 CLIFFORD J. BRELAND is known nationally as: an accomplished artistic
director, educator, choreographer, dancer, fitness and certified gyrotonic
trainer. Clifford began his formal dance training with Mary Lynn, in
Riverside, Ca. , which lead to a full scholarship to study at the Dance Theater
of Harlem in New York with Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook.
Clifford continued his studies at the University of California, Riverside,
where Clifford trained with Donald Hewitt, George De La Pena, Kathryn Scarano,
Alonzo King and acting with Leonard Simon, Ph.D. and David Horn,
Ph.D. Clifford graduated from the University of California, Riverside
earning a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Sociology. Clifford has worked and
collaborated with Artist such as: Donald McKayle, Paula Kelly,
Gladys Knight, Shirley MacLaine, Cheryl Lynn, Oscar Brown Jr., Jean Pace, Verncé Watson Johnson and Debbie
Allen.
In 1988 Clifford founded Bre Dance Studio, where thousands of
students have been trained in the techniques of ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance,
hip hop and drama. Many of Clifford’s students have participated in scholarship
and apprenticeship programs at: the Joffrey School of Ballet, the National
School of Ballet in Canada, the Alvin Ailey School of Dance, the San Francisco
School of Ballet, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet School and the American Musical and
Dramatic Academy in New York City and Los Angeles. Clifford’s
students have achieved first place in: the 1994 Chicago National NAACP/ACT-SO
Dance Competition and the 1998, 1996, and 1994 Los Angeles County Music Center
Spotlight Award in the modern/jazz dance category. Clifford has taught at: the
American College Dance Festival, the California Fitness and Movement Workshop,
the 12th and 17th Annual International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference
and the University of California, Irvine, where he was a Lecturer in Dance for
five years.
In 1991 Clifford founded Bre Dance Theatre, a
nationally-known, dynamic, and versatile dance company that crosses established,
technical boundaries to present thought-provoking works of contemporary
significance. The Bre Dance Theatre made it’s national debut at the
International Association of Blacks in Dance at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas,
Texas and has performed at venues such as: Page Auditorium at Duke
University, the University of California, Riverside, the John Anson Ford
Amphitheater in Los Angeles, California, the Western Arts Alliance and for 651
Arts at the BAM Harvey Theater in Brooklyn, New York.
Clifford has trained dancers that are now pursuing professional performing
careers with well-known artists, such as: Beyoncé, Ricky
Martin, Mary J. Blige, Brian McKnight, Will Smith, Bette Midler, the late
Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, Natalie Cole and at special events such as: the
Comicview, the BET Music Awards, the American Music Awards and many
others.
Clifford is the grateful recipient of several awards and honors,
among them are: the Riverside African American Historical Society’s Unsung
Hero Award, the YMCA Every Day Hero Award, the Essie L Bell Award with
congressional recognition from former Governor Grey Davis, the Gems of
Excellence Award by the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration and a proclamation from
Mayor Ronald Loveridge, of Riverside, California proclaimed May 31 “Bre Day!”
Ronald K. Nelson is the cofounder of Bre Dance Studio. Ronald is also
the executive director of Bre’s performing ensembles. Ronald has a
B. S. Degree in Environmental Engineering from Cal Poly Tech University,
San Louis Obispo. Ronald has worked numerous years in the field of
engineering for prominent companies such as: Joy Manufacturing, the Public
Service Company of Colorado, Bechtel and Metcalf & Eddy. Ronald is set
designer and creator for Bre’s performing ensembles.
 Anthony Jackson, originally from Tulsa Oklahoma, is a charter member of Bre
Dance Theatre and the senior ballet instructor at Bre Dance Studio. Anthony
began dancing at the age of 24 at Bre Dance Studio with Clifford Breland and
Denise Ji-Ahnte', within two years of training Anthony was awarded a scholarship
at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance. While in New York he also studied at
the Dance Theatre of Harlem and also with Carol Riouxe and Abdul D'janiba.
Anthony returned to California to dance and train at Bre Dance Studio and
Stanley Holden Dance Center and to perform more extensively with Bre Dance
Theatre. Since returning to California, Anthony's performance experience
includes both Equity and AGMA work in the areas of musical theater, dance
theater, video, television and opera. Anthony has danced solo roles and
memorable performances across the nation including 8 years as a soloist in the
Crystal Cathedral's "Glory of Christmas" and partnering Heather Whitestone, Miss
America 1995. He has had the artistic pleasure of working with some of Opera's
greatest performers such as Placido Domingo, Denise Graves, Debra Voight and Jan
Grissom, and Simon Estes. One of his most memorable performances was with the
legendary William Warfield at the Hollywood Bowl in "Showboat" directed by
Arthur Allen Seidleman.
Anthony has performed the choreography of Clifford
Breland, Danny Pelzig, John Magnus, Patrick Franz, Patrica Stander, Irene
Feigenheimer, Evette Swinson, Donald McKayle, and many others. Currently Anthony
is teaching at Bre Dance Studio and passionately giving to the new generations
of young dancers.
Bennett Reid Jr. "A.K.A." Ben began his dance training at Bre Dance Studio with Clifford Breland and Denise Ji-Ahnte. Ben has trained on scholarship at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Ben has studied with legendary tap master Eddie Brown and Paul & Irene Kennedy. Ben has worked professionally in Nike, Bank of America, Sprite and Foot Locker commercials. Ben has toured with Reebok, MC Hammer and the Broadway show "Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk.
 Victoria Villarreal began her dance training at the age of 5 at
Inland School of Performing Arts in San Bernardino, California, studying ballet,
jazz, tap, modern, flamenco and Hawaiian dance forms under the direction of
Glenda Lane.
At Inland School of Performing Arts Victoria also trained with
Vicki Bails-Leth, Aisha Francis and performed extensively with Inland’s
performing troupe. Victoria continued her dance training at Bre Dance
Studio in Riverside, California under the direction of Clifford Breland and
Denise Ji-Ahnté.
Victoria became a member of Bre’s Performing Ensembles and has
performed and competed in numerous prestigious competitions and performances
such as, the Japan American Theatre in Los Angeles, CA., the University of
California, Riverside and California State University San
Bernardino. Victoria is finishing her Bachelor of Arts Degree
in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Dance at California State University San
Bernardino. Victoria is also a member and choreographer of San
Bernardino’s University Dance Company and will be graduating June of 2008.
1.
Tia Janeine Wallace “A.K.A.” Hip Hop T began her dance training at the age
of six at Bre Dance Studio. Tia has studied many facets of dance.
Tia’s gift to communicate and connect with children was recognized by Clifford
Breland and Tia’s mother Sharon Wallace.
Tia immediately began training
with Bre’s teacher apprenticeship program. Tia is now a hip hop and jazz
dance instructor at Bre Dance Studio as well as an instructor and lead
choreographer at “The Character Within,” a Theatre arts training center of
Riverside. Tia’s choreography has won many first place awards for Bre’s
hip hop teams in State and National Competitions.
Tia was born to a family of singers and musicians. Tia is following
in the footsteps of her mother Sharon Wallace and her famous Aunt Ms. Cheryl
Lynn. Cheryl Lynn’s popular song “Got to Be Real” is still heard on the
radio today and who could forget the popular duet with Luther Vandross “If This
World Were Mine.”
Tia came right out of High School and into the search for the next Pussycat
Doll Competition on the CW network. Tia has worked as a background singer
as well as an inspiring actress in many plays. Most recently, Tia has signed a
production deal with Cheryl Lynn Entertainment for an upcoming solo
project. Tia’s aspiration to be the ultimate entertainer is well on the
road to success.
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