DANCE COMPANY

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Company Dancer

Born in Ecuador, Luis began his Spanish dance training in 2004 as part of the Ensemble’s Youth Company, under the direction of Dame Libby Komaiko and Sara Samuels.

He became an understudy, and an apprentice to the Ensemble in 2013. He has studied with Irma Suarez Ruiz, Jorge Perez, Jose Torres, Juan Mata, Ana Gonzalez, Timo Lozano, and Paloma and Raquel Gomez. Luis has also studied ballet and modern with Venetia Stifler, Rachael Burton and Jamie Ferrel at Northeastern Illinois University, and was a recipient of the Brommel-Perez Scholarship.

In 2012, he traveled to Madrid, Spain with the Ensemble’s Youth Company to study at the Botica del Arte Dance Studio with Carmela Greco, Maria Torres and Paloma Gomez.

Luis performs nationally and internationally with the Ensemble performing works choreographed by Raquel Gomez, Irma Suarez Ruiz, Carlos Rodriguez, Angel Rojas, Juan Mata, Ana Gonzalez and Ron de Jesus.

Company Dancer

Juan Carlos Castellon is originally from El Salvador, and studied modern, Latin, African, capoeira and ballet with Valerie Alpert and Vaune C. Blalock.

He began his formal Spanish dance training as an apprentice with the Ensemble in 2005, and was promoted to Company Dancer in 2006.

Juan Carlos performs nationally and internationally with the Ensemble, and represented Northeastern Illinois University in the American College Dance Festival in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, he performed Aludir a lo Que Fue, a choreography with fellow Company Dancer Leticia Aravena, at the Jacob’s Pillow’s Dance Festival’s Inside/Out dance series.

He danced a principal role in Ron de Jesus’ Mil Clavos in 2014 and was showcased in Cicatrices, a contemporary modern and flamenco duet, choreographed by Dereque Whiturs.

Juan Carlos is a graduate of NEIU with a major in Communications, and a minor in Dance.

Company Dancer

Samantha is from Arlington Heights, IL. She began ballet classes at the age of two and displayed an early passion for all forms of dance. At seven, she began taking flamenco classes with Margie Dziadzka; a former student of Dame Libby Komaiko.

In 2013 at the age of eleven, Micklewright was awarded a full scholarship with the Ensemble Español Youth Company and began her formal Spanish dance training under the direction of Sara Samuels. During her four year tenure with the Youth Company, Micklewright studied with Julia Hinojosa, Jose Torres, Claudia Pizarro, Leticia Aravena, and many artists from Spain including Carmela Greco, Paloma and Raquel Gomez, and Carlos Rodriguez.

She has studied ballet with Anna Czajun, Taryn Fates, and at Ruth Page with Patti Klekovic. Micklewright has also studied in Madrid at Amor de Dios and the Conservatory of Professional Dance Carmen Amaya.

Micklewright is home schooled and attends part time classes at Buffalo Grove High
School where she is a sophomore studying Art.

Company Dancer

A native Chicagoan of Puerto Rican heritage and a true admirer of the Performing Arts since a little girl, Nalanie was introduced and in awe of Spanish dance at the age of 18.

Irma Suárez Ruiz and Leticia Aravena provided her with her first experience of Spanish dance through After School Matters.

In 2011, she auditioned for the Ensemble Español Youth Company, where she began her formal training with Julia Hinojosa and Sara Samuels. From 2011 to present day, she has studied with various acclaimed Spanish Dance Artists such as Dame Libby Komaiko, Carmela Greco, Jose Torres, Claudia Pizarro, Jose Barrios, Nino de los Reyes, Carlos Rodriguez, Paloma and Raquel Gomez, La Lupi, Jose Moreno, Wendy Clinard and Isaac Tovar. Nalanie has also trained in ballet under Anna Czajun and Kara Zimmerman. Her tenure as a Company apprentice began in January 2017 and ended in January 2020 with her promotion as a Company dancer.

Nalanie has had many highlighted performances and works that have included lead roles in Irma Suarez Ruiz’s Rendición, Carlos Rodriquez’s and Angel Rojas Dualia, and Isaac Tovar’s Amangue. Additionally, her solo and duet works include Carlos Rodriguez’s Vinculo from his favored Spanish dance suite Amor Eterno’s Picasso, as well as his Flamenco piece Mis Caminos restaged and inspired by La Lupi. In April 2022, she performed with the Vatican Choir alongside Luis Beltran in the Neoclassical style from the well known opera “Carmen'' La Habanera which was choreographed by Antonio Gades and restaged by herself and Mr. Beltran. In September 2022, she embraced the Auditorium Theatre’s stage with a Flamenco choreography in the style of Alegrias with acclaimed musicians Curro de Maria, Jose Moreno, Javier Saume and Paco Fonta.

