GEORGIA DANCE THEATRE
Leading Artists
Georgia Dance Theatre Leading Artists are the Principal Dancers of a 40 member company.
Professional Artists lead the company in various genres of dance and performances.
Georgia Dance Theatre performs approximately 14 productions each season which includes full length Nutcrackers, Nutcracker Teas, Showcases of Classical and Contemporary Works, full length Classical and Contemporary Ballets, Contemporary Productions
and Featured Artists of our Early Childhood Performances.
Professional Artists lead the company in various genres of dance and performances.
Georgia Dance Theatre performs approximately 14 productions each season which includes full length Nutcrackers, Nutcracker Teas, Showcases of Classical and Contemporary Works, full length Classical and Contemporary Ballets, Contemporary Productions
and Featured Artists of our Early Childhood Performances.
ALISON CASPERSEN
Alison Caspersen grew up in Edwards, Colorado and began her training at Vail Valley Academy of Dance under the direction of Anne Powell and Karen Samuelson. She received additional training from The Rock School for Dance Education of Pennsylvania, Milwaukee Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Kaatsbaan.
In 2014, Ms. Caspersen was honored to be a part of the Helen Pickett Choreographic Essentials Workshop.
Ms. Caspersen received professional trainee status with Ballet Austin and performed with the company in The Nutcracker Ballet choreographed by artistic director Stephen Mills. She has also appeared in Ballet Austin’s Paquita and Women in Light. Ms. Caspersen continued her training with Atlanta Ballet as both a Conservatory dancer and contracted Fellowship artist. She has performed in Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker and Pinnochio and danced the featured role of the Evil Queen in Snow White.
Ms. Caspersen has danced the lead roles of Sugar Plum Fairy & Snow Queen in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet. In the 2018-19 season, Ms. Caspersen performed the lead role of Swanilda in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' production of Coppelia.
Ms. Caspersen is in her fifth season as a Leading Artist for the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre.
Alison Caspersen grew up in Edwards, Colorado and began her training at Vail Valley Academy of Dance under the direction of Anne Powell and Karen Samuelson. She received additional training from The Rock School for Dance Education of Pennsylvania, Milwaukee Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Kaatsbaan.
In 2014, Ms. Caspersen was honored to be a part of the Helen Pickett Choreographic Essentials Workshop.
Ms. Caspersen received professional trainee status with Ballet Austin and performed with the company in The Nutcracker Ballet choreographed by artistic director Stephen Mills. She has also appeared in Ballet Austin’s Paquita and Women in Light. Ms. Caspersen continued her training with Atlanta Ballet as both a Conservatory dancer and contracted Fellowship artist. She has performed in Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker and Pinnochio and danced the featured role of the Evil Queen in Snow White.
Ms. Caspersen has danced the lead roles of Sugar Plum Fairy & Snow Queen in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet. In the 2018-19 season, Ms. Caspersen performed the lead role of Swanilda in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' production of Coppelia.
Ms. Caspersen is in her fifth season as a Leading Artist for the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre.
JENNIFER PEDRAZA
Jennifer Pedraza began her dance training at the Ballet Concierto of Puerto Rico under the direction of Carlos Cabrera. She continued her training with the Joffrey School of Ballet of New York, the New York Dance Project and with the National Ballet of Cuba – originally founded by legendary ballerina Alicia Alonso.
Ms. Pedraza has performed in such esteemed artistic works as Alberto Méndez’s Phantom of the Opera, Isadora Bruno’s Latin Suite, Jimmy Gammonet’s Pico Rico Mandorico, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bach in Three Movements, La Vivandiere, Don Quixote and The Nutcracker Ballet with soloists and demi-soloist roles.
Ms. Pedraza has just completed performing with the New York Dance Project under the direction of Artistic Director Davis Robertson. She had the incredible opportunity to perform legendary choreographer Gerald Arpino’s work of Viva Vivaldi as soloist. In addition, she performed original works by Stage Directors & Choreographers Foundation Award recipient and famed Broadway choreographer Larry Keigwin. Ms. Pedraza has also been honored to showcase works by Joffrey Artist Tyler Gilstrap and New York Dance Project’s Artistic Director Davis Robertson.
In Napoli, Italy, Ms. Pedraza was honored to dance with her beloved Ballet Concierto of Puerto Rico in the classic ballet Coppelia and Swan Lake with National Ballet Theater of Puerto Rico under the direction of Jose’ Rodriguez.
Jennifer Pedraza began her dance training at the Ballet Concierto of Puerto Rico under the direction of Carlos Cabrera. She continued her training with the Joffrey School of Ballet of New York, the New York Dance Project and with the National Ballet of Cuba – originally founded by legendary ballerina Alicia Alonso.
Ms. Pedraza has performed in such esteemed artistic works as Alberto Méndez’s Phantom of the Opera, Isadora Bruno’s Latin Suite, Jimmy Gammonet’s Pico Rico Mandorico, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bach in Three Movements, La Vivandiere, Don Quixote and The Nutcracker Ballet with soloists and demi-soloist roles.
Ms. Pedraza has just completed performing with the New York Dance Project under the direction of Artistic Director Davis Robertson. She had the incredible opportunity to perform legendary choreographer Gerald Arpino’s work of Viva Vivaldi as soloist. In addition, she performed original works by Stage Directors & Choreographers Foundation Award recipient and famed Broadway choreographer Larry Keigwin. Ms. Pedraza has also been honored to showcase works by Joffrey Artist Tyler Gilstrap and New York Dance Project’s Artistic Director Davis Robertson.
In Napoli, Italy, Ms. Pedraza was honored to dance with her beloved Ballet Concierto of Puerto Rico in the classic ballet Coppelia and Swan Lake with National Ballet Theater of Puerto Rico under the direction of Jose’ Rodriguez.
