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.
In addition, Ms. Caspersen is the Rehearsal Director for Georgia Dance Theatre & Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts.
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.
In addition, Ms. Caspersen is the Rehearsal Director for Georgia Dance Theatre & Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts.
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 the lead role of Snow Queen in GDT's production of The Nutcracker Ballet.
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 the lead role of Snow Queen in GDT's production of The Nutcracker Ballet.
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.
In Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet, Ms. Hester performed the role of Dewdrop of Waltz of the Flowers. In June 2021, Ms. Hester he will be dancing the principal role of Aurora in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts production of The Sleeping Beauty.
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 will be dancing as the Crystal Fountain Fairy in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' production of The Sleeping Beauty.
CHRISTAL ODUM
Christal Odum received her serious training by invitation to the Brandon Ballet Pre-Professional Program of Florida. Ms. Odum received additional training from the Houston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Ellison Ballet, English National Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater and the Dance Alive National Ballet.
Ms. Odum has performed with the Sun City Gala, the International Ballet Festival of Miami, Houston Ballet and the Brandon Ballet in various Demi-Soloists and Principal roles. In addition, Ms. Odum danced with the Dance Alive National Ballet for 4 seasons and performed in various works such as Portraits and Ballet & Beyond by Ani Collier, Requiem by Kim Tuttle and classical favorites such as A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Nutcracker Ballet.
Ms. Odum is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information System Management and has a Minor in Mass Communications.
Ms. Odum is in her first season as a Leading Artist with Georgia Dance Theatre Professional Company.
