Zohar Update 8.15.2025

[Vivian Sam]

Hello Zohar Community,

Looking ahead: 

JAZZ with DAYNEE

• Tuesday, August 19 @ 6pm will be subbed by Tiffany Jianto
• Saturday, August 23 @ 11:15am will be subbed by Jan Penagos

FLOOR BARRE AND BALLET with CHARLES

• Charles is back and floor barre will resume Wednesday, August 20th @ 10:00 am.
• Charles' ballet class also resumes on the 20th @ 10:30am. Thank you to Travis Love for filling in for Charles' ballet class. 

UPCOMING - LABOR DAY (SEPTEMBER 1ST)

• Jazz with Vivian: if interested in class on Sunday, August 31st @ 9:30am, please register on Mindbody by 8/22. The studio needs at least 10 people, otherwise, class will be cancelled. 
• Beginning Ballet with Augusto: Sunday, August 31st @ 11:30am is CANCELLED.

ZTALK Presents: AN EVENING with KRISTINE ELLIOTT

• Join us for our next ZTalk featuring the remarkable Kristine Elliott—a celebrated ballerina, master teacher, and advocate for using dance as a force for change.

• Kristine’s journey began in Oakland, California, where she trained under Richard Gibson before launching her professional career with the Stuttgart Ballet. There, she danced leading roles in ballets by renowned choreographer John Cranko, touring extensively across Japan, Israel, Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, and the United States. After five seasons, Kristine joined American Ballet Theatre as a soloist, working closely with artistic director Mikhail Baryshnikov. Following her acclaimed performing career, Kristine transitioned to teaching and coaching dancers around the world. She has been a guest teacher for American Ballet Theatre and its summer intensive programs, taught at Stanford University’s Dance Division for 18 years, and currently serves on the LEAP faculty at St. Mary’s College of California. Kristine is also the founding director of the Gugulethu Ballet Project, which brings ballet training to townships in Cape Town and Johannesburg, fostering diversity and creating opportunities for young dancers. Her transformative work earned her the prestigious 2022 Dance Teacher Award. Kristine has been sharing her expertise with Zohar students since 1990.
• Our conversation will be hosted by Jen Aubrecht—Zohar student, dedicated dancer, and holder of a PhD in Critical Dance Studies from UC Riverside. With a BA in Dance and English from the University of Minnesota, Jen left academia for a career in tech, but continues to pursue her passion for dance both in and out of the studio.
• Don’t miss this inspiring conversation that bridges artistry, education, and the power of dance to change lives.
• Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/z-talk-kristine-elliott-tickets-1555133479099?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to tidy the studio after class -- your efforts make a meaningful difference for the incoming group. We alsoo sincerely appreciaate those who continue to observe our studio's Dance Etiquette, helping us maintain a respectful and welcoming environment for all. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

With gratitude,

Vivian Sam & Daynee Lai-Krauss