Release the Doves
Avree Walker
Avree Walker photographed by JP O’Donnell
Choreographers
Section 1
Avree Walker
Section 2
Solo 1
Ace Tadeo
solo 2
Vincent Pollock
solo 3
Spencer Jonah
solo 4
Oliver Fairbairn
Dancers
Oliver Fairbairn, Ace Tadeo, Vincent Pollock, Spencer Jonah
Music
Clair De Lune - Michael Dulin, Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV1002: III. Courante - Nathan Milstein
Costuming
Avree Walker and The Dancers
Avree Walker (he/him) began his early training at the West Las Vegas Arts Center under the direction of Dr. Marcia Robinson. He is an alumnus of the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts and attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he represented the dance department in South Korea, Canada, Europe, and throughout the United States. His additional training includes Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Ballet Hispanico, and the Katherine Dunham Technique Seminar.
Mr. Walker became an artist with Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theatre (Contemporary West Dance Theatre), touring and performing works by Alvin Ailey, Ulysses Dove, Elisa Monte, Rennie Harris, Milton Myers, Vernard Gilmore, Zane Booker, Hope Boykin, Tommie Waheed Evans, Donald Byrd, Don Bellamy, and others. His regional performance credits include Dreamgirls, Once on This Island, The Color Purple, Black Nativity (Las Vegas and Atlanta), The Music Man, Spamalot, The Wiz, Cinderella, Matilda the Musical (regional premiere), The Prince of Egypt the Musical (DreamWorks), and Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Mr. Walker also performed in Donn Arden’s Jubilee! at Bally’s Las Vegas and Extravaganza by T&R Entertainment.
He is currently a dancer with Vegas! The Show at Planet Hollywood, directed and choreographed by Tiger Martina. Mr. Walker has served as Resident Choreographer for Contemporary West Dance Theatre and Programs Artistic Director of the CWDT Conservatory & Pre-Professional Program. In 2019, he joined the dance faculty of Las Vegas Academy of the Arts as the school’s first full-time African American dance instructor. As a choreographer, Mr. Walker has created original work through choreographic residencies and commissions for professional dance companies, universities, conservatories, pre-professional programs, and youth ensembles throughout the United States and internationally.
His choreographic credits include National Dance Theatre of Jamaica; Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Youth Ensemble, and Junior Youth Ensemble; Ohio Contemporary Ballet; Contemporary West Dance Theatre and CWDT Artswork Studio Company; Houston Contemporary Dance Company and Institute of Contemporary Dance; Nevada Ballet Theatre II; St. Louis Dance Theatre II; Columbus Dance Theatre; The Ailey School; STEPS on Broadway Conservatory; Move NYC/DC; Collage Dance Collective Youth Ensemble; Las Vegas Academy of the Arts; Live Arts Collective; Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre and its Summer Institute; Ballet Lubbock and Ballet Lubbock Summer; Anthony Burrell Center for Dance / AB Project; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Alabama State University; Utah Tech University; Santa Barbara City College; Boston Conservatory at Berklee Summer; New Manchester Arts Magnet High School; and Vista School for Arts & Sciences.
Mr. Walker is the Artistic Director of the City of Las Vegas Live Arts Institute, an arts education and enrichment conservatory and resident performing arts presenter for the West Las Vegas Arts Center & Theater. Through Live Arts Institute, he continues to expand access to high-quality dance and theatre training, mentorship, creative development, and performance opportunities for emerging and established artists.
PROGRAM NOTES
Release the Doves is a contemporary work exploring the emergence of new angel figures who represent hope, transformation, protection, and the possibility of a new beginning. The dancers embody a journey from uncertainty toward purpose and light. The work asks us to consider what it means to become something greater than ourselves and to carry hope into the world.
Dancers
Ace Tadeo photographed by Avree Walker
Ace Tadeo (he/him) is an 11th grade dance major at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts and a versatile young artist trained in contemporary, hip-hop, and breaking. His performance experience includes appearing as a dancer on Nickelodeon’s Face’s Music Party and in the Brent Rivera feat. LIV music video “Little Kids Nowadays.” Ace has also competed in breaking at national and international levels, while earning recognition through competitive dance. At LVA, he continues to develop his artistry through concert dance, bringing athleticism, musicality, and individuality to every performance. Ace is passionate about expanding his artistic voice and using movement as a powerful form of storytelling and self-expression.
Oliver Fairbairn photographed by Avree Walker
Oliver Fairbairn (he/him) is a senior dance major at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. A dedicated and versatile performer, Oliver continues to develop his artistry through rigorous training and performance opportunities at LVA. He is passionate about exploring movement, expanding his technical and artistic range, and challenging himself as a young artist. Oliver is excited to represent LVA through performance and to continue growing as a dancer, collaborator, and storyteller.
Spencer Jonah photographed by Avree Walker
Spencer Jonah (he/him) is an 11th grade dance student at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts and a versatile young performer with experience across multiple dance styles, including contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, acro, and musical theatre. Prior to LVA, Spencer trained and performed competitively with EVolve Dance Project, earning recognition for his performance work. He currently trains at Studio 702 Dance, where he continues to strengthen his technique, expand his versatility, and grow as a dedicated and expressive dancer. AT LVA, he continues to refine his technique, musicality, and multi-faceted ability while developing his individual voice as an artist. Spencer is a hard working, passionate dancer who is excited and grateful for the opportunity to represent LVA through performance and continue growing as a dancer, collaborator, and storyteller.
Vincent Pollock photographed by Avree Walker
Vincent Pollock (he/him) is an 11th grade student at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. A dedicated and versatile young artist, Vincent has experience in both competitive and concert dance. He has performed at the Palm Desert Choreography Festival, and continues to expand his artistry through his training at LVA. Vincent is passionate about developing his technique, musicality, and individuality as a performer while embracing new opportunities to grow as an artist.