DANMAR Art & Dance Studio, now DANMAR Academy of Performing Arts, a non-profit organization 501(c)(3), was founded to promote, preserve and create an appreciation of world cultures through different programs in the city of Katy, Texas. Its name was inspired from its creators DANiela and MARia Fernanda Urbaez, two extraordinary artists who have been able to develop and transmit the art in each one of their students and followers.

Its mission is to develop educational, artistic, social and cultural programs related to dance and music, as a first step to encourage understanding among people of different cultures and societies, as well as help develop a broad base of donor and sponsorship support for school operation, student scholarships, programs, awards and facility improvements.

The philosophy behind DANMAR's creation was to break the barriers related to dance and music: everybody can learn. Therefore, their focus is to provide a staff with the special combination of professionalism, creativity, technique, discipline, inspiration, and musicality and of course, a sense of fun, always within a family atmosphere which is necessary in this type of education. For the third consecutive year, 2009, 2010 and 2011, DANMAR has been selected as "Best of Katy Award in the Dance Instructor & School Services category" by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA), been also recognized by the community for their professionalism and performance, and becoming a serious and respected dance and music academy. The 2010-2011 DANMAR season has come to an end, and we thanks our students, instructors, staff, volunteers, donors and sponsors.

On January 1st of 2007, due to the reckless act of a drunk driver, two great young artists well known in Houston and its surrounding lost their dreams. The DAN of DANMAR, Daniela Urbaez Olivares and her husband Pedro Cesar Olivares died.

Daniela was born in Philadelphia in 1984, and at very early age showed significant and natural talent for dance and music. She worked under the tutorage of magnificent instructors including her sister Maria Fernanda, and became one of the main dancers of several productions presented by DANMAR in the United States, Venezuela and Spain.

Pedro Cesar was a great musician, a virtuous of the viola and violin. His smile, happiness, and willing to help with any of DANMAR's projects, characterized him. Pedro was not only Daniela's husband but an important part of DANMAR's life.

Daniela and Pedro will be missed forever, and as long as you keep them in your hearts, their presence will always be alive.

In June 2007, DANMAR started with the Social Program "Daniela Urbaez Scholarship" for talented dance or music student and has given out more than $10.000 in scholarships and donations in the last 4 years. During 2007 and 2008 DANMAR presented in Houston, TX "Venezuela Mia" and "Venezuela Nuestra" respectively, produced and directed by the Artistic Director, choreographer and dancer Maria Fernanda Urbaez, and in loving memory of her sister Daniela Urbaez Olivares and her sister's husband Pedro Cesar Olivares. Currently "Venezuela Mia" and "Venezuela Nuestra" have been edited as: "Nostalgia Venezolana", a unique journey through Venezuela's history, music, dance and traditions, and will debut next December 2011 in Houston.

In October 2008 DANMAR produced "The Hispanic Dance Showcase", presented in the Festival Latino, Baton Rouge and in the Latin American Cultural Week, New York, attending an invitation from PAMAR, (Plácido Domingo is its Honorary President). Also, in order to promote the music created by many Hispanic composers as Manuel de Falla, Alberto Ginastera, Emilio Estevez, Camargo Guarnieri, Garcia Caturla, Jose Pablo Moncayo, Aldemaro Romero, Silvestre Revueltas to name a few, DANMAR, along with the soloist dancer Maria Fernanda Urbaez and the conductor and violinist Eddy Marcano, have presented four times in Venezuela the concert "Gala Iberoamericana de la Danza Sinfónica", accompanied by the "Orquesta Sinfónica Nueva Esparta" in February 2008, "Orquesta Filarmónica Juvenil de Chacao" in July 2008, "Orquesta Simón Bolivar del Táchira" in March 2009 and "Orquesta Sinfónica de Yaracuy" in December 2009. The concert is planned to be presented in 2012 in Puerto Rico.

In October 2009, DANMAR presented for the first time "AMERICA Latina" a mosaic of cultural expressions, featuring Cuba, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Mexico and the roots of the Latin culture, produced and directed by Maria Fernanda Urbaez and conducted by Eddy Marcano. This production was also taken to Miami, Florida in October 2010 as part of the plan to commemorate the bicentennial of several of the countries in the region.

Also in 2010 and 2011, DANMAR, through the Cultural Expressions Program, participated in the 6th and 7th Annual Middle Eastern Dance Troupe Choreography Competition in Austin Texas, obtaining 1st place in its categories as well as 1st place in all event categories. The Children Development Program to educate children of all ages in the arts as well as to foster a cross-cultural understanding was also created. All dance and music classes are taught as part of the Educational Program which includes adults as well.

2011 was a year of celebration: DANMAR celebrated its 10th Anniversary last June 19th at the Stafford Centre. Dance, Music and Folklore were showcased not only by students but instructors, directors and special guests. The virtuosos, violinist Eddy Marcano and guitarist Gustavo Caruci joined the celebration in order to promote the newest DANMAR's projects: Grupo de Cuerdas "Pedro Cesar Olivares" as part of DANMAR Music Program.

