North Miami's PAN, Performing Arts Network is a professional coalition of artists and organizations who:
· create
· educate
· collaborate
· inspire
· train
· mentor
· entertain
· promote community

artists @ PAN, Performing Arts Network

Nina Martin

Mime artist, Director of Nina Martin's School of Solo Theater

Nina Martin is equally versed in classical acting, pantomime, clown-playing and tap dance. Nina holds a Ph.D. in non-verbal theater from the Academy of Performing Arts (HAMU) in Prague, Czech Republic. She has been a member of the "Bühne Heidenreichstein" theater group (Austria) since she was five years old. She studied under the National Theater Association in Austria, as well as at the Scuola Teatro Dimitri (Switzerland), Atelier de Belleville (France) and with tap dancer Katherine Kramer in Miami (USA). Nina regularly performs her solo performances in Europe and the U.S., and teaches mime, clowning and tap dance and gives lectures related to the topics of aesthetics in theater and her doctoral thesis "performers versus actor.

w - ninamartinschool.com

Paul Martin

Teacher/ Composer/ Classical Guitar

Paul Martin

Paul Martin began private studies in Classical Guitar at the age of 12. Further studies took him to Bellas Artes in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and the University of New York at Stonybrook. He presently divides his time between performing, composing and teaching.

w - paulmartinclassicalguitaristcomposer.com

Jeremias Massera

Dancer/ Teacher/ Co-Artistic Director of Tango Axis

Jeremias Massera

Jeremias Massera began his musical training with his father at the age of 7. He attended the music programs of New World School of the Arts and Florida International University on full scholarships, while performing music throughout the United Sates. In 2007 Mr. Massera and Mariela Barufaldi began working together to form Tango Axis. They are the resident tango company at PAN, Performing Arts Network, where they opened their School of Argentine Tango.

Kay McGill

Acting/ Liturgical Dance Teacher

Kay McGill

Kay McGill serves as the Director of Zion Ministries International., Inc. and she teaches Drama at PAN, Performing Arts Network in North Miami. Ms. McGill writes, teaches, choreographs and directs dramatic productions that present positive messages that introduce ideas for individual strengthening and social change.

Ms. McGill graduated from both Indiana University and Oral Roberts University. She has written and designed projects that address biblical and church issues for Christian audiences. Ms. McGill enjoys working with diverse audiences of all ages. She specializes in assisting individuals to discover their artistic gifts and develop those gifts, encouraging and providing opportunities to use them. She believes the theatre was designed to bring positive messages to both performers and audiences.

Ms. McGill has designed secular programming for communities focusing on such issues as teen abstinence, domestic violence, dating, peer pressure, diversity, medical insurance and mental and emotional issues. Her past productions with some of Miami's most concerned human service organizations to bring about awareness of social issues have included such works as ArtsOutreach, Children of Promise, Covering Kids, Just Say No, Switch 1 & 2, Breaking the Barriers to Loving You, Culture of the Kingdom, The Red Velvet Wait, Peace on Earth, and Baby, Think it Over. She has choreographed dance productions and designed artistic social service projects in concert with arts and social service organizations in Florida, Indiana and Texas since 1994.

Ms. McGill's published articles and sermons are featured with SermonSearch, Dance Ministry Magazine, Examiner, and ZionHope.net. She is a motivational speaker, teacher, and Drama and Dance Workshop Facilitator for the Liturgical Arts, as well as an Ordained Minister. She believes one of the most beautifully expressive media in which to teach, heal, inspire and make a difference in our world is The Stage.

Emmanuel Mericier

Teacher/ Performer / Artistic Director of Ayizan Kreol Afro-Haitian Dance and Music Ensemble

Emmanuel Mericier

Manno Mericier is a "True Samba". His spectacular dancing and fire eating acts leave audiences mesmerized. He has traveled all over the world as a performer and as an Afro-Haitian folklore representative. He has been called the soul of Ayizan Kreol. His credits include Principle Dancer, Choreographer and Musician for Ayizan Kreol, Dancer and Musician for Ayabonmbe, Dancer and Musician for Societte Coucouge, Dancer at The World Soccer Cup, Italy, Dancer for Troupe Bacoulou, Haiti, Dancer for Ballet National, Haiti, Dancer for INAX, Haiti, Dancer for I.R.N. Catherine Dunham, Haiti and Dancer for Vivian G., Haiti.

Jean Minuchin

Musician/ Performance Artist

Jean Minuchin

Jean Minuchin's work investigates social concerns through visual fables. Her performances include masks and puppets while her sculptures evoke character and story, blending the genres of theatre and art. In a dream-like scenario Ms. Minuchin goes beyond the literal to evoke the human psyche. The viewer is encouraged to project into the life of the inanimate whether it is mask, puppet or sculpture, and to identify with the plight of the individual in their world. The visual narrative looks deceptively naive and playful but often hides a more complex vision. In creating stories, Jean Minuchin is fascinated by the duality that holds both the intricate nature of the human spirit and the problems of modern times. Since receiving her BFA in art and MA in performing arts, she has exposed herself to direct contact with contemporary artists in dance, theatre and puppetry such as Pilobolous Dance Theatre, Bread and Puppet in London's "Insurrection Oratorio" and Superior Concept annual puppet pageant in Morenesio, Italy. Her work as a sculptor has appeared in the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Gross-McCleaf Gallery in Philadelphia, in Boston at the Brazelton-Cutting Gallery, in annual shows in New York at the Ward-Nasse Gallery and in Mexico City at Galeria Kin.

