2025 Festival Artists

 

 

We are thrilled to announce our 2025 Artist-In-Residence Melissa Toogood, extraordinary dance companies BalletX, Colorado Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Alonzo King LINES Dance, and 150+ Festival stars for around the globe.

Artistic Director

Damian Woetzel // Artistic Director

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Damian Woetzel has been the artistic director of the Vail Dance Festival since 2006, annually bringing together a wide range of dancers and musicians. Under…

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Artists-In-Residence

Melissa Toogood // Artist-In-Residence

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Melissa Toogood has appeared on the Vail stage since 2015. She is a New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie) winning, internationally recognized dancer and…

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Composer-In-Residence

Caroline Shaw // Composer-In-Residence

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Caroline Shaw is a musician who moves among roles, genres, and mediums, trying to imagine a world of sound that has never been heard before…

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Individual Dancers

Dominika Afanasenkov

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Dominika Afanasenkov is a member of the New York City Ballet corps de ballet. She was born in Tampa, Florida, and began her ballet training at…

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Olivia Bell

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Olivia Bell is a corps de ballet member with New York City Ballet. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, she trained locally before being accepted to…

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Gilbert Bolden III

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Gilbert Bolden III is a Soloist with New York City Ballet. He was born in San Diego, California and began dancing at the age of…

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Isabella Boylston

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Born in Sun Valley, Idaho, Isabella Boylston began dancing at the age of three. She continued her training at the Boulder Ballet and later at…

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India Bradley

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India Bradley is a member of New York City Ballet’s Corps de Ballet. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and began her dance training at…

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Lil Buck

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Charles “Lil Buck” Riley is a world-renowned and award-winning performing artist, entrepreneur, and advocate for the arts and humanities. Lil Buck’s dance repertoire includes a…

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Chun Wai Chan

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Mr. Chan was born in Guangdong, China, in 1992 and trained at the Guangzhou Art School from 2004 to 2010. In 2010 he was finalist…

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Naomi Corti

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Naomi Corti is a dancer with New York City Ballet. Corti became an apprentice with NYCB in August 2018. As an apprentice with New York…

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Derek Crescenti

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Derek Crescenti, originally from Michigan, is a freelance artist working in New York City and Seattle performing with The Chase Brock Experience, Daniel Gwirtzman Dance…

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Patricia Delgado

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Patricia Delgado (she/her), first generation Cuban-American, was born in Miami, Florida. She was a principal dancer with the Miami City Ballet where she worked for…

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Michelle Dorrance

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Michelle Dorrance (Co-Director/Performer) is a lifelong tap dancer and long-time Festival Artist, whose innovative works have graced Vail’s stages to great acclaim. Her full bio is…

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Denys Drozdyuk

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Denys Drozdyuk was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine where he started dancing at the age of 4. From then on, he has been continuously trained in…

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Philip Duclos

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Philip Duclos is a soloist with The Royal Danish Ballet. He joined the company as a member of the corps de ballet in 2022, and…

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Robbie Fairchild

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ROBBIE FAIRCHILD made his Tony nominated Broadway debut in 2015 as Jerry Mulligan in the Tony Award-winning musical An American in Paris, which he reprised…

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Elijah Geolina // Scholar-In-Residence

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Geolina joined ABT Studio Company in September 2023 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky. In ABT Studio Company, he has created roles in ballets by Amy…

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Daniel Guzman // Scholar-In-Residence

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Daniel Guzman began his training in Margarita Island, Venezuela under the direction of Martha Gomez, Artistic Director of Ballet de la Mar. He won numerous competitions…

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Zack Gonder

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Zack Gonder grew up near Chicago and trained at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, under the tutelage of Randy Duncan. He graduated from the…

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Joseph Gordon

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Joseph Gordon was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and began his dance training at the age of five at The Phoenix Dance Academy. Mr. Gordon began studying…

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Catherine Hurlin

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Born in New York City, Catherine Hurlin joined ABT as an apprentice in December 2013 and the corps de ballet in June 2014.  She was…

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Daisy Kate Jacobson

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Daisy Jacobson is from Los Angeles, California and earned her BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School in 2017. She is a YoungArts Winner and…

