Elsa Pardo Dance Center

Faculty

Elsa Pardo- Artistic Director - E-Mail

It is against a backdrop of rich cultural history that Elsa Pardo has set her artistic vision for her dancers. She started her dance career at the age of five in Havana, Cuba under the direction of Sylvia Goudie. She continued her studies and advanced training at “Pro Arte School of Ballet.” Upon arriving in the United States with her husband Rolando Pardo, Elsa furthered her dance studies in New York City. During the summers of 1975, 1976, 1979, and 1980, Elsa was with Dance Educators of America and American Ballet Theatre. From 1975 to 1979 Elsa studied at the University of South Florida with Michelle Starbuck and Richard Sais. In 1992 she attended a seminar at the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England.

Elsa has been recognized in the community for her contributions to the American Cancer Society, Policeman benevolent Association, Krewe of the Knights of Sant’Yago, Cuban Civic Club, Ballet Folklorico of Ybor and the Latin Chamber of Commerce. She is an active member and past president of “Club 15” a charity organization that helps the needy in the Bay area. In 1988, Elsa was recipient of the distinguished “Women of the Arts” award from Club 15 and the Latin Chamber of Commerce and in 1996 and 1997 she was again recognized by the Tampa Hispanic Heritage Group and the YMCA with the Women of the Arts Award.

Elsa’s passion for the art form and teaching is the sharing of the gift and legacy of ballet and dance. It is fun rewarding, exciting and challenging as Elsa and her faculty work to develop the talents and potential of young dancers. “Beauty and precision in dance do not come easily or quickly.”

At Elsa Pardo Dance Center we strengthen our students in spirit as well as their bodies. In class they learn the rewards of hard work,” says Elsa. The goal of Elsa Pardo Dance Center is to teach the whole child, incorporating values, ethics and dance immersion in a welcoming, family environment. Young students are mentored and nurtured by the young adult dancers. Such caring and encouragement serves to form a unique environment, a dance studio where every dancer finds a second home.
A gift for teaching and choreographing, a dynamic vision and a heart for her students are what drive Elsa’s uncompromising commitment to the art of dance. Elsa Pardo has designed a curriculum that develops strong classical technique, coordination, musicality, dedication, commitment to the art and above all a joy of dancing.

The program is designed to take students from their very first step through a comprehensive curriculum of classical ballet and other forms of dance including technical jazz, hip hop, tap, musical theatre and acrobatics. At the Elsa Pardo Dance Center students develop and gain immeasurably from Elsa and her faculty, a team whose high energy and devotion makes being around them and learning from them exciting and special. Elsa Pardo’s dancers carry with them self discipline, poise, grace, self-confidence and an awareness of the strengths and beauty within themselves awakened through the art of dance.

Janet Claire Bombard

2007 Top 20 Finalists
"SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE"

Janet Claire Bombard has been teaching and choreographing with Elsa since the age of 16. She has experience teaching children and adults beginning with the age of 3. Janet has also choreographed and assisted in choreography with productions such as “Hands Across America,” “Chicago,” “Latin Production,” “Sangre Caliente,” “Lion King,” “Hercules,” “Livin' La Vida Loca,” “Trust,” and “Heaven.” During her early pre- teen years Janet Claire had the opportunity to study and attend classes at Joffery School of the Arts in New York City, and Steps on Broadway with renown teachers and artists.

Janet Claire has been recognized with solo awards such as “Miss Petite Dance of Central Florida” at the age of 8, 3rd runner up at Dance Masters “Petite Miss” at the age of 11, 1st runner up at Dance Master’s “Teen Miss” at age 13, 1st place New York Nationals Dance Masters at age 14, 1st place with an overall score at Showstoppers at age 17 and 1st place at Headliners at age 22.

After graduating high school, Janet Claire moved on to further her dancing career with the dance program at Florida State University. She studied under the direction of Richard Sias, Sheila Humphreys, Anthony Morgan, Patty Phillips, and Anjali Austin learning the arts of ballet, contemporary dance and Pilates. In 2000 Janet Claire joined the dance team “FSU Golden Girls” where she performed and assisted in choreography for FSU athletics. During her stay at Florida State University

Janet Claire also choreographed winning routines for Alpha Delta Pi’s Line dance and Tiger Toss. After graduating from Florida State University, Janet Claire has continued her love of dance back in Tampa, FL. She is continuously improving her skills and technique by attending various dance competitions and National Conventions such as Dance Masters, Tremain, LA Underground, Showtime, Showstoppers, and Headliners. In 2004, Janet Claire was chosen to be a back up dancer for the pop artist known as “Willa Ford,” performing at Guavaween and Hard Rock Live Orlando.