For ten years, between 1990 and 2000, Jean Minuchin designed the theatre program and taught art at The Charles River Studio, an arts organization in Watertown MA. During this time she also directed the Fables Repertory, a multicultural theatre troupe devoted to the creation of original theatre on social and cultural themes. More recently in Florida, Ms. Minuchin designed the theatre program for Milam K-8 Center in Hialeah, FL. She is currently teaching art in Miami-Dade where she is double certified in art and drama. Her most recent solo work "Beneath the Hood" incorporates her interest in performance, education and social action. Here, she combines her mask performance about marginal characters with a theatre workshop on the role of the outcast.

Jean Minuchin's early performances appeared in a mixture of established, experimental and non-traditional venues such as The Actors Workshop, Committee of Refugees from El Salvador, Mobius in Boston, MA., The Naropa Institute in Boulder, CO., The Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre and The Broward Center for Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Her most recent activities include a two-person show at the Piag Museum in Coral Gables, FL., and an exhibit in November 2008. In December, Jean exhibited at the 2009 Courtyard Exhibition sponsored by the Boca Museum of Art, where she won a Second Place award. She won "Best in Show" in February 2009 in a show co-sponsored by the Dade Arts Educators Association and Miami-Dade College. In May 2009, she performed sections from her solo piece "Beneath the Hood" at an event produced by the organization, Composition, which took place at the Playground Theatre in Miami Shores. In June 2009 she performed an excerpt from a developing work, "Odyssey in the Land of Shadow", and performed with "Puppet Anarchy" at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center in New London, CT. In July 2009, she performed "Beneath the Hood" at The Rane Gallery in Taos, NM. In October 2009 Jean exhibited and performed as a guest artist with Claudia Polzer, at an installation "In the Garden" and at the Sailboat Bend Artist's Lofts in Fort Lauderdale.

Samantha Natalie

Vocalist/ Teacher

Samantha Natalie

A native of Miami Beach, FL, Samantha Natalie's musical career began at age four, studying classical piano at conservatories throughout the Greater Miami area. She began to explore her talent as a singer at age six, starting out at St. Patrick's Children's Choir. Since then, she has been involved with many musical groups throughout her grade school and college career, including Miami Beach Senior High School's Rock Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Clark Doug Burris. A recent graduate of the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, Samantha Natalie studied in the Studio Music and Jazz Vocal Performance Department and had the wonderful opportunity to perform with many prestigious jazz/pop artists including Kevin Mahogany, Kurt Elling, and Jon Secada. It's been close to 20 years since Samantha Natalie first began playing the piano and singing, and now she brings her original music to the table. She has been performing her original music in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area for several years now and had her self-titled EP released on June 2, 2007, at the Pawn Shop Lounge in Miami Beach FL, where she had the chance to rock out in front of close to 175 of her fans. She says: "I've been writing original music for almost seven years, and every song says something different about my journey to where I am now. These songs are my release, my therapy, and my one true love."

Michael O'Hara

Dancer/ Teacher/ Choreographer/ Irish Dance Instructor/ Co-Artistic Director of The Breffni Irish Dance Company

Michael O'Hara

Michael O'Hara began his Irish dance training at the age of 12 at the Peter Smith School of Irish Dance in New Jersey. He enjoyed great success as a solo and team dancer, having numerous national and international Irish dance champion titles to his credit. Mr. O'Hara remained under the tutelage of the renowned Peter Smith for his entire Irish dance schooling.

In 1993, Mr. O'Hara was awarded the title "Master of Irish Dance" and certification as a qualified Irish dance teacher (TCRG) by An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland. In 2007, He was certified as an ADCRG (Irish Dance adjudicator) by An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha.

Mr. O'Hara has produced some of the finest Irish dancers around, claiming North American, All-Ireland, Great Britain, Southern and Eastern Region champions. Many of his students have also gone on to star in professional touring Irish dance shows around the world. Michael has performed throughout the world with entertainers such as Frank Patterson, Hal Roach, Andy Cooney, Stockton's Wing, Clancy Brothers, Ballet Flamenco La Rosa, Cherish the Ladies, Wolfe Tones and Natalie MacMaster and also danced the lead role in the hit Irish dance show, Common Ground. His performance in Common Ground was described by the Palm Beach Post as a "scintillating display of flying feet".

Mr. O'Hara has been described as "one of the most influential Irish Dance teachers in the Southern Region" (Hornpipe Magazine) and as a "rising star adjudicator" (Irish Dancing Magazine).

