25|26 Faculty
MARLENA MARSHALL ABAZA began her teaching career in NYC at the prestigious Ballet Academy East, working alongside top teachers in the ballet community. She was ballet director for both the Greenwich House Music School and the Main St. Theatre & Dance Alliance of NYC, where she taught students of all ages in classical ballet, pointe, character, and creative movement. Ms. Abaza was the Founder/Artistic Director of Sarasota Dance Theatre from 2007-2011. The studio taught children of all abilities and developed a thriving adult program for the community. From 2011-2020 she was on faculty at the Sarasota Ballet School, under the direction of Iain Webb. During her nine seasons she taught students in numerous levels and founded a successful RAD program. After being promoted to head of Middle School, Ms. Abaza created syllabuses, choreographed/directed annual school performances, and oversaw all aspects of the department.
Her ballet training began at the age of 8 in East Hartford, CT and later with Ballet Florida, where she was a founding company member at 15 with their acclaimed civic ballet company. Summer training included the School of American Ballet, Hartford Ballet, and on full scholarship with Ballet West. She’s had the honor of working with such teachers as David Howard and Jacques d’Amboise, who selected her at 16 to take company class with NYCB during their Florida tour. After graduating on scholarship from the Hartford Ballet's 2 Year Trainee Program, Ms. Abaza danced professionally with the Omega Dance Company, Dances Patrelle, the Metropolitan USO, and was a guest artist for numerous productions; including dancing at the historic Shubert Theatre and the world premiere of The Yorkville Nutcracker with Jack Soto and Lourdes Lopez of New York City Ballet. She performed soloist and corps de ballet work in Cinderella, Coppelia, Spartacus, Graduation Ball, Romeo & Juliet, Peasant Pas de Deux, Sleeping Beauty, A Christmas Carol, Peter Pan, Meditation, & Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Her Broadway credits include, A Tribute to Angela Lansbury, with Lauren Bacall, Nathan Lane, and Jennifer Holliday.
Ms. Abaza completed the Royal Academy of Dance’s 3-year teaching program with honors (LRAD), is an ABT® Curriculum certified teacher (Pre-Primary-Level 3), a licensed Silver Swans and BeMoved instructor, and earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. Recently she was on faculty with the Orlando Ballet, teaching in their school, outreach programs, and leading the Come Dance With Us! (CDWU) division for students with special needs. She was awarded a 2021 National Dance Foundation Scholarship in recognition of her teaching and was a Top 4 Finalist at the Royal Academy of Dance’s 2024 Teacher of the Year Awards.
Marlena is pleased to begin another season with Atlanta Ballet School and assist students in reaching their individual dance goals.
ANGELA AGRESTI grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she began her training at the Jordon College Academy of Dance. In high school, she transferred to North Carolina School of the Arts (now UNCSA) for ballet where she worked closely with mentor Anna-Marie Holmes. After UNCSA, Agresti went on to dance with Cincinnati Ballet for one season before moving to Amsterdam to be in Het Nationale Ballet (Dutch National Ballet) where she danced for eight years. While at Het Nationale Ballet, she danced a mix of classical ballets, Balanchine works, Hans van Manen repertoire, contemporary and neoclassical works, along with new creations. Agresti has been featured in William Forsythe’s Second Detail, Alexei Ratmansky’s Don Quichot, Shen Wei’s Sacre du Printemps, and other notable ballets, such as The Dream, Paquita and Swan Lake. During her time dancing in Amsterdam, Agresti gained experience as a choreographic assistant for multiple choreographers’ stage, film and festival works. She traveled to Riom, Switzerland, assisting works by Juanjo Arques and Peter Leung for the Origen Cultural Festival. She also worked with Peter Leung on the first ever virtual reality ballet titled Nightfall. Since returning to the U.S. in 2018, Agresti has been teaching, coaching and rehearsing dancers at the collegiate, pre-professional and professional levels. She held positions at Butler University and Anderson University, and as a company ballet teacher and rehearsal assistant at Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre. In 2018, she assisted Annabelle Lopez Ochoa in the making of Tulips and Lobster for Kansas City Ballet and re-staged the work for the company the following season. She holds certifications in the ABT National Training Curriculum for levels Pre-Primary through Level 5 and has received Basi Pilates teacher training for mat Pilates and reformer. She is certified as an integrative nutrition health coach and holds a Nonprofit Management Certificate from the University of California Irvine. Agresti is looking forward to her second season with Atlanta Ballet.
SHIRLEY BENNETT has professionally performed with Ballet Russe, danced solos with Indiana Ballet Theatre, Tampa, Boston, and Brooklyn Ballets, and Jacob’s Pillow. She studied with renowned teachers at Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, and Harkness Ballet. She earned a BA in Liberal Arts and Education and studied in New York University’s Dance Masters program.
