VENTANA BALLET
presents
an intimate storytelling experience of perseverance, hope, and reverence buried deep in an ancient forest
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KMFA Draylen Mason Music Studio
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AJ Garcia-Rameau
Director of Ventana Ballet
Executive Producer of KOMOREBI
Navaji David Nava
Artistic Director, Choreographer, and Producer of KOMOREBI
5 performances
- September 21 -
Opening Night Celebration.
Doors open at 7pm. Show at 7:30pm.
Post-show artist talk-back and reception to follow.
- September 22 + 23 -
Two shows per evening:
Show 1 — 6pm Doors, Open Bar, & Youth Art Show; 6:30pm Show
Show 2 — 8pm Doors, Open Bar, & Youth Art Show; 8:30pm Show
ABOUT KOMOREBI
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KOMOREBI { 木漏れ日 } is the Japanese word for sunlight, which is filtered through the leaves of the trees. In particular, it means the visible light rays.
Deep in an ancient forest, a tribe of mystics fulfills a critical function, linking the whole of humanity to the primordial spirit of dawn. As another night befalls a young, maiden earth and its kingdoms, one tribal master protects the thread to dawn, revealing life out of darkness and preparing for the birth of light.
The masters are ready to pass down the torch, the important responsibility of maintaining the thread to dawn, but the nighttime intoxicatingly pulls the initiates into a cradle of sleep, causing them to forget themselves, the kingdom, and eternity. Who will awaken first? Will they remember? Who will hold the thread?
This evening's run time is approximately 50 minutes. There will be no intermission.
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SHOW ORDER
Sound Journey
Musicians: Vanush Von Love & Navaji David Nava
Meraki
Soloist: Rachel Cox Culver
Music: “Chakaruna,” performed & written by Poranguí
“Meraki” is an ancient Greek word meaning “to do something with soul, creativity, or love; to put something of yourself in your work.”
Komorebi
Music: “Alturas,” performed by Inti-Illimani, written by Horacio Salinas
“Komorebi” is a Japanese word that literally means “sunlight leaking through trees.” This word describes the beauty and wonder of rays of light dappling through overhead leaves, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor.
Barrer Prana
Music: “Iluminar,” performed & written by Poranguí
“Barrer” is a Spanish word that means “to sweep",” and “prana” is a Sanskrit word that means “life force.” Together, they represent the sweeping of the body's vital “airs,” or energies.
Seva
Soloist: AJ Garcia-Rameau
Music: “Arcoiris,” performed by Poranguí, written by Carvalho McGrew
In Hinduism, the word “seva” means “selfless service,” and it is often associated with karma yoga, or disciplined action, and bhakti yoga, or disciplined devotion.
Saudade
Music: “Om Ahh Hum,” performed & written by Jane Winther
“Saudade” is a Portuguese term that describes a solemn and melancholic feeling of longing. It is a longing for something that does not and probably cannot exist, or something that is gone and may not return (in this case, the Sun, and all that’s associated with it).
Pralaya – The Silence
Soloist: Dorothy O’Shea Overbey
“Pralaya,” in Sanskrit, means "dissolution," or by extension, "reabsorption, destruction, annihilation or death.” All that is, is destroyed during a pralaya, and manifestation returns to the pre-manifested level.
Sisu
Soloist: Dorothy O’Shea Overbey
Music: “Time,” performed by Eiro Nareth, written by Hans Zimmer
“Sisu” is a Finnish concept that describes a stoic resilience, determination, and hardiness that is considered to be necessary to face the difficulties of life in general and of life in harsh conditions in particular. This Finnish term can be roughly translated as “strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity.” Sisu isn’t momentary courage, but the power to sustain that courage to see something through.
Satori Ananda
Soloist: Kanami Nakabayashi
Music: “Perfect Instance,” performed by City of the Sun, written by Avi Snow, John Pita, Zach Para
“Satori” is a Japaese word that means “sudden enlightenment,” and “Ānanda” is a Sanskrit word that means “highest divine bliss.” Together, they represent a sudden enlightenment paired with eternal bliss, which accompanies the ending of the rebirth cycle.
Ikigai
Music: “Máscaras en el Viento,” performed by City of the Sun, written by John Pita, Zach Para
“Ikigai” is a Japanese term that means “your life purpose, a reason for being” or “getting up in the morning.” However, it is not just limited to this, as it can also be something as small as a daily ritual you enjoy.
Manvantara
Music: “Song of the Universe,” performed by Isao Tomita & Kodo, written by Isao Tomita
“Manvantara” is a Sanskrit word for the “Cosmic Day,” which is a cosmic cycle comprising of a cosmic day and a cosmic night. At the beginning of a cosmic day, the creation is manifested. At the end of a cosmic day, a pralaya takes place: the creation is dissolved and a cosmic night begins, to be followed by another cosmic day, Manvantara, and so on.
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Presenting Artists…
Concept & Choreography:
Navaji David Nava
Producers:
AJ Garcia-Rameau, Navaji David Nava
Dancers:
Masters:
Dorothy O'Shea Overbey, AJ Garcia-Rameau, Rachel Cox Culver
Guardians:
Rachael Hanlon, Tikiri Shapiro, Mia Moi, Caroline Jones
Initiates:
Kanami Nakabayashi, Jessica Siclari, Fay Leonard, Veronica Boccardo
Lighting Design:
Kendra Wiley
Costume Seamstress:
Lindsey Gerson
Sound Journey:
Vanush Von Love
Trailer Videographer:
Caleb B. Kuntz
Costume Design:
Navaji David Nava
Set Design & Creation:
Navaji David Nava
TreeFolks
Digital Backdrop:
Navaji David Nava
Music Mixing:
Navaji David Nava
Meet the Artists…
Navaji David Nava
CHOREOGRAPHER, PRODUCER, & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF KOMOREBI
VENTANA BALLET RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER
Navaji David Nava, an accomplished artist, dancer, choreographer, and educator, has been shaping his creative path since 2008. His early career saw him as a professional ballet dancer with the Sarasota Ballet Company. He trained with revered artists like Gilbert Mayer of the Paris Opera Ballet, Stanton Welch of the Houston Ballet, and Desmond Richardson of Complexions. Navaji also held roles as a soloist for the Dominic Walsh Contemporary Company and principal for the Sarasota Contemporary Company.
In 2021, Navaji earned an Art degree from the University of Texas at Austin and currently teaches arts at Highland Park Elementary in Austin ISD. His creative endeavors are deeply connected to his humanitarian work and personal spiritual development, with his art being profoundly influenced by his anthroposophical and esoteric studies.
His latest work, "KOMOREBI," is a testament to his multifaceted talent and ability as a producer, displaying his prowess in set-building, costume design, choreography, and coaching the VENTANA BALLET company members through his unique methodology, ATMA Moves.
Navaji's journey, transitioning from stage to canvas and healing spaces, embodies his resilience, creativity, and relentless pursuit of personal and spiritual growth. For more information about Navaji, his ATMA Moves classes, or future collaboration opportunities, please visit www.Navaji.com or email him at Navaji.info@gmail.com
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AJ Garcia-Rameau
VENTANA BALLET FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
AJ Garcia-Rameau is a professional dancer and choreographer with formal training in classical ballet, contemporary ballet, and modern dance. AJ is the founder and director of Ventana Ballet, a professional contemporary ballet dance company based in Austin, TX whose mission is to bring more performance opportunities to local artists and to provide accessible performance opportunities to the community.
AJ is also a partner-owner of First Street Studio, an accessible performance, rehearsal, and education venue that is home to more than 100 Austin-based performing arts companies and individual professional artists.
AJ was born in Houston, TX where she received her dance training at the Houston Academy of Dance and performed as a soloist with the Exclamation Dance Company. AJ received additional training at the Austin School of Classical Ballet and performed as a company member of the Austin Classical Ballet, a member of the BHumn Dance Company, and a resident artist of Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble. AJ completed additional dance training under scholarship/fellowship with the Alvin Ailey School, under scholarship with Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary, and also Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Northwest Dance Project.
AJ's choreography has been featured at Dallas DanceFest, Austin Dance Festival, Philadelphia’s Come Together Dance Festival, Waco’s 254 Dance Festival, and Houston’s Barnstorm Dance Festival.
