Natasha Middleton was born into a ballet legacy. Her grandmother danced with the Ballet Russes, and her father, Andrei (Bill) Tremaine, with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. She was a ballerina with the original Pacific Ballet Theatre, under the direction of the her father. She trained and danced in Los Angeles and in New York with Joffrey II, as well as Europe and Asia performing in such ballets as The Nutcracker, Raymonda, Spartacus, and Carmen. She is the daughter of former San Francisco Opera Soprano, Natalie Garrotto and the niece of the late film star, Yvonne de Carlo (Lily on the Munsters). With music and acting under her belt, Ms. Middleton performed and choreographed in many musicals, operas, television and theater plays.
The Directors
Ruben Tonoyan is the Master Ballet Coach for the Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre. He was a soloist with the Armenian National Opera Ballet for 23 years. He began his training at the age of eight with the Armenian National Academy of Ballet. He continued his training at the Kirov Ballet School and the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. After graduation, he returned to his native Armenia where he danced numerous ballets, including the leading role of Armen in Khachaturian’s Gayane, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Albrect in Giselle and continued touring around the world performing in such ballets as Giselle, Carmen, Swan Lake, Othello, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. He has also performed with the National TV Contemporary Ballet for several years. He moved to Los Angeles in 2000. Ruben retired from dancing and began teaching ballet and staging for Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre the ballets Giselle pas de deux, as well as selections from Spartacus and Gayane which brought him critical acclaim. Ruben was also the coach to the principals in the ballets Don Quixote, Chopin Pieces and Carmen.
