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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.

Ballet dancer lifted by partner on stage

SARA FALSTAD

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 second season as a leading artist for the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre.

Ballerina on pointe in red tutu holding fan

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 performed with the New York Dance Project under the direction of Artistic Director Davis Robertson. She also had the incredible opportunity to perform legendary choreographer Gerald Arpino’s work of Viva Vivaldi as a 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. Ms. Pedraza recently danced the soloist role of Street Artist in GAD's Artistic Director's original ballet of An American In Paris in June 2024.

Ms. Pedraza has been promoted to Ballet Director of the Academy and will be a guest artist with Georgia Dance Theatre for the 2024-2025 season.

Ballet dancer posing en pointe in pink skirt

ABIGAIL BUSBY

Abigail Busby 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. Busby 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. Busby 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. Busby 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. Busby performed the lead role of Sugar Plum Fairy in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet in 2022.

Ms. Busby performed the lead role of the Stepsisters in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts production of Cinderella in the 2022-23 Season. For Artistic Director Sherri Davis' original ballet of An American in Paris, Ms. Busby danced the soloist role of Street Artist in the 2023-2024 season.
In the 2024-2025 season, Ms. Busby danced the lead role of Lise' in GAD's production of La Fille Mal Gardee'.

Ms. Busby is in her 5th season as a leading artist with Georgia Dance Theatre.

Female dancer leaping gracefully in black dress

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 second season as a leading artist in Georgia Dance Theatre's professional company.

Ballerina on pointe in white tutu, arabesque

SOFIA ISETT

Sofia Isett's journey as a dancer began at the age of 4 at Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts. Since 2017, she has been an integral part of the non-profit performing company, Georgia Dance Theatre, where her talent has shone brightly.

Sofia's performances at GAD include unforgettable soloist roles such as the Shepherdess and Angel Fairy in The Nutcracker Ballet, as well as the Summer Fairy in Cinderella. She also mesmerized audiences with an excerpt of Lise from La Fille mal Gardee in GAD's Masterworks series.

Sofia Isett's dedication and passion for ballet have been recognized through various achievements. In 2022, she enriched her artistry at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts' summer dance program and continued to hone her craft at Nashville Ballet's summer intensive in 2023. Additionally, her talent has been acknowledged through acceptances into esteemed summer programs, including those at Texas Ballet Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, BalletMet, Oklahoma City Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet. Through her hard work and commitment, Sofia continues to make her mark in the world of ballet.

Ms. Isett is in her 2nd season as a leading artist of Georgia Dance Theatre.

Ballet dancer in red dress poised on pointe

SYDNEY BYARS

Sydney Byars has trained for eight seasons with the Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts under the direction of Sherri Davis. She also received supplementary training from the Atlanta Ballet, where she had the privilege of participating in the world premiere of Yuri Possokhov’s *Nutcracker* in 2018, as well as in *Beauty and the Beast* by Bruce Wells with Atlanta Ballet’s second company.

Additionally, Ms. Byars has trained at the Nashville Ballet’s summer intensives. Within the Georgia Dance Theatre, she has performed various corps and soloist roles, including Shades in La Bayadere, the Hungarian Princess in Cinderella, Angel Fairy and Arabian lead in The Nutcracker Ballet.

Currently, Ms. Byars is in her second season as a leading artist with Georgia Dance Theatre.

MARY BAILEY CAMPBELL

Mary Bailey (MB) embarked on her dance journey at the Alabama Dance Academy at the age of three. She subsequently enrolled at the Alabama Ballet, where she dedicated 12 years to her training under the guidance of Roger VanFleteren and Tracey Alvey, culminating in her graduation. While at Alabama Ballet, she followed the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, achieving the top mark of “Distinction” multiple times on her annual exams.

Ms. Campbell became an Apprentice member of the professional Alabama Ballet company. She has performed notable roles, including “Woman 4” in Twyla Tharp’s Baker’s Dozen, “Peasant Pas” in Roger VanFleteren’s adaptation of Giselle, and “Drama” in VanFleteren’s Messin’ with Mozart. Other significant productions she has participated in include George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Western Symphony, and Serenade, as well as Dennis Nahat’s Blue Suede Shoes, Julia Eisen’s Alabama Pines, Aidan Nettles’ Equilibrium, Juan Castellanos’ Night on Cranberry Street, and Derek Rocas’ In The Stars.

Currently, Ms. Campbell is studying at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a focus on Exercise Science. Her aspiration is to become a physical therapist specializing in care for dancers.

Ms. Campbell is in her debut season as a professional company member of Georgia Dance Theatre.

Ballet dancer in blue dress performing gracefully.

CORY EARNEST

Cory Earnest received her dance training in multiple genres from the Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts and has been dancing with the Academy for the past 14 years. Ms. Earnest was a member of the pre-professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre. She has danced various soloist roles in multiple ballet and contemporary productions of the Academy.
Ms. Earnest is her in debut season as a Trainee to the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre.