How Water Smoothes a Stone
Choreographer: Madison Pineda Bender
Dancers: Jhon Destrade, Nicholas Garlo, Bailey Lord, Mackenzie McLean, Aynsleigh Morehouse, Amber Rose, Shelby Russ, Carissa Smith, Vashti Walters
Music: Symphony No. 5: IV. Adagietto. Sehr langsam
Composer: Gustav Mahler - London Symphony Orchestra Conducted by James DePriest
We often navigate multiple grieving processes at once, some lingering heavily for extended periods, while others come and go in just days. The stages of grief are rarely linear, flowing differently from person to person. In my own grieving processes, I’ve turned to poetry and dance as forms of healing. Through deep conversations with loved ones and the dancers in this work, I’ve found solace in the realization that our emotional landscapes are ever-changing. This piece delves into how the timelines of grief overlap and interrupt one another, continuously shaping and reshaping our path toward healing.
I miss the you I knew
a desire for more, drifting out of reach
back and forth, it comes in waves
trust in time as it slowly erodes
down, down into the endless forever
to continue on our bittersweet journey
Jhon Destrade
Jhon began his dance journey at the age of 13 with the youth company Paso a Paso in Cuba, where he took part in prestigious galas celebrating music awards and various community arts initiatives. His early training laid the foundation for a dynamic career, and in 2016, he was accepted into the Escuela Nacional de Danza. During his academic years, he garnered multiple awards for his exceptional performances at student festivals and competitions.
Following his move to the United States, Jhon launched a contemporary dance program that reflects a fusion of his Cuban heritage and a variety of international techniques. This initiative is a testament to his dedication to both preserving cultural roots and embracing innovation.
Currently, as a principal dancer with Tampa City Ballet, Jhon has premiered leading roles in celebrated productions such as Interstices, The Nutcracker, If I Cry, and Carmen. Beyond his performances, he is deeply involved in enriching the local artistic community in Tampa, actively contributing to its growth and creative landscape.
Nicholas Garlo
Nicholas began his technical training in southern Florida, before continuing his studies at the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase College in New York, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Arts Management, graduating Cum Laude and receiving the prestigious Bert Terborgh award. He participated in various programs such as the Netherlands Dance Theater, Arts Umbrella, Joffrey, Juilliard, Jacob’s Pillow, Springboard, Launch, and Hubbard Street’s professional program, among others. He also spent a semester abroad at the Taipei National University of the Arts in Taiwan.
Post-commencement, Nicholas worked professionally with: Ballet Quad Cities & Cocodaco Dance Project, the Ballet Florida Company, with Roderick George of kNoname Artist abroad in Germany / Israel, and participated in the 'Dance Festival München' in Germany under Jasmine Ellis. Nicholas dedicated five seasons to the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company in Israel touring internationally to Germany, Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, Croatia, Lithuania, Romania, Paris and others.
During his time in the Kibbutz, he also choreographed his own works on dancers from the main company, staged repertory & choreographed on the Masa (a five-month dance journey program), set a solo at the professional program: Maslool in Tel Aviv. Most recently he choreographed a solo for a senior at Loyola University Chicago, as well as two solos & a group piece for West Florida Dance Company. Having recently relocated back to Florida, Nicholas has worked with Tampa City Ballet, Atlas Modern Ballet, Brandon Ballet, and Azara Ballet. Teaching at multiple studios and summer intensives, he has also performed at the Palladium, New Tampa Performing Arts Center, and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Nicholas has begun teaching at the University of South Florida (USF), West Florida Dance Company, and was recently promoted to Interim Associate Artistic Director of Azara Ballet. Nicholas was just selected as a 2025 Creative Fellow through the Palladium, and is currently re-staging a solo on a graduating senior at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance in Austria.
Bailey Lord
Bailey Lord is a dancer, choreographer, and graduate from the University of South Florida with a BFA in Modern Dance Performance. Starting dance at the age of 14, Lord has been dedicated to classical dance training in the ABT curriculum, Horton, Cunningham, and Graham studies. In 2019 they were awarded scholarship offers by 25 universities in the US for their performance at the National and Regional High School Dance Festivals.
During their time at USF, Bailey danced and collaborated with Erik Wagner, Jeanne Travers, Paula Nunez, Andrew Carroll, Andee Scott and Bliss Kohlmyer. Bailey Lord joined Tampa City Ballet in 2023 after graduation.
Mackenzie McLean
Mackenzie McLean is a Tampa Bay native. She is currently enrolled at St Petersburg College. She graduated from Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School. Mackenzie is currently a company member of Tampa City Ballet, Broadway on the Bay, and Break the Mould Dance Company. She has recently performed in shows such as Carmen, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and A Very Broadway Christmas. She is currently a ballet and contemporary instructor with many dance studios in Tampa Florida such as West Florida Dance Company, Arts Conservatory for Teens, Pinellas County Center for the Arts, 5th Dimension Dance Company, and FYI Dance Company. She has attended many intensive training programs across the United States with companies such as Alonzo King LINES, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Duncan Cooper, and the Orlando Ballet School.
Aynsleigh Morehouse
Aynsleigh Morehouse has been dancing since the age of 4. As a student she trained in all styles and attended dance competitions, conventions, workshops, and ballet intensives all through Florida. Through her training opportunities she discovered that her passion is rooted in concert dance styles. She obtained a BFA in ballet performance from the University of South Florida, where she trained intensely in ballet, modern, and contemporary techniques. She also studied choreographic exploration, dance history, kinesiology, and dance pedagogy, while also receiving a minor in Entrepreneurship.