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Brooks Landegger

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Brooks Landegger recently joined American Ballet Theatre and has danced as a Principal Guest Artist for Czech National Ballet and New York City Ballet. He previously…

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Spencer Lenain

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Born in San Diego, California, Spencer Lenain began his dance training at age 7 at Ballet Arte where he was instructed by Erlends Zieminch and…

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Rachel Lockhart

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Rachel Lockhart (she/her) is a Birmingham, Alabama native who began her dance training at the J. Lockhart Performing Arts Institute under the guidance of her…

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Andrea Lodico

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Andrea Lodico (Producer, KEIGWIN + COMPANY) is a NYC-based producer and arts administrator with more than 20 years of experience. Andrea is also a registered…

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Kayla Mak

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Kayla Mak (she/her) grew up in Rye Brook, NY and studied at Westchester Dance Academy and Ballet Academy East. As a BFA student at The…

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Sara Mearns

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SARA MEARNS, Columbia, SC, principal dancer New York City Ballet since 2008. Originated roles with choreographers Justin Peck, Kyle Abraham, Alexei Ratmansky, Pam Tanowitz, Bobbi…

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Roman Mejia

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Roman Mejia was born in Fort Worth, Texas and began studying ballet at age 3 with his mother and father. At age 13, he entered…

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Chloe Misseldine

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Chloe Misseldine began her classical training at Orlando Ballet School.  She attended ABT Summer Intensives in Orange County, California, and New York City as a…

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Takumi Miyake

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Courtesy of American Ballet Theatre Takumi Miyake was born in Kagawa, Japan, and began his training under his grandmother and mother at the age of three.…

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Mayfield Myers

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Mayfield Myers was born in New York City and raised in East Hampton, New York. At age 9 she began ballet with Sara Jo Strickland.…

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Mira Nadon

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Mira Nadon was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and began her ballet training at the age of six at the Inland Pacific Ballet Academy in Montclair,…

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Emiko Nakagawa

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Emiko Nakagawa is a Japanese tap dance artist currently based in NYC. She went on to further develop her tap artistry with Yukiko “Smilie” Misumi’s…

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Dario Natarelli

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Dario Natarelli is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator specializing in tap dance based in New York City. He is honored to be a part…

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Tiler Peck

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Tiler Peck has been a Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet since 2009. She made her Broadway debut at age 11 as Gracie Shinn…

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Unity Phelan

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Unity Phelan was born in Princeton, New Jersey where she studied at the Princeton Ballet School. After attending summer courses at the School of American…

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Calvin Royal III

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Calvin Royal III is an acclaimed internationally recognized Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre. After starting ballet at age 14, he gained recognition as a finalist…

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Ben Rudisin

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Ben Rudisin was born in Woodbridge, Virginia and trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem and Houston Ballet II in Texas.…

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Antonina Skobina

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Antonina Skobina was born in Mariupol, Ukraine. She is a 3-Time US National Ballroom Dance Champion and a Vice-World Champion. She is also a Blackpool Dance Festival Winner, which…

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Yoon Jung Seo

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Courtesy of American Ballet Theatre A native of Gwangmyeong, South Korea, Yoon Jung Seo began studying ballet at age six. She attended the renowned Yewon School starting…

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KJ Takahashi

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KJ Takahashi is a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet. He was born in Dallas, Texas, and began his ballet training at…

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Stephanie Terasaki

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Stephanie Terasaki was born and raised in southern California. She began her formal training at Inland Pacific Ballet Academy while also attending the Orange County…

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Ryan Tomash

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Born in Toronto, Canada, Ryan trained at Canada’s National Ballet School and joined the Royal Danish Ballet in 2017. He was promoted to Soloist in 2021 and…

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Melissa Toogood // Artist-In-Residence

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Melissa Toogood has appeared on the Vail stage since 2015. She is a New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie) winning, internationally recognized dancer and…

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James Whiteside

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James Whiteside is redefining the meaning of multihyphenate as a principal dancer and choreographer for the American Ballet Theater, host of the “Stage Rightside” podcast,…

