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 at The Master Works Series, 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 at The Master Works Series, full length Classical and Contemporary Ballets,
Contemporary Productions and Featured Artists of our Early Childhood Performances.
DEBORA GREER
Debora Greer started her classical training at age 10 in Brazil. At age 19, Ms. Greer attended a Summer Intensive Program at Ballet Chicago and while there, she auditioned for Chicago Ballet Arts and was offered a full scholarship to study for a year under Patti Eyar. That same year, Ms. Greer was offered a partial scholarship to attend Joffrey Ballet Chicago Summer Intensive and enrolled as a trainee student at Joffrey Ballet New York with a partial scholarship, in the year following. This was succeeded by a merit scholarship, where Ms. Greer studied under Era Jouravlev for two years. At Joffrey Ballet, Ms. Greer danced with Homo Veritas Dance and was a guest dancer with Eglevisky Ballet. Ms. Greer has supplemental training in the anatomy for dancers, dance history, and the art of teaching ballet and dance from Joffrey Ballet of New York.
In 2016, she began working with Manassas Ballet Theatre under the artistic direction of Amy Wolfe, where she performed roles such as Big Swans in Swan Lake, Zulma in Giselle, White Cat and Friends of Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Amy in Collin, Reed Flutes, Chinese, Russian, and Dolls in Nutcracker, Evil Stepmother in Cinderella, Mercedes in Don Quijote, Lead Gypsy in Dracula as well as multiple ensemble and corps of ballet roles. While dancing at MBT, Ms. Greer performed contemporary works with DanceArtTheatre and Cellblock Tango from the Musical Chicago with Dancin’ Unlimited.
Ms. Greer also served as choreographer for MBT, contributing to the company repertory with: Ties in Between Us, Jazz in Motion, During the Evening, A Letter to Maria, and Memories and Remembrance. In 2023, Memories and Remembrance was also presented at the Koresh Dance Artist Showcase in Philadelphia.
As a Dance Educator of over a decade, Ms. Greer has taught ballet, pointe, variations, lyrical, choreography, pointe and modern dance. Ms. Greer has coached many students for competitions such as YAGP and DC Grand Prix, with her students placing multiple times through classical and contemporary variations that she choreographed and rehearsed.
Ms. Greer is in her first 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.
With Georgia Dance Theatre, Ms. Pedraza has danced various lead roles in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet and for the 21-22 season, Ms. Pedraza performed the lead role of Kitri in GAD & the Performing Arts' production of Don Quixote.
Ms. Pedraza performed the role of Stepsister in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts production of Cinderella in the 22-23 season.
LAURA HART
Originally from Mississippi, Laura Hart received her dance training from the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet, Ballet Arts Academy, and the Pittsburg Ballet Theatre. She has received additional training from such esteemed companies as Ballet Virginia, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet West, Next Generation Ballet, and Colorado Ballet.
She has received Youth American Grand Prix Semi-Finalist Top Classical Award and was a MusicFest Northwest Ballet Young Artist Gold Medalist. Ms. Hart was a featured dancer at the Regional Dance American National Festival. Ms. Hart has danced soloist and principal roles throughout her career as a dancer.
Her professional career began at Ballet Arizona in Phoenix. She has performed various soloist and principal roles throughout her career.
Laura Hart is in her 2nd season as a Leading Artist with Georgia Dance Theatre. Ms. Hart performed the title role of Cinderella in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' June 2023 production.
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.
Ms. Boivin danced the principal role of Clara in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet.
She has danced the soloist role of the Crystal Fountain Fairy in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' production of The Sleeping Beauty. She has performed various lead roles such as Clara, Arabian, Dew Drop, and various soloist roles in Georgia Dance Theatre's Nutcracker Ballet . Ms. Boivin performed the lead role of Sugar Plum Fairy in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet in 2022.
Ms. Boivin performed the lead role of the Stepsisters in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts production of Cinderella in the 2022-23 Season.
Ms. Boivin is in her 4th season as a leading artist with Georgia Dance Theatre.
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.
Ms. Boivin danced the principal role of Clara in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet.
She has danced the soloist role of the Crystal Fountain Fairy in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' production of The Sleeping Beauty. She has performed various lead roles such as Clara, Arabian, Dew Drop, and various soloist roles in Georgia Dance Theatre's Nutcracker Ballet . Ms. Boivin performed the lead role of Sugar Plum Fairy in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet in 2022.