AJ earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas with a minor in Dance. She continues her work today in the semiconductor manufacturing industry as a Field Service Engineering Manager for a large tech company in Austin, Texas.
AJ is grateful for the love and support she receives from her community of family, friends, colleagues, and most of all, her loving husband.
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Dorothy Overbey
VENTANA BALLET ARTISTIC ADVISOR
Dorothy O'Shea Overbey's artistic roots were planted early with intensive ballet training at Ballet Austin and classical piano study under a UT Professor. She holds degrees in Dance Performance and Philosophy from Southern Methodist University. Dorothy danced for Colorado Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, David Taylor Dance Theatre, Fugate/Bahiri Ballet New York, and Dances Patrelle in NYC, before she returned to Austin and joined the dance faculty at UT Austin.
As co-owner of First Street Studio, Dorothy is committed to keeping rehearsal and performance space affordable for the Austin arts community. In 2013 she co-founded Austin Community Ballet, a non-hierarchical space for affordable professional ballet training. Dorothy now creates films and immersive experiences through her company Red Nightfall Productions.
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Rachel Cox Culver
VENTANA BALLET FOUNDING MEMBER
Rachel Cox Culver is a dance artist based in Austin, TX. Culver performs with Ventana Ballet, NobleMotion Dance and Sea Legs Dance, along with various freelance projects throughout Texas. Formerly, she danced with Nicolay Dance Works and as an apprentice with Bruce Wood Dance. Culver holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Sam Houston State University. She hails from Elida, NM where she studied classical and contemporary ballet and spent her summers studying with the Kirov Academy of Ballet, among others. When out of the studio, Rachel loves to spend time with her husband Gabriel and her dog, Chief.
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Kanami Nakabayashi
Kanami Nakabayashi, originally from Tokyo, Japan, started dance at the age of three, and her passion for dance led her to train abroad at a ballet school in Canada and at UT Austin. Upon graduation, she freelanced and danced in many projects in Japan for a couple of years. She is excited and grateful to have the opportunity to be back in Austin dancing with Ventana Ballet and other amazing artists in the dance community!
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Rachael Hanlon
VENTANA BALLET FOUNDING MEMBER
Rachael Hanlon is a freelance movement artist in Austin, Texas. She has collaborated in many contemporary dance works in her community over the years and is proud to be a founding artist with Ventana Ballet. A main source of artistic expression is as a dancer and choreographer in Austin based band, Golden Dawn Arkestra.
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Mia Moi
Mia Moi was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where she began her dance journey. She was a Corps member of BalletForte, under Michael Banigan and Dianne Jarrell, and Captain of the Dulles Dolls Dance Team under the direction of Angela Hayes. Since moving to Austin in 2017, she has collaborated with various dance collectives like Ventana Ballet, ARCOS, Articulate Austin, Early Era Collective, Dance Waterloo, and Tapestry. She currently teaches contemporary, jazz, modern, tap, and hip hop at Ballet Austin and ElectrikCity. Mia attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she directed Steel Dance Company and received a B.S. in Communication & Leadership and a B.A. in Psychology.
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Veronica Boccardo
Veronica Boccardo graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.F.A. in Dance Studies with a Certification in Dance Education through the UTeach Dance Program. She has performed choreography by Alvin Rangel, Shen Jun, Charles Anderson, Andrea Beckham, and Mark Morris to name a few. She has attended and trained at summer intensive programs such as Joffrey Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Group, Ballet West, and American Ballet Theatre. Veronica has competed in the Youth American Grand Prix and has professionally performed nutcracker roles like Arabian, Snowflakes, Waltz of the Flowers, and Marzipan. As an educator, she is presently the dance director at Grisham Middle School, a world IB school where she continues to expand her dance curriculum. Currently, she frequently performs works with Ventana Ballet and Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble.
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Caroline Jones
Caroline Jones is a dancer and non-profit professional in Austin, TX. Growing up in Jackson, MS, Caroline trained with the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet and later with the Texas Christian University dance department while receiving her bachelor’s degree. Caroline lived and worked in Kolkata, India as a Fulbright Scholar and received her master’s in Public Affairs from the University of Texas. Caroline is thrilled to perform for the first time with Ventana Ballet!