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A.I.M by Kyle Abraham

Kyle Abraham

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KYLE ABRAHAM (Founder and Artistic Director, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham; He/Him) has premiered his work to international audiences and acclaim since 2006. Abraham has been…

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Jamaal Bowman

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JAMAAL BOWMAN (he/him) began his dance training at the age of 14 in Maryland, where he was born and raised. In 2021, he graduated from…

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Amari Frazier

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AMARI FRAZIER (he/him) is a Chicago native and Chicago Academy for the Arts graduate. He earned his BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School, where…

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Mykiah Goree

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MYKIAH GOREE (he/him), a native of Houston, Texas, received his early dance training from Houston Ballet Academy and Kinder HSPVA under the direction of Melissa…

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Alysia Johnson

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ALYSIA JOHNSON (she/her), a native of Dallas, Texas, Alysia (she/her) began her training at Dallas Black Dance Theatre and Booker T. Washington HSPVA under Lily…

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Faith Joy Mondesire

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FAITH JOY MONDESIRE (she/her) is a Brooklyn-born dancer, model, and writer. She received her formal dance training at Fiorello H. Laguardia High School. She graduated…

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William Okajima

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WILLIAM OKAJIMA (he/him) Originally from Irvine, California, William Okajima’s love for music and dance originated from a young age, growing up in a household full…

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Morgan Olschewske

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MORGAN OLSCHEWSKE (she/her), is a Korean-American movement artist raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She began her training at Arts Edge School of Dance and Florida Ballet…

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Keturah Stephen

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KETURAH STEPHEN (she/her), a Brooklyn native, began her dance journey at Restoration Youth Arts Academy, where she trained in modern, African and hip hop. She…

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Gianna Theodore

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GIANNA THEODORE (she/her) Raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, Gianna began her dance training at Ballet East Studio under the direction of Susan Lyle and…

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Olivia Wang

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OLIVIA WANG (she/her), originally from Queens, New York, is a rst generation Chinese American artist. She has recently graduated with a BFA in Dance from…

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Alonzo King LINES Ballet

Alonzo King LINES Ballet

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Alonzo King LINES Ballet is a celebrated contemporary ballet company that has been guided since 1982 by the artistic vision of acclaimed choreographer Alonzo King.…

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Alonzo King

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Alonzo King, Founder and Artistic Director of Alonzo King LINES Ballet, has been called a visionary choreographer, who is altering the way we look at…

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Maël Amatoul

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Maël Amatoul is native to the French Riviera. He embarked on a journey at the PNSD Rosella Hightower in Cannes, where he trained in ballet and…

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Adji Cissoko

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Adji Cissoko was born and grew up in Munich, Germany, where she trained at the Ballet Academy Munich and graduated with a diploma in dance.…

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Babatunji

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Babatunji was born in Portland, Oregon, but raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. He received his formal dance training from Center Stage Dance Studio…

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Theo Duff-Grant

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Theo Duff-Grant was born in Vancouver, Canada. He studied at Goh Ballet Academy for ten years before completing his training at the Dutch National Ballet…

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Lorris Eichinger

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Lorris Eichinger started training in Grenoble at the National Conservatory and continued at the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Danse de Marseille. After training at The…

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Shuaib Elhassan

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Shuaib Elhassan, from Manhattan’s Lower East Side, began his formal dance training at The Ailey School under the co-direction of Tracy Inman and Melanie Person…

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Ilaria Guerra

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Ilaria Guerra was born in Torino, Italy. At the age of five, she moved to Palos Verdes Estates, California, where she trained in classical ballet…

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Marusya Madubuko

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Marusya Madubuko, originally from New York, NY, began her pre-professional training at age 15 with Premiere Division Ballet under the tutelage of Nadege Hottier. In…

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Tatum Quiñónez

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Tatum Quiñónez began her training at Master Ballet Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. She then continued her training at Ballet West Academy and the BWA Trainee…

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Mikal Gilbert

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Mikal Gilbert raised in Virginia Beach, VA, Mikal Gilbert developed a love for dance at the age of 19 while studying music performance at the…

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Amanda Smith

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Amanda Smith grew up in Orange County, CA and trained at California Dance Academy, Pointe of Grace, and Anaheim Ballet. In 2008, she was crowned…