Ms. Bennett has taught and choreographed at the Ballet School of Lincoln Square (for Barbara Walczak of NYC Ballet), Washington School of Ballet, and directed principal dancers at the Wiesbaden State Opera Ballet (Germany). She choreographed one of five chosen pieces performed in professional competition with New Choreographers on Point in NYC.
She has extensive training in the art and science of dance teaching and ballet technique. Her high teaching standards have propelled students as principal dancers in the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, New York City Ballet, and many other regional ballet companies.
HOPE BURT was born in Detroit, Michigan, but raised in Southern California and Central Florida. She began dancing at the age of 10 and immediately discovered her passion! Hope quickly developed a love for all dance styles, but through intensive training and hard work, reached a high level of accomplishment in Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Lyrical. She later added ballroom to her repertoire.
Hope has won numerous awards and scholarships, including a full scholarship to Dance Educators of America’s Ballet Seminar, where she trained under nationally renowned ballet instructors. Her achievements include being the first African American to receive the dancer of the year at her childhood studio. Winning the Leap Contest and being featured on the front page of the competition website. Hope has performed annually as one of the featured soloists in the Nutcracker Ballet, Held at the Maxwell C. King Center. She has also gone on to perform at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the "Beloved" benefit, The Kennedy Space Center, Morgan State University, Disneyland, and toured around the country performing.
In addition to performance, Hope is a choreographer/Instructor known throughout Atlanta for creating innovative and unique choreography. After teaching for over 14 years her love for all 160 of her students is still going strong, helping them to reach their fullest potential. Many of her students have been accepted into prestigious summer intensives and college dance programs such as Juilliard, NYU, University of Georgia, University of Alabama, and Point Park University.
Hope has received a choreography award at the Hall of Fame Dance Competition. Her work has been featured at Disney Springs, Gas South Theater, and is currently a judging official for Empire, GHSA (Georgia High School Association), and a Judge/Convention Teacher for Inspire Dance Competition.
KHULAN BURENJARGAL was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and studied at the Mongolian State Conservatory from 2015 to 2022. After graduating, she danced major roles such as Odile in Swan Lake and The Queen of Dryads in Don Quixote, among various other classical and national repertoire pieces at the prestigious Mongolian State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Burenjargal was also a valued member of the Nomadic Ballet production. In 2023, she became a soloist at The National Buryatia Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, where she performed iconic roles such as Giselle in Giselle, Nikiya in La Bayadere, Niriti in Talisman, and Prelude and Seventh Valse in Chopiniana, among others. While in Buryatia, Russia, she had the honor of working with the legendary Andris Liepa. Burenjargal’s talent has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Gold medal of the Mongolian International Ballet Competition, the Mongolian Grand Prix, the Silver medal of the Korea International Ballet Competition, and the Bronze medal of the World Ballet Grand Prix. She joined Atlanta Ballet for the 24|25 season.
DIANE CAROLL (New York City, New York) began her dance training at the age of ten after receiving a scholarship with the Joffrey Ballet School. She later continued her training as a fellowship student at The Ailey School. A graduate of the esteemed Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York, Ms. Caroll attended the University of the Arts in North Carolina on full scholarship before starting her professional career with Ailey II. As an original member of the Atlanta-based Ballethnic Dance Company and a member of Donald Byrd/The Group, Ms. Caroll toured throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, and South Africa. In 2004, she was invited to serve as an adjudicator and guest Horton instructor for the annual SERBA (Southeastern Regional Ballet Association) Dance Festival. For the past 20 years, Ms. Caroll has taught and choreographed all levels of ballet and modern dance (Horton technique) for pre-professional students. She has extensive experience in teaching students in community-based dance programs with limited or no exposure to the arts. Ms. Caroll currently serves as the community partnerships director for Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education’s Community Engagement, where she oversees the in-school and after-school programs at Parklane Elementary School, Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy, Utopian Academy for the Arts, City of Refuge, and the Whitehead & Harland Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta Centre Dance program in addition to the Atlanta Ballet Youth Ensemble: Community Engagement. She currently serves as a dance judge for the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. Ms. Caroll was named a 2015 LUX LIST Honoree for her leadership in community-based dance programs in Atlanta. This is her 12th year on staff at the Atlanta Ballet and has currently joined their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lead team for internal culture initiatives.
