| Lauren Jonas, co-founder and Artistic Director of Diablo Ballet, trained at the Marin Ballet under Maria Vegh and Margaret Swarthout, and then studied under Sally Streets. She performed with the Milwaukee Ballet, the Oakland Ballet and the Southwest Ballet, dancing a wide range of repertoire. She toured the United States with the Moscow Ballet directed by Bolshoi Ballet's Vaslav Gordeyev, represented the United States at Expo '86 in Vancouver, Canada, and danced in a PBS film documentary about Isadora Duncan. Since Diablo Ballet's premiere on March 10, 1994, Ms. Jonas has recruited dancers from around the world to present the finest in contemporary and classical ballets. A firm believer in the need to stimulate the cultural development of future generations, Ms. Jonas has also sought to provide programs and performances designed specifically for children through the Ballet’s Dance PEEK Program, which she co-created. She has guest taught for various schools and colleges throughout California and nationally. Ms. Jonas was honored with the 1998 Contra Costa County Woman of Achievement Award for the Arts and the 2000 Arts and Culture Commission Award of Contra Costa County. In 2005, she was a National Philanthropy Day honoree. She was named “Who’s Who” in the 21st Century Awards Program. She has served as an advisory board member on several non-profit boards and on Scholarship and Dance Festival Committees. Ms. Jonas and Diablo Ballet are committed to satisfying audiences' interest and passion for the performing arts. |
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