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BalletX

Eli Alford

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Eli Alford (Dancer) received his BFA in dance from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance under the direction of Jodie Gates and William Forsythe…

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Itzkan Barbosa

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Itzkan Barbosa (Dancer) danced with Miami City Ballet and NY Theater Ballet, where she performed works by Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Antony Tudor, and more. She…

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Luca De-Poli

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Luca De-Poli (Dancer) attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and began his career with the Cincinnati Ballet Second Company. He’s performed works by…

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Francesca Forcella

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Francesca Forcella (Dancer) danced with the Washington Ballet Studio Company, Los Angeles American Contemporary Ballet, and Houston Ballet II, where she toured internationally, representing Houston…

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Savannah Green

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Savannah Green (Dancer) studied at Manhattan Youth Ballet and LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. She graduated with a BFA from the University of…

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Lanie Jackson

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Lanie Jackson (Dancer) danced with Ballet Virginia after graduating from The Juilliard School where she performed works by Gentian Doda, Andrea Miller, James B. Whiteside,…

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Mathis Joubert

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Mathis Joubert (Dancer) is a former member of Visceral Dance Chicago, ‘Verb’ Ohio Contemporary Ballet, and Bad Boys of Ballet. He also performed at the…

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Jared Kelly

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Jared Kelly (Dancer) trained at The Washington School of Ballet, Baltimore School for the Arts, and Indiana University Ballet Theatre, where he graduated with a…

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Eileen Kim

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Eileen Kim (Dancer) received her BFA in dance from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and danced with the Universal Ballet in Seoul, South…

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Skyler Lubin

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Skyler Lubin (Dancer) danced as a member of the Corps de Ballet with Miami City Ballet from 2010-2014. She has performed featured roles including Flower…

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Jonathan Montepara

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Jonathan Montepara (Dancer), from Orsogna (Italy), graduated from the Balletto di Roma. He danced for American Repertory Ballet, and has worked with Ethan Stiefel, Amy…

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Jerard Palazo

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Jerard Palazo (Dancer) studied at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division, Toronto Dance Theatre, Ailey School, Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Program, and Nederlands Dans Theatre.…

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Minori Sakita

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Minori Sakita (Dancer) trained at the Maryland Youth Ballet and Houston Ballet Academy. She danced with Tulsa Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet, and has performed principal…

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Ben Schwarz

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Ben Schwarz (Dancer) trained at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and The School of American Ballet. He has originated roles in works by Alysa Spires, Norbert…

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Ashley Simpson

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Ashley Simpson (Dancer) studied at W. Dreyfoos High School of the Arts and Ailey/Fordham, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and as a Denise Jefferson…

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Peter Weil

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Peter Weil (Dancer) trained at The Metropolitan Ballet Academy, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, and Orlando Ballet. He danced with Philadelphia…

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Colorado Ballet

Colorado Ballet

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Presenting exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement, Colorado Ballet continues to inspire and grow an increasingly diverse…

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Jennifer Grace

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Jennifer Grace began dancing at The Dance Center in Bozeman, Montana at the age of 7. At 13, Miss Grace moved to Moscow, Russia to…

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Mario Labrador

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Mario Vitale Labrador was born in Antioch, CA. At the age of 10, he began his ballet studies under the tutelage of Ronn Guidi. At…

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Leah McFadden

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Leah Rose McFadden grew up in a small town called Dowagiac, MI. At age 11, she began training with Southold Dance Theatre, a pre-professional ballet…

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Christopher Moulton

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Christophor Moulton was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and began his training with Rozanne David at the Dance Center of Colorado Springs and continued his…

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Jessica Payne

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Jessica Payne is from San Clemente, California. She received her training at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy under the direction of Dmitri and Jennifer Kulev…

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Ariel McCarty

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Ariel began training at Texas Ballet Theater School in Dallas before continuing her education at Colorado Ballet Academy. She then joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company…

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Patrick Mihm

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Patrick Mihm was born in Dubuque, Iowa and began his training at the Dubuque City Youth Ballet at the age of 11, where he studied…

