Merger to the max.

A shared past rescued air uncertain future last winter when South Florida's eight-year-old Maximum Dance Company merged with Ballet Gamonet, a troupe still in formation. Two heads may have proved doubly successful in guiding MDC creatively, but an operating deficit that in the last four years grew to exceed $100,000 led artistic directors and principal choreographers Yanis Pikieris and David Palmer to view joining forces with a new organization as a blessing.

"It had been very tough," confesses Palmer. "Even with all our artists making economic concessions, we were close to folding." Their board looked for options and approached an organizational team that not only had been gathering steam but also carried meaningful credentials. Beyond its other resources, Ballet Gamonet had already secured a $300,000 grant to refurbish space for a studio in a 1937 architectural gem across the street from the Olympia Theater, MDC's downtown Miami venue. The renamed Maximum Dance Ballet Gamonet debuted there in May with a projected $1.3 million budget for its first four-program season next year.

Central to tire generous response from donors and city government has been the leadership of Jimmy Gamonet de los Heros. Named artistic director in chief, he is responsible for programming and brings with him over 30 ballets, most dating from his 14 years as resident choreographer at Miami City Ballet. Before his departure under controversial circumstances ("Presstime News," October 2000) Gamonet had set works on three of the MCB dancers, who are now members of the merged company. Palmer and Pikieris continue as choreographer-directors at the new organization.

"This kind of endeavor can't be improvised," says Gamonet, relieved about the comfortable fit for all parties with a common vision. He's especially enthusiastic about the talent of dancers whose number has grown to 16 from Maximum's 9 and who now enjoy better benefits on an extended 32-week contract.

Palmer and Gamonet agree that in today's economic climate no company can afford to let down its fiscal guard. The prospect of premieres, expanded performance dates to the north in Palm Beach County, and choreography workshops will entail lots of hard work and astute management. "Like a fine wine, this will take time to mature," says Palmer. Nonetheless, the dance world in Florida has already geared up for a toast.