Company Leadership
Roberta Phillips, Executive Director
Roberta Phillips serves as the Executive Director of Ballet Greenville, bringing a wealth of experience in strategic planning, community engagement, partnership development, and organizational leadership. She is dedicated to advancing the mission of Ballet Greenville by increasing awareness, strengthening community relationships, and building support for the company’s artistic, educational, and outreach initiatives.
Before joining Ballet Greenville, Roberta served as Chief Executive Officer of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS), where she oversaw operations for nineteen branch libraries serving a diverse population of approximately 960,000 residents. During her tenure, she focused on strategic growth, inclusive practices, community partnerships, and creating innovative opportunities that supported lifelong learning and community connection.
Prior to PGCMLS, Roberta served as Director of Planning and Projects for the award-winning Richland Library in Columbia, South Carolina. There, she led strategic initiatives, community engagement efforts, and major facility projects, including the planning and transformation of library spaces designed to enhance customer experiences and better serve the community. She previously served as Director of the Orangeburg County Library in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Roberta’s leadership reflects her passion for connecting people, organizations, and resources to create meaningful community impact. She believes deeply in the power of the arts to inspire, educate, and bring people together and is excited to help guide Ballet Greenville into its next chapter of growth and excellence.
Roberta resides in Easley with her husband, Chris, their dog Finn, and cat Kitts.
Hernan Justo, Artistic Director
Hernan was invited to become the Artistic Director of Carolina Ballet Theatre now known as Ballet Greenville by its founder, Barbara Selvy, in 2000. He has been involved in all aspects of the company, from teaching classes, coaching, and teaching after-school dance and outreach classes to creating original works. His repertoire for the company is from classical to contemporary. Choreographing full-length ballets such as Hunchback of Notre Dame to his Award-winning choreography Pulling the Strings, which toured internationally with the company. Hernan has also brought world-renowned choreographers such as Alonzo King and Dwight Rhoden. His training came from the national ballet school of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Instituto Superior de Arte Teatro Colón. He joined the ballet Estable del Teatro Colón in 1982 and then Ballet del Teatro Argentino de la Plata two years later. In 1988 his career took him to the Ballet de Santiago, Chile. After three years, Hernan joined the Ballet Clásico de Cámara in Caracas, Venezuela, under the direction of Nina Novak, formerly prima ballerina of Les Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.
Hernan arrived in the United States as a principal dancer with the Charlotte Ballet in 1994 under the artistic direction of the late Salvatore Aiello and later, Jean Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, and Jerri Kumery, all artists affiliated with New York City Ballet. He added to his repertoire several Balanchine masterpieces for which Dance Magazine and The New York Times critically acclaimed him. Hernan and his wife, Anita Pacylowski, co-direct and teach at DanceArts Greenville. When Hernan is not at the studio, you can find him watching soccer or enjoying a good movie, book, or meal.
Anita Sun Pacylowski, Associate Artistic Director
Anita Sun Pacylowski, Associate Artistic Director of Ballet Greenville, is a native of Columbia, Maryland, and received her early training at The Washington School of Ballet in Washington, D.C., under the mentorship of Patricia Berrend.
Anita is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award in Dance, a National YoungArts Level I Award, and the Presidential Scholar in the Arts in Dance, presented by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. She was a finalist at the New York International Ballet Competition, a semifinalist at the Prix de Lausanne, and a Benois de la Danse Award nominee, performing as an invited guest in Moscow.
She began her professional career with The Washington Ballet under the artistic direction of Mary Day, Kevin McKenzie, and Simon Dow, dancing with the company for five seasons and touring internationally throughout Russia, Thailand, Singapore, France, England, and Spain. Career highlights include performing the Nutcracker Grand Pas de Deux at the Kennedy Center for President Bill Clinton and at the White House Holiday Tea Party.
Anita later joined Charlotte Ballet as a principal dancer, where she performed for seven seasons under the artistic direction of Salvatore Aiello, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, and Jerri Kumery. During her time in Charlotte, she met her husband and artistic partner, Hernan Justo.
