Guest Artist Bios
For Saturday March 25th A Day of Dance at Washington College College
Val Goncharov – Ballet
Val is a graduate from Kiev Ballet Academy in 1982. Was offered soloist and later principal dancer position with the Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theater, where he worked from 1982 to 1992. In 1987, he received a Bronze medal at the Republican Ballet Competition (Donetsk, Ukraine).He danced professionally in Ukraine, Russia and in the United States. In 1991, he danced at the Nervi International Ballet Festival in Genoa, Italy. In 1992 he moved to the United States. From 1992 to 1999, he was a principal dancer with the Ballet Theater of Pennsylvania and later with the Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware. Val performed principal roles in many classical ballets: Bahchisarai Fountain, Swan Lake, Giselle, Francesca da Rimini, Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Chopiniana (Les Sylphide), The Firebird, Cinderella and many others.
Renee Gerardo – Modern
Renee’s first dances premiered in her living room and since then she moved on to create work that has been shown in Michigan, Colorado, North Carolina, New York and Maryland. She was born in, and grew up on the Missisauga and Anishinabewaki people’s land, also known as Midland, Michigan, creating and performing under the guidance of Linda Z. Smith. She has since worked with many inspirational guides such as Nancy Spanier, Alexandra Beller, Martha Myers, Kathleen Hermesdorf, Kendra Portier, David Dorfman, and Adriane Fang. She also performed in works by David Dorfman Dance, Sean Currán, Dance Exchange, and Monica Bill Barnes. Renee was a principal performer with The Moving Architects, white road/dance media and April Biggs as well as one half of The Achievements with Jenny Pommiss. Eighteen years ago in NYC she formed Renee Gerardo/ Dances, her work being featured at Triskelion Arts (NYC), Brooklyn Arts Exchange, WAX Works (NYC), and Spoke the Hub. She has also shown work at Movement Research/Open Performance and Dance Theater Workshop as part of The Kitchen’s Emerging Artist Program and was chosen to show work as part of the “I Heart Gibney” 25th Anniversary Show at Gibney Dance Center. During her NYC dancing journey, she became involved in triathlon for several years, racing and coaching and competing in Ironman, Half -Ironman, marathons, and the Ironman World Championships. A big believer in the intelligence and wonders of the body, she has been a Pilates teacher for 19 years and a MELT Method Instructor. Renee continues to create work in the DMV area where she now resides after receiving her MFA at UMD. Her recent evening length work, “telepathic maps” was presented in Spring of 2021 at University of Maryland.
Adrienne Kraus Latanishen – Hip Hop
Adrienne is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator from Baltimore, Maryland. She is proud to have graduated with honors from The Community College of Baltimore County with her A.A. in Dance and The University of Maryland where she also graduated with honors with her B.A. in Dance. She dances professionally for Trajectory Dance Project, Molly Jean Kirkup Heer, and independently for herself. Previously, she also danced for BlueShift Dance (principal dancer), The Collective (dancer, choreographer, educator), B3W of New York City, Andary Dance (soloist, principal dancer), and withhart.dance.projects (founding member, assistant director, soloist, principal dancer). She’s been cast in two music videos by local artists, one of which she also choreographed, as well as a commercial for MAEV dog food. Adrienne was Director of Dance at St. Timothy’s School, a private and boarding school for girls and she choreographed as Artist in Residence at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts for numerous years. Each semester she is excited to choreograph for the CCBC Dance Company. In all, she has been teaching for 20 years at rec councils, studios, public and private schools, colleges, and other organizations. Recently, Adrienne choreographed for The Salem Players Theatre Company, Northeast High School, and Baltimore Composers Forum for several performances. In addition, she is honored to serve Baltimore County as a member on the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences.
Peter Pucci – Pilobolus/Partnering
Peter was born and raised in Baltimore. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA. For nine years he was a member of Pilobolus Dance Theatre, where he served as principal dancer, co-choreographer, and rehearsal director. While with Pilobolus, Peter toured and taught worldwide, made several film and television appearances, performed on Broadway, collaborated on many Pilobolus pieces, and presented his own works on Pilobolus programs.
Pucci created a NEA funded production of Migration, a group work for 50 dancers to the music of Dawn of Midi. The world premiere of Migration was performed in the 34,000 square-foot Wellness Athletic Center at the Community College of Baltimore County. Peter recently created Somebody to Love, a new ballet for the New Mexico Ballet Company. He has also choreographed a new commission, Waiting for Rain for the University of Richmond’s Theatre & Dance Department’s University Dancers Fete Du Ballet a new ballet for the Texas Christian University’s School of Classical & Contemporary Dance. Other commissions include the world premiere of Dream On By with music by Paul Simon for the State Street Ballet in California and ballets for Dance Theater of Harlem and the Joffrey Ballet Ensemble in New York City.
Pucci has taught extensively for all levels of dancers and actors; high school to college to professionals, including teaching at Manhattanville College for nine years as an Artist-In Residence, at The Juilliard School of Drama as a guest artist for seven years, at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Pucci has also been a Guest Moderator and Programmer for the Dance on Film Series at Jacob Burns Film Center since 2010.
Pucci has also directed and choreographed for his own company. Peter Pucci Plus had its Broadway premiere at The New Victory Theater. Pucci has also choreographed over 50 repertory works for Peter Pucci Plus including the world premiere of PUCCI:SPORT a sports-based evening of dance.
Pucci was a Drama Desk Award Nominee for Outstanding Choreography and a Lucille Lortel Awardee for Outstanding Choreographer for his work on Queens Boulevard. Pucci also received a Drama Desk Award for his work on The Orphans’ Home Cycle. He is also the Visiting Guest Artist in Residence at CCBC Essex campus. Peter is the Executive Director of the Carole Cascio Fund For Mind Movement Dance Connections.
