DANCE INTENSIVE
October 9~13th, 2023
Want to take your dancing to the next level by learning from the best?
Don't miss this rare opportunity to work with:
Ballet Theatre International,
Ballare Carmel, & Guests
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FACULTY:
XAVIER FERLA (Winner of Prix de Lausanne, Deutsche Oper Berlin, The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Bejart Ballet, & Lines Ballet)
MAGDALENE PARUNGAO-FERLA (San Francisco Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, & Bejart Ballet)
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THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER
FOR THE FOLLOWING:
Intermediate Ballet, Pointe Technique, & Sleeping Beauty Variations
from 1~3:45 PM
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​STUDIO SHOWING on OCTOBER 13th at 4:00 pm
Variations & Repertory will be shared with friends & family
plus Q & A with the Guest Artists
NEW LOCATION!
DANCE at Hidden Valley
located at Hidden Valley Music Seminars
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MEET THE FACULTY:
Magdalene Parungao-Ferla
It is not by chance that Magdalene was given numerous commendations from the City of San Jose and the City of Milpitas nor is it a ploy for her to have received trustworthy accolades from distinguished dance professionals and families during her 27 years at Dance Theatre International, now evolved to Ballet Théâtre International.
Magdalene believes that students and educators should begin with the authentic intent to work together to achieve each student’s personal goals in dance. Each student is important. Great results stem from a teacher’s love for people, high-level professional experience, and respect for ballet as an artform.
Magdalene is grateful to have the opportunity to share her passion for dance with many families and communities by giving freely of her time volunteering. In the spirit of giving, she offered outreach performances for the Bill Wilson Center, Children’s Discovery Museum, Children’s Shelter Association of Santa Clara County, EMQ Children & Family Services, Friends for Youth, Girl Scouts, Sacred Heart Community Service, School of Arts and Culture at MHP, Silver Oak Educational Partnership, and The Villages, to name a few.
Magdalene brings over 40 years of experience in dance and theatre performance. She was a professional ballerina with San Francisco Ballet, Bejart Ballet in Switzerland and the Hamburg Ballet in Germany performing soloist, principal, and corps de ballet roles in a wide variety of Classical Ballet, Contemporary and Modern dance.
During her professional career, she performed at the Paris Opera, John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D. C., Herodes Atticus Amphitheater in Athens, Spoleto Festival in Italy, Olympics 1984, Salzburg’s Mozart Festival and San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, to name a few.
As a dancer, she worked with acclaimed choreographers such as Maurice Bejart, John Neumeier, Helgi Tomasson, William Forsythe, David Bintley, Mats Ek, Lars Lubovitch, Val Caniparoli, james Kadelka and Elisa Monte performing in world premiere pieces.
She produced and choreographed in multi-disciplinary contemporary dance works to Classical Ballet and film. Some of her pieces include “Sleeping Beauty”, “Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “Les Sylphides”, “A Carnival of Animals”, “The Nutcracker” and “Alice in Wonderland”.
Magdalene is the private movement and ballet coach of Olympic and World Competition ice skater, Polina Edmunds. She mentored, trained, and coached students who have become dancers with San Francisco Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oakland Ballet Company and the Julliard School. Her students have also received notable judge’s awards at various competitions such as YAGP.
She hosted Ballet Philippines during their US tour and gave company and school classes while visiting her homeland.
She founded Dance Theatre International in 1994, now evolved to Ballet Théâtre International and co- founded San Jose Youth Ballet, a non-profit company in 2003.
“Leading by Example: Extraordinary Women of the South Bay”
Gentry Magazine
Testimonials
Xavier Ferla
Xavier Ferla, born in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland, embarked on his ballet journey at the young age of four under the tutelage of Willy Flay at the Geneva Conservatory of Dance and Music. At twelve, he earned a full two-year scholarship to study under renowned French dancer Serge Golovine. Later, he received a three-year full scholarship from the Migros Foundation to complete his education at the John Neumeier Hamburg Ballet School under the guidance of Truman Finney. In 1985, Xavier was awarded the prestigious Prix de Lausanne. The first Prix final held in New York saw him receiving a scholarship from Rolex, choosing to remain in Hamburg to conclude his studies with Truman and other esteemed professors at Hamburg Ballet.