Following their performing careers, Anita and Hernan relocated to Greenville, South Carolina, where they became the artistic leaders of Ballet Greenville. For more than twenty-six years, Anita has served as Associate Artistic Director, helping shape the company’s artistic vision while continuing to perform professionally, mentor dancers, and oversee educational and community engagement programs.
Beyond Ballet Greenville, Anita has made a lasting impact on arts education throughout the Upstate. As co-owner and co-director of DanceArts Greenville for more than twenty-six years, she has helped train generations of dancers. She was a founding teaching artist with the Metropolitan Arts Council’s SmartARTS program, bringing arts integration into schools across the region for more than a decade. She has also served on the Fine Arts Center Board of Directors, co-chaired its Parent Engagement Committee, and served on the Presidential Scholar Alumni Association Steering Committee.
From 2017 to 2021, Anita served as Associate Academy Director for Charlotte Ballet, where she continues to teach as a guest instructor and consultant. In 2022, she joined the Fine Arts Center Dance Department as its primary ballet instructor, mentoring students, guiding YoungArts applicants, and leading the department’s outreach programs. In 2023, she launched the Alonzo King Immersion Project, providing students with unique opportunities to study with internationally recognized artists. She now begins a new chapter as Chair of the Fine Arts Center Dance Department.
Anita and Hernan are proud parents of three adult children—Martin, Sofia, and Nicolas. Whether teaching in the studio, creating new artistic opportunities, or spending time at home with family and their Havashu, Ellie, Anita remains dedicated to enriching Greenville’s vibrant arts community and inspiring the next generation of artists through excellence, mentorship, and meaningful artistic experiences.
Erica Sturman, Ballet Répétiteur
Erica Sturman is a native of Springfield, Illinois, where she began her dance training at the age of three under the direction of Grace Nanavatti. She later joined Springfield Ballet Company under the direction of Julie Ratz, performing numerous leading and soloist roles, including Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Odette in Swan Lake, and Princess Florine in Sleeping Beauty.
In 2005, Erica moved to Greenville, South Carolina, to continue her professional training and career with Carolina Ballet Theatre, now Ballet Greenville, under the artistic direction of Hernan Justo. Throughout her career with the company, she has performed many leading and soloist roles in classical and contemporary works created by Hernan Justo and resident choreographer Francesca Genovese. Her featured roles include Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Carabosse and Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Ambrosia in Genovese’s The Ribbon, Eva Perón in Justo’s The Chestnut of Your Eyes Erased, and the wife of a military soldier in He Never Came Back.
Erica has toured internationally with Ballet Greenville in Uruguay, South America, performing in four cities, and has had the privilege of performing works by acclaimed choreographers Alonzo King and Dwight Roden.
Beyond the stage, Erica has been sharing her passion for dance as an instructor at DanceArts Greenville since 2007. Outside of the studio, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Andrew, and their son, Beckett.
Company Dancers
Chris Collins
Chris Collins received his training at the Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education and continued his studies on scholarship with the Joffrey Ballet School, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Summer Intensive, and Point Park University.
Chris has performed with Gelsey Kirkland Academy, the Joffrey Ballet School, and Ballet for Young Audiences in New York City. Throughout his career, he has danced leading roles with Ballet Greenville, Copper Coin Ballet Company, Western Ballet, Ballet Theater Company, and Rochester City Ballet. His repertoire includes featured roles in The Nutcracker, including the Cavalier, Russian Trepak, and Snow King.
He has performed works by many acclaimed choreographers, including George Balanchine, Sidra Bell, Alonzo King, David Palmer, Salvatore Aiello, Danny Rosseel, and Kate Skarpetowska, among others.
In addition to performing, Chris is a dedicated educator who has taught as a guest instructor at Foothills Dance Conservatory in South Carolina, Terpsichore Dance in North Carolina, Nazareth College, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the University of Rochester.
Martin Justo
Martin Justo, originally from Caracas, Venezuela, began dancing in 1999. He trained at the Quinte Ballet School in Canada and the School of Carolina Ballet Theatre (now DanceArts Greenville), where he developed a strong classical ballet foundation.
