January 19, 2006

The USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) has hired Katy Smith, Danielle Horochowski, Brent Lefavor and Lauren Morris in preparation for the upcoming competition. These new staff members will serve a vital role in the production of the event, which will take place at Thalia Mara Hall from June 17 through July 2, 2006.

Katy Smith has joined the USA IBC as assistant to the artistic administrator. In this position, Smith provides support for the artistic administrator and works with a variety of constituents to coordinate ancillary events, such as performances, lectures and exhibits, for the competition. Smith is also responsible for maintaining current records on all competitors. A recent graduate from Mount Holyoke College, Katy majored in film studies and history.

Danielle Horochowski now serves as the participant coordinator for the USA IBC. She coordinates the physical and legal needs of IBC guests such as jury members, musicians and competing dancers. Horochowski is responsible for acquiring visas for international guests as well as arranging transportation and housing accommodations. She has a strong background in ballet, modern and jazz and has danced at Point Park Conservatory for Performing Arts and The Potomac Classical Youth Ballet. She holds a bachelor’s degree in dance from Belhaven College and currently serves as a dance instructor for Center Stage Productions Inc.

Brent Lefavor, who has been hired as production manager, has served as associate professor of theatre and technical director at Millsaps College since 1983. During his tenure at Millsaps, he has designed sets and lights for more than 60 productions. He received his bachelor’s degree in technical theatre and master’s degree in directing from Brigham Young University, and in 1992 he completed a master’s degree in stage lighting from the University of Southern Mississippi. His career has taken him from the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu, Hawaii, to Robert Redford’s Sundance Summer Theatre. Lefavor also served as production manager for the 2002 USA IBC.

Lauren Morris is the new administrator for the USA IBC International Dance School and the Teachers’ Workshop. She holds a bachelor’s degree in dance from Belhaven College, and she previously held the position of administrative assistant to the arts at Belhaven. In North Carolina, she performed professionally with Kinetic Works and served as the primary teacher for Dancing Together, a multi-cultural dance outreach program. Her dance training includes study at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, North Carolina School of the Arts and Charlotte City Ballet, where she was a company member. Currently, Morris is a member of The Living Water Dance Company and is working towards her masters in dance education through University of North Carolina at Greensboro.