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Alexandra Wilson

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Alexandra Wilson began training with the Colorado Ballet Academy at age 9, spending her summers away on scholarships across the nation. She competed in Youth…

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Ever Larson

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Ever Larson began her formal training at Ballet Society of Colorado Springs before relocating to Denver for Colorado Ballet Academy’s full-time Pre-Professional program. Under the…

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Mackenzie Studinski

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Mackenzie began her training in New Orleans at Giacobbe Academy of Dance and privately with Kimberly Matulich Beck. She later moved on to further her…

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Sara Thomas

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Sara Thomas is originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She began her ballet training at the age of 12 with Metropolitan Ballet Academy under the direction…

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Catherine Aoki

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Catherine Aoki began dancing ballet at age six and started at a local ballet school in Ogden, Utah and went on to dance in the…

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Lily Bines

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Lily fell in love with dancing early but did not start her formal ballet training until the age of 10 when she began studying with…

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Mylie Buck

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Mylie Buck began dancing in Greeley, Colorado and later moved to California to begin her in-depth training at Pacific Ballet Conservatory. During her years of…

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Alexandra Gilliom

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Alexandra Gilliom was born in Denver, Colorado. After moving to Costa Rica at the age of six, she started pursuing ballet more seriously at a…

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Sheridan Guerin

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Sheridan Guerin was born in Ft. Worth, Texas and began her training at age 12. She trained under Lisa Slagle at Ballet Academy of Texas.…

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Catherine McGregor

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Catherine began her training at the age of five and trained in Jacksonville until the age of sixteen. During her training, Catherine spent many of…

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Stefanee Montesantos

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Stefanee Montesantos was born in Hinsdale, Illinois and began her training at local company Salt Creek Ballet at age 3. Upon graduating from the Salt…

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Sonata Ross

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Sonata Ross was born in Fort Collins, Colorado and began dancing at Canyon Concert Ballet at age 13. While training in Colorado, she attended summer…

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Lili Travaglia

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Lili Travaglia began her training at the Colorado Ballet Academy under Heather Prokhnitski, Igor Vassine, Erica Fischbach, and Domenico Luciano. She attended summer programs at…

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Lily Hagen

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Lily Hagan began her dance training in Wyckoff, New Jersey with Dance Theater of New Jersey. In 2016, she specifically trained in the Vaganova method…

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Chloe Kinzler

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Chloe Kinzler grew up in Los Angeles and has always had a passion for the performing arts. She began her more serious ballet training at…

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The Center Will Not Hold

Ephrat Asherie

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Ephrat Asherie (Co-Director/Performer) s a NYC-based director, chore- ographer, performer and b-girl and a 2016 Bessie Award Winner for Innova- tive Achievement in Dance. Asherie…

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Michelle Dorrance

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Michelle Dorrance (Co-Director/Performer) is a lifelong tap dancer and long-time Festival Artist, whose innovative works have graced Vail’s stages to great acclaim. Her full bio is…

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John Angeles

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John Angeles (Performer) is from Fort Worth, TX. John obtained a music degree from TCU, where he focused on Drumset, Marimba and Marching percussion. He…

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Manon Bal

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Manon Bal(Dance Captain/Performer) is a versatile professional dancer from Marseille, France. She has trained at the IFPRO Rick Odums in Paris and at the prestigious…

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Tomoe "Beasty" Carr

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Tomoe “Beasty” Carr (Performer) Born in New York, Tomoe spent a decade of her upbringing in Japan. She commenced her dance training at Next Generation…

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Zakhele “Bboy Swazi” Grabowski

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Zakhele “Bboy Swazi” Grabowski (Performer) is a performing and competi- tive Tap dancer and Breaker. He has toured with Dorrance Dance, Rennie Harris Puremovement Street…

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Fritzlyn Hector

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Fritzlyn Hector (Performer) Bessie Award-winning director, choreogra- pher, dancer, educator, actress, and performing artist with a dynamic 25-year career. A veteran performer and cast trainer…

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Donnetta "Lil Bit" Jackson

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Donnetta “Lil Bit” Jackson (Performer) is a versatile dance performer, instructor, choreographer, and actress. Born and raised on the Southeast Side of Chicago, IL, she…

