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Director's Bio |
Simonetta DANCE :: Simonetta was born and raised in Chicago, attending Catholic parochial school and Maria High School for girls. Simonetta studied ballet with the Pojunas Dance Studio in Chicago. Coming from a talented family, Simonetta also has performed with the Chicago Lithuanian Opera Company, The Knight's of Lithuania Dancers and has participated in many other performances in the Chicago Lithuanian community in Chicago. Simonetta majored in dance at Columbia College in Chicago, completing her baccalaureate degree in dance/choreography, with a desire to complete her Masters Degree in Dance Therapy. Simonetta eventually married and left a successful career as a computer graphic artist to become a stay-at-home Mom. Since college, Simonetta has taught dance with the Knights of Lithuania Dancers, including a children's group that danced at the International Lithuanian Dance Festival (Sokiu Svente) in Chicago and performed at other Chicago-area events. Simonetta assumed the title of choreographer-directress of the annual Chicago Lithuanian Women's Club Amber Ball (Gintaro Balius), from her cousin and founder, Genevieve Maluska, becoming the second person to do so. She directed the formal debutante ball from 1984-1992. Simonetta founded the Little Flowers Catholic Girls Club (in honor of St. Therese the Little Flower, and the Little Flowers Dance & Theatre Troupe. The Troupe's yearly performances have been very popular and is typically referred to as "The best original Catholic Theatre in Chicagoland". ::MUSIC :: Simonetta is also a well-known and beloved Catholic Music Artist, who began her songwriting after making an intensive Ignatian silent retreat and a subsequent 30-day follow-up retreat. Fr. John Hardon SJ, her retreat master, encouraged her to "write". This and the guidance of her spiritual director resulted in this outpouring of music that became her first recording of original Catholic music. She is a founding member (and heart and soul) along with her husband Len, of The Saint Philomena Foundation, the organization that distributes her music to the world for FREE, as a sharing of God‘s gifts to her. Simonetta's releases include Keep Your Eyes on the Beloved and King of the Golden City (a dramatic audio-book), as well as The Rosary is a Place and The Rosary is a Luminous Place, both with Fr. Benedict Groeschel CFR. These recordings are now heard each day, coast-to-coast on EWTN Global Catholic radio, Relevant Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio and is the most listened-to Rosary broadcast in America. Simonetta is currently featured as part of the first ever, Spirit Wing Records Catholic music compilation CD titled "Catholic Music 2007". Featuring 32 of the best Catholic artists of today, it is widely available at Catholic book & gift stores, via many Internet outlets and also through her website. Her music is described as totally orthodox and combines deep Catholic truths, the teachings of the saints, and a love for the Blessed Sacrament, with a variety of instrumental styles and settings that are contemporary, beautiful and always uplifting and consoling. Her newest recording, "Faith on My Sleeve" is due to be released in the Spring of 2007. She has been a popular performer and guest on EWTN Global Catholic television's "Life on the Rock", "The Abundant Life" with host Johnette Benkovic and EWTN Catholic Bookmark with Doug Keck. Simonetta has also been a frequent guest on Catholic radio
including among others: - Catholic Answers Live - Morning Air - Relevant Radio - EWTN Catholic Jukebox with Thom Price She is blessed with four girls and two boys, whom she homeschools. See also:
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Copyright 2007 |