Martin’s professional career has taken him across North America, South America, and Asia. He toured Uruguay with Ballet Greenville and performed as a guest artist in Fujinomiya, Japan, dancing celebrated pas de deux from Giselle, La Bayadère, and Swan Lake. His repertoire includes the Nutcracker Prince in Hernan Justo’s The Nutcracker, the Mad Scientist in Madeline Jazz’s Super Heroes, the male soloist in A Tango for Angelina, and contemporary works by Dwight Rhoden and Alonzo King.
From 2015 to 2017, Martin danced with Boulder Ballet, performing in The Nutcracker and contemporary works by Lance Hardin, Ana Claire, and Peter Davidson. Since returning to Ballet Greenville, he has appeared in numerous productions, including Carmen, Tangofusion, Ghosts, Snow Princess, The Nutcracker, and Pirate and the Princess, performing a wide range of principal and featured roles.
An accomplished educator, Martin has taught for more than eight years at DanceArts Greenville, where he leads the Ballet Greenville Boys Program and teaches adult ballet. He also serves as the Teaching Artist in Residence for Greenville County Schools’ A.R.M.E.S. Dance program, specializing in ballet and boys’ technique. In addition, he has taught at dance schools throughout the Upstate, including The Dance Shop, LA Dance Factory, Legacy Dance SC, and Upstate Carolina Dance Center. His dedication to dance education has also included teaching at the Shock Dance Summer Program and serving as a judge for the South Carolina Dance Masters Competition.
Through his work as both a performer and educator, Martin is committed to inspiring the next generation of dancers while sharing his passion for the artistry and discipline of ballet.
Sofia Justo
Sofia Justo is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator with Ballet Greenville, where she is entering her fourth season as a company artist and serves as a full-time instructor at DanceArts Greenville. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Performance and Choreography with a cognate in Education from the University of South Carolina.
Throughout her career, Sofia has performed works by renowned choreographers including Alonzo King, Dwight Rhoden, and Mark Diamond, and has collaborated on repertory works by artists such as Jerome Robbins, Antony Tudor, and the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. Her choreography has received recognition through Youth America Grand Prix, including two 3rd Place Regional Awards and a Top 12 Worldwide placement.
Sofia began her connection with Ballet Greenville as a community cast member and trained at the Fine Arts Center under Jan Woodward and Gina Buntz. She has performed many memorable roles with the company, including works by Hernan Justo such as Merceditas and Tango for Angelina, as well as Nightmare at the Museum. This season marks her 21st performance of The Nutcracker with Ballet Greenville.
Through performance, choreography, and teaching, Sofia is dedicated to growing as an artist while inspiring audiences and mentoring the next generation of dancers.
Meghan Loman
Originally from Springfield, Illinois, Meghan grew up in the Midwest and began her professional dance career at the age of 15 under the mentorship of Grace Luttrell Nanavati, founder of Springfield Ballet Company. She began teaching during this time and developed a passion for sharing her love of dance with others. Meghan has been with Carolina Ballet Theatre, now Ballet Greenville, since 2011.
Throughout her career, Meghan has had the opportunity to teach and perform across the United States while learning from and collaborating with many renowned artists and choreographers, including Julie Tice (Paul Taylor Dance Company), Dwight Rhoden (Complexions Contemporary Ballet), Mark Diamond (NCDT/Charlotte Ballet), Jerri Kumery (NCDT, Richmond Ballet, The George Balanchine Trust, and Salvatore Aiello Trust), Mia Cunningham (NCDT, Salvatore Aiello Trust), Herman Marcus Payne (Broadway Theatre Project, Juilliard, and Miami City Ballet), Krenly Guzman (UCLA, Ventura College), Savion Glover (Broadway and American tap legend), Margi Cole (The Dance COLLEctive), Wilfredo Rivera (Hubbard Street Dance, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, and River North Dance Chicago), Robert Philander-Valentine (Ballet Memphis, Hong Kong Ballet, Nashville Ballet, and Missouri Ballet Theatre), Hernan Justo (NCDT, Carolina Ballet Theatre), Carlos Agudelo and Lona Gomez (Spartanburg Ballet), Alexei Khimenko (Bolshoi Ballet and Opera Theatre), and Shamil Yagudin (Bolshoi Ballet and Opera Theatre).
Meghan’s journey has brought her to the Upstate and Greenville, South Carolina, which she proudly calls home. She is deeply grateful for the many students she has had the privilege to teach, inspire, and watch grow throughout the years. Her passion remains focused on nurturing future generations of dancers and helping them discover their own love and appreciation for the art of dance.
Gabrielle Moore
Gabrielle Moore began dancing at the age of two and a half in New York before continuing her training in South Carolina at The School of Carolina Ballet Theatre, now Ballet Greenville, and International Ballet Academy.
In 2016, Gabrielle began studying under Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux at Charlotte Ballet Academy, joining the trainee program the following year. During her time with Charlotte Ballet, she worked with distinguished artists and faculty including Michael Vernon, László Berdo, Stephanie Martinez, and Peter Chu.
Gabrielle has attended summer intensives with Ballet West, Houston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Chautauqua Institution. Her repertoire includes leading roles such as Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Aurora and the Lilac Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, and featured roles in Grand Pas Classique, Don Quixote, Serenade, and Who Cares?
Following her training, Gabrielle danced for two seasons with Roanoke Ballet Theatre before returning to Ballet Greenville, where she is entering her sixth season as a company artist.
Marja' Quaqua
Marja Quaqua is a company dancer with Ballet Greenville whose love for dance began in Greenville, South Carolina, when she stepped into her first ballet class at just three years old. What began as a childhood passion has grown into a professional career dedicated to artistry, excellence, and inspiring others through dance.
Throughout her training and career, Marja has received recognition at prestigious competitions, including Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and Universal Ballet Competition (UBC). She has trained and performed along the East Coast, studying with acclaimed artists such as Ashley Bouder, Charmaine Hunter, Amiya Burrell, and Julia Erickson. Marja has also collaborated with organizations including Ballet in the City, supporting greater access, opportunity, and representation within the ballet community.
Her accomplishments have been featured by Brown Girls Do Ballet, where she was recognized as one of its “5 to Watch.” She has also contributed to the books Antiracism in Ballet and Infinite Steps, sharing her experiences to encourage and inspire the next generation of dancers.
In addition to performing, Marja is a dedicated educator and mentor. She has taught at multiple dance schools, creating a positive and supportive environment where students feel seen, encouraged, and empowered to grow. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes strong technique, mobility, flexibility, strength, and artistry while fostering confidence, resilience, and a healthy relationship with dance. Through both performance and education, Marja is committed to helping every dancer reach their fullest potential while cultivating a lifelong love of the art form.
Alina Shaner
Alina Shaner was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and began her dance training at the School of Carolina Ballet Theatre, now Ballet Greenville, under the direction of Anita Pacylowski-Justo and Hernan Justo. In 2021, she graduated from the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities before continuing her training at Florida State University. She later transferred to the University of South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography with a cognate in Pre-Physical Therapy.
Throughout her training, Alina has worked with renowned choreographers and instructors, including Alonzo King, Desmond Richardson, Xavier Núñez, Larissa Gerszke, Kara Wilkes, Ashley Wheater, and many others. She has also performed in works with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Joffrey Ballet Chicago.
Alina is thrilled to return to her hometown and join Ballet Greenville for the 2026–27 season as a professional company member.
Aimee LaRue
Aimee LaRue is a Greenville, South Carolina native who began her dance training at Carolina Ballet Theatre, now Ballet Greenville, under the direction of Hernan Justo and Anita Pacylowski-Justo. She also trained with Barbara English, studying ballet, jazz, lyrical, and modern dance.
In 2018, Aimee continued her training at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. During her time there, she attended prestigious summer intensives, including the School of American Ballet and Chautauqua Institution in New York. She has had the opportunity to work with renowned artists and instructors such as Desmond Richardson, Alonzo King, Patricia McBride, Jennifer Ringer, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Kurt Douglas, and many others.
Aimee earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina with degrees in Dance Performance and Choreography and Advertising and Public Relations.
Alongside performing, Aimee is passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of dancers. Her approach emphasizes proper technique, strength training, injury prevention, and overall dancer wellness.
Aimee is thrilled to return home for her first season as a company member with Ballet Greenville.
Jessie Arnold
Jessie Arnold is beginning her first season as a company dancer with Ballet Greenville. Her dance journey began in South Carolina at Foothills Dance Conservatory, where she trained for eight years under the direction of Ginny Siano-Eck. During her time at Foothills, Jessie developed her artistry through performances in school outreach programs, community events, and annual productions of The Nutcracker.
In addition to her work with Ballet Greenville, Jessie has expanded her experience through appearances in the dance short film Tempest’s Edge and the dance project Composite Identity. She continues to explore her love of movement and storytelling both on stage and in the studio, where she shares her passion for dance through teaching and mentoring young dancers.
Jessie is grateful for the support of her family, friends, and mentors who have encouraged her journey and helped make her dream of performing professionally a reality.
Rebekah Purdom
Rebekah Purdom, a native of Asheville, North Carolina, is a company dancer with Ballet Greenville. She received her formal dance training at the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville under the artistic direction of Angie Lynn, where she performed numerous principal and soloist roles, including Myrtha in Giselle and Russian Girl in George Balanchine’s Serenade. In addition to classical repertoire, she performed in original contemporary works and was given opportunities to teach and choreograph while still a student.
To further her training, Rebekah attended prestigious summer intensives with The Washington Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, studying with distinguished faculty and artists from across the country.
Since joining Ballet Greenville for the 2024–2025 season, Rebekah has continued to grow as both a performer and educator. Her repertoire includes Salvatore Aiello’s The Waiting Room, and she has expanded her experience through teaching, choreography, and community outreach programs that bring the arts to audiences throughout the Upstate.
Outside the studio, Rebekah graduated with Highest Honors from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College with a degree in Business Administration: Marketing and Retailing and is a proud member of two academic honor societies.
Rebekah is excited to continue her artistic journey with Ballet Greenville and looks forward to sharing her passion for dance with audiences and students throughout the community.
Pre-Professional Dancers
Aubrey Houle
Originally from Apex, North Carolina, she began her training at Infinity Ballet Conservatory under the direction of Debra Sayles Senchak and later studied with Miguel Campaneria. She trained in the Horton technique with Cari Lenn Orr (now Youngkin) and developed a strong foundation in the Vaganova method through the teachings of Peggy Willis-Aarnio. Aubrey has attended summer intensives with Carolina Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Campaneria Ballet, and has participated in workshops with Valeri Lantrotov and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Aubrey graduated from the University of South Carolina with Leadership Distinction, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography with a minor in Biology. She is also a dance educator with DanceArts Greenville and serves as the Greenville County School District’s A.R.M.E.S. central site dance instructor. As a performing artist with an invisible disability, Aubrey believes all bodies are dancing bodies, each with unique stories and powerful voices to share.
Isabella Normandin
In began her dance training at Foothills Dance Conservatory at the age of four, where she trained for 14 years. Isabella is a certified instructor in Progressing Ballet Technique and finds great joy in mentoring young dancers at Foothills Dance Conservatory.
Her performance highlights include Clara and the Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, the Diamond in The Sleeping Beauty, and excerpts from Hernan Justo’s Pulling the Strings. Passionate about choreography, Isabella was selected as one of ten Emerging Choreographers nationally through Regional Dance America’s National Choreography Intensive in 2023. Her choreographic work includes Waltz of the Flowers and Chinese Tea for Foothills Conservatory for the Performing Arts’ Nutcracker, as well as Uranus, the Magician, created for Ballet Greenville’s 2025 Choreographic Lab.
Isabella has continued her training through prestigious programs including the Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive, The Art of Classical Ballet Summer Intensive, Next Generation Ballet Summer Intensive and Satellite Program, Orlando Ballet School Summer Intensive, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Professional Studies Program.
Carina Famous
Originally from Princeton, New Jersey, she began her ballet training at Princeton Ballet School under the direction of Aydmara Cabrera before continuing her studies as a founding student at Martin Center for Dance under Douglas Martin and Mary Barton. Throughout her training, Carina studied with renowned instructors including Cheryl Whitney, Pamela Levy, Rebeca Maso, Maria Youskevitch, and Kirk Peterson.
Carina performed with American Repertory Ballet in productions including The Nutcracker, Coppélia, and Don Quixote. One of her favorite performance experiences was performing in The Nutcracker for eight consecutive seasons, appearing in more than 20 performances each year. She also performed at Carnegie Hall in The Christmas Rose alongside actress Jane Seymour.
Carina graduated summa cum laude from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and minors in Dance and Psychology. During her time at Liberty, she served as a ballet teaching assistant and performed with Divine Call Dance, a contemporary ensemble dedicated to community outreach. She has also shared her passion for dance as a ballet instructor and choreographer. Carina is excited to continue her artistic growth with Ballet Greenville’s Pre-Professional Program for the 2026–2027 season.
Daniel Miller
Daniel Miller began performing in community musical theatre productions as a young teenager before discovering ballet at the age of fifteen. He has continued his training throughout the Southeast, including with the Professional Training Program at Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.
As a trainee with Richmond Ballet, Daniel performed a variety of roles in The Nutcracker and had the opportunity to perform in George Balanchine’s Serenade. He later spent three seasons as a company artist with Charlottesville Ballet, where he performed in productions in collaboration with Opera on the James, Charlottesville Opera, and the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to performing, Daniel is an accomplished lighting designer whose work has been recognized with awards at both regional and international competitions.
Daniel is excited to begin this new chapter with Ballet Greenville and is grateful to his mother for inspiring his lifelong love of dance.
Madalin Beam
Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, she began her formal dance training at the age of four with International Ballet, where she developed a strong foundation in classical ballet, technical precision, and stage artistry.
Madalin continued her training through the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities summer intensive before earning dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Dance and Psychology from Winthrop University. During her time at Winthrop, she performed in numerous faculty and guest artist works across ballet and contemporary styles, showcasing her versatility and musicality.
In addition to performing, Madalin has explored choreography, presenting original works in showcases and conferences, including work selected to represent Winthrop at ACDA in 2025. Following graduation, she joined Lexington Ballet as a company artist, performing multiple works by Kevin Jenkins. Madalin is excited to continue her artistic growth with Ballet Greenville while developing her voice as both a performer and choreographer.
Zayvia Allen
Originally from Sacramento, California, Zayvia began her dance training at Joanna’s Kids-R-It Studio before moving to Greenville, South Carolina, where she continued her studies at the Fine Arts Center under the guidance of Gina Buntz and Anita Pacylowski Justo. During her time at the Fine Arts Center, she trained with Kevin Boseman, Anindo Marshall, and Vaughn Newman, while also continuing her dance education at Shock Dance Center.
In 2025, Zayvia attended the South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory, where she had the opportunity to work with renowned educators including Norbert Nirewicz, Kyra Strasberg, Caroline Lewis-Jones, Kiyomi Mercadante Ramirez, and Regina Willoughby. She is excited to continue developing as an artist through Ballet Greenville’s Pre-Professional Program and is grateful for the opportunity to learn, perform, and grow under the mentorship of Anita and Hernan Justo.
Renee Amado
Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, she trained with the School of First State Ballet Theatre, where she performed in company productions including The Nutcracker, Coppélia, The Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. She also competed in National Ballet Competition and Youth America Grand Prix with choreography by award-winning Viktor Plotnikov.
Renee graduated in 2026 from Skidmore College in New York with a degree in Biology and a minor in Dance. During her time at Skidmore, she performed a variety of classical and contemporary works by faculty and student choreographers. She has also been a member of the Burklyn Ballet Theatre community since 2019, attending summers as a counselor and performer. Renee is excited to join Ballet Greenville and continue growing as an artist through performance and training.