SERENA CHU was born in Long Beach, New York, where she received her early training at the School of American Ballet, performed in numerous productions with the New York City Ballet, and danced in the 1990 Workshop performance of Puss In Boots by Robert LaFosse. After attending the Bolshoi Ballet program in Vail, Colorado, Chu went on to study as a scholarship student with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia, and was one of the first Americans to graduate from the school. She was a member of Sarasota Ballet before joining Tulsa Ballet, where she danced many featured rolls in works from renowned choreographers such as N. Duato, G. Balanchine, J. Kylián, W. Forsythe, V. Caniparoli, B. Stevenson, A. DeMille, P. Taylor, T. Tharp, C. Wheeldon and S. Welch. Some favorite ballets in Chu’s repertoire include Arenal, Without Words, Lambarena, Company B, Serenade, Nine Sinatra Songs, Remansos, Por Vos Muero, and SeAthrough, a piece created on her by Tony Fabre. Chu was a guest principal with Ballet Des Moines during its inaugural years and helped build a new regional company in the U.S. Chu has been seen in Dance Magazine, the New York Times, Newsday, the cover of the Tulsa World and DM magazine. She is a YoungArts award winner and was featured on CBS Sunday Morning. In addition to performing leading roles on the stages of the Joyce Theater in New York City, and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Chu has taught in many notable schools around the country, including Tulsa, Oklahoma; Salt Lake City, Utah; Des Moines, Iowa; Las Vegas, Nevada; and now in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has staged works with Atlanta Ballet 2, including their family ballets of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Swan Princess, and Snow White.
Originally from Chicago, IL, KELLY TONINA COOPER studied dance under the leadership of Ric Rose at the University of Florida. After graduating with a BA in Advertising and a Business minor, she continued her dance education at the Dance Theater of Santa Fe at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL. She trained with Alora Haynes, choreographer-in-residence Alberto Alonso, Dr. Mark Broomfield, Jill Sonke, and Mohamed DaCosta. After relocating to South Florida, she continued to choreograph for a number of special events, including pageants, fashion shows and festivals, before starting her own ensemble dance group, On The Verge. She joined Atlanta Ballet in 2011 and is currently the Centre Administrative Director for the Centre for Dance Education.
In addition to her work at the ballet, she serves as the National Board President for Stonewall Sports, Inc., overseeing 29 chapters in 27 cities across the country. In the spring of 2021, Kelly Tonina graduated with her MS in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport, and will complete her doctorate in Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky in 2026.
LARISSA CAPITANIO DAL’SANTO was born in Chapecó, Brazil. She graduated as a ballet dancer in 2018 from the Bolshoi Theatre School in Brazil, where she trained for seven years under the guidance of renowned teachers. In addition to her formal training, she completed the Bolshoi School Internship Program, earning certification as an assistant teacher. During her studies, she had the distinguished opportunity to rehearse with the legendary dancer Vladimir Vasiliev. In 2019, Dal'Santo joined the Voronezh State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Russia as a soloist. While there, she performed leading and corps roles in many classical productions, including Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Manu and the Drum Dance soloist in La Bayadère, Little Swans in Swan Lake, and Little Red Riding Hood in The Sleeping Beauty. In 2021, she was honored with an invitation to perform at the prestigious “Soul of Dance” awards, held at the Stanislavsky Theatre in Moscow. Dal'Santo is also the co-founder of Ballet Couple (@ballet_couple), a creative brand and digital platform that shares insights into the life of professional ballet dancers. Through this project, she engages with ballet students and enthusiasts, offering behind-the-scenes content, hosting workshops, and teaching in various cities across Brazil during the months of June and July. Ballet Couple also features a signature collection in collaboration with Capezio Brazil. Dal'Santo joined Atlanta Ballet for the 2022–2023 season. Since then, she has performed works by acclaimed choreographers such as George Balanchine, Yuri Possokhov, Lar Lubovitch, Stanton Welch, Liam Scarlett, Helgi Tomasson, and Remi Wörtmeyer. Her repertoire with the company also includes world premieres such as Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, The Rite of Spring by Claudia Schreier, Yellow by Juliano Nunes, and Querencia by Sergio Masero. This is Dal'Santo's fourth season with Atlanta Ballet.
TAIA GALLOWAY began her dance training at EnPointe School of Dance, where she first discovered her passion for movement, creativity, and performance. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, she developed a strong technical foundation and a deep appreciation for the discipline and artistry required in dance. Her early exposure to various dance forms inspired her to further her education in the field. Taia went on to pursue both her academic and artistic studies at Kennesaw State University, where she earned dual degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. This unique combination reflects her commitment not only to the art of dance but also to understanding the science of the human body and movement.