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Eriko Jimbo

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Eriko Jimbo (Swing) is a Tokyo born NYC based performing artist, educa- tor, creative, and collaborator. Ranging from contemporary, hip hop, partnering, house, martial arts,…

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Michael Manson

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Michael Manson Jr. (Performer) is a dancer, choreographer and educator, specializing in the form of Detroit Jit, the city’s most iconic dance style. He has…

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Ron Myles

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Ron Myles (Performer) admits that he has always been one looking to “shine in front of a camera.” Born and raised in the city of…

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Matthew "Megawatt" West

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Matthew “Megawatt” West (Performer) started dancing at the age of 16 in Queens, New York. Growing up, his fascination with animals was undeniable and directly…

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Paul Taylor Dance Company

MADELYN HO

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MADELYN HO, M.D. is from Sugar Land, Texas where she began dancing at Kinard Dance School with Shirley McMillan and later trained with BalletForte under…

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KRISTIN DRAUCKER

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KRISTIN DRAUCKER was born in Washington D.C and grew up in York, Pennsylvania. She began her training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under Marcia…

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LEE DUVENECK

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LEE DUVENECK grew up in Arlington, Texas, where he trained with Anne Oswalt and Gwen Price. In 2010, he earned his B.F.A. in Dance Performance…

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ALEX CLAYTON

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ALEX CLAYTON grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, He received his B.F.A. in Dance with a Minor in Visual Arts from Stephens College in 2013. He…

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DEVON LOUIS

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DEVON LOUIS who hails from Washington, DC, is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts. He attended the Ailey School as a recipient…

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JOHN HARNAGE

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JOHN HARNAGE a native of Miami, Florida, studied dance at the Miami City Ballet School and New World School of the Arts. He was a…

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LISA BORRES CASEY

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LISA BORRES CASEY a native of Staten Island, New York, is a graduate of LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts.  At…

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JADA PEARMAN

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JADA PEARMAN began dancing at the Motion School of Dance in Hamilton, Bermuda where she trained extensively in all styles of dance. In 2013, Jada…

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SHAWN LESNIAK

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SHAWN LESNIAK from New Haven, Connecticut, began dancing at the age of seven. For most of his youth, Shawn trained in various dance techniques such…

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JAKE VINCENT

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JAKE VINCENT was born in Atlantic City and grew up in Flemington, New Jersey He attended the Taylor School Summer Intensive in 2012, and received…

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JESSICA FERRETTI

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JESSICA FERRETTI, originally from Port Chester, New York, started her dance training at Westchester Dance Academy. She graduated magna cum laude in 2019 from Marymount…

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AUSTIN KELLY

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AUSTIN KELLY is from Overland Park, Kansas where he began dancing at Jody Phillips Dance Company and later studied at the University of Hartford’s The…

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KENNY CORRIGAN

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KENNY CORRIGAN is originally from Southwick, Massachusetts and received his BFA from Point Park University. He has performed in Carmen (Houston Grand Opera), as Carnival…

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GABRIELLE BARNES

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GABRIELLE BARNES was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, where she began her dance training at the age of 4 and furthered her studies at…

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EMMY WILDERMUTH

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EMMY WILDERMUTH is originally from Littleton Colorado where she began her dance training at the Belliston Academy of Ballet. In 2021, she graduated summa cum…

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ELIZABETH CHAPA

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ELIZABETH CHAPA is from Barrington, Illinois where she trained at Joffrey Ballet and A&A Ballet. She furthered her studies at Butler University, where she studied…

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PAYTON PRIMER

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PAYTON PRIMER is from Dallas, Texas, where she trained at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. While there, she was…

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Choreographers

Robert Battle

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Robert Battle’s journey to the top of the modern dance world began in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami, Florida where he showed artistic talent…

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Michelle Dorrance

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Michelle Dorrance (Co-Director/Performer) is a lifelong tap dancer and long-time Festival Artist, whose innovative works have graced Vail’s stages to great acclaim. Her full bio is…

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Larry Keigwin

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Larry Keigwin (Artistic Director, KEIGWIN + COMPANY) is a native New Yorker, choreographer, and curator who has danced his way from the Metropolitan Opera to…