Maria Juan

Maria Juan has been a teacher at the Elsa Pardo Dance Center for the past four years. She has been a student of Elsa’s and her faculty for over ten years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Studies and a minor in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida. In addition to her activities at the studio, Maria has participated in numerous dance performances for the College of Theatre and Dance at USF. She was also a member of USF’s SunDolls Dance Team where she was co-captain and co-choreographer. At USF, Maria studied under and has worked with Albena Arnaudova, Danny Buraczeski, Michael Foley, John Parks, Darla Stanley, Jeanne Travers, Sandra Robinson and Lynn Wimmer. Maria continuously attends annual workshops and conventions including the American College Dance Festival, Florida Dance Festival, Collective Soles Workshop and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company Summer Intensive in New York in addition to the conventions she attends with the Elsa Pardo Dance Center. She also makes regular trips to New York City where she attends classes at the Broadway Dance Center, PeriDance Center and Dance New Amsterdam. Maria can be seen currently performing with the Moving Current Dance Collective, Maria Capitano’s Belladanza among others. Maria’s dedication to the field of dance brings new light to the EPDC.

Amanda Richards

Amanda Richards began her career at the Elsa Pardo Dance Center. She continued her training at Howard W. Blake School of the Performing Arts where she received her master certification in the field of Dance Studies. Amanda has also worked with world renowned teachers such as Luigi Faustino, Mia Micheals, Dana Micheals Baba Ishangi and the Ishangi Family dancers, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Parsons Modern Dance Company, Moving Current Modern Dance Company, Manhattan Dance Project, Ray Leeper, Rhee Gold, John Parks, Leslie Brown, Daria Melendez, the off touring casts of Rent, Showboat, Chicago, and Riverdance, along with many more. Amanda has enjoyed performing at various venues throughout Tampa Bay including but not limited to University of South Florida’s Arts Day, University of South Florida Sundolls, Eddie Awards, Club 15’s Annual Black and White Gala, Footloose Promotional Tour, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Caribbean Cruise Lines, Super Bowl Pre Game and Half-Time Shows. Amanda has also won many awards performing in various competitions throughout Florida with the Elsa Pardo Dance Center.

She began teaching at the Elsa Pardo Dance Center and has worked with many students over the years. She enjoys teaching and plans to continue her dancing and teaching career. Her extensive training has enabled her to teach her pupils to quickly master and refine routines. Amanda’s choreography for competitive routines has won overall-competition awards as well as national titles for UDA and NDA. Amanda continues to increase her knowledge of the arts by attending master classes and conventions regularly.

Olguita Benitez

Olguita Benitez has been a teacher at the Elsa Pardo Dance Center since 1996. She has been a student of Elsa’s since the age of 5. Her instructors have included a number of fantastic choreographers other than Mrs. Pardo herself; including Jacqueline Parmet, Nicole Vallee, and Daria Melendez. She has been a member of the Bravo Dance Company since the age of nine. As a member of this team she has performed all over the Tampa Bay and surrounding areas and has won various awards and many regional dance competitions including Dance Masters of America, Headliners, I Love Dance, Showstoppers, and Showbiz to name a few.

In addition to her activities at the studio, Olguita has participated in Super Bowls XXV and XXXV. She has also participated in the Sarasota Ballet’s Nutcracker. Olguita is continually improving her dance and teaching skills by attending regional conventions, competitions and participating in master classes.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the International Academy of Design and Technology. Her various contributions to the studio help to maintain a unified, cheerful, and professional atmosphere.

Stephanie Brown

2006 - "Miss Starquest"

Stephanie has been dancing since the age of four. She attended Blake High School of the Performing Arts. At Blake, she was head captain for the dance team her Junior and Senior year. She won best choreographer for her first piece of choreography “Untouchables.” She has attended many competitions and won numerous awards such as: “Miss Starquest” in 2006, “Favorite Dancer” by Mia Michaels and Brian Friedman during the Pulse convention, and choreography award for her number “Thriller.” Stephanie Brown has worked with many choreographers including Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Shane Sparks, Mandy Moore, Wade Robson, and many more. Her passion, talent, and love for dancing shines through her each dance she choreographs and dances.

