About Peninsula Lively Arts
A not-for-profit dance company, Peninsula Lively Arts has served as a home for diverse, inclusive, and dynamic performances and dance education since its founding in 1967. Peninsula Lively Arts is the second longest-running ballet company in the Bay Area, after the San Francisco Ballet. Centrally located in the heart of San Mateo County, PLA has grown alongside our evolving cultural landscape, expanding our vision to embrace a broad array of performances and educational programs.
Our productions go far beyond classical ballet, performed by our anchor organization, Peninsula Ballet Theatre under the artistic director of Gregory Amato, to include hip-hop under the artistic direction of Stuck Sanders, contemporary dance, and an international dance festival, showcasing the Bay Area’s culturally distinctive dance community.
In addition to our performances, Peninsula Lively Arts is home to the Peninsula School of the Arts with five studios where students of all ages (from 3 to 80+) and backgrounds, abilities and aspirations, can explore their passion for dance and to develop their creative skills that will serve them on stage, in the classroom, and in every facet of their lives. We offer up to 100% scholarships as we believe everyone deserves to have access to dance and to creativity.
Board of Directors
Susan Condon
President
Jenny Collins
Connie Desautels
Jan Mendez
Sophia Gao
Debbie Chinn
Ex-officio
Staff
Artistic
Gregory Amato
Artistic Director Peninsula Ballet Theatre
Gregory Amato has a wide breadth of experience in the international world of ballet. Mr. Amato has performed in over 50 countries, including for the Queen of England, two presidents, numerous ambassadors, dignitaries, and prime ministers.
He was selected by New York City Ballet principal dancer Edward Villella to become a founding member of the Miami City Ballet, before performing with the Ballet du Nord in France. He was then similarly chosen by Michael Smuin as a founding member of Smuin Ballet. While dancing there, Michael Smuin created several ballets on Mr. Amato, including "Frankie and Johnny,” and "Cyrano." He also appeared in the movie, "The Fantastics," which Smuin choreographed.
Mr. Amato's primary teacher and inspiration was New York City Ballet soloist Nolan T'Sani. He studied on full scholarship at the San Francisco Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York.
Mr. Amato competed and won the gold medal in the Fred Astaire International Ballroom Dance Competition. Despite his impressive ballet career, his personal highlight was his experience as the featured dancer at Carnegie Hall for the 100th Celebration of George Gershwin’s birthday.
Mr. Amato has been the Artistic Director at Peninsula Ballet Theatre and PBT Conservatory since 2017, where he has created over 40 original works, including full-length productions of The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Carmina Burana, Carnival of the Animals, and Carmen.
Stuck Sanders
Artistic Director Hip-Hop Productions
Stuck Sanders was introduced to dance at the age of 12 when his mom was looking for a creative outlet for the obviously athletic youngster who was not all that trilled with traditional organized sports. After one hip-hop class he was hooked and headed for a career in the world of art and dance. In just a few years he was performing in the half time shows of the Sacramento Kings basketball games and earning a reputation as a top freestyler where the dancer is encouraged to create new moves and develop a personal style. Soon he was known for his style of Turf Dancing incorporating strong narrative with storytelling and mime and burnished his reputation participating in numerous Battle Dances. At 19 he headed to Los Angeles for more vigorous training in hip-hop choreography. In 2012 he joined Academy of Villains as principal dancer/choreographer where his choreography became known for its strong theatrical flair. There he and Ale Martinez became one of the AOV main dance partners and in December 2015 they formed The Tribe where they could continue to foster the art form and pass on their many talents to new hip-hop artists. As an Independent artist he serves as director of Peninsula Hip-Hop Productions where he brings hip-hop artists from throughout the United States to present the hip-hop dance style in narrative storytelling.
Vin Eiamvuthikorn
Photographer