Trained in classical dance by San Francisco Ballet and Kirov Academy of Ballet, Washington, DC, Sherene Melania performed principal youth roles with both San Francisco Ballet and Kirov Ballet (on its US national tour), and at 16, participated in the Prix de Lausanne international dance competition, one of twelve to represent the USA. Concurrently, she studied character and international folk dance in the style of Igor Moiseyev. After spending two years in Russia as the student of Kirov Ballet Mistress, Gabriella Komleva, Sherene performed as a guest artist with ballet and folk companies in Russia, France, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, and Switzerland.
Sherene recently performed with Les Ballets Persans in Stockholm and London; Iranian New Year's, New York City; and Magic of Persia, London. This year, she performs in Robert de Warren's "Celebration in London," Ahmet Luleci's "Collage" in Boston and Montreal at the Salle Pierre-Mercure Centre Pierre-Peladeau, "Near Eastern Summer Arts Festival" at the Gallo Center for the Performing Arts, and in the South of France.
Sherene Melania is Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer of Presidio Dance Theatre & Academy, the only performing arts facility based in a National Park, except for Wolf Trap in Virginia. She holds a B.A. in Performing Arts and Social Justice and University of San Francisco's Dean Medal for Excellence in the Arts; a Certificate for Ballet Direction Specialty and Choreography from the prestigious Saint Petersburg State Conservatory, Russia; and was selected by Mayor Gavin Newsom to serve on the San Francisco Arts Commission, representing the field of dance since 2007.
Sherene is a member of the SF Community Arts, Education, and Cultural Equity Committee, SF Arts Providers Alliance, California Arts Advocates, and International Dance Council UNESCO. She designed and directs DANCE OUT! Presidio Performing Arts Foundation's free citywide education program offered in the public schools, funded by the California Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts, which was nominated by the Presidio Trust to receive the President's Commission for Arts & Humanities, Coming Up Taller Award.
As a Choreographer, she has set pieces for dance companies at home and abroad, and presented for the United Nations, International Red Cross, and PBS. She annually presents Winter and Spring Seasons for Presidio Dance Theatre. 2008 live audiences exceeded 40,000 at major venues and festivals including the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, Marin Center, Palace of Fine Arts, Herbst Theater, Davies Symphony Hall, SF City Hall; Saint Petersburg's famed White Nights Festival at the Catherine Palace; and the 300th Anniversary of Tsarskoye Selo International Festival. Her work has been recognized by the press nationally in Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher, and internationally broadcast. In 2008, Sherene received a national award from Nickelodeon Television for "Best Artsy Program" in the SF Bay Area.
Sherene Melania uses her passion for dance to encourage not only an appreciation for the arts and artistic excellence, but also the value of developing "complete artists" who utilize academic and dance education, as a tool for promoting cultural awareness and understanding, leading to a deep compassion for humanity.
PRESIDIO DANCE THEATRE
PERFORMANCES:
Presidio Dance Theatre was awarded the distinction to perform in the OPENING WEEKEND of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival this June. In 2008, the live audiences of Presidio Dance Theatre exceeded 40,000! 10,000 were underserved children offered free performances at: SF War Memorial Opera House (6000); Youth in Arts at the Marin Center (4000); and SF Symphony's Deck the Halls (2000) at the Davies Symphony Hall. 20,000 were international tourists and Russians at the White Nights Festival of Saint Petersburg; and 10,000 were SF Bay Area residents at our self-produced performances at the Palace of Fine Arts, Herbst Theater, and around California.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH:
Presidio Dance Theatre Academy offers 27 classes/rehearsals per week with 320 attending. 12 performing artists and international ensembles/choreographers utilize the facility in the evenings/weekends in co-production with Presidio Dance Theatre. PPAF's Choreographer's International Dance Workshops are offered to the public quarterly. PPAF's DANCE OUT! outreach (11th year) offers free dance classes to SFUSD students at their schools, based in Sunset, Richmond, and Panhandle consortiums. Annually, 150 students participate in this program and the most promising are identified and recruited under scholarship to the Presidio Dance Theatre Academy.
