SDA's Studio Treasure

George Ortiz

For more than 10 years, George Ortiz has shared his passion, his talents, his heart with the students at Svetlana's Dance Academy.

Today we gratefully thank George for his INSPIRATION to the SDA studio family!

George is a treasured gem here at SDA! We are proud to announce that after TWO life-threatening battles with cancer, George is in remission from leukemia. Chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and many, many prayers have worked to bring healing to one of our favorite people.

George will resume his roles as Drosselmeyer and Arabian Prince in this year's production of The Nutcracker. We are all so thrilled his health has recovered for him to dance with us again!

This amazing survivor inspires dancers, staff, and family alike at SDA. George is full of the Spirit. When you watch him dance, you sense not only his passion for the art but also his fervent soul.

He glows.

He soars.

He inspires.

George performed the role of Jesus Christ in SDA's The Passion of the Christ right before his diagnosis of leukemia earlier this year. And it is to Jesus Christ that we offer all the thanks and praise for George's recovery!

His diagnosis this spring came as a shock after overcoming lymphoma in 2005. Discovering the dreaded C-word was invading his life and body again must have been devastating! His life has already been cruelly scarred by cancer--his 29 year old brother died from lymphoma. But George's fortitude, fitness, bravery and determination, along with a Great Big God, helped him conquer cancer. AGAIN! Praises!

Please be sure to welcome George with a warm smile and kind words next time you see him at SDA. He has ministered to the students here in so many ways. His big heart for young people is obvious and appreciated.

You are an inspiration to us all, George.

We are blessed by your return to SDA!