In 1986, as an apprentice, Xavier joined Les Ballets Du XXème Siècle under the direction of French choreographer Maurice Béjart. Within a year, he assumed soloist and principal roles and was promoted to principal dancer in 1987 when the company became the Béjart Ballet Lausanne. During his five-year collaboration with Maurice, Xavier showcased his talent in 29 ballets, half of which were new creations.
In 1991, Xavier continued his career as a principal dancer at the Deutsche Oper Berlin under director Peter Schaufuss. In Berlin, he performed classical repertoire, including iconic roles like James in La Sylphide, The Nutcracker, and Agon by George Balanchine. His time at DOB also offered him the privilege of working with renowned choreographers such as John Neumeier, Christopher Bruce, and Karol Armitage, among others.
In 1993, Xavier was invited with Stephanie Arnt to perform "I Got Rhythm" by John Neumeier at the 20-year anniversary gala of Prix de Lausanne. He returned to the Béjart Ballet Lausanne from 1994 to 1995.
From 1995 to 1996, Xavier worked as a freelance artist, creating original works with companies like Skanes Dansteater Malmo Sweden, Ballet Art Bern, and Frankfurt Ballet’s Pascal Touzeau. He also began teaching classes in most of the companies he collaborated with.
In 1996, Xavier joined The Royal New Zealand Ballet as a principal dancer under the direction of Matz Skoog. During his time there, he participated in the creation of three new ballets for the RNZB's repertoire.
In 1997, Xavier moved to Holstebro, Denmark, with his former director Peter Schaufuss to develop a new Tchaikovsky trilogy: Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake.
By the end of 1997, Xavier relocated to San Jose, California, where he married his wife Magdalene Parungao and collaborated with choreographer Alonzo King for seven years, resulting in numerous original pieces. Xavier also made guest appearances in several galas and companies during this period.
In 2000, Xavier returned to the Prix De Lausanne, this time as a jury member. In 2001, he received a nomination for the Isadora Duncan Dance Awards.
Since his retirement from performing in 2005 due to a back injury, Xavier has dedicated himself to teaching as a full-time Maitre de Ballet at his studio, Dance Theatre International (now Ballet Théâtre International), founded by his wife Maggie Parungao-Ferla. They also run the nonprofit San Jose Youth Ballet, aimed at helping aspiring dancers pursue professional careers.
Xavier's passion for teaching extends beyond his studio, as he imparts his knowledge to dance companies worldwide, including the Royal Swedish Ballet, Tokyo Ballet, Lines Ballet, and Semperoper Dresden. He has former students dancing in prestigious companies globally.
In addition to his role as Ballet Théâtre International’s Principal Ballet teacher, Xavier is a freelance teacher invited to instruct professional dance companies internationally, such as the Dresden Ballet in Germany, the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm, and the Tokyo Ballet with the Sylvie Guillem Tour. He has also served as an official judge for the Prix de Lausanne world ballet competitions.
TESTIMONIALS
from BALLET THEATRE INTERNATIONAL
& CARMEL DANCE FESTIVAL STUDENTS
“Having trained at Dance Theatre International from age 4 to 17, I certainly credit Maggie and Xavier for helping me lay a solid foundation to pursue my dancing dreams. Their sense of professionalism, present in daily classes and invaluable performance experiences, has served me well throughout my pursuit of, and success in, my professional ballet career. Thanks for helping me get my start!” -Kristina Lind, Principal dancer Bayerische Staatsballet
Kristina Lind
Principal Dancer, Bayerische Staatsballet
"Carmel Dance Festival's community was much more supportive and warm than others. I felt that I could walk into the space feeling accepted, acknowledged, and wanting to do the same for everyone else. Removing electronics from the space was a definite catalyst for all the genuine connections we were all able to make." ~ Cardin Chung, Dance Major at USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance
Cardin Chung
USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance
"This was different from other intensives that I've been to because there was such an emphasis on community that was a breath of fresh air. I was also able to step out of my comfort zone and make major artistic breakthroughs in only a week. It was also more challenging in ways that I wasn't expecting, but I learned so much about myself that I couldn't have learned anywhere else." ~ Gabija Vabalaite, Dance Major at UCI
Gabija Vabalaite
University of California at Irvine
"This week was rejuvenating and inspiring. It was refreshing to take a break from my regular dance community and create a new one with other artists. I imagine I will still be processing experiences and new thoughts from this week for quite a while and I will definitely be taking things I learned about myself and dance into my dance community at home."
~ Katie Marshall, 2023 Carmel Dance Festival Dance Fellow