THE PROFESSIONAL COMPANY
DILLON BRIZIC
Dillon Brizic grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado and began dancing at age four. Dillon has danced competitively earning awards in acrobatics, hip hop, jazz, tap, and contemporary. After moving to Huntsville in 2020, he continued to grow as a well-rounded dancer at North Alabama Dance Center earning the distinction of Dancer of the Year in both 2021 and 2022 at local competitions. Dillon has attended summer intensives at Huntsville Ballet, Alabama Ballet, and Alabama Youth Ballet. Recently, he dedicated his focus toward classical ballet training at Huntsville Ballet with directors, Phillip Otto and Rachel Butler. Dillon is currently a freshman at Bob Jones High School. Dillon looks forward to his first season with Huntsville Ballet and many more to come.
ABBY CALLAHAN
Abby Callahan began dancing at age five in her home town of Huntsville, Alabama. 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 notable faculty such as Peter Boal, Marjorie Thompson, and Abbie Siegel. While at PNB, Abby was fortunate to dance company roles in productions of 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 performing roles in 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 nationally and internationally at renowned programs including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, Ballet West, The Rock School, and American Ballet Theatre. Most recently, Abby trained at Estonian National Ballet where she performed in the Summer Nights International Gala. Abby is excited to be joining Huntsville Ballet Company for her fourth season.
LENA EASTER
Lena Easter began her ballet training at the Ballet School of Kingston in upstate New York under Melissa Bierstock and finished her training in New York City at the Premiere Ballet Division under Nadege Hottier. She then joined Ballet Theatre of Maryland as an apprentice for two seasons dancing in both classical and contemporary works. Lena has been privileged to attend summers intensives at The Philadelphia Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and Eglevsky Ballet. She has been coached by Francis Veyette and Lauren Fadeley Veyette and has trained under faculty including Andrew Veyette, Andra Corvino, Ernesta Corvino, Maurice Curry, Anne Hebard, and Charles Askegard. Lena is excited to begin her first season with Huntsville Ballet this year.
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 seasons. Victoria trained at Gulfshore Ballet under Iliana Lopez and Franklin Gamero, long time Miami City Ballet principals prior to being accepted into the elite Pre-Professional program at the Miami City Ballet School, training there 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, including leading roles as Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Bluebird Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty, and Glinda in The Wizard of Oz. Victoria is delighted to continue her growth as she heads into her fifth season at Huntsville Ballet Company, as well as teaching in Huntsville Ballet School.
ASHLEY JORDAN
Ashley Jordan began her ballet training at age four at Huntsville Ballet School and has loved dancing ever since. Ashley has trained under the guidance of Phillip Otto and Rachel Butler since she was eleven years old. She has attended notable summer programs including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Indianapolis School of Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Ballet Chicago, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She also competed in the 2017 Youth American Grand Prix. During her training at Huntsville Ballet School and throughout these summer programs, she has had the privilege of training under distinguished teachers and choreographers such as Keith Cross, Tim Fox, Patricia Blaire, Daniel Duell, and Darla Hoover. Ashley joined Huntsville Ballet’s professional company in 2018. Since then, she has performed roles choreographed by Phillip Otto such as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Christine in The Phantom of the Ballet, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. Alongside dance, Ashley is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology through the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Ashley is thankful for the opportunities she has had in Huntsville and thrilled to continue cultivating and sharing her love for dance into her fourth season with Huntsville Ballet.
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 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.
SARAH SATTERFIELD
Sarah Satterfield began her formal ballet training at Huntsville Ballet in 2005. As a member of the student company under direction of Phillip Otto, she performed as Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Dew Drop Fairy and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and originated Tinkerbell in the world premiere of Peter Pan in 2016. Sarah attended summer programs at Nashville Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Rock School, and Richmond Ballet. After graduating high school, she became a member of Richmond Ballet’s trainee program. During her two seasons there, she performed in Stoner Winslett’s The Nutcracker, La Bayadere, Kingdom of the Shades, William Soleau’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Sleeping Beauty. Sarah also performed soloist and leading roles in the trainee’s New Works 2 productions both years. Sarah was then accepted into the Louisville Ballet’s Studio Company where she danced for two seasons in ballets such as Balanchine’s Serenade, The Brown-Forman Nutcracker by Val Caniparoli, Alun Jones’ Cinderella, Ronald Hynd’s The Merry Widow and Robert Curran’s Giselle. Sarah is excited to be back home where she can share her passion by dancing and teaching at Huntsville Ballet.
MARK SCHEIDKER
Mark Scheidker began dancing at age ten at Long Beach Ballet under the direction of David Wilcox. There he performed the role of Fritz in The Nutcracker for three seasons, as well as corps de ballet roles in Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Coppelia. While at LBB, he participated in the Youth America Grand Prix dance competition winning numerous awards. In 2015, Mark began training with the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie Dance School on scholarship studying classical ballet and Russian character dance under Alaine Haubert, Kenneth Easter, and Vladimir Kolesnikov. He performed for two seasons in ABT’s production of The Nutcracker, as well as creating the role of “Parfait Man” in the premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s Whipped Cream. Mark has attended summer intensives at Pacific Northwest Ballet and BalletMet. Since moving to Madison in 2017, Mark has trained and danced with Huntsville Ballet performing the Spanish and Mouse King roles in The Nutcracker and the Rooster in Carnival of the Animals. Mark is also pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering at UAH. Mark is happy to be joining Huntsville Ballet Company for his first season.