As part of her undergraduate studies, Taia conducted a research study focused on injury prevention in dancers, further deepening her knowledge of kinesiology and safe movement practices. Throughout her career, she has gained a wide range of performance experience, dancing in works by renowned choreographers such as Lisa K. Lock (Undercurrents) and Thang Dao (run(A)way). In 2023, she expanded her global perspective through a transformative study abroad program in Amsterdam, Netherlands, training at the Henry Jurriens Dance Studio. There, she immersed herself in ballet, urban contemporary, and the Double Skin Double Mind Technique. Taia is thrilled to be a part of the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education faculty, where she continues to grow as both an artist and educator.
MIA GIVENS was born in New York City, NY, and began her dance training at the age of two and a half years old at a local school in Atlanta, GA. At the age of six, she began to train at Atlanta Ballet, under the direction of John McFall and attended many prestigious summer intensives, including two summers with The Alvin Ailey Dance School in New York City. She performed, as a pre-professional dancer in Atlanta Ballet’s performances of The Nutcracker, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. During her summer intensives at Atlanta Ballet, she was selected to choreograph Class of We Made It, and Da Vinci.
While at Atlanta Ballet, she was an assistant ballet teacher where she taught ballet techniques and basic positions & movement to dancers ages 3-10. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the California Institute of the Arts, where she was selected to perform in performances of Facing Mekka, 28 Up From 9, and lead roles in Betrayal, Add Water and Stir, and De Desir D’Horizon. During her Senior year in college, she was asked to join Mouvement Perpetuelles, in Montpellier, France where she toured with the company during the 2021 season. Mia greatly looks forward to her second year of teaching.
RAY A. HALL is a professional dance choreographer, educator, and arts leader with over 25 years of experience in dance education and performance. Known for his dynamic artistry and commitment to excellence, Ray has built a distinguished career creating impactful choreography, mentoring emerging artists, and advancing dance education across professional and academic settings.
Ray’s choreography credits include Broken Wings, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and The Christmas Carol, created in collaboration with respected organizations such as Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Tennessee, and Alvin Ailey affiliates. He has worked alongside renowned directors including Troy Powell, Robert Barnett, and Barry VanCura, bringing powerful storytelling and technical precision to the stage.
His professional journey includes leadership roles such as Associate Director at Dance Stop Studio and Instructor at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education. Ray has also served as a guest teacher and master class instructor nationwide, teaching styles including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, and hip hop. His training includes prestigious institutions such as The Ailey School (Professional Division), the School of American Ballet, and the Atlanta School of Ballet.
In addition to performance and education, Ray has been featured as a choreographer and performer at high-profile events, including the Atlanta Ballet Ball, the Cobb County Energy Center Opening Gala, and the Fred Smith Strand Theatre Opening Gala. His work has been recognized with honors such as the Los Angeles Dance Force Gold Award, the Panoply Choreography Competition Award, and the Ovation Award from the Cobb County Arts Council.
Passionate about developing the next generation of dancers, Ray A. Hall continues to inspire through choreography, instruction, and leadership, leaving a lasting impact on both his students and the broader dance community.
RORY HOHENSTEIN was born in Washington D.C., where he began dancing at the age of 6. Hohenstein furthered his training from the age of 12 at the Kirov Academy of Ballet. At 17, he joined Le Jeune Ballet de France in Paris. In 2000, he joined San Francisco Ballet as a member of the corps, being promoted to soloist in 2006. In 2008, he moved to New York, joining Christopher Wheeldon’s company, Morphoses, performing in its home seasons at New York City Center and at Sadler’s Wells in London. He spent a season dancing with the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company before joining the Joffrey Ballet in 2011, where he continued to be a leading artist with the company through the 2018/19 season. Some personal highlights include dancing the roles of Romeo in Krzysztof Pastor’s Romeo & Juliet, Riff in Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story Suite, Levin in Yuri Possokhov’s Anna Karenina and in Wayne McGregor’s Eden/Eden. This is Hohenstein’s fourth season as company repetiteur at Atlanta Ballet.
JENNIFER INMAN began teaching at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education in 2013. Before joining the Atlanta Ballet Centre faculty, she taught at the school of The Georgia Ballet for 16 years, where she also performed in the professional company for three seasons. In addition to teaching a variety of levels at the school, she also helped establish the inaugural DanceAbility class, a community program for special needs students. While at the Georgia Ballet, she had the opportunity to study with Marina Levasheva, Gina Hyatt-Mazon, and Janusz Mazon. Professional company repertory included George Balanchine’s Serenade, excerpts from Paquita and Sleeping Beauty, and the original casts of Going Bach and Carnival of the Animals.
Jennifer’s childhood training was primarily with Ballet Hysell School (the affiliate school of the New Orleans Ballet) where the faculty included Harvey Hysell, Vincenzo Celli, Diane Carney, and Barbara Forbes. She later studied with Joseph Giacobbe in New Orleans and at the Boston School of Ballet as both a summer and year-round student.
