Guest Artists

Josh Switzer

The Nutcracker Prince, Trepak

Born and raised in the Lake Arrowhead area, Josh Switzer began dancing at Lake Arrowhead School of Dance under the direction of Sharon McCormick and Raymond Genato at the age of 10. Continuing studies in Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Contemporary, Josh attended Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. Majoring in Voice and expanding into the Musical Theatre industry, Josh has been featured in a number productions throughout Southern California (Disney included). He then fell into the cruise ship industry where traveled the world as a professional singer/dancer for Royal Caribbean and Holland America Cruise Lines.

Returning to the Mountain a year ago, Josh is now teaching Hip Hop and Lyrical among other classes at LASD. He considers it a privilege to be back on stage where his love or theatre and dance began.

David Oliveri

Arabian, Mirlitons

David started his dance training at Saddleback Valley Dance Center in 1995 under the instruction of Ann Mari. In 1998 he started at Ballet Pacifica and received full scholarships to San Francisco Ballet, The Rock School, Houston Ballet, and American Ballet Theater. He also won a full scholarship to Milwaukee Ballet from Dance Masters of America.

During 2003 and 2004 David danced at the Lake Arrowhead School of Dance and participated in a number of LACBC productions. He left to attend Indianna University. He joined St. Louis Ballet as a principal dancer in 2005. He has also performed as a guest artist with Delaware Opera, Westchester Ballet, and Pennsylvania Ballet.

Since returning to Southern California, this is David’s third season dancing again with the Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company.

Luigi de Nuñez

Spanish

Luigi began his Flamenco training with Armando Neri at the age of thirteen. For several seasons, he appeared in the Mexican-American Pageant at Valley College of San Bernardino with Señor Neri’s company Los Flamencos. He continued his studies with Lupe Del Rio in Hollywood during which time he performed on the Walt Disney Channel. Other performances have been in the musical production of Luisa Fernanda with opera singer Hernan Pelayo at the Downey Opera House, and in the San Bernardino Civic Light Opera’s production of The Man of La Mancha as Jose. He has also appeared as a guest artist with Margo and her Dance Company.

Raymond Genato

Mouse King, Parent

Born in the Philippines, Raymond has been dancing for more than a decade. A veteran of over fifteen years with the Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company, Raymond has danced the roles of the Nutcracker Prince, Arabian, Trepak, and Toy Soldier. This year he reprises his role as the swashbuckling Mouse King. You’ll also see him on stage with his wife, Anny, as the Prussian party guests.

An accomplished dancer, actor, and choreographer, Raymond danced at the University of California, Irvine, where he studied under the careful tutelage of dance masters Israel “El” Gabriel, James Penrod, and Donald McKayle. He has performed such modern dance classics as McKayle’s Games and Album Leaves, and Sophie Maslow’s The Village I Knew. Ray’s theater and stage credits include Evita, West Side Story, and Me and My Girl. He has also been cast for roles in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and Romeo and Juliet.