THE PROFESSIONAL COMPANY
ABBY CALLAHAN
Abby Callahan began dancing at the age of five in her home town of Huntsville, AL. Throughout her youth, she won many awards at various dance competitions. At age fourteen, Abby decided to focus solely on ballet and trained at Huntsville Ballet School for the next three years. While attending a summer intensive at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Abby was selected to join their Professional Division program and trained for two years with noted faculty such as Peter Boal, Marjorie Thompson, and Abbie Siegel. While there, she was fortunate to dance many company roles in productions such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Jewels, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ballet Imperial, Sleeping Beauty, and Don Quixote. She also performed leading roles in PNB’s school productions, such as Pinocchio, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sylvia, and Le Corsaire. After completing the Professional Division Program, Abby joined Los Angeles Ballet Company where she danced for four seasons. She performed roles in ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, The Four Temperaments, Western Symphony, Divertimento No. 15, Who Cares, The Prodigal Son, and Serenade. She also danced a leading role in Aszure Barton’s contemporary piece, Untouched. During summers, Abby trained both nationally and internationally at renowned programs including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, Ballet West, The Rock School, American Ballet Theatre, Estonian National Ballet Summer Nights International Gala, and the SHARE intensive in Paris France. Abby is excited to be joining Huntsville Ballet Company for her seventh season.
NATHANIEL OTTO
Nathaniel Otto was born in born in Seattle, Washington and has been dancing with Huntsville Ballet since 2008. A graduate of Huntsville Ballet School, Nathaniel joined Huntsville Ballet Company in 2017. Nathaniel has received scholarships from schools around the country including Pacific Northwest Ballet School, American Ballet Theater, and The Rock School for Dance Education. At a recent summer intensive at The Rock School in Philadelphia, Nathaniel was asked by School Directors, Bojan and Stephanie Spassoff, to choreograph and perform in the summer end workshop. Since joining the Company, Nathaniel has been sought out by choreographers for his versatility in performing classical, contemporary, tap, and strong character roles. Nathaniel has portrayed Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Sullivan Ballou in The Letter, the Phantom in Phantom of the Ballet, and the Bugle Boy in Stage Door Canteen to name a few. He has performed choreography under the direction of professionals like Keith Cross, Bojan and Stephanie Spassoff, Justin Allen, Peter Boal, and more.
LENNON ASHBY
Lennon Ashby grew up dancing at a small studio in her hometown of Hartselle, Alabama. By age eleven, she discovered her passion for ballet and began dancing with Cullman Ballet Theatre. There she attended many dance festivals and fell in love with several different styles. In the Summer of 2023, she attended the USA IBC International Dance School and received the special recognition award of style and grace. During her senior year, she joined Huntsville Ballet School and was a part of the pre-professional company. Lennon is delighted to start her second year of training with Huntsville Ballet Company.
ANDREA AUSTIN
Andrea Austin began her dance training at the age of 10 with the Cullman Ballet Theater School in Cullman, Alabama. Throughout high school she was a dancer in the Cullman Ballet Company, under Elaine Willingham, where she was able to grow her dance experience in various styles and perform lead roles in various ballets. She has also continued her training through scholarships at IBC international dance school and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet during their summer programs . In her senior year Andrea started taking classes with the Huntsville Ballet School and danced with the Company for the 2024-2025 season. Andrea is so grateful for the opportunity to be apart of the Huntsville Ballet Company and is excited for this upcoming season!
RIVER BYRD
River Byrd is from Franklin, North Carolina where he began dancing at age nine. River trained at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet on scholarship for three years, where he studied under Marcia Dale Weary, Darla Hoover, and Nick Ade. While at CPYB, he was privileged to perform in Balanchine’s The Nutcracker and Serenade. River has attended summer courses at Charlotte Ballet, Ballet Academy East, and CPYB, as well as multiple guest artist appearances with the Nittany Ballet in State College, PA. River danced with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland from 2020 to 2023 performing soloist and character roles in both classical and contemporary pieces. River is excited to be returning to Huntsville Ballet for another season.
ELIZABETH FREEZE
Elizabeth Freeze grew up in Svay Rieng, Cambodia, where she trained with various international teachers. When visiting the U.S., she danced at Peoria Ballet in IL. In 2022 Elizabeth trained at Oklahoma City Ballet in the Post Graduate Program. The following season, she was a trainee in the Sacramento Ballet’s Second Company. She has also attended summer intensives at Charlotte Ballet, Sacramento Ballet and Ballet 5:8. Elizabeth has had the privilege of training under Jill Krutzkamp, Rhodes and Elise Elliott, Colby Damon, Racheal Nye, Bruce Steivel, Ian Thatcher, Molly Daly, Amanda Miller and Jorge Laico. Elizabeth has performed in various showcases and recitals as well as Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Coppelia, and Swan Lake. Elizabeth is excited for her second season with the Huntsville Ballet Company.