When she is not rehearsing, performing or touring with the company, she is teaching and building curriculum for various dance programs that the Ensemble has to offer all over the city of Chicago for youth 4-18 years old. These programs include After School Matters Spanish Dance Experience and Flamenco Dance and Art, United Rhythms project with Muntu Dance Theatre, Bailamos Residencies, and Dual Enrollment under Northeastern Illinois University with Chicago Public Schools. In addition to teaching, Nalanie enjoys learning other forms of dance. She attends classes at Vicercal, Stiletto dance studios, and Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center in Chicago. She also holds enthusiasm for performing Tablao performances at different venues and Spanish restaurants in the city of Chicago. Finally, Nalanie holds a Masters Degree in Arts Management and Business from Columbia College Chicago.

Company Dancer

Born in Chicago and of Ecuadorian and Mexican descent, she began dancing flamenco at the age of 5 at Inter American Magnet school’s after school program. At the age of 8 Abigail continued her flamenco studies at Christine Belpedio’s School of Dance under the direction of Julia Hinojosa, and Abigail Ventura.

In 2017, she began her formal training with the Ensemble Español Youth Company under the direction of Julia Hinojosa, Jose Torres, Monica Saucedo, and Crystal Ruiz. She has also been able to train with renowned Spanish dance artists like Paloma Gomez, Carmela Greco, and Jose Barrios.

In 2018, Abigail was nominated and awarded the Rising Star Honor Roll for dance by the City of Chicago. In that same year, Abigail was also awarded the Ballet Hispanico Nuestro Futuro Scholarship and was able to train in New York with Jose Moreno, Nélida Tirado, and Alfonso Cid.

Company Dancer

Jonathan Pacheco is currently a company dancer with the Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater Company (EE) in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago (NEIU). Jonathan was born and raised in Chicago and is of Puerto Rican heritage. He began his Spanish dance studies (Flamenco, classical, folkloric, Escuela Bolera, in the contemporary and traditional styles) in 2013 while attending NEIU with instructor and artistic director of the EE, Irma Suarez Ruiz. In 2015, Jonathan formally became an apprentice to the EE and was promoted to Company Dancer in 2017. 

Since then he has studied with numerous esteemed artists including flamenco masters, Wendy Clinard, Jose Barrios, Jose Moreno, La Lupi, and former Principal’s to the National Ballet of Spain, Paloma and Raquel Gomez. He has trained in ballet with Anna Czajun and Laura Wade. In 2017, he began training at the Lou Conte Dance Studio at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, being awarded a scholarship by studio director Claire Bataille. There he studied Ballet with Patti Eylar and Vanessa Valecillos; Jazz with Joshua Blake Carter, Jessica Wolfrum Raun; Contemporary with Ethan Kirschbaum and Musical Theater with Tammy Mader. 

Jonathan performs with the EE throughout the nation, including the company's premier 2016 tour to Spain. He was featured in a lead role in Carlos Rodriguez’ La Piel Desnuda Spanish classical ballet, which premiered in 2019. Other roles include Irma Ruiz’s critically acclaimed, Pasion Oculta; Angel Roja’s Defalla, Out of the Box by Manuel DeFalla; and Dame Libby Komaiko’s iconic Danza del Fuego by Ruiz de Luna and Ravel’s Bolero. Most recently Jonathan performed with the Detroit Opera, April 2023, in Osvaldo Golijov’s production of Ainadamar, Fountain of Tears, homage to poet, Federico Garcia Lorca. The production, directed by Deborah Colker, was choreographed by former artistic director of the National Ballet of Spain, Antonio Najarro, receiving rave reviews. 

Jonathan has graced many stages including the historic Auditorium Theatre, North Shore Performing Arts, Pritzker Pavilion Stage , Symphony Space with  Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Touhill Center for the Arts in St. Louis, Shea Auditorium in New Jersey, Joyce Theater and Alvin Ailey Center in Manhattan to name a few. Jonathan graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern Illinois University in 2017. 

