2023-24 CUBC COMMITTEE
President
Minerva Picón Ibáñez
Minerva grew up and graduated on Biochemistry in Spain and came to the UK to work as a Scientist. She did ballet, flamenco and other Spanish dances during her chilhood but struggled to find classes as an adult. She was very happy to find the CUBC as it has allowed her to continue with this hobby in an easygoing and joyful environment. She am also very happy that the club does a yearly performance as she has been on stage before (not professionally just accdemic shows) and finds it such an amazing and fun experience that I am glad to be able to continue and share with others. I have previous experience in administration, management and leadership so I hope I will be able to support the club this year. Always here to help, reach out if you have any questions/problems.
Vice President
Emily Chung
Emily is a PhD student in History at St John's College. She grew up in France and California where she started dancing at a young age. She has been through pre-professional training, which included a summer intensive with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, was an active member of her undergraduate university’s dance company, and is very happy to have found CUBC in Cambridge. This is her second year as a member of the club, but as both Vice President and teacher she hopes to help foster a welcoming environment for everyone, from new dancers to ex-professionals!
Treasurer
Audrey Chow
Audrey is a second year law student at Trinity Hall. When she’s not drowning in piles of reading, you will most likely find her in ballet class at CUBC! Growing up in Hong Kong, ballet has been her long-term hobby since she was two. Her experience at CUBC has definitely been the highlight of her first year at Cambridge, not only did she love the welcoming environment of the club - she especially loved returning to the stage after five years for the annual Lent performance Coppelia (2023). She’s very excited to be the Treasurer of CUBC this year, and hopes to see you at ballet classes some time throughout the year!
Publicity Officer
Aimee Podevin
Aimee is a third-year vet student at John's, and aside from being animal-mad, is am very excited to be your ballet club publicity officer this year. She started ballet when she was aged three and my love for it has only grown. Participating in the ballet club has been a highlight of her Cambridge experience so far! She has enjoyed performing in the annual Lent ballet performances of Sleeping Beauty (2022), and Coppelia (2023). She hopes that as publicity officer she can encourage more people to give ballet a try and equally introduce people to ballet.
Social Secretary
Tian Gao
Tian is a third-year PhD student in Japanese studies at Emmanuel college. She started her ballet journey when she was a kindergartener in her province’s artistic swimming team. Ballet was one of their key trainings, and later on she developed a keen interest in classical ballet. During her stay at Cambridge, she has really enjoyed taking classes at CUBC and of course joining the annual Lent performance: Sleeping beaty (2022) and Coppelia (2023). She is very excited to be the social secretary this year and she hopes her job can help more people feel included and welcomed at CUBC’s social activities and events.
Technical Officer
Laura Perez-Klein
Laura first joined the ballet club in 2015, she loved the welcoming atmosphere of the club, and she has continued to dance in the club ever since. She particularly enjoys being involved in the annual show, whether dancing, acting, or helping backstage, and more importantly, ensuring that “the chicken”, mascot of the club, has her moment of fame and goes on stage during the performance no matter what. She is delighted to be the technical officer of the club this year.
Secretary
Shiyi Zhang
Shiyi is a third-year economics student at St Catharine’s College. She started dancing when she was 3 years old, learning ballet and Chinese dance, but stopped after graduating from primary school. She resumed dancing last year when she joined CUBC, and she had so much fun both in classes and during the annual show. She is delighted to be the secretary of the club this year.
Costumes Team
Claire R., Emma R., Barry B., Jenny M., and Kym S.-G.
Our costumes team have all been dancing with the club for many years and collectively have performed in almost every show since 2009. They have become close friends through the ballet club and are hugely enthusiastic about providing costumes and stash for the club this year.