Jennifer began teaching ballet at The Lexington School of Dance in Virginia while earning her B.A. in American History and French as well as following her passion for classical music by studying music history and hosting a classical radio program.
In addition to teaching ballet, Jennifer with her husband Mark cares for their three children, one of whom is on the autism spectrum.
AARON JAMES, a creative director, choreographer, dancer, and actor, has been active in the professional entertainment industry for just over 15 years. He got his "big break" as he was a participant on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew in 2010 with his crew Royal Flush that he created along with his younger brother Jared James. Exposure from placing in the Top 8 on America's Best Dance Crew propelled him into a full-fledged professional dancing career that gradually led to many other opportunities in the entertainment world. Aaron has graced the stage with many big names such as Pharrell, Kanye West, Kane Brown, Little Big Town, Baby Keem, T-Pain , Jacob Latimore, and more. Aaron has choreographed for many artists such as Jack Harlow, Est Gee, and Lecrae just to name a few, as well as balancing an emerging acting career as you can find Aaron in many movies, television series & commercials currently airing on many major networks and streaming platforms. Aaron continues to expand his career as an emerging leader in Atlanta's quickly expanding entertainment industry and loves being able to share what he learns with many young performers who wish to follow in similar footsteps.
CHRISTINA JOHNSON trained at Boston School of Ballet, School of American Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. She began her professional career at age seventeen with Boston Ballet, before joining Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she became a principal dancer within four years. In her thirteen-year tenure with DTH, she worked with Jerome Robbins, Frederic Franklin, Suzanne Farrell, Allegra Kent, and Sir Anthony Dowell, among others. She danced leading roles in much of the company’s repertoire, including Swan Lake, Giselle, Serenade, Concerto Barocco, and Fancy Free, to name a few. She was a member of the Swiss companies, Le Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve and Ballett Basel, where her repertoire expanded to include works by William Forsythe, Jiri Kylian, James Kudelka, Ohad Naharin, Jean-Christophe Maillot, Twyla Tharp, Amanda Miller, and David Parsons. Christina is an original member of Complexions Contemporary Ballet and has also been a featured guest artist with various companies worldwide, including the Royal Ballet of London.
After her performance career, Christina has been sought after as a teacher, coach, and ballet master and has worked with companies and schools such as Pacific Northwest Ballet, Washington Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pennsylvania Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Gotesborg Ballett, Cornish College of the Arts and the University of Washington, to name a few. Christina held the position of Rehearsal Director for Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Armitage Gone! Dance, Trey McIntyre Project, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She is currently on faculty at Marin Ballet in San Rafael, CA, and is Adjunct Faculty at Dominican University in the LINES/Dominican BFA in Dance Program.
Christina holds an MFA in Dance from Hollins University in collaboration with the American Dance Festival, The Forsythe Company, and Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts in Germany.
COURTNEY JOHNSON started dancing in 2012 with Sugarloaf Ballet. She studied in the conservatory program. She held many roles with their repertoire of Nutcracker and fall classic ballets they performed. In 2019, Courtney started to train with Mr. Orlando Molina until 2020. She has been with Atlanta Ballet since 2020. She has performed in multiple performances for Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Ballet 2: Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Beauty and the Beast, and Snow White. Courtney has competed in ballet and contemporary programs. She placed Top 12 Contemporary at YAGP for 2 years, placed Top 15 Contemporary for UBC for 3 years, and placed Top 15 for UBC Classical Ballet at UBC. She also was awarded the Triple Threat Award from NYCDA. She was awarded a merit scholarship to Harid Conservatory to attend their summer intensive program.
LAURA ANNE KAY is a dancer, choreographer, and educator from Salem, VA who trained in classical ballet and contemporary/modern styles before attending the University of South Carolina on a dance scholarship, where she earned a B.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography. During her time there, she worked with companies including the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Co., Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet Chicago. She also attended the American Dance Festival in 2023 and 2024. She has performed with Unbound Dance Company in Columbia, SC, and has since been a company member with Atlanta Contemporary Dance Company, as well as an Immerse ATL 2026 Artist in Atlanta. Laura Anne is a highly technical dancer, but enjoys fusing artistry into classical ballet and investigating how that classical vocabulary can be expanded into new, innovative pathways.
AALIYAH LEONARD is an Atlanta-based dance educator, choreographer, and arts in health practitioner with a dynamic background in both performance and science. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Dance with an emphasis in dance education from the University of Tampa.
Aaliyah’s most recent performance included participation in the 2026 HamJam Festival alongside Broadway performers from Hamilton the Musical. Her training is rooted in renowned techniques and repertory influenced by Alvin Ailey, Lester Horton, Luigi, Fosse, and John Lehrer, shaping her versatile and expressive approach to movement.