DANMAR has relied on its directors, individual and company contributors as well as many volunteers. Please help us help others to become either a dancer or musician and to provide educational, healing and growing opportunities in the performing arts to students of all ages and levels of ability.

DANMAR is located at 20718 Park Row Dr, Katy TX 77449. For more information please call (281)398-7600 or visit www.danmarstudio.com

DANMAR’s brand new state-of-the-art facility offers 4,500 square foot of professional dance and music space. The studio features 3 large rooms, Salon Maria, Salon Daniela and Salon Rocio, two of them equipped with a professional Marley floor laid over a wood floor that gives protection to the dancers’ bodies. This floor has cushion pads underneath that absorb shock to protect knees and shins when dancers land from jumps.

The studio has full body mirrors, ballet double Barres, 14-foot ceilings and the latest sound system. Salon Maria is a studio/performance space with seating for 150. The Studio also features 1 music lesson room, Salon Pedro, totally equipped. A dance and music supply store, Curiosa, is located in the lobby for all your dancer’s needs.

DANMAR is located in 20718 Park Row, Katy, TX 77449 right in front of a new residential development at a very important intersection in a master planned community in Katy, Texas, near the Interstate Highway 10, just 30 minutes due west of Houston and in between Fry Road and Mason Road which are the most important NS streets in the city.

The facility is beautiful, functional, and full of the vibrant energy of the students, instructors and staff members. We appreciate your interest and hope you will join the hundreds who visit us each month. We pride ourselves in providing the very best dance facility in the area as well as the finest instructors.

The first DAPA production aimed at presenting Venezuela's culture through its dances and music, and considering its origins, influences and traditions. The goal of this production is to preserve and promote the Venezuelan cultural heritage to people who are anxious to keep their cultural traditions and ethnic origin while living abroad. This goal is extended to the rest of the community in order for them to enjoy the cultural richness and diversity of the Venezuelan music and dance. Venezuelan history music was composed by Chelique Sarabia: Venezuela, una canción.

PROGRAM

1st “Descubrimiento”:“Los Indígenas”: The first inhabitants of the Venezuelan territory were Native-Americans who were organized in tribes. The native population was dispersed over the territory with little or no contact among them, leading isolated lives within their tribes...Y por el mar de Oriente, llegaron de otras tierras... mientras en tierra firme esperaban los nuestros, con sus ojos confiados al horizonte amigo...

Dance: FolkloreMusic:

Music: Sonidos Indigenas

Dance: FlamencoMusic: Bulerias

Choreography by: Maria Fernanda Urbaez

"Tierra de Gracia": Modern history starts and prehistory ends. Columbus’ third voyage to the American Continent. He arrives with three sailboats and a group of men. These men had found a New World and had never seen a Native-American before. Encounters of settlement, violence, resistance and power.

Dance: Flamenco Music: Bulerias

Choreography by: Maria Fernanda Urbaez

2nd“African Contribution”: Africa's roots in Spain run long and deep. Post-1492 slavery for the American Continent was unlike any other institution devised by men.

Dance: Modern Fusion Music

Choreography by: Maria Fernanda Urbaez

3rd“San Juan”: Drumming, dancing and gratitude for the help San Juan has given throughout the years to the townsfolk of Curiepe, many of whom are descended from slaves brought to Venezuela from Africa in the 3rd voyage of Columbus...San Juan esta borracho, y yo tambien, Alabado sea Dios, alabado sea Juan...

Dance: Fusion - Folklore

Choreography by: Maria Fernanda Urbaez

4th“Por la costa”: From the Gulf of Paria to the Gulf of Venezuela, different names are given to each stopping point. The black African slaves make use of their talent marked by the great inheritance which remains and is still very much alive in the region.

Dance: Folklore - Tambores

Music:Lucero-Tambor Central

Choreography by: Maria Fernanda Urbaez

5th“Perlas del Oriente:”: A trip through Boca del Drago, Paria and Araya leading up to the discovery of the islands of Margarita, Coche and Cubagua, the first settlement founded. The site was selected due to the abundance of pearls in its waters... Sucre, Anzoategui, Monagas, la gente de Nueva Esparta, se cobijan bajo el manto, de la patrona de Oriente, Virgen del Valle bendita en la emocion marinera, al despuntar cada dia en el mar es compañera... Dance: Jota, Joropo Oriental

Music: Folklore

Choreography by: Maria Fernanda Urbaez/Rocio Braggiato

6th“Guayana”: The city was called Angostura after its founding. Today called Ciudad Bolívar, it is culturally united to the mining town of Caratal, now called El Callao. Nowadays El Callao sets the stage for a mix of different cultures, being among the most outstanding: “El Calipso del Callao” and its Carnival celebration. This tradition is now an intrinsic part of the Venezuelan cultural repertoire and a live testimony of its mix of races...El dios Canaima burlon, dios de los rayos y truenos... se estremece el Amazonas, palpita Delta Amacuro, con la fuerza de Guayana y la nobleza del indio

Choreography by: Maria Fernanda Urbaez

7th“Caracas”: In 1567 an expedition leaves from El Tocuyo under the command of Diego de Losada. Upon arrival into the Caracas’ Valley the town of Santiago de León de Caracas was founded. It was named Caracas after the Native-American tribe that inhabited the region...Con sus indios con sus blancos con sus pardos con sus negros...