Company Dancer / Arts Education and Outreach Director

Irene Sivianes Fernández was born and raised in Seville, Spain. She started dancing ballet and flamenco at the age of seven at the Conservatorio Profesional de Danza de Sevilla. 

At the age of ten, she first performed as a youth dancer with the Munich Opera Ballet, at Maestranza Theater. 

Throughout her career, Irene has studied under many famed dancers including Matilde Coral, Milagros Menjíbar, Rocio Coral, Juan Manuel Fernández Montoya “Farruquito”, Rafael Campallo and Luisa Palicio. She has performed internationally with companies including Ballet de Cámara de Madrid, the Romero Group in New York and, the Flamenco and Punto Festival in Peru, and Teatro Sea Sueño in NY, DC and Puerto Rico. 

She graduated with a degree in Ballet Pedagogy from IUD Alicia Alonso, and earned her Master in Cultural Project Management at Rey Juan Carlos University in 2012, Madrid. In 2015, she moved to NY to study at Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance.

Company Dancer

A Chicagoan since birth, Katrina “Katie” Bartels has been dancing since she was a toddler. She began ballet from 2-6 years of age with Chicago Ballet Arts. She was a delightful addition to “May I Have This Dance?” during middle school at St. Matthias. Katie quit Girl Scouts and began dancing flamenco at age 11 with the Ensemble Español community workshop classes, (with the help of her big brother, Teo, who danced with the youth company for four years). 

In 2012, she saw “Bolero” performed at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts and the purpose of her life was forever altered by that magical experience. The next year, she was accepted into the junior division of the Ensemble Español Youth Company, which was taught by Sara Samuels (and later by Crystal Ruiz and Monica Saucedo). 

Katie was in the junior division for three and a half years before she made it to the senior division of the youth company, under the guidance of Julia Hinojosa and Jose Torres. Katie danced with the España Club (founded by Jose Torres) until her graduation from Lane Tech in 2019. She performed with the senior division for four and a half years. During this time, she also participated in the After School Matters Spanish dance experience for four Summers before her promotion to apprentice with the Ensemble Español in the Fall of 2021. 

During this time, Katie is honored to have worked with the Founder of Ensemble Español, Dame Libby Komaiko, as well as such prestigious dancers as José Barrios, Carmela Greco, Paloma Gomez, Claudia Pizarro-Saume and Carlos Rodríguez.

Company Dancer

Catherine began her dance training at 4 years old and studied acrobatics, tap, and jazz. She started her flamenco training in the After School Matters program at Ensemble Español in 2012. She became a member of Ensemble Español’s Youth Company in 2013. She is currently an apprentice dancer. 

Catherine Beza is a bilingual second grade teacher on the northwest side of Chicago. She loves to merge her two passions: teaching and dance. 

Guest Dancer

Nestor is from Jalisco, Mexico. He began dancing Mexican folklore at age 12, under the direction of Josefa Castañeda.

In high school, he danced with Jose Luis Ovalle’s Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago, and began his formal Spanish dance training, in 2000, with the Ensemble’s Youth Company.

In 2009, Nestor performed with the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company in Las Vegas for the Latin Grammy’s with singer Juan Gabriel, and in Ireland for the Festival of World Cultures.

He travels internationally and nationally with the Ensemble and represented the company in Lane Alexander’s collaborative work In The Meantime, which was performed at the Chicago Dancing Festival in 2015.

He is a vice principal math at Mirta Ramirez High School in Chicago, and received a bachelor’s degree in Math with a minor in Economics from Northeastern Illinois University. He received his M.A. in Education from Chicago State University.

Nestor has taught Mexican folkloric dance to students and parents at the Rosario Castellano School in Little Village.

Guest Dancer

Named “The Swiss Army knife of Chicago Dance” by Dance Magazine, Martin graduated from University of Wisconsin Stevens Point earning his BFA with additional summer training dance programs from Luna Negra Dance Theater, Thodos Dance Chicago and Giordano Dance Chicago where for over 9 years as a company member Martin performed  and toured nationally. 

After concert dancing, another passion of Martin is musical theater. Martin recently appeared in Lyric’s Opera of Chicago West Side Story among other musical theater productions such as Saturday Night Fever, Newsies, Cabaret, Mary Poppins, and most recently Evita. Martin is also keeping busy working in the fitness industry with a number of certifications