Schuylkill Ballet theatre was presented the PoNe (Pocono Northeast) Award for improving the quality of life in the area. Presenting the award to Florence Geise is U.S. Congressman Paul Kanjorski

Florence's most recent production is"SNOW DANCE", this production is based on Schuylkill County born, internationally known DORSEY BROTHERS. Choreographed by Florence Geise with supplemental assistance by Dale Shanoskie and Linda Simmendinger. "Swan Lake"-Act II, full length "Sleeping Beauty" and "Nutcracker", "Coppelia". Original choreography includes "Canon in D" to the Pachelbel music, excerpts from "Faust" and "The Seasons", "Vivaldi", and an original ballet about the coal region, "Lament for Lantanengo", (commissioned by the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts, and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, D.C. Also provided instruction for a ten week course for the Schuylkill County Council on the Arts, Pottsville, Pa.

JANUARY 1971-JUNE 1981

TRI-STATE BALLET COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA, PA

Artistic Director/Choreographer/Teacher

Florence taught all levels of Ballet including pointe, adagio, and variations. Since Tri-State Ballet Company was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pennsylvania Arts Council, and much corporate funding, she was responsible for coordinating much of the fund-raising efforts, acted as liaison to the Board of Directors, directed the school, scheduled classes, and coordinated staff and teachers. Florence was also responsible for the artistic decisions of the performing Company, and booking performances in the absence of the General Manager. She taught monthly workshops under a grant from the N.E.A.

Staged "Pas de Quatre", Swan Lake" act II,full length Sleeping Beauty" for Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square. Also full length "Coppelia", and the "Nutcracker" for its Junior Company, as well as isolated classical Pas de deux. Choreographed original works including: "Meditation from Thais", "Clown Fantaisie",and "The Lottery". "Lucia di Lammermoor", "Faust", "Adia", "La Traviata", for the Cosmopolitan Opera Company, Philadelphia. "La Traviata", "Carmen", for the Surburban Opera Company, Philadelphia, Pa.,"Rigoletto"for the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pa., and "Pagliacci"

Taught beginner and intermediate levels of ballet, including beginning pointe for advanced-intermediate students. Assisted the Director of the School in teaching classes, and rehearsing performers who were part of a non-professional regional performing group.

1966-1967-1968-Pennsylvania Ballet Company, Philadelphia, Pa., Apprentice Dancer with the company. Performed in "Sleeping Beauty" at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pa., Irvine Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pa., and on tour.

1966-1970-Danced with Corps de Ballet, Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York, Baltimore City Ballet Company, Baltimore, Maryland, Houston Ballet Company, Houston, Texas, and New Haven Ballet Company, New Haven, Connecticut.

January 1969-January 1970-Houston Ballet Company, Houston, Texas. Danced with Southwest's first professional Ballet Company. Danced a 26-week tour of larger cities of Southwest. Danced in Balanchine's "Pas de Dix", Camille Hill's "Caprichos". AGMA contract.

February 1968-November 1968-Baltimore City Ballet Company, Baltimore, Maryland (Presently Maryland Ballet Company). Performed in "Swan Lake", "Giselle" (directed by Brydon Paige of Le Grands Ballets Canadiens), and various children's ballets, including "Tubby the Tuba". Florence danced the solo role in "Madrigal", choreographed by director Danny Diamond.

1967-1968-Radio City Music Hall, New York City, New York

Performer

Corps de Ballet, performing 4 shows daily, 7 days per week, and 5 shows daily during Christmas and Easter seasons. While performing at the Hall, worked with many leading soloists from large professional groups, including Joyce Cuoco (Stuttgart Ballet), Bill Martin-Viscount (Royal Winnipeg Ballet), and LInda Dibona (A.B.T.). AVGA contract.

EDUCATION

Dance

Nathalie Branitzka, former soloist, Ballets Russe de Monte Carlo in New York City. Studied with Maria Nevelska, Sonia Woiczkowska, and Valentina Pereyaslavec at American Ballet Theatre School, Nicholas Orloff, Character. School of Pennsylvania Ballet, with Franco Jelincic, Edward Caton, and Robert Rodham. Philadelphia Dance Academy, with Andrew Pap.

Academic

1991-M.A.Communications Study, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pa.

1990-B.A. in Theatre Arts-Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pa.,

1987-Pennsylvania State University, Schuylkill Campus, Pa.- Associate degree in Letters, Arts and Sciences degree conferred January, 1987.

1963-1964-Hunter College, city of New York.-Liberal Arts Studies.