He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America - Southern Region as the Past Regional Director. He served as Regional Director from 2005-2007, and previously as Assistant Regional Director and Recording Secretary. He was also recently appointed as the Southern Region representative for the North American Feis Commission (NAFC) organization.

Mr. O'Hara currently serves on the Dance adjudication panel for the Presidential Scholar in the Arts Program sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA). The program selects the top high school artists in the United States, with the very best being chosen to receive the Presidential Scholarship in the Arts Medal from the President of the United States. He previously served on the preliminary adjudication panel and also as the Master Irish Dance teacher for the program.

Nicola O'Hara

Dancer/ Teacher/ Choreographer/ Co-Artistic Director of the Breffni Academy of Irish Dance

Nicola O'Hara

Nicola O'Hara, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, began dancing at the age of 3. She is the 2001 Southern Region Ladies 21 & Over Champion. She also holds numerous national and international titles and has performed throughout Ireland, England and the US. Ms. O'Hara has performed for the President of Ireland and appeared on Irish National Television on a regular basis. She has successfully represented the United States at the World Irish Dance Championships on several occasions. In 2004, she was awarded "Irish Dance Master" status by the World Governing Body of Irish Dance. She has won the Astral Career Grant for choreography and is a member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America and the Southern US Region of Irish Dance teachers. Ms. O'Hara teaches full-time at the Breffni Academy of Irish Dance in Miami and is the Director of after-school programs for Irish Dance in many schools throughout Miami-Dade County, and she taught and performed Irish Dance at PAN, Performing Arts Network. Ms. O'Hara also serves as the Master Irish Dance Teacher for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts based in Miami.

Mayelu Perez

Dancer/ Teacher

Mayelu Perez

Mayelu Perez began studying Spanish dance at several Spanish cultural societies in Havana, Cuba, and performed in many of their cultural events. She graduated with certification by the Cuban Ministry of Culture in 1998. Her professional training includes Ballet Liz Alfonso, Danzas Ibericas company of the Centro Pro-Danza de Cuba, Ballet Espaņa de la Habana (Led by Eduardo Veitia) under the Cuban National Ballet (led by Alicia Alonso), Aires Spanish Dances Company (led by Paz Diaz Lemus), and 4 years of studying Flamenco in Seville, Spain with Manolo Marin's dance company.

Ms. Perez has studied various dance techniques such as Classical Ballet, Spanish Classical Dance, Escuela Bolera, Flamenco Theatre and Spanish regional folklore, under such important artists as Amparo Brito, Laura Alonso, Paz Diaz, Manolo Marin, Pilar Ortega, Manuel Betanzo, Javier Baron and Ana Casas. She is an experienced Spanish Dance teacher, having taught at several schools for professional dancers and dance companies, and she has given several dance workshops throughout the U.S. She has toured with The Boston Flamenco Ballet and appeared for three seasons with Ballet Flamenco La Rosa.

Effy Polizogopoulos

Dancer/ Teacher/ Choreographer

Effy Polizogopoulos

Effy Polizogopoulos is an accomplished belly dancer, dance teacher and choreographer. In addition to Middle Eastern Dance, her dance education includes Ballet, Flamenco, Modern Dance, Argentinian Tango and Afro Peruvian dance. She has danced in many places and events locally as well as in South America, The Caribbean and The United Arab Emirate, were she performed for the Royal Family of Abudabi.

She has trained in the Middle Eastern Dance form with renowned teachers Mercedes Badani (Peru), Leila Hadda (Paris), Youkta (California), Rachel Brice (California), Maja (Florida), Miriam Eli (Florida),Tamalyn Dallal (Florida) and Maria Jamal (Florida).

As a belly dancer, Ms. Polizogopoulos combines Egyptian, Cabaret, Tribal and Gypsy styles in her classes and performances. Her passionate dance celebrates the Feminine, creating a magical space where energy flows through your body and spirit, helping to manifest the best within you.

Jorge Robledo

Dancer/ Teacher/ Choreographer

Jorge Robledo

Born in Argentina, Jorge Robledo trained in Ballet, Modern, Flamenco and Classical Spanish Dance. He is known for the sensuality, energy and projection of his dancing. He has studied with La China, Juana Amaya, Antonio Canales, Antonio Ortega and Belen Maya. Has appeared Internationally in "Bodas de Sangre", "La Zapatera Prodigiosa", "Carmen", "Luna Gitana", "Gitanas", and "Flamenco, Furia y Pasion". He also performed as a Guest Artist with singers Rocio Jurado and Isabel Pantoja, Ballet Flamenc La Rosa and with his own Flamenco Company.

Jesus Rodriguez "El Sivi"

Musician/ Teacher

Jesus Rodriguez "El Sivi"

Sivi Rodriguez was born in Malaga. He began his guitar studies at the age of 12 with Pedro Blanco. He went on to accompany Flamenco singing at "peņas" throughout Andalucia. He has toured Japan, the U.K and the U.S. as a guiartist for several Flamenco dance companies. Mr. Rodriguez currently plays in Miami, at various Flamenco clubs, or "Tablaos" and with Ballet Flamenco La Rosa.