She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Arts Medicine at the University of Florida. In addition to her graduate work, Aaliyah is an active dance instructor and celebrity children’s instructor/choreographer, known for creating high-energy, confidence-building experiences that prioritize both technical growth and individual expression. Her work extends into arts in health, where she facilitates creative programming for individuals with chronic illness and advocates for inclusive dance education across diverse populations, including deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Aaliyah’s approach is rooted in the belief that dance is not only an art form but a powerful tool for connection, empowerment, and healing.
JANAN MIRZA is a teaching artist and performer with nine years of experience inspiring dancers of all ages to move with confidence, creativity, and joy. An Atlanta native, she began her training at Moving in the Spirit and continued developing across Ballet (ABT/Vaganova), Modern (Duncan, Graham, Horton, Bartenieff), Jazz (New Swing Technique), African, and Ballroom styles. She trained with John Streit, Christian Wiemer, Dana Lupton, Madia Cooper-Ashirifi, Amy Jacques, and Tiffany Mingo. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Brenau University, with a concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy, which informs her teaching with a focus on safe and expressive movement.
Janan has worked as a teaching artist at Moving in the Spirit, Neighborhood Ballet, Rise City Dance, and Studio Go, guiding students from creative movement through advanced levels while emphasizing technique, self-expression, and a sense of community. She also served on the board of directors for Moving in the Spirit, helping lead fundraising initiatives that contributed to the organization’s $8.4 million Capital Campaign.
As a performer, she has appeared in works by Dana Lupton, Carl Flink, Madia Cooper-Ashirifi, Du’Bois A’keen, and Anna Leo, including Truth Be Told at the ACDA at Florida State University and Brenau University, Warrior Women at Emory University, and performances at Synchronicity Theatre, Rialto Theatre, 7 Stages, Agnes Scott College, and Center Stage. She toured nationally with the Moving in the Spirit Apprentice Corporation, performing in Atlanta, Washington DC, Charlotte, Durham, Highlands, Baltimore, and Richmond. In 2023, she performed at an Atlanta Hawks game as part of an Alvin Ailey workshop presentation of Revolution.
JULIA 'ARNESHUIA' NELSON, was born and raised in Augusta, GA where she started her intensive dance training under Sharon ‘Skepple’ Mayfield, Bessie Award Winner 1999. Coupled with her Ballet training at Augusta Ballet she graduated from Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School as “Best Female Dancer”. During this time she also received recognition through multiple Magazines and Dance competitions such as Dance American, and Urban pro-Weekly. This lead her to be accepted into the Boston Conservatory at 17 years old. Through the summers she taught dance for local studios in Georgia, California, and New York. After school, her Professional Dance career continued under the training of Garth Fagan for over a year. She has returned to Atlanta, GA to further her education in dance pedagogy through teaching and training for multiple performance art studios all while earning her certificate for Personal Training.
ABI PACE graduated from Kennesaw State University in May 2025 with her BA in Dance and a concentration in ballet as well as a minor in Organizational and Professional Communication. She performed with the KSU Dance Company for four semesters as well as served as the company’s president for the Fall ’24 and Spring ’25 terms. She trained with the Flint River Dance Art studio and performed with Dance Theatre South fourteen years prior to her time at KSU. She was also awarded Master 4-H’er status in 2019 in the Performing Arts Dance project and performed as a dancer for four years with Georgia 4-H's performing arts group, Clovers and Company. Abi now is a company member with SIDEWAYS Contemporary Dance Company and is thrilled to be teaching at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education!
EDUARDO PERMUY was born in Cuba where he began his training at the age of 7 at Laura Alonso's ballet school Pro-Danza, later joining the National Ballet School of Cuba and finishing at Miami City Ballet School under the tutelage of Nancy Raffa. At the age of 17, Permuy started his professional career with Miami City Ballet as an apprentice and he went to enjoy a career of 18 years also dancing for American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, Joffrey Ballet, Ballet West, Smuin Contemporary Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and appearing as guest artist with a few others. During this time, his repertoire included most of the classics and a vast number of ballets from the Balanchine repertoire, ranging from corps to principal roles. He also had the opportunity to perform ballets from Gerald Arpino, Robert Joffrey, Jiří Kylián, Kurt Joss, John Cranko, Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillan, Twyla Tharp, Helen Picket, Nicolo Fonte, Antony Tudor, Ulysses Dove, Michael Smuin, Val Caniparoli, Alberto Alonso, Benjamin Millepied, Leonide Massine, and Amy Seiwert. Throughout his career, Permuy feels blessed to have learned from figures like Nancy Raffa, Fernanado Bujones, Martha Bosh, Sir Anthony Dowell, Christopher Carr, Eddie Villella and Clinton Luckett. In 2021, he joined Cleveland Ballet as a director of repertoire, where he had the opportunity to not only perform ballet master duties but also was able to return to the stage as a character dancer, performing the roles of Don Quijote in the ballet by the same name and Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker. This is Permuy's fourth season with Atlanta Ballet.
