GT Has Angles of Many Kinds

Local Dance School Owner, Angel for Glory of Easter
Friday, 30 March 2007
GRAND TERRACE

By Cheryl Brown


When the Glory of Easter opened on last Friday, in Orange, CA, Grand Terrace resident and businesswoman Jamie Azpeitia was flying through the air as one of the angels in the magnificent production hailing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. She owns the Bowen Hayes School of Performing Arts.

This is the first time an African American will be an angel in this production.

Azpeitia says her brother has worked on the Audio Visual Department at the Crystal Cathedral and for years she had attended the production. This year an opening for an angel came and he insisted that she audition for it, she did and got the part.

Azpeitia moved to Grand Terrace from Diamond Bar, three years ago and prior to that from Hawaii where she attended Chaminade University of Honolulu in a Forensic program with a minor in dance. The dance has taken over.

She says her life has been a miracle. She was born with a rare genetic disease and was told she wasn't going to walk so she had to be in physical therapy most of her life. She began using dance to help in the treatment and loved it so much that she has performed in three world tours and several regional works.

Her entertainment background comes naturally, father Logan Westwoods and mother Gwen Rose were both in the industry. Her father was V.P. of CBS and her mother worked in public relations and Rose was the first female to manage a boxer.

Her year will continue to be busy as she prepares for a tribute to her late aunt. Azpeitia will join the Susan Komien Foundation in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on October 20, for her 1st Annual Dancing for a Cure. Her aunt Sammye "Gayle" Horsley lost her battle to breast cancer. Her goal is to raise $10,000 in the show featuring Cinderella Ballet production and showcasing other dancers.

Azpeitia has a philosophy that she imparts to her students, "Nobody is above you or beneath you. We are all the same. You must strive to meet your goals," she said.

The school is located at 22454 Barton Road (909) 420-0044.

The Glory of Easter continues through Saturday April 7. They can be reached at http://www.crystalcahtedral.org/glory_easter.