Company Artists

David Blumenfeld

Third Season

David began his dance training in Birmingham, Alabama with Dame Sonia Arova, and received later training at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education. He also studied at the School of American Ballet, where he was a Mae L. Wien Award recipient. David danced with the Alabama Ballet for two seasons, where he danced leading roles in various ballets, including George Balanchine's Donizetti Variations and The Nutcracker. At Atlanta Ballet, David has danced a featured role in Balanchine's Stars and Stripes, and originated a role in Lauri Stallings' bekken/the drum also waltzes.

Jacob Bush

Second Season

Jacob grew up in Coon Rapids, MN where he trained under Lise Houlton of the Minnesota Dance Theatre. He later trained with the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education under Sharon Story, and the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet under Susan Connally. In Atlanta, Jacob has danced featured roled such as Jewels and Tom Thumb in Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan in John McFall's Peter Pan, Benvolio in Michael Pink's Romeo & Juliet, and one of the Ballet Boys in Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room. In his spare time, he indulges in reality TV shows on MTV and VH1, and thanks his family for their everlasting support.

Peng-Yu Chen

Second Season

A native of Taiwan, Peng-Yu Chen began training in Chinese Folk dance and gymnastics at the age of ten. She received her BFA from SUNY Purchase under Carol Walker and received the Chancellors Award for Student Excellence and the Presidents Award for Achievement. She has performed with the Kevin Wynn Collection and in the Metropolitan Opera Ballet's production of The Rite of Spring choreographed by Doug Varone. She danced for American Repertory Ballet for three seasons where she performed works by Graham Lustig, Lauri Stallings, Val Caniparoli, Melissa Barak, and Twyla Tharp. Peng has been named by Dance Magazine as one of the "25 to Watch" in 2007, and she thanks her family and friends for all the support and love.

Christian Clark

Seventh Season

An Atlanta native, Christian began his training at the age of eight with the Atlanta Ballet School of Ballet under the direction of Robert Barnett. As a company member, Christian has performed the leading roles of Prince in Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, Laertes in Stephen Mill's Hamlet, Albrecht in Giselle, Siegfried in John McFall's Swan Lake, the Prince in Sleeping Beauty, and the title role in Michael Pink's Romeo & Juliet. Christian has been featured in Margo Sappington's Shed Your Skin: The Indigo Girls Project, John McFall's Jupiter and Stella, Diane Coburn Bruning's Ramblin' Suite, Christian Holder's Transcendence, and Julia Adam's If a Rose Falls. He has worked with Stanton Welch, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Alan Hineline, and Mark Diamon. Christian thanks Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and his family for all their support.

Nathan Griswold

Fourth Season

Nathan was born in the Pacific Northwest and began training at age thirteen under Kay Englert. He trained at the Washington Contemporary Ballet and later at the Houston Ballet Academy. After an apprenticeship with the Houston Ballet, he spent two years as a full company member with the Alberta Ballet. Nathan has danced in pieces by Ben Stevenson, Christopher Wheeldon, Stanton Welch, Jean Grand-Maitre, Emily Molnar, John McFall, Lauri Stallings, and Mikko Nissinen, as well as performed in China and throughout Canada. Aside from dancing, Nathan enjoys learning to play guitar and skimboarding.

Anne Tyler Harshbarger

Fifth Season

Anne began her training with Linda C. Chase in Valdosta, Georgia and later studied under Judith Hockaday, ISTD in Swindon, England. She attended high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts and spent summers with Joffrey Ballet School, School of American Ballet and Hungarian Academy. After Ben Stevenson invited her into the Houston Ballet, she danced world premieres by Ben Stevenson, Trey McIntyre, and Stanton Welch. She has enjoyed working with choreographers such as Dominic Walsh, Julia Adams, Paul Taylor, Violette Verdy, James Kudelka, and Ronald Hynd, and performing in exciting works by George Balanchine, Sir Kenneth McMillian, Frederic Franklin, and Lila York. Her featured roles with Atlanta Ballet include Lucy in Michael Pink's Dracula, Princess Marya in Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, Spring Fairy and Summer Fairy in Ben Stevenson's Cinderella, Lauri Stallings' Shoo Pah Minor, Christopher Hampson's Sinfonietta Giocosa, Kate in Madame Butterfly, and Myrtle in The Great Gatsby.

Jonah Hooper

Tenth season

A native of Blue Ridge, Georgia, Jonah began dancing at age twelve under the direction of Diane Callihan. He appeared as Quasimodo in Michael Pink's The Huntchback of Notre Dame, Renfield in Dracula, Sharpless in Stanton Welch's Madame Butterfly, and Jay Gatsby in John McFall & Lauri Stallings' The Great Gatsby. He lives with his wife Maria and son Austin in Decatur. Jonah would like to thank his wife and family for all their support.