BROOKE GARNER
Brooke Garner grew up dancing in Louisville, Kentucky under Kristen Wenrick. Upon moving to Ohio, she continued her training at the School of Cleveland Ballet. In 2019, she was invited to join Cleveland Ballet’s trainee program and was promoted to a company artist the following year. While in the company, Brooke had the joy of performing various corps and soloist roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Don Quixote, George Balanchine’s Serenade, and Margo Sappington’s Alice. In 2023, she joined Huntsville Ballet and is thrilled to be back for her third season!
VICTORIA HUAROTO
Victoria Huaroto grew up in Naples, Florida. She fell in love with the Balanchine technique while performing in Miami City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker for six years. Victoria trained at Gulfshore Ballet under Iliana Lopez and Franklin Gamero, long time Miami City Ballet principles prior to being accepted into the Pre-Professional program at the Miami City Ballet School, an elite program where she continued her training for three years. Victoria has participated in summer programs at The Goh in Vancouver, Miami City Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, and Nashville Ballet School. She has performed in several Balanchine ballets including Western Symphony, Raymonda Variations, and Stars and Stripes. Victoria also has been choreographed on by Maribel Modrono and Gerard Ebitz. Victoria danced professionally for two seasons with Montgomery Ballet before coming to Huntsville Ballet Company. Most recently Victoria performed the iconic role of Odette/Odile in Phillip Otto’s Swan Lake. Victoria is looking forward to starting her eighth season with the company, as well as teaching at Huntsville Ballet School.
DARIA KASUSKA
Daria Kasuska began her ballet training at the age of five in Philadelphia, PA at The Rock School for Dance Education. At the age of twelve, Daria was accepted on scholarship into The Rock School’s Professional Training Division, where she trained under the direction of Bojan and Stephanie Spassoff. Daria was honored to spend three summers on scholarship at The Chautauqua Institute in New York, where she trained under Patricia McBride, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Sasha Janes. She was fortunate to have several Balanchine works set on her directly by Patricia McBride. Daria also attended intensives at Ellison Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Carolina Ballet and Sarasota Ballet. As a student, Daria was honored to be cast in Philadelphia Ballet’s company production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream and George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. She was also cast in Coppelia, Faust, Paquita, Don Quixote, Raymonda, Swan Lake as well as many original classical and contemporary works. In 2021, Daria was invited to join The Sarasota Ballet’s Trainee Program, where she spent three years. She enjoys multiple genres of dance, and absolutely loves to teach and share her love of this art. Daria is thrilled to be joining Huntsville Ballet for her second season.
JOSEPH LIHOS
Joseph Lihos began his dance training at the age of ten in Staunton, Virginia before eventually moving to Salt Lake City, Utah. There he trained under Jeff Rogers in Ballet West Academy’s Professional Training Division where he gained notable full scholarships, such as the Shari Quinney Scholarship. He greatly enjoyed performing in strong acting roles such as Dr. Coppelius in Coppelia and Don Quixote in Don Quixote as well as performing in William Christiansen’s The Nutcracker, Paquita, Reraymonda, Sleeping Beauty, and contemporary works such as Prelude for Five Pieces. Joseph Lihos is honored to be working with Huntsville Ballet and is looking forward to his third season.
ANNA LINDSEY
Anna Lindsey is a native of Madison, Alabama, where she began dancing at the age of three. During her childhood, she trained in multiple styles of dance and performed annually in her studio's version of The Nutcracker, which began her love for ballet. In high school, she competed at YAGP and other national and regional dance competitions, where she received numerous scholarships and awards. After high school, Anna attended The University of Alabama, where she continued her dance education. She recently graduated summa cum laude in May 2025 with a B.S. in Dance and Mathematics. While there, Anna was a member of her school’s repertory company and performed in multiple works set by dance faculty and established guest artists. Notably, she performed as the soloist in a work set by Eldar Aliev, the Artistic Director of a Mariinsky Theatre Stage. She also performed as a guest soloist in editions of The Nutcracker with Druid City Ballet. Additionally, Anna danced with Yonder Contemporary Dance Company, touring regionally and internationally to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Anna enjoys teaching and choreographing and cares deeply about sharing her love of dance with her community. She is very excited for this upcoming year and honored to be starting her first season at Huntsville Ballet!