Choreography by: Rocio Braggiato

8th“Los Diablos de Yare”: From the Colonial Times a festival took place with the presence of people wearing masks of dragons, devils and gigantic figures representing Good over Evil. These groups of“devils” belong to brotherhoods of religious origins called“hermandades” or“cofradías”. They attend the religious ceremony that takes place in the Churches to celebrate the day of Corpus Christi. The religious ceremony is followed by dances in the streets and public squares or“plazas” as well as in the individual homes around the town.

9th“Centro Occidente”: Arriving in the state of Lara with the correspondent mix of cultures and races...Comienzo de una leyenda que va desde el Yaracuy hasta la Guajira inmensa, donde el Diablo de Carora con la Virgen se tutea... Dance:“Tamunangue”

Music: Las Zaragozas

Choreography by: Maria Fernanda Urbaez

10th“Los Andes”: After several mutations the cities of Trujillo, Mérida and San Cristóbal are finally founded...Merida y sus picos helados, Tachira y sus tardes de toros, Trujillo y su pez sembrada...

Dance: Bambuco.

Music: Brisas del Torbes

Choreography by: Maria Fernanda Urbaez

11th“San Benito”: The city of Maracaibo is founded. The traditional celebration of The Black Saint (a very colorful parade) takes place during the month of December...Dio a Venezuela su nombre de la Venecia pequeña, y ademas del oro negro nos da el fruto de su tierra...

Dance: FolkloreMusic: San Benito

Music: San Benito de Palermo

Choreography by: Paloma Bernal

12th“La Navidad en Venezuela:”: Celebrate Christmas time with a live Nativity

Dance: Fusion–Folklore

Music: Aguinaldos

This piece is dedicated to the memory of our beloved Daniela Urbaez Olivares and Pedro Cesar Olivares who performed“Pajarillo” in May 2006. Pedro played the violin and Daniela danced it.

13th“Hacia el llano”:

Reminder of the foundation of “El Tocuyo” as a distribution central place. From there minor expeditions to Apure, Barinas and Guarico took place... Y ese llano es Venezuela, llano tuyo, llano nuestro, sus distancias infinitas todos las llevamos dentro... With this performance we are remembering our beloved Daniela Urbaez Olivares and her husband Pedro Cesar Olivares who performed “Pajarillo” in May 2006, Pedro with his violin and Daniela with her dance...

Dance: Joropo. Music: El Pajarillo

Music: El Pajarillo

Choreography by: Maria Fernanda Urbaez

Everybody wants for his/her children from their schools: academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement and equitable opportunity. Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. Among the reasons we consider that we deserve your support we can mention:

• We offer very reasonably rates for our educational and healing programs.
• Very affordable prices for our extraordinaire productions.
• You can help us present acclaimed international musicians, and or dancers to please the Hispanic and non-Hispanic community.
• We help selected students become either a dancer or musician through our scholarship program.
• We can continue supporting the culture through dance and music.
• Donating gives you an honorary status for the whole year.
• Students can have access to several workshops at affordable prices.
• Your children can continue learning in a safe and pleasant environment.
• DANMAR presents, at no cost, our wonderful dancers or musicians in hospitals, schools, retirement homes, etc. to entertain and promote culture.
• WITHOUT YOUR GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT DANMAR WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE OPERATING.

The 2010-2011 DANMAR seasons has come to an end, and thanks to your help it was a huge success. For the new season 2011-2012, DANMAR is getting ready to launch its production “Nostalgia Venezolana ” next December 17th, as part of the 200th anniversary of Venezuela’s independency, in addition to all the excitement planned for this season.

This past year, your generous donations have allowed DANMAR to make great strides forward. We subsidized and registered more kids for our Dance Program and we hired more teachers. The children were taught not only dancing but choreography, acting, lip singing, and put on impressive “10th Cultural Encounter” for parents, family and friends with a large and diverse cast of students, instructors, and special guests, impressive lighting, sets and costumes at the Stafford Centre. Finally, we have taken great strides towards starting our Music Program as part of our new season’s goals. That’s the good news. The bad news is government support for arts funding is at an all-time low and the recession means that it is that much harder to get corporate and individual support.

We would like to keep all of our incredible low-cost programs for our students and keep creating great art. So again, we turn to you for financial help. Your support is more important to us than ever before. Please consider filling out the form attached to our season brochure and mailing back your contribution to DANMAR. Please help save the only cultural organization of our kind in Houston and allow us to continue creating great art!

Have you considered? Bequeath–to leave personal property to an organization in your will. DANMAR is encouraging all of its members to take this extra step in helping support the future of our organization.

Ways to give: • Donations and/or Sponsorship Forms (please print out and mail to DANMAR)
• Call us with your credit card 281-398-7600
• Leave a legacy: for enquiries about leaving a legacy gift please call our Front Manager Kathy Clark 281-398-7600