Aynsleigh has danced professionally for Tampa City Ballet, as well as been part of various freelance opportunities. She looks forward to creating new projects, and all of her future artistic endeavors. As a choreographer Aynsleigh has presented many original pieces over the last few years, as well as collaborated on multiple pieces for Tampa City Ballet. Outside of performing and choreographing Aynsleigh loves sharing her passion for dance with the next generation of artists through teaching all over the state!
Amber Rose
Amber Rose grew up just outside of Chicago, Illinois and began her dance training at Ballet Russe School. She spent her summers training at The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In her youth, Amber was selected to perform in productions of The Nutcracker with The Joffrey Ballet as well as The Moscow Ballet.
Amber attended the dance program at Butler University on scholarship and graduated with a B.F.A. in dance performance. During her time at Butler, she performed soloist and corps roles in many productions and had the opportunity to tour through Europe, training and performing contemporary works.
Upon graduation, Amber danced as a company member with Tampa Ballet Theatre where she performed various principal roles including Les Sylphides and Snow White. She briefly danced with Brandon Ballet as a professional artist before joining Tampa City Ballet in 2023, where she has performed various soloist roles in classical and contemporary works. In addition to dancing, Amber is a Peak Pilates® certified instructor. She has recently obtained a B.A. in psychology from the University of South Florida and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.
Shelby Russ
Shelby Russ was born and raised in Tampa, FL, where she began her early years of dance training at a local studio. At 15, she attended Howard W. Blake High School, which furthered her training in ballet, modern dance, and choreography. There, she had the opportunity to perform in choreographic works by Jennifer Archibald, Jon Ole Olstad, Duncan Cooper, and Bliss Kohlmyer. She continued her training at the University of South Florida, where she earned her BFA and performed works by Stephanie Martinez, Joshuah Peugh, Michael Foley, Jeanne Travers, and Paula Nunez.
Upon graduating in 2023 with her BFA, her self-choreographed solo, Woman’s Search, was selected for the American College Dance Association regional gala in Gainesville, GA, and the national gala in Long Beach, CA. Shelby's solo was further selected (one of five) to be performed at the 2023 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.
Shelby also trained at several summer intensives. While at Blake High, she attended their annual Discovery Project with Alonzo King LINES Ballet and was awarded a full scholarship to their summer program in 2017. While at USF, she attended the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Summer Program in 2022, where she learned repertoire by Ohad Naharin, Lar Lubovitch, Azure Barton, Jermaine Spivey, Nacho Duato, Amy Hall, and Kyle Abraham.
From 2023 to 2025, Shelby has been a company member and choreographer with Tampa City Ballet. She was a soloist in their production If I Cry, a piece inspired by Frida Kahlo’s life and mind, last spring. She premiered her own work for the company at their choreography festival, Era, last fall. Recently, she performed as a soloist in their production of Carmen and served as co-choreographer and rehearsal director assistant.
Carissa Smith
Carissa Smith began her training in 2009 at Americas' Ballet School. She grew up with an established education of classical ballet and eventually was also taught in contemporary and modern dance at ABS.
She took part in a multitude of classical and neo-classical productions and danced in the ABS' modern ensemble. Within 2022 she joined Tampa City Ballet as a Trainee, where she took part in various productions ranging from performing the Dying Swan in Candlelight to starring as Alice in Alice in Wonderland to experimenting in numerous contemporary works. In the summers of 2022-24 she danced with Dutch National Ballet Academy, Scapino Ballet in the Netherlands and P.A.R.T.S in Belgium and gained a worldly view on dance.
In the 23/24 season Carissa became a full time dancer with Tampa City Ballet as well as teacher at Tampa City Ballet School and Ovations Dance Academy.
Vashti Walters
Vashti Walters began her dance training at the age of 13 at a recreation center in Richardson, Texas, before advancing to serious training at Tuzer Ballet. In 2016, she moved to Florida and joined Tampa Ballet Theatre as a trainee, progressing to apprentice in the 2017-2018 season and to a company position in 2018. During her time there, she performed soloist roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake.
In 2020, Vashti relocated to St. Petersburg, where she performed as a guest artist in various local productions. In addition to performing, she became certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum (Pre-Primary through Level 3) in 2022.
She has since danced three seasons as a company member with Tampa City Ballet performing both classical and contemporary repertoire, and continues to perform and teach throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Madison Pineda Bender
Madison Pineda Bender began her early dance training in Sacramento, CA, and Keller, TX. At 16, she moved to New York City to attend The Joffrey Ballet School Jazz and Contemporary Program. In 2021, Madison graduated from The Juilliard School with a B.F.A. in Dance, receiving the Martha Hill Award and the Juilliard Career Advancement Fellowship Grant. She also trained at the Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Dance Festival, the Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive, and the Arts Umbrella Summer Dance Intensive.
Madison has performed the works of Martha Graham, Crystal Pite, and Paul Taylor and new creations by Ohad Naharin, Desmond Richardson, Andrea Miller, and Darrel Moultrie. She was chosen to present her work in Juilliard’s 2019 ChoreoComp program and later, worked as Rena Butler’s choreographic assistant for the Juilliard New Dances: Edition 2021 production.
From 2022-2023, Madison worked as a company dancer and teaching artist with GroundWorks DanceTheater, performing new creations by Antonio Brown, Peter Chu, Rena Butler, David Shimotakahara, Spenser Theberge, and Sidra Bell. Madison staged and rehearsed choreography by Rena Butler on the students at George Mason University and recently worked as her choreographic assistant for a new creation at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Madison recently joined Peter Chu's company, chuthis., and performed last summer, at Orsolina28. She premiered new work on Tampa City Ballet in their “Era” show last fall and performed as a soloist in their recent “Carmen” production. In February, she performed in visual artist, Jason Hackenwerth’s, “Sparrow’s Dream” at the Palladium.