Ms. Boivin performed the lead role of the Stepsisters in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts production of Cinderella in the 2022-23 Season.
Ms. Boivin is in her 4th season as a leading artist with Georgia Dance Theatre.
ARIANA SERRANO
Ariana Serrano received her ballet training in the Vaganova syllabus from Perm State Ballet under the direction of Russian's premier ballet teacher Olga Tozyiakova. She received additional dance training from Wilmington Ballet Company, State Street Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, and the US International Ballet Company.
Along with her training in Classical Ballet, Ms. Serrano received training in Modern and Batsheva Repertoire from Hubbard Street Dance and Jazz and Flamenco from the Los Angeles Ballet. While receiving her dance education, Ms. Serrano had the special honor of performing at the International Ballet Festival (Tanzolymp) in Berlin and the Youth American Grand Prix where she was placed in the top 24 Senior Women's Classical Category.
While at the US International Ballet Company and the State Street Ballet, Ms. Serrano had the opportunity to be mentored by celebrated artists of dance such as Walter Angelini (LaScala Ballet School), Jonhal Fernandez, Rona Olarte, Ana Leyte, Javier Sanchez (National Ballet of Cuba), Kara Wilkes (Lines Ballet),
Debra Berger (New York City Ballet, Luigi Jazz Master Teacher), and Christina Sanchez (Alvin Ailey School).
As 1st Soloist of the professional company of the US International Ballet Company, Ms. Serrano has performed principal roles in US International Ballet's productions of Giselle, Don Quixote, Midsummer Night's Dream, Nutcracker Ballet, and various contemporary works.
Ms. Serrano is in her debut season as a leading artist in Georgia Dance Theatre's professional company.
Along with her training in Classical Ballet, Ms. Serrano received training in Modern and Batsheva Repertoire from Hubbard Street Dance and Jazz and Flamenco from the Los Angeles Ballet. While receiving her dance education, Ms. Serrano had the special honor of performing at the International Ballet Festival (Tanzolymp) in Berlin and the Youth American Grand Prix where she was placed in the top 24 Senior Women's Classical Category.
While at the US International Ballet Company and the State Street Ballet, Ms. Serrano had the opportunity to be mentored by celebrated artists of dance such as Walter Angelini (LaScala Ballet School), Jonhal Fernandez, Rona Olarte, Ana Leyte, Javier Sanchez (National Ballet of Cuba), Kara Wilkes (Lines Ballet),
Debra Berger (New York City Ballet, Luigi Jazz Master Teacher), and Christina Sanchez (Alvin Ailey School).
As 1st Soloist of the professional company of the US International Ballet Company, Ms. Serrano has performed principal roles in US International Ballet's productions of Giselle, Don Quixote, Midsummer Night's Dream, Nutcracker Ballet, and various contemporary works.
Ms. Serrano is in her debut season as a leading artist in Georgia Dance Theatre's professional company.
LINNEA SWARTING
Ms. Swarting has danced professionally with the Los Angeles Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Nashville Ballet. Ms. Swarting has performed in Thordal Christensen's Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker Ballet. She has performed various soloist and principal roles throughout her career in such ballets and contemporary works as Swan Lake, Seven Deadly Sins, Georgia Balanchine's Western Symphony, Paul Vasterling's Carmina Burana, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker Ballet.
She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Boston Ballet, and Nashville Ballet Training Divisions. In addition, Ms. Swarting is certified in Arts Management from the University of California Irvine.
Ms. Swarting created the Adaptive Dance: New Perspectives Program for students with special needs at the Nashville Ballet. And she is a writer for Pointe Magazine.
Ms. Swarting performed the lead role of Snow Queen in Georgia Dance Theatre's Nutcracker Ballet and as Fairy Godmother in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' production of Cinderella for the 2022-23 season.
Ms. Swarting is in her 2nd season as a leading artist with the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre.
She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Boston Ballet, and Nashville Ballet Training Divisions. In addition, Ms. Swarting is certified in Arts Management from the University of California Irvine.
Ms. Swarting created the Adaptive Dance: New Perspectives Program for students with special needs at the Nashville Ballet. And she is a writer for Pointe Magazine.
Ms. Swarting performed the lead role of Snow Queen in Georgia Dance Theatre's Nutcracker Ballet and as Fairy Godmother in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' production of Cinderella for the 2022-23 season.
Ms. Swarting is in her 2nd season as a leading artist with the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre.
SYDNEY BYARS
Trainee to Pro - Bio to come