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Jessica Siclari
Jessica Siclari resides in Austin,TX with her lovely husband Nick. She is a personal trainer, dance teacher, and freelance performer with companies including Ventana Ballet, Sea Legs Dance, & Alt Project. Jessica holds a BFA in Dance and has performed with different companies around the country, Paris, and Ho Chi Minh City. Jessica is thrilled to be a part of this brilliant cast and company!
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Tikiri Shapiro
Tikiri Shapiro landed in Austin, TX a few years ago and has been loving this city's dance scene ever since. While she can't get enough of Ventana Ballet, she also choreographs and performs with her own dance company, Sea Legs Dance, and runs Austin's dance resource page via Instagram: @austindancehub. Currently, she is working on her next big project which can be found at sealegsdance.com
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Fay Leonard
Fay Leonard is a dance artist whose passions have most recently landed her in Austin, TX, where she is, as always, dancing, teaching, and exploring her heart out. At three years old, Fay started dancing, and she simply hasn’t stopped. Born and raised in Tampa, FL, her dance education began both in the imaginary kingdom of beloved mouseling "Angelina Ballerina" and inside the humble studios of Temple Terrace Ballet. She went on to receive her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of South Florida (USF), where she not only had the joy of training under esteemed USF faculty members in Tampa, FL, but also under a diverse body of professional dancers, choreographers, and teachers in Paris, France. In her hometown, Fay had the privilege of performing with Tampa City Ballet and Brandon Ballet, and has also had the joy of dancing with Ventana Ballet, Early Era Collective, Dance Waterloo, and Valetto Dance since her move to Austin. Fay could not be more thrilled to be bringing the world of Komorebi to life, and she hopes that you will choose to immerse yourself into this experience alongside her with joy and abandon.
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Kendra Wiley
KOMOREBI LIGHTING DESIGNER
Kendra Wiley is a non-binary theatre designer, dancer, and choreographer with an M.F.A. in lighting design from the University of Texas at Austin. During the academic year, Kendra teaches theatre technology and design at Concordia University Texas. Notable lighting design credits include the world premiere of the new opera Lardo Weeping (LOLA 2022), In the Ether (ARCOS Dance 2021), 12 Ophelias (UT Austin 2019), and Good Country (UT Austin 2019). For their M.F.A. thesis performance Kendra designed and performed a twenty-minute solo dance while controlling the lights from the stage.
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Lindsey Gerson
KOMOREBI COSTUME SEAMSTRESS
Lindsey Gerson is a performer, choreographer, and seamstress in Austin, Texas. She was born in Germany and grew up in El Paso, Texas. She started her dancing career in classical ballet at 13 and continued for 6 years under the direction of David Alejandro Duran. After graduating high school, she traveled abroad for 7 months in Germany and China. In 2012 she moved to Austin and began choreography and improvisational dance classes with Darla Johnson. During this time, she began sewing and costume making. She received her certificate in American Sign Language Studies 2016. She then received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with an emphasis in Performance and Choreography in May 2018 from Texas State and her Associate of Arts in Dance in August of 2019 from Austin Community College. Lindsey has been teaching Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Jazz, and Improv for 10 years in the greater Austin area, she loves sharing her passion for movement with all ages and preforms intermittently with Blue Lapis Light, and in other various shows. She continues her self-taught work as a seamstress, and started her own business, Yours Truly By Lindsey, in 2018. Lindsey’s darling black cat, Coco, enjoys assisting with all sewing projects. She lives with her husband in South Austin and loves tea time and vintage delights!
Vanush Von Love
KOMOREBI MUSICIAN
Vanush Von Love, a multi-talented yogi, dancer, and musician, has woven a unique tapestry of skills and experiences that make him a captivating performer and healer. Initially drawn to yoga and bodywork following a knee injury, Vanush embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing. He completed his 200-hour yoga teacher training at Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in New York, and honed his skills further under the mentorship of Ali Cramer and Sheri Celentano. Today, he brings his innovative approach of yoga to students in group, corporate, and individual settings across New York City and Austin, Texas.
