GEORGIA DANCE THEATRE
Leading Artists
ABBY CALDWELL
Abby Caldwell has trained with Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts for 15 years and was a scholarship company member of Georgia Dance Theatre for 5 seasons.
Ms. Caldwell has received additional training from prestigious companies such as Richmond Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet – all under scholarship. She was accepted to and attended such prominent companies such as Miami City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.
Ms. Caldwell has danced professionally with Milwaukee Ballet II under the direction of Michael Pink and had the privilege of performing with Milwaukee Ballet in Michael Pink’s La Boheme, The Nutcracker, & Momentum, Swan Lake Pas de Trois and Momentum, Napoli. Additionally, Abby has performed in Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Snow White and Miami City Ballet’s Noire in which she performed the Soloist role. In addition, she has performed with American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive Program as Soloist in Le Corsaire.
Ms. Caldwell received several Soloist roles as a Georgia Dance Theatre member. She danced as French Immigrant in Director Sherri Davis’ original ballet of West Side Story. In addition, she performed the Cinderella pas in GAD’s production of The Sleeping Beauty and the Pas de Trois in Swan Lake. In Georgia Dance Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker Ballet, Ms. Caldwell danced the lead roles of Dew Drop Fairy of Waltz of the Flowers and as the Ribbon Candy.
Ms. Caldwell is in her second season as a Leading Artist of the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre.
Abby Caldwell has trained with Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts for 15 years and was a scholarship company member of Georgia Dance Theatre for 5 seasons.
Ms. Caldwell has received additional training from prestigious companies such as Richmond Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet – all under scholarship. She was accepted to and attended such prominent companies such as Miami City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.
Ms. Caldwell has danced professionally with Milwaukee Ballet II under the direction of Michael Pink and had the privilege of performing with Milwaukee Ballet in Michael Pink’s La Boheme, The Nutcracker, & Momentum, Swan Lake Pas de Trois and Momentum, Napoli. Additionally, Abby has performed in Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Snow White and Miami City Ballet’s Noire in which she performed the Soloist role. In addition, she has performed with American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive Program as Soloist in Le Corsaire.
Ms. Caldwell received several Soloist roles as a Georgia Dance Theatre member. She danced as French Immigrant in Director Sherri Davis’ original ballet of West Side Story. In addition, she performed the Cinderella pas in GAD’s production of The Sleeping Beauty and the Pas de Trois in Swan Lake. In Georgia Dance Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker Ballet, Ms. Caldwell danced the lead roles of Dew Drop Fairy of Waltz of the Flowers and as the Ribbon Candy.
Ms. Caldwell is in her second season as a Leading Artist of the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre.
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.
CATHERINE SANDWICH
Catherine Sandwich began her training with the Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts and continued there for the next seven years. During this time, Ms. Sandwich was a scholarship member of Georgia Dance Theatre and a member of the Conservatory program under Artistic Director, Sherri Davis. Among the scholarships she has received, Ms. Sandwich has also been accepted to dance in American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive Program twice.
Ms. Sandwich has danced the lead role of Clara twice in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet. She has also danced in the corps de ballet in many productions of the Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts which include ballets such as Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, and La Bayadère. In addition, Ms. Sandwich had the honor of performing in Artistic Director Sherri Davis’ original ballet of Jane Eyre.
Ms. Sandwich is making her debut this season as a trainee of Georgia Dance Theatre professional company.
Aside from dancing with the company, Ms. Sandwich is continuing her education as an honor’s student at Kennesaw State University who is a nursing major with a minor in biology.
Catherine Sandwich began her training with the Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts and continued there for the next seven years. During this time, Ms. Sandwich was a scholarship member of Georgia Dance Theatre and a member of the Conservatory program under Artistic Director, Sherri Davis. Among the scholarships she has received, Ms. Sandwich has also been accepted to dance in American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive Program twice.
Ms. Sandwich has danced the lead role of Clara twice in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Ballet. She has also danced in the corps de ballet in many productions of the Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts which include ballets such as Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, and La Bayadère. In addition, Ms. Sandwich had the honor of performing in Artistic Director Sherri Davis’ original ballet of Jane Eyre.
Ms. Sandwich is making her debut this season as a trainee of Georgia Dance Theatre professional company.
Aside from dancing with the company, Ms. Sandwich is continuing her education as an honor’s student at Kennesaw State University who is a nursing major with a minor in biology.