TAYLOR CIAMPI
TAYLOR CIAMPI was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and began her pre-professional training at The Rock School in Philadelphia under the direction of Bo and Stephanie Spassoff. While there, Ciampi competed in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), winning numerous semifinals.
In 2015, she was awarded the Grand Prix Award in Austin, Texas, and placed in the top 12 during the finals at Lincoln Center. Ciampi was one of six American women chosen to compete at the Prix de Lausanne.
Ms. Ciampi has additional training from the Dutch National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam under the direction of Jean-Yves Esquerre. Ms. Ciampi was also honored to particpate in the Jacob's Pillow Ballet Program.
In 2016, Ms. Ciampi began her professional career as an apprentice with the National Ballet of Canada.
She joined Atlanta Ballet 2 in 2017, performing the Enchantress in Bruce Wells’ Beauty & the Beast and in Craig Davidson’s world premiere of Remembrance/Hereafter.
Ms. Ciampi was promoted to the Atlanta Ballet full professional company in 2018 and has danced with them for two seasons.
Ms. Ciampi is excited to join Georgia Dance Theatre Professional Company to enhance her growth as a leading artist.
TAYLOR CIAMPI was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and began her pre-professional training at The Rock School in Philadelphia under the direction of Bo and Stephanie Spassoff. While there, Ciampi competed in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), winning numerous semifinals.
In 2015, she was awarded the Grand Prix Award in Austin, Texas, and placed in the top 12 during the finals at Lincoln Center. Ciampi was one of six American women chosen to compete at the Prix de Lausanne.
Ms. Ciampi has additional training from the Dutch National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam under the direction of Jean-Yves Esquerre. Ms. Ciampi was also honored to particpate in the Jacob's Pillow Ballet Program.
In 2016, Ms. Ciampi began her professional career as an apprentice with the National Ballet of Canada.
She joined Atlanta Ballet 2 in 2017, performing the Enchantress in Bruce Wells’ Beauty & the Beast and in Craig Davidson’s world premiere of Remembrance/Hereafter.
Ms. Ciampi was promoted to the Atlanta Ballet full professional company in 2018 and has danced with them for two seasons.
Ms. Ciampi is excited to join Georgia Dance Theatre Professional Company to enhance her growth as a leading artist.
WHITNEY HESTER
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Whitney Hester received part of her dance training from the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and performed a repertoire of classical and contemporary genres. Ms. Hester received additional dance training from the Jacob’s Pillow Ballet Program, Arts Umbrella and Nederlands Dans Theater.
Continuing her studies, Ms. Hester attended the University of Southern California and collaborated in choreographic processes with William Forsythe, Artistic Advisor to the USC Choreographic Institute. Additionally, Ms. Hester worked with Jodie Gates, former Principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and Frankfurt Ballet, and current Artistic Director of the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at the University of Southern California. Ms. Hester performed as a Soloist in iconic works such as George Balanchine’s Serenade, Sonatine, Who Cares? and as a part of the ensemble in Allegro Brillante. Ms. Hester has also performed additional pieces by esteemed choreographers Barak Marshall (Monger) and Jiri Kylian (Falling Angels).
Ms. Hester was invited to dance as an Apprentice member of Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company led by
Co-Founder and Co-Director Dwight Rhoden where she danced as Soloist in Rhoden’s original piece Gone and other various works with the company.
Ms. Hester holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance of the University of Southern California and holds a minor in Sports Media Studies from the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism.
ABIGAIL BOIVIN
Abigail Boivin received her training from Atlanta Ballet and Mainstream Dance under the direction of Jaime Robtison. She has received additional training and scholarships from prestigious programs such as the School of American Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Rock School of Ballet, and the Covington Regional Ballet.
Ms. Boivin has danced various roles in Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker Ballet and had the privilege of dancing the lead role of Sophie in Twyla Tharpe’s world premiere of the Princess and the Goblin. In addition, Ms. Boivin performed in Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre’s “Italian Symphony” by Martha Goodman and Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre’s “Gust” by Tara Lee and “A step in three” by Heath Gill.
SAMUAL HUBERTY
Samuel Huberty began his dance training under Colleen Huberty at Toe to Toe Ballet School in his hometown of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. At age sixteen, he moved to Indiana to train for two years at the AUER Academy of Fort Wayne Ballet.
Following his graduation from the program, Samuel was accepted into the Fort Wayne Ballet as a Trainee then was quickly promoted as an Apprentice to the main company. Mr. Huberty has enjoyed lead roles in such ballets as Fort Wayne Ballet's Lacrymosa, Coppelia, and The Nutcracker Ballet.
In addition, Mr. Huberty has been a guest performer for Boca Ballet and most recently danced the lead role of Dracula in BrayBallet's production of Dracula.
In 2020, Mr. Huberty had the opportunity to train for two months with Artistic Director Martin Schonberg of the Ballet Theatre Afrikan.r a
EMILY HAUPT
TRAINEE
Emily Haupt joins Georgia Dance Theatre as a Trainee to the Professional company for the 2020-2021 season. Ms. Haupt received her dance training from the Dance Connection of New York, Rafael Grigorian Ballet of New York, Gem City Ballet of Ohio and the Pontecorvo Ballet of Ohio. She has received additional training from Ballet Austin and the Cincinnati Ballet.
Ms. Haupt began her professional career with the American Repertory Ballet as a Trainee to the professional company for the 2018-19 season. She had the honor of performing various roles in such beloved ballets as The Nutcracker, Coppelia, and Don Quixote.
Ms. Haupt has danced principal roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy and Kitri in Don Quixote with the Gem City Ballet of Springboro, Ohio.
Ms. Haupt is excited to join Georgia Dance Theatre as a Trainee to the Professional company for the 2020-2021 season.