Vanush's journey of self-discovery extends beyond the yoga mat and massage table, into the mystical realms of sound journeys and Cacao ceremonies. His adventures led him to learn from shamans deep in the Peruvian jungle, where he acquired the skills to create immersive sound journeys using indigenous South American instruments. Now based in Austin, Texas, Vanush shares these transformative experiences with his students, inviting them to embark on their own paths of self-discovery and healing. "Listen to your body," he often reminds his students, "it never lies."
For KOMOREBI, Vanush Von Love takes you on a mesmerizing sound journey prior to the show, immersing you in the enchanting sounds of the forest and offering a rare glimpse into the profound wisdom he’s gleaned from his remarkable journey.
To learn more, or sign up for classes, sound journeys, and special ceremonial events please visit: www.Vanush.com
THANK YOU!
We’d like to extend a huge thanks to the following generous supporters
KOMOREBI SPONSORS
SUN SPONSOR
Anthony Cowan
MOON SPONSOR
Applied Materials
SHAKTI SPONSORS
Lee-Ann Frost
Lucy & Joey Neugart Charitable Giving Fund
Rob and Alese Jones
DONORS
Leo & Esperanza Pena
Nathan
VENTANA BALLET SPONSORS
VENTANA BALLET SEASON SPONSOR
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
VENTANA BALLET FISCAL SPONSOR
The Austin Creative Alliance
IN-KIND SPONSORS
Tito’s Handmade Vodka (Bar Sponsor)
Austin Eastciders (Bar Sponsor)
Nina Bakes Cakes (Opening Night Cookies)
First Street Studio (Rehearsal Venue)
Austin School of Classical Ballet (Performance Marley Dance Floor)
TreeFolks (Live Trees in the Set)
RAFFLE SPONSORS
Michael Smith
Jewelry by Lupita
Ventana Ballet
Black Swan Yoga
TreeFolks
Navaji
Support KOMOREBI & Ventana Ballet
Ventana Ballet’s mission is to create fair-pay opportunities for performing artists and keep guest’s ticket prices as low as we can.
In order to do that, we rely heavily upon the support of our community. If you’re able, please consider a donation.
Tap the button below to make a tax-deductible donation. No amount is too small!
We are grateful to you and all of our supporters!
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS
THANKS TO OUR FAMILY!
Thank you, Lupita & Rolando Nava and Vanush Von Love for your endless support, countless hours of help, and so much more.
THANKS TO OUR CREW & BARTENDERS!
Thank you Priscilla, Ish, Mason, Jake, Cougar, Rachelle, Justin, & Erin! You create the space for us to focus on the art. Thanks for your hospitality to our guests!
THANKS TO OUR LIGHTING DESIGNER!
Thank you, Kendra Wiley! Your expertise and creativity knows no bounds.
THANKS TO KMFA!
Thank you, Stacey, Kenken, and team for your generous hospitality!
THANKS TO TREEFOLKS!
Thank you, Andrew and TreeFolks, for all of beautiful trees to on set of KOMOREBI!
THANKS TO OUR COSTUME SEAMSTRESS!
Thank you, Lindsey Gerson, for bringing to life the fabric of Navaji’s design!
THANKS TO OUR FOG CREATOR!
Thank you, Rachael Hanlon and Heath McMurtry, for creating epic fog for the forest setting of KOMOREBI!
About Ventana Ballet
Ventana Ballet is a professional dance company based in Austin, TX, specializing in contemporary ballet dance performance. The word ventana, meaning window, embodies the company’s organizational mission and vision, seeking to provide artistically relevant, technically proficient, and publicly accessible dance performance and education opportunities to the community. Ventana Ballet’s mission is to inspire, entertain and educate audiences through disciplined and innovative approaches to presenting next-generation choreographic works. More information about Ventana Ballet can be found on the company website at VentanaBallet.com
What’s Next?
UNDEAD
OCTOBER 26-28
NEW VENUE THIS YEAR. NEW SPOOKY SURPRISES.
EARLY BIRD TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY 9/29!
