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.
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 spent 7 seasons as a Leading Artist for the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre. Ms. Caspersen is a guest leading artist for Georgia Dance Theatre. 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 and performed the lead role of Kitri in GAD & the Performing Arts production of Don Quixote in 2022.
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 making her debut season as a Leading Artist with Georgia Dance Theatre for the 2022-23 Season. Ms. Hart will be dancing the lead 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 is in her 3rd 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 is in her 3rd season as a leading artist with Georgia Dance Theatre.
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 has performed various leading roles such as Clara and Dew Drop Fairy in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet. Ms. Odum is in her 2nd season as a leading artist with Georgia Dance Theatre. Ms. Odum will be dancing the lead role in Artistic Director Sherri Davis' original story and production of The Growing Up of Annabell Potts at Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' June 2023 performances.
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 has performed various leading roles such as Clara and Dew Drop Fairy in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet. Ms. Odum is in her 2nd season as a leading artist with Georgia Dance Theatre. Ms. Odum will be dancing the lead role in Artistic Director Sherri Davis' original story and production of The Growing Up of Annabell Potts at Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts' June 2023 performances.
LINNEA SWARTING
Ms. Swarting has danced professionally with the Los Angeles Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Nashville Ballet.
She 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 is in her debut season as a leading artist with the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre.
She 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 is in her debut season as a leading artist with the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre.
CAMBRIA DANCU
Cambria Dancu received her training from Charlotte Ballet under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride. She received additional training from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts under the director of Susan Jaffe and Endalyn Taylor.
She has performed various roles throughout her career as a dancer in such ballets as Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker Ballet. She has danced in Georgia Balanchine's Raymonda Variations staged by Patricia McBride and danced as a soloist in Mark Diamond's Yamato.
Ms. Dancu has performed in Ethan Stiefel's Nutcracker Ballet and various film and classical works while at the North Carolina School of the Arts.
Cambria received full scholarships to teh Atlanta Ballet, Charlotte Ballet and SERBA recognition.
She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Ms. Cambria is in her debut season as a leading artist with Georgia Dance Theatre professional company.
She has performed various roles throughout her career as a dancer in such ballets as Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker Ballet. She has danced in Georgia Balanchine's Raymonda Variations staged by Patricia McBride and danced as a soloist in Mark Diamond's Yamato.
Ms. Dancu has performed in Ethan Stiefel's Nutcracker Ballet and various film and classical works while at the North Carolina School of the Arts.
Cambria received full scholarships to teh Atlanta Ballet, Charlotte Ballet and SERBA recognition.
She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Ms. Cambria is in her debut season as a leading artist with Georgia Dance Theatre professional company.