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Rachel Lockhart

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Rachel Lockhart (she/her) is a Birmingham, Alabama native who began her dance training at the J. Lockhart Performing Arts Institute under the guidance of her…

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Justin Peck

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JUSTIN PECK is a two-time Tony Award winning choreographer, director, filmmaker, and dancer based in New York City. He is currently the acting Resident Choreographer…

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Gianna Reisen

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Gianna Reisen is a choreographer and movement director based in New York City. Her journey began at the School of American Ballet, where she trained…

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Bobbi Jene Smith

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Choreographer Bobbi Jene Smith was born in Centerville, Iowa. From 2005-2014 she was a member of the Batsheva Dance Company under the artistic direction of…

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My'Kal Stromile

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My’Kal Stromile’s extensive training includes instruction from Kim Abel in Dallas/New York, Ceyhun Ozsoy and Dereque Whiturs in Dallas, and Anna-Marie Holmes in Boston. He…

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Pam Tanowitz

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Pam Tanowitz is a critically acclaimed choreographer and founder of Pam Tanowitz Dance.Quick-witted and rigorous, the New York-based choreographer and collaborator has steadily delineated her…

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Melissa Toogood // Artist-In-Residence

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Melissa Toogood has appeared on the Vail stage since 2015. She is a New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie) winning, internationally recognized dancer and…

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Patricia Delgado

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Patricia Delgado (she/her), first generation Cuban-American, was born in Miami, Florida. She was a principal dancer with the Miami City Ballet where she worked for…

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Musicians

Brooklyn Rider

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Johnny Gandelsman, violin Colin Jacobsen, violin Nicholas Cords, viola Michael Nicolas, cello “A string quartet of boundless imagination.”—NPR Celebrating twenty years of shared musical exploration, Brooklyn Rider originated in a…

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Jayla Chee

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Jayla Chee is a New York based bass player and composer originally from the Bay Area in California.    While earning her bachelor’s degree at the Juilliard…

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Youba Cissokho

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BORN TO A JALI STORYTELLER FAMILY IN SENEGAL, YOUBA IS A 72ND GENERATION KORA PLAYER. The kora, or a type of harp made from a calabash gourd, was…

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Kate Davis

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Kate Davis is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. She studied at the Manhattan School of Music and has spent over a decade performing various musical…

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Rhiannon Giddens

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Rhiannon Giddens has made a singular, iconic career out of stretching her brand of folk music, with its miles-deep historical roots and contemporary sensibilities, into…

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Cameron Grant

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Cameron Grant is recently retired after 37 years with the  New York City Ballet. As a solo pianist, he performed a vast repertoire for solo…

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Alan Moverman

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Alan fell in love with Dance while playing for Isadora Duncan choreography. From 1988 till 1993 he toured the United States and Europe as solo…

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Eliza Salem

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Eliza Salem is an in-demand drummer, educator and composer currently based in Brooklyn, New York. As a multi-faceted musician, Eliza strives to explore and reach…

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Michael Scales

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Michael Scales is a musician for dance in New York City, where he serves as pianist at New York City Ballet, the School of American…

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Caroline Shaw // Composer-In-Residence

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Caroline Shaw is a musician who moves among roles, genres, and mediums, trying to imagine a world of sound that has never been heard before…

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Davóne Tines

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Davóne Tines is a pathbreaking artist whose work encompasses a diverse repertoire, ranging from early music to new commissions by leading composers, while exploring the…

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Derek Wang

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With virtuosity and “enviable idiomatic rigor” (The Wall Street Journal) at the service of “pure poetry” (Seen and Heard International), pianist Derek Wang is drawing…

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Joel Wenhardt

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New York based Joel Wenhardt is a jazz pianist, and collaborator. While completing his studies at Juilliard (BM ‘18, MM ‘23) he has become a…

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Tony Siqi Yun

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The Canadian-born pianist Tony Siqi Yun, Gold Medalist at the inaugural China International Music Competition (2019) and recipient of the Rheingau Music Festival’s 2023 Lotto-Förderpreis,…

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