Donna Speckman, Founding Member

Ms. Speckman fell in love with Middle Eastern dance as a child after attending a performance featuring a Lebanese dance soloist. She began studying Middle Eastern cabaret-style dance and was performing and teaching by the age of 18. Her dance training expanded to include ballet, Modern jazz and Latin jazz, and she has been a member of several Los Angeles-based companies including Jazz Dancers, Inc., AMAN International Music and Dance, and Viviane's Egyptian Folk Art Ensemble. Donna has also performed with the Persian dance company, SABA, and is a founding member of Gulistan Dance Theater.

Monica Ramos, Founding Member

Monica Ramos is a formally-trained dancer of classical ballet. She began lessons at the age of eight and continued her serious study throughout the years ahead. Monica was invited to perform with The Boston Ballet after receiving a scholarship to their affiliate school. She was principal dancer with the Asian-American ballet and has also been a featured soloist with such reputable companies as Samaniego Dance Gallery, Ballet Pacifica and Pasadena Dance Theatre. Deciding to broaden her knowledge in other forms of dance, Monica later joined Pars National Ballet--a company dedicated to Persian Dance in the forms of ballet and traditional folk where she currently serves as assistant to Artistic Director, A. Nazemi. Ms. Ramos first had the privilege of performing with Gulistan in the fall of 1999 as a founding member. Monica also studies and performs flamenco--currently with dancer/choreographer Mari Sandoval. Monica's strong background in classical ballet and ethnic dance has taken her on tour extensively throughout the United States and Europe.

Nikii Henry, Member since 2002; Costume Designer

Nikii Henry began her ballet training in Pittsfield, Massachusetts--first with Terpsichore Dance Studio, then Canterella School of Dance, moving into company roles with Berkshire Ballet, 1984-1988. She left formal dance for eight years, returning to perform with Lexington Ballet in Kentucky in 1996 and 1997. Injuries led her to bellydance with Rakadu Gypsy Dance, also in Lexington, KY. Here in Los Angeles, she joined Pars National Ballet in 2000, Gulistan Dance Theater in 2002, and co-formed Subee Djinn in 2001. She danced "Kali" both in the 2004 and 2005 productions of Desert Sin's "Musee des Femmes." She is now also a member of Elysium Dance Theatre and is a costume and clothing designer. Her remarkable creations are featured throughout Gulistan's repertoire and in many company photographs.

Jane Glaser, Member since 2009

Ms. Glaser began dancing at age four with ballet, and later pursued competitive figure skating. Her "international dance" experience began at age 13. She has trained and performed with many dance companies, including Zadruga Bulgarian Folk Ensemble, Otea Polynesian Folk Ensemble, Bel Air Liturgical Dancers and Viviane's Egyptian Folk Art Ensemble, where she was also Assistant Director. For 15 years she toured locally and nationally with the AMAN International Music and Dance Ensemble as a principal dancer and vocalist. Currently, Jane also performs with Karpatok, a Hungarian Dance Ensemble.

Guest Dancers & Actors

Gulistan's larger productions depend upon the special skills that quality guest artists bring to the stage. Previous guests include Cynthia Beckert, Paul Boynton, Eli Danker (pictured), Diana Goodwin, Kathy Inscore, Arthur Kusuhara, Marguerite Kusuhara, Michael Lee, Laurie Miller, Sayaka Pereira, Marie Silva-Alexander, Sina, SuperKate, Pawan Tulachan, Silas Willis, David Yohe and Zahra Zuhair.

Musicians

Gifted singers and instrumentalists have appeared with Gulistan performing both accompanying and featured musical repertoire. Musicians who have performed with Gulistan are Nancy Cappelle, Joe Carson, Michael Cox, Chris Henry, Donavon Lerman, Kathy Inscore, Tolkin Isakov (pictured), Richard Johnson, Nina Kaufman, Linda Levin, Tanya Merchant, Maurice Mitri, Ian Price, Susan Rudnicki and Jeff Willis.

Former Company Members

Gulistan's repertoire and vision are built upon the efforts of its devoted, regular members. Former members include Tara Gurung (pictured), Rizvan Mamet, Kristy Hatton, Trina Heatherington, founding member Laurie Buenafe Krsmanovic, Zarina Kobilova and Alexandra Rozo.