Heidi Grothause

Heidi began her dance career at the age of 3 with The Sunrise Dancers in Ft. Lauderdale, FL under the direction of Jane Miles. From 1995-1998 she studied at Parkway Performing Arts School in the dance magnet program with Denise Savetz and Elaine Jekels. She received the only award given for the dance program, the Award for Excellence in Contemporary Dance. She was a member of the school’s Jazz dance company “Pizazz” in which she was named captain from 1997-1998. The company’s numerous performances included Disney’s Magic Music Days in 1996, 1997, and 1998. She continued her dance studies throughout high school, attending Dillard Performing Arts High School and Howard W. Blake School of the Performing Arts. She participated in the National High School Dance Festival in both 1999 in Long Beach, CA and 2001 in Miami, FL. She graduated with a Master’s Certification in dance and received the Senior Choreography Award

She has been a student of Elsa’s and a member of the Bravo competition team since 2001. She has worked with many great teachers and choreographers, including Andy Blankenbuehler, Denise Dalton, Aleida Muniz, Laura Stauderman, Matthew Caudill, Susan Olsen, Christine Acosta, Troy and Kristen Jansen, Troy and Diane Ironwing, and Kristine Colby-Jacques. She has performed at many competitions and conventions, including Headliners, Dance Masters, Dance Educators of America, Starpower, Showbiz, Starquest, Jump, LA Dance Magic, and The Pulse. She continues to expand her dance career through numerous conventions and master classes. She will be graduating from the University of South Florida in the fall with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She has had many internships throughout Hillsborough County and loves working with children!.

Amy Bombard

Amy Bombard was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. Dancing has been a part of her life ever since she was 3 years old, and will continue, and hopefully influence, inspire, and improve others’ lives as it so did with her own. Amy Bombard graduated from Alonso High School, and at the same time participating in their dance team for 2 years. Amy has been dancing in all genres of dance such as: ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, and contemporary. Amy has been a part of the Elsa Pardo Company for many years, as well as their great staff. She continues to improve her dance education with annual competitions and conventions with well-known choreographers.

Amy was featured as the principal dancer in Elsa Pardo’s 38^th dance recital of “Cinderella.” She has also had many lead roles in the ballet productions every year. Her love for dancing shines through the tip of her toes, and will continue and grow on to her students. Amy currently attends the University of South Florida, and will be graduating in the summer of 2009 with a degree in Marketing. Her love for children is clear to everyone who meets her, watches her teach, and through every dance she choreographs. “Dance is about never-ending aspiration."

Amanda Soler

Amanda is an experienced, award winning, and bilingual student striving to do the best in her life. Amanda began her dance career at the age of 2. After 7 years of training, she came to her new home and the true beginning of an amazing journey, at the Elsa Pardo Dance Center. At the age of 13, she began helping Elsa and other faculty members by demonstrating many classes, and eventually landing her spot as a faculty member at the age of 17. Amanda studied for over two years at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. During those years, Amanda participated in their college dance team called the FIU Golden Dazzlers. Her second year on the team, Amanda became a captain and led her team marvelously. While on the team, she danced at millions of basketball, football, and baseball games. She also made many appearances at local events, traveled around the country, attended photo shoots, and gained many awards. Those awards included Rookie of the Year 2007, Outstanding Attendance, Leadership Award, Most Spirit Award, Best Group of the Year Award, and more. In 2008, Amanda returned back to her hometown in Tampa to continue her studying at the University of South Florida, and continue improving her dance career at the Elsa Pardo Dance Center. She has been a part of the Bravo Company for many years, and thus performed and participated in many conventions and competitions.

Amanda has also been recognized greatly through her community. She has been a part of the Debutantes of the Krewe of Sant’ Yago, Cuban Civic Club, and won “Miss Jr. Tampa” at the age of 13. She has also modeled for many local charities year events/fashion shows such as: American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Clubs, Muscular Dystrophy Association. H.P.W.A (Hispanic Professional Women Association), and Club 15.

Amanda will be graduating from the University of South Florida in the spring of 2009, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She lives to love deeply, teach strongly, and dance with all her heart.