Nicole Johnson

Second Season

Nicole has trained with Atlanta Ballet since John McFall came to Atlanta as Artistic Director. Since then she has been involved in several productions including Nutcracker, Serenade, Requiem, Romeo & Juliet, Dracula, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Snow White, Peter and the Wolf, Madam Butterfly, Giselle, and Lauri Stallings' works Shoo Pah Minor and bekken/ the drum also waltzes. Most recently, she enjoyed performing the role of Jordan in John McFall and Lauri Stallings' The Great Gatsby, as well as Caribosse in Sleeping Beauty. Outside of ballet, Nicole is a student at Georgia State University and will graduate with a degree in History in the fall of 2007. Nicole enjoys an array of artistic expressions and hopes that she will be able to make a valuable contribution to the dance world.

Tara Lee

Thirteenth Season

Tara grew up in Connecticut, where she trained with Donna Bonasera of Connecticut Dance Theatre. She danced with Joffrey II for two seasons before joining Atlanta Ballet in 1995. In Atlanta, Tara has worked with choreographers such as John McFall, Lauri Stallings, Christopher Hampson, Julia Adam, Diane Coburn Bruning, and Margo Sappington. She has danced principal roles in Stanton Welch's Madame Butterfly, Ben Stevenson's Cinderella, John McFall's Swan Lake, Michael Pink's Dracula, David Nixon's Beauty and the Beast, Kirk Peterson's Belling the Slayer, and Fernand Nault's Carmina Burana. Tara spent last year with Vancouver's Ballet British Columbia, where she was featured in work by John Alleyne, Crystal Pite, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, and Martha Graham. She has also choreographed works for Atlanta Ballet and Emory Dance Company.

Li-Chuan Lin

Second Season

A native of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Li-Chuan Lin holds a BFA from SUNY Purchase under Carol Walker. There he performed works by Nicolo Fonte, Jacqulyn Buglisi, Jose Limon, and Paul Taylor.  During his four seasons in New Jersey with American Repertory Ballet, Li-Chuan has created roles in Graham Lustig's VISTA and Dialogues, as well as dancing title roles in Uncertain Steps, The Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cinderella, and The Nutcracker. He has also performed works by Amy Seiwert , Dominque Dumais, Susan Sheilds, and Twyla Tharp. He has appeared as a guest with the Kevin Wynn Collection. In the summer of 2007, Li-Chuan also premiered his first three works at a fundraising benefit Community. In addition to performing, Li-Chuan also enjoys product and stage lighting design.

Nadia Mara

Third Season

Nadia was born in Montevideo, Uruguay and started her ballet studies at the age of 5 with Mariel Odera. She attended the official Escuela Nacional de Danza under the direction of Sara Nieto, Monica Diaz and Margaret Graham and was choreographed in first roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, and Raymonda. Nadia graduated in 2003 as the best dancer in school and was awarded with the Elena Smirnova Gold Medal granted by Argentina ballet critic Honorio Destaville. In the United States, Nadia attended Dance Place in Charlotte, North Carolina where she danced with North Carolina Dance Theatre. She achieved full scholarships to attend summer programs at Chautauqua Institution and Jacob's Pillow. At Atlanta Ballet, she has performed in Swan Lake, Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, bekken/the drum also waltzes, The Great Gatsby, Allegro Brillante, Stars and Stripes and Celts among others. In the 2006-2007 season Nadia performed first role in Giselle and as Princess Florine in Sleeping Beauty.

Daniel Mayo

Second Season

Daniel was born and raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where he began dancing at the age of five. Daniel trained at various studios in the Myrtle Beach area before receiving a BFA in dance from The Juilliard School. While at Juilliard, Daniel worked with choreographers such as Aszure Barton, Eliot Feld, Susan Marshall, Jessica Lang and Bennyroyce Royon. He has also performed works by Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe and Paul Taylor. Aside from dancing, Daniel enjoys surfing, playing guitar and reading. Daniel would like to thank his wife Julia, and his family for all of their love and support.

Courtney Necessary

Fifth Season

Courtney is a graduate of the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and is very grateful for having been given the opportunity to perform the roles of Nutcracker's Dew Drop Fairy and Marya, and Daisy in The Great Gatsby, as well as contemporary works such as Lauri Stallings' Shoo Pah Minor and bekken/the drum also waltzes. When she is not dancing, Courtney enjoys going to Piedmont Park, teaching Pilates, listening to music, shopping, and attending Georgia Tech as a Business Management major. Courtney would like to express her appreciation for her undyingly supportive family and friends who consistently serve as sources of encouragement and enrichment in her life.

Kristine Necessary

Seventh Season

An Atlanta native, Kristine began her serious dance training at Atlanta Ballet's Centre for Dance Education. She furthered her dance education by spending summers at distinguished schools such as the School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Chautauqua Ballet. With Atlanta Ballet, Kristine has performed principal roles in John McFall's Swan Lake, Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, Ben Stevenson's Esmeralda pas de deux, and George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante. Her recent favorite roles include Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Giselle