SETH MOSTOFSKY
Born and raised in Baltimore City, Maryland, Seth Mostofsky started his training under Melissa Stafford at Peabody Conservatory through the Estelle Dennis Boys Program. Seth later attended Baltimore School for the Arts while continuing to train at Peabody Conservatory, and later part time at Washington Ballet. Seth also got the opportunity to train at Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Joffrey Ballet School, and Washington Ballet School summer intensives. Upon graduation, Seth joined Richmond Ballet where he performed soloist and principal roles in Gerard Ebitz Mourning Light, Edward Stierlie Concerto Con Brio, and performed in productions such as Malcolm Burns' Romeo and Stoner Winslett's The Nutcracker. Seth later went on to join Fort Wayne Ballet where he got to perform in productions such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Dracula, along with the opportunity to dance in A Night of Stierli, live on PBS, celebrating the legacy of Edward Stierli. After leaving Fort Wayne Ballet, Seth freelanced in New York City, where was privately coached by Simon Kazantsev. While in New York City, Seth got the opportunity to perform all over the world and dance in major productions such as MidSummer Night's Dream, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, and Harlequinade, along with performing in Galas where he got to perform Esmeralda Grand Pas De Deux, La Bayadere, and Swan Lake. Seth Mostofsky is excited for his first season with Huntsville Ballet Company.
PATTY MYERS
Patty Myers began dancing at age three in Pennsylvania. She trained at Dance Revelation, Pennsylvania Ballet Academy, Redding City Ballet and most recently with the Children’s Ballet Theater. She has attended intensives at Ballet 5:8, Nashville Ballet, and CPYB. Patty has competed at competitions including UBC, YAGP, NYCDA, and BCA. Some of her favorite past roles have been Cinderella in Cinderella, as well as the Dew Drop Fairy and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. Patty is excited to be joining Huntsville Ballet for her first season!
MARIAH PORTER
Mariah Porter grew up in Gilbert, Arizona and has been dancing since the age of four. She competed in numerous dance styles, but by the age of twelve had fallen in love with ballet. Mariah has danced leading roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. She has competed at the Youth American Grand Prix and was awarded top three in both classical and contemporary divisions along with receiving the Houston Legacy Award and first place at Universal Ballet Competition. Mariah has attended many summer intensives on scholarship such as Joffrey Ballet (New York, San Francisco, and Denver), Ballet West, and Ballet Arizona. She was recently part of the University of Utah's ballet program. Mariah is delighted to join Huntsville Ballet for her third season.
EMMA SHEPARD
Emma Shepard grew up in Alabama where she began dancing at the age of five, exploring her love of dance through ballet, jazz, and contemporary/modern. After high school, Emma continued her dance education at Troy State University on a full-tuition academic scholarship, where she had the privilege of training under former Miami City Ballet Soloist, Dominique Angel. She was also honored to have taken class from guest teacher Edward Villella, as well as having the Apollo and Terpsichore pas de deux from Apollo set on her and a fellow dancer. Emma spent summers training at the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, the DAP Dance Festival in Pietrasanta, Italy where she was selected to perform with the Danish Dance Theatre in a new work by renowned choreographer, Sebastian Kloborg, and the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Summer Intensive. Emma earned her BFA in Dance, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Since joining the company, Emma has enjoyed performing a wide variety of roles such as Cat in Peter and the Wolf, a Big Swan in Swan Lake, and the Fall pas de deux in Phillip Otto’s Four Seasons. Emma is excited to enter her sixth season with Huntsville Ballet Company, as well as her fifth season teaching for Huntsville Ballet School.
HALLE SHERMAN
Halle Sherman began her training at the Rock School for Dance Education at the age of three. She continued her studies at the Sandonato School of Ballet under the personal guidance and mentorship of Barbara Sandonato. Additionally, Halle trained at the School of Philadelphia Ballet under the direction of Arantxa Ochoa. In 2016, she was asked to join The Philadelphia Ballet II Company. Highlights of her time with Philadelphia Ballet include works by George Balanchine, Angel Corella, Christopher Wheeldon, and Liam Scarlett. She went on to become a member of Sarasota Ballet as an apprentice. While there, she was chosen by Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner to perform in the company premier of The Leaves Are Fading and was selected by Sir Anthony Dowell and Christopher Carr to perform in the company premier of The Dream. Since joining Huntsville Ballet, Halle has been honored to dance the role of Sarah in the world premiere of Phillip Otto’s The Letter, Dewdrop Fairy in The Nutcracker, and the Stairway to Paradise variation in Phillip Ottos’s Affectionately Yours. Halle is looking forward to an exquisite season with Huntsville Ballet.
SAMANTHA WOODROW
Samantha Woodrow, originally from Huntsville Alabama, began her formal training with Huntsville Ballet School at the age of 5. In addition to continuing her education through the years at Huntsville Ballet, she has been privileged to attend summer programs with Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Sarasota Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Some of her favorite roles have included two world premiere pieces - as a Diamond in Amore, and in the commissioned performance, Moral Virtue. Samantha is honored to begin her fourth season with Huntsville Ballet!