GEORGIA DANCE THEATRE
Leading Artists
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.
RAFAELLA MOCELIN
Rafaella Mocelin, originally from Brazil, began her dancing at the age of 4 at Ballet Vera Bublitz.
At the age of 15, Ms. Mocelin received a scholarship to continue her training at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York under the direction of Era Jourayley. During her training at the Joffrey Ballet School, Ms. Mocelin performed various lead roles such as the Black Swan Grand Pas de Deux in Swan Lake, Snow Queen in The Nutcracker & Paquita Pas de Deux in Paquita.
In addition to these lead roles, Ms. Mocelin also had to opportunity to perform in Conservatorie under the restaging of Kaina Elver. Ms. Mocelin had the distinct honor of performing in Walpurgisnatch under the direction of New York City Ballet's Stacy Caddell.
Ms. Mocelin has received additional training from Miami City Ballet under Merit Scholarship and the Joinville festival with artists such as Cristina Helena, Sergio Marshall and Toshie Kobayashi Joinville.
In 2019, Ms. Mocelin performed various lead roles in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' production of Coppelia.
Ms. Mocelin began her professional career as a Trainee with the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre. She will make her debut as a professional leading artist of Georgia Dance Theatre for the 2019-2020 season.
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.
Ms. Pedraza is making her debut season as a professional Leading Artist of Georgia Dance Theatre for the 2019-2020 Season.
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.
Ms. Pedraza is making her debut season as a professional Leading Artist of Georgia Dance Theatre for the 2019-2020 Season.
EMMA SHEPARD
Emma Shepard is a graduate of Troy University and holds a BFA in Dance.
She received the majority of her dance training from the Centre of Performing Arts of Central Alabama. She received additional training from professional summer intensives of American Ballet Theatre and the Alonzo King LINES Ballet of California.
As a performer, Ms. Shepard was involved in many productions with the Troy Repertory Ensemble, the Troy Department of Theatre and Dance, along with performing at the Alabama Dance Festival, Alabama Minority Choreographer’s Festival, the Alabama Ballet Festival, CDC Festival, and as a professional guest artist for the beloved classical ballet, The Nutcracker Ballet.
In addition, Ms. Shepard has international performing experience with the Danza in Arte a Pietrasanta (DAP) Festival in Pietrasanta , Italy - a festival of a unique blend of dance, music and visual art.
Ms. Shepard is in her debut season with Georgia Dance Theatre professional company.
Emma Shepard is a graduate of Troy University and holds a BFA in Dance.
She received the majority of her dance training from the Centre of Performing Arts of Central Alabama. She received additional training from professional summer intensives of American Ballet Theatre and the Alonzo King LINES Ballet of California.
As a performer, Ms. Shepard was involved in many productions with the Troy Repertory Ensemble, the Troy Department of Theatre and Dance, along with performing at the Alabama Dance Festival, Alabama Minority Choreographer’s Festival, the Alabama Ballet Festival, CDC Festival, and as a professional guest artist for the beloved classical ballet, The Nutcracker Ballet.
In addition, Ms. Shepard has international performing experience with the Danza in Arte a Pietrasanta (DAP) Festival in Pietrasanta , Italy - a festival of a unique blend of dance, music and visual art.
Ms. Shepard is in her debut season with Georgia Dance Theatre professional company.