CHANTIA L. ROBINSON has received professional dance training since the age of 2. She received dance instruction at both McClendon School of Dance and Atlanta Centre for Dance Education. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a minor in dance, and a Master’s Degree in HR Management. She has performed in choreography showcases, concerts, and festivals with Atlanta Ballet, Spelman Dance Theatre, Modern Atlanta Dance Festival, Dance Canvas, Alvin Ailey, and more. She was a participant in the Dance Talent Component for Usher’s New Look Foundation. In 2010, she gained a credited role as a dancer in Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls. She started teaching ballet classes at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and furthered her teaching experiences with the Dance Institute of Washington where she taught all divisions: Pre-Dance, Community, Pre-Professional, Adult Classes, and Senior Citizen Outreach initiatives in Washington, D.C. Ms. Robinson has choreographed annual Spring Concert pieces for dance organizations in both Washington, DC, and Atlanta, GA. Her choreography of a trio “Nostalgia” was presented at the following locations: Institute of Peace, the French Embassy for the 25th DIW Anniversary Gala featuring Dance Theatre of Harlem, and during a collaborative workshop with the National Symphony Orchestra. In 2019, she choreographed an award-winning lyrical piece for Kimmestry. In 2024, she choreographed for Atlanta Ballet’s Inaugural Dance for Joy Summer programming. In 2025, she also choreographed for Atlanta Ballet’s Inaugural Adult Dance Intensive. She continues to share her gift of dance to youth and adults in the metro Atlanta area.
ANDERSON SOUZA was born in Santo Angelo, Brazil. Anderson received his training at the Conservatório Brasileiro de Dança under Jorge Teixeira. After graduating, he joined the Cia Brasileira de Ballet in Rio de Janeiro, dancing in principal and soloist roles and competing in national and international competitions, including the Beijing International Ballet Competition. Souza traveled with the Company to perform in Colombia, China, Israel, and France. In 2013, he joined Gelsey Kirkland Ballet. Under the unique guidance of Kirkland, Anderson matured his artistry and received praise from national critics, including those at The New York Times. He has enjoyed dancing roles in The Nutcracker (by Yuri Possokhov) La Sylphide as Gurn (staged by Johan Kobborg), Sum Stravinsky (by Kiyon Ross), Sandpaper Ballet (by Mark Morris), Tuplet (by Alexander Ekman) and the world premiere of Catch (by Liam Scarlett). Anderson is excited to be joining Atlanta Ballet for his 4th season!
CAITLIN M. SPENCER (or Dr. C.) is a choreographer, dancer, sound and visual artist, filmmaker, writer, and educator. Caitlin holds a B.A. in Dance and African American Studies from Oberlin College, and an MFA in Choreography, a graduate certificate in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and a PhD in Educational Studies/Cultural Foundations, all from UNC Greensboro. Caitlin has been active in a range of dance communities, movement practices, and performance projects for more than 25 years and currently works as an interdisciplinary educator and artist.
Caitlin loves teaching a range of dance classes (rhythm tap, creative movement, contemporary dance, improvisation, choreography) and sees dance class as a unique place where people may come alive, thrive, and create community in all sorts of ways. Caitlin approaches the studio as a portal for practice, play, and collaboration, and seeks to support each student’s expressions, curiosities, questions, and creative processes. Caitlin’s classes are grounded in inclusive and equitable teaching practices, offer a rich interplay of choreography, improvisation, and movement techniques, and are inspired by the transformative potential of dance, movement, choreography, and art-making.
WESTERN-LI SUMMERTON is a pianist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Born in Bellingham, Washington, Summerton has studied with renowned pianists throughout the Pacific Northwest including Judith Widrig, Ralph Markham, Kenneth Broadway, Anita King, Jean-David Coen, and Hwakyu Lee; as well as compositional studies with Renee Favand-See and Kenji Bunch. Summerton has extensive experience in collaboration between music and dance, having played for many companies across the country, including The Portland Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, NW Dance Project, Alonzo King LINES Ballet and United Ballet Theatre. In 2021, Summerton was invited to play classes for the Royal Danish Ballet and Hungarian National Ballet. In 2022, he made his debut performance with Atlanta Ballet, performing in Claudia Schreier’s Pleiades Dances. Since then, he has performed with Atlanta Ballet and the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra in works such as Justin Peck’s In Creases, Cathy Marston’s Snowblind, and Ben Stevenson’s Three Preludes. He currently serves as the Company Pianist/Music Administration Coordinator for Atlanta Ballet. Summerton holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with a minor in Business from Portland State University.
REBECCA TRIONFO is a classically trained ballet dancer and instructor with over 15 years of professional-level training rooted in the Vaganova method. She began her early training at Avery Ballet in Virginia before being accepted into the year-round program at The Harid Conservatory under the direction of Gordon Wright. At Harid, she trained throughout high school and graduated with advanced classical education in technique, repertoire, and pedagogy. During her training, she performed a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire including Raymonda, La Bayadère, Paquita, Le Corsaire, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Serenade by George Balanchine, Le Conservatoire, and excerpts from Esmeralda, as well as contemporary works such as A Little Love and Renaissance Way by Mark Godden.
She continued her training on a full-tuition scholarship at the University of Utah and expanded her artistic development through elite summer intensives with Charlotte Ballet, The Washington Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Royal Danish Ballet. She has also participated in master classes with distinguished artists and faculty, including at the National Ballet of Canada and The Suzanne Farrell Ballet.
Rebecca currently specializes in teaching intermediate ballet, with a focus on clean fundamentals, musicality, alignment, and building confident, technically sound dancers. Her teaching approach is grounded in Vaganova methodology and supported by formal Level 1–2 Vaganova pedagogy training, combining conservatory structure with an encouraging and thoughtful classroom environment.
KIRILL ZARETSKII began his classical training at the Moscow Academic Choreography School before continuing his advanced studies at the Moscow Institute of Choreography. He began his professional performing career in 1994 with Yuri Grigorovich Studio at The Bolshoi Theatre, later joining the Moscow State Academic Theatre of Classical Ballet in 1995. Zaretskii’s international career includes tenures with San Francisco Ballet, Ochi International Ballet in Japan, and the Ballet of Moscow. Following his time on stage, he worked extensively as a freelance dancer and Ballet Master from 2014 to 2022, specializing in classical repertoire and technical coaching. In 2023, Zaretskii was appointed as the Artistic Director Assistant at the Gwangju City Ballet in South Korea. Zaretskii joined the faculty of Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education in 2025, where he now utilizes his vast international background to mentor the next generation of dancers.
GEORGE WILSON-BERRY is a newly appointed Assistant Professor of Dance at Brenau University with an MFA from the University of Alabama. During his performance career, he was a member of the Proia Dance Project (Atlanta, GA) before joining the Roxey Ballet (Lambertville, NJ), dancing in numerous classical and contemporary roles. Following his MFA, he held a full-time faculty appointment at Alabama and completed the American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) National Training Curriculum through Level 5.
His choreographic work has been featured at Broadway Dance Center, the Young Choreographer’s Festival, Benjamin Briones’ The Round Table, and the Alabama Dance Festival. George has created numerous dance films with select screenings at MFA Makers in Motion and the American College Dance Association’s (ACDA) Screendance Festival, where his film “Fragile” was chosen for the final night gala. His feature-length Screendance “SeaQueens” premiered in 2023 at the Historic BAMA Theatre with a live orchestra and original score by Dr. Warren Ertle.
His research has earned him several awards, sponsorships, and grants, including an Outstanding Non-Traditional Thesis from the University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences, a Levitetz Innovation Seed Grant, and an Outstanding Research Paper from the Southeastern University Graduate Research Symposium. In addition to concert dance work, he has choreographed several musicals, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Red Mountain Theatre (Assistant Choreographer/Director) and The Rocky Horror Show on the Marian Gallaway mainstage at the University of Alabama. He believes in true collaboration and the importance of the dance community existing beyond theatre walls as we fight for our art form in the vast media landscape.
RACHEL OLIVIA ZINMAN is from Montreal, Québec where she trained as a competitive gymnast until age 11. She then joined Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto, Ontario where she studied for the next six years. During her time at the school, Zinman performed in the 2015 Pan American Games opening Ceremony, and participated in Assemblée Internationale in both 2017, and 2023. In grade 11, Zinman returned home to Montreal, where she was granted the opportunity to work with John Alleyne, a mentor who played a pivotal role in guiding her transformation from student to dancer. Upon graduating National Ballet School, Zinman spent a year in their Company life program and was then offered a contract with Atlanta Ballet 2, where she had the opportunity to perform in a variety of acclaimed productions, including La Sylphide, Coppélia, and Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon. She also portrayed both Odile and Odette in Bruce Wells’ The Swan Princess. After completing two years in Atlanta Ballet 2, Zinman has been promoted to Atlanta Ballet as a company dancer for the 2025-26 season.