EMMA SHEPARD
Emma Shepard grew up in Alabama where she began dancing at the age of five. Throughout her childhood, she trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary/modern. After high school, Emma continued her dance education at Troy State University, where she had the privilege of training under former Miami City Ballet Soloist, Dominique Angel. Emma spent two summers training at the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, as well as the DAP Dance Festival in Pietrasanta, Italy where she was selected to perform with Danish Dance Theatre Company in a new work by renowned choreographer, Sebastian Kloborg. She also trained at the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Summer Intensive. In recent years, Emma has been involved in many performances with the Troy Repertory Ensemble and the Troy Department of Theatre and Dance as well as the Alabama Dance Festival, Alabama Minority Choreographer’s Festival, the Alabama Ballet Festival, DAP Festival, CDC Festival, and as a guest artist in The Nutcracker. While at Troy, Emma had the privilege of taking classes from guest artist Edward Villella, as well as having the Apollo and Terpsichore pas de deux from Apollo set on her and a fellow dancer. Emma completed her BFA in Dance at Troy University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2019. Emma danced professionally for Georgia Dance Theatre for their 2019-2020 season. Emma joined Huntsville Ballet for their 2020-2021 season and looks forward to her third season with the company.
HALLE SHERMAN
Halle Sherman began her training at the Rock School for Dance Education at age 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 Pennsylvania Ballet under the direction of Arantxa Ochoa. In 2016, she was asked to join The Pennsylvania Ballet II Company. Highlights of her time with Pennsylvania 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 premiere of The Leaves Are Fading. Other highlights include the opportunity to work with Sir Anthony Dowell and Christopher Carr in Sarasota’s premiere 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 another incredible season with Huntsville Ballet.
BEAN SHINDELL
Bean Shindell began dancing at the age of two at the Dancers’ Workshop in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Bean primarily trained under Ahita Ardalan Bergman of the Paris Opera Ballet. While training, Bean had the opportunity to work with companies including Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, New York City Ballet, Eugene Ballet, and the San Diego Ballet, as well as contemporary companies such as Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. She also studied at many summer intensives including Ballet West. After performing with San Diego Ballet, Bean received a full time contract with the company and danced there for three seasons. She has also danced professionally with Columbia Classical Ballet, as well as Montgomery Ballet. Bean has performed in many ballets including Gisselle, Coppelia, The Jungle Book, Les Sylphides, The Nutcracker, Carnival of the Animals, The Little Humpback Horse, Le Conservator, Pas De Quatre, The Sleeping Beauty, among others. Bean is excited to be joining Huntsville Ballet this season.
MOLLY SWINDELL
Mollie Swindell began dancing at the age of nine in her hometown Decatur, Alabama. Throughout her youth, Mollie developed a love for classical ballet and began training seriously with Huntsville Ballet School in 2018. While a student member of the Huntsville Ballet Company, she has been honored to perform roles such as Shepherdess and Dewdrop Fairy in The Nutcracker, the Nessun Dorma pas de deux in Phillip Otto’s Big Spring Dreams, and the Red Bird in Peter and the Wolf. Mollie has attended summer intensive training programs with Ballet Magnificat, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Ballet Met studying under such notable faculty as Jiri Voborsky, Darla Hoover, and Edwaard Liang, among others. Mollie is thankful for the direction she has received from Huntsville Ballet directors, Phillip Otto and Rachel Butler and is excited to begin her first season with Huntsville Ballet Company.
SAMANTHA WOODROW
Samantha Woodrow began her formal training at Huntsville Ballet School in 2009. In addition to her years of training at Huntsville Ballet, she has been privileged to attend summer programs with Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Samantha has trained under distinguished faculty including Ted Kivitt, Gennadi Vostrikov, Arantxa Ochoa, Flavio Salazar, Darla Hoover, Carrie Imler, Jorge Laico, Michelle Lucci, Alexander Iziliaev, Kate Lydon, Jonathan Porretta, Ashley Bouder, and Anthony Krutzkamp. Some of her favorite roles have included two world premiere pieces - as a Pearl in Phillip Otto’s Amore and in the commissioned performance, Phillip Otto’s Moral Virtue. Samantha is honored to begin her first season with Huntsville Ballet’s professional company this year.
GRETTA WRIGHT
Gretta Wright began her formal ballet training at Huntsville Ballet School in 2013. From 2012-2017, Gretta was a member of the local Arts Magnet program with Huntsville City Schools where she had opportunities to dance, choreograph, and participate in multiple workshops with Giordano Dance Chicago. During her time in the Dance Magnet Program, Gretta was awarded an induction into the National Honor Society of Dance Arts. While in school, Gretta was also student member of the Huntsville Ballet Company under direction of Phillip Otto and Rachel Butler. She has performed roles such as Ballerina Doll in The Nutcracker, Odette in excerpts from Swan Lake, and a Diamond in the world premiere of Phillip Otto’s Amore. She has attended summer programs at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Dance Conservatory of Charleston, and Lines Ballet. After graduating high school in 2020, Gretta joined the professional company at Huntsville Ballet and is happy to continue working with such an amazing organization.