Terry Jacobs, Jolie LeBlanc, I-Heng McComb, Katelyn Olsen, Patty Pflaging, and Esther Selk
  • Erin Akrobetu (modern teacher) and Jessica Hofmann will perform a piece they created titled "Barefoot Goddesses in the Sunshine"
  • Claire Alexander (Artist in Residence) is presenting "Women's Work". Zohar Dancers: Michelle Barnes, Madelyn Davis, Masa Leskovsek, Esther Selk, Jessica Whittemore, Holly Woodrow
  • High Release will be performing a work by Virginia Bock (modern teacher) featuring more Zohar Dancers: Elena Grindley, Laurel Howard, I-Heng McComb, Maricia Scott and Tracey Stanelun. 

ZTalk #3 :  INSIDE THE BALLET JOURNEY - WHAT EVERY PARENT, BALLET TEACHER, BALLET STUDIO, HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR SHOULD KNOW

• Two moms. Two passionate young dancers. One complex world of ballet training. 

  When their children began dreaming of ballet beyond the recreational level, Brett and Jenny quickly realized that navigating the path from studio classes to serious training was anything but clear. Auditions, summer intensives, schools, company tracks, college programs—no one seemed to clearly explain how it all worked.
• So they learned through years of research, persistence, and plenty of trial-and-error while guiding their children through the process.
• Today, their children are professional ballet dancers, and along the way Brett and Jenny gained invaluable insight into the realities of the ballet training pipeline. They also discovered something important: families need transparency and guidance when navigating this highly specialized world.
• That realization led them to create the Ballet Help Desk Podcast, a trusted resource that sheds light on the ballet training process—from choosing the right summer intensive to understanding professional pathways and college options in the performing arts. Now they’re bringing their knowledge directly to our community.

Join us for a special Z Talk event featuring the founders of Ballet Help Desk.

• Parents will gain insight into:
  • The realities of ballet training pathways
  • How to evaluate summer intensives and schools
  • Navigating auditions and opportunities
  • Professional company tracks vs. college performing arts programs
  • How to support your dancer through the training process
• Studio directors and ballet teachers are also encouraged to attend to hear important, up-to-date perspectives about the evolving ballet landscape.
• This conversation is honest, practical, and incredibly helpful for anyone guiding a young dancer.
• Saturday, April 18, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, One night only
• Reserve your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/z-talk-with-brett-jenny-founders-of-ballet-help-desk-podcast-tickets-1977398898335?aff=oddtdtcreator
• Learn more about Ballet Help Desk: https://ballethelpdesk.com/
• If you have a dancer—and questions about what comes next—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
• We need 4 volunteers for this event. Please contact Vivian at vsama...@gmail.com  

SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE (SDI) JUNE 15 - 19 (CONSISTENCY MATTERS)

• Experience the transformation that happens when you train for five consecutive days. Consistent, focused work accelerates growth in ways that weekly classes simply can’t. Throughout this intensive, dancers gain a deeper understanding of how their bodies function, how they individually process and retain movement, and how to integrate corrections quickly and effectively.

• Designed to build strength, agility, and technical clarity, this immersive experience equips dancers with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to elevate their training — and see measurable progress in just one week.
• SDI will be 5 days of dancing beginning Monday, June 15 - Friday, June 19. 

• Times: MONDAY - WEDNESDAY, 10:30am - 5pm/ THURSDAY, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm/ FRIDAY, 10:30 am - 4:00pm

• This is for anyone 14 yo and up. All levels of dance welcomed.

• Dance Classes will consist of: Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theater Choreography, Tap, Luigi Technique, Contemporary, and Modern.
• Link: https://zohardancecompany.org/summer-dance-intensive

UPCOMING:

• Lisa Burnett (modern dance teacher) - Celebration of Life
  • Saturday, April 4, 2:00 pm, Cubberley Theater

• Luigi Technique Teacher Certification Level 2
  • July 17, 18, 19
  • 1:30p - 6:30p

ZOHAR STUDENTS PERFORM & CREATE

• SOUTH BAY MUSICAL THEATER 
  • On The 20th Century: In Concert - Only 2 performances directed by our Tap Teacha, Lee Ann Payne; Zohar performers: Steve Sammonds, Adriana Hokk, Kyle Arrozet, Michael Saenz, Jennifer Yuan, Kyrie Timbrook, Barbara Heninger.
    • Link for tickets: https://southbaymt.com/shows/ticket-sales/20th-century/ 
    • Dates: April 18 & 19, 2026
  • In The Heights - Choreographed by Michael Saenz; Zohar performers: Adriana Hokk, Jennifer Yuan, Eva Huertas-Colliou, Vilma Colliou.
    • Link for tickets: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35458/production/1234835
    • Dates: May 16 - June 6, 2026

Enjoy your week and the lovely weather!

With gratitude, 

Vivian Sam &b Daynee Lai-Krauss