| About the Director - CHERISSA RODRIGUEZ-CHASTAIN |
| Cherissa Rodriguez-Chastain was born and reared in Manila, Philippines. She began her formal training in Ballet at age 4, until age 16 with Miss Anita Kane (a prima ballerina with the Royal Ballet of London). Cherisse also studied Jazz, Tap, Hula, Piano and Voice . She also plays the organ and ukulele. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from Far Eastern University, where she received a 4-year FULL scholarship in Dance (others received only a fourth or a half). She was also a member of the Modern Jazz Group and Varsity Cheerleaders for 3 years. |
| At age 15, Cherry and her sister Menchu, began their TV career - under top Philippine choreographers - |
| They became well-known as The Rodriguez Sisters - choreographers for numerous top-rated TV shows and road shows. The RODRIGUEZ DANCERS were among the best in the business - well-trained in Jazz, Philippine Folk Dances and Hula-Tahitian dances. |
| Most notable of their accomplishments are: choreographers-guest appearance in an American movie filmed in the Philippines, starring Troy Donahue; performing for Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Disneyland choreographer, cast and staff on their promo tour of the Far East; promo shows and road shows for Procter & Gamble, Pepsi, Coke, 7-Up; performed for heads of states and world dignitaries, at embassies, U.S. bases and the Presidential Palace (for 4 years while in college); featured in Philippine tourism postcards and tourism documentary film for worldwide distribution; and, choreographers for the Platters' World Concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. |
| When Cherry came to America, she brought with her The Rodriguez Sisters' method of teaching (where they trained their students for their professional shows). She taught Dance and Modeling at YWCA and Girls Club in Ft. Smith. Participating in the RED STOCKING REVUE, >>>>>>>>>>>> she was picked by the Broadway director to be his assistant instructor. Cherry was invited to do a 30-minute Christmas Show on Channel 5 in Ft. Smith. After that, she and her students became regular monthly guests on both talk shows on Channels 5 and 40 for two years, until she moved to Oklahoma. She also started the first ever Luncheon Fashion Show in Ft. Smith, at the Sheraton. |
| After two years in the USA, she became a member of the Dance Masters of America (Certified by Test to Teach). But even with her experience, Cherry still kept up with the latest in performing arts. She has taken jazz classes with Luigi and tap classes with Al Gilbert and other known Dance Masters in America Her students have always placed in the top 12 (many in the top 3) out of about 40 to 60 contestants per age division in the Dance Masters Competitions. She has been involved in all phases of children's pageantry since 1978, as judge, emcee, director, choreographer, and most of all, coach and mentor for numerous girls who have won top awards in beauty pageants, talent and modeling competitions. She had over 25 students who have placed in the top 3 of more than 12 State and National different pageant systems. |
| Cherry has choreographed for many community musicals, including The Music Man and Oklahoma at Wetumka HS, and Hello Dolly at Moore High School; many projects of the Oklahoma Arts Council; White Water; Frontier City; State Fair of Oklahoma (where her group was featured in the State Fair book distributed worldwide; show choir choreographer for 2 Junior HS in Oklahoma City. Midwest City High School and Brink Junior Highl in Moore. She produced and directed a musical variety show "Kids of the 90's" on KTEN (Sherman-Denison-Ada). For 7 years, PACIFICA was one of the few featured performers at Hot Spring's Arlington Hotel's holiday celebrations. Cherry and her group were featured entertainers for Julio Iglesias at Sheraton-OKC. Cherisse is also involved with the Maharlika Dancers of Dallas as choreographer, guest performer and consultant; also a Folk Artist Presenter in Dallas and Tarrant County Schools, including community colleges and the University of Texas, presenting Philippine Folkdances and a program entitled "Our 50th State of Hawaii", where she has received excellent evaluations from the sponsoring schools. |
| performing in many of the top TV shows, movie musicals, road shows and fashion shows. They have opened for Kathryn Grayson, Timi Yuro, Freddie & the Dreamers, Zombies, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (of Wooly Bully fame) and others; worked under the direction of noted Broadway director, LeRoy Prinze - during their days with the Frontierettes, (the Rockettes of the Philippines). They both were |
| More Photos to follow |
| Cherisse was chosen to choreograph for Miss Philippine Centennial, USA, where she also performed at Harrah's in Las Vegas. After that, she was also selected Official Chaperone/Pageant Coach of the Miss Philippine Centennial USA delegates, for the Miss Philippine Centennial International pageant in Manila. Cherisse is the national director choreographer for the Las Vegas-based RP-USA Productions that produces the Mrs./Miss/Teen/Little Miss Philippiens-USA pageants. |
| Cherissa (and PACIFICA) is availabale for bookings: cultural events, luaus, parties, guest choreographer, guest performances and dance workshops. In her dance workshops, Cherisse not only teaches dances but will also train dancers to move more like professionals on stage. Her method of teaching, plus her choreography, is such that amaterus will even look good on the stage. Her guest appearance always add a touch of professionalism to any production. |
| Note: This website is filled with photos because I believe that "a picture paints a thousand words" and I feel that these photos reflect the fine quality and high calibre of my work. |
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| lead dancers of the international award-winning FEU Folkdance Troupe; lead dancers with Bayanihan dancing Tinikling & Binasuan (during their short stint, after which they went back to FEU because of the Full Scholarship); and, lead dancers of the Polynesian Cultural Dance Company of the Phil. (about 80 members, most of whom were Hula teachers in the country); went to Karilagan Finishing School & have modeled for exclusive Filipino couturiers. (Menchu was named one of the Top Ten Outstanding Models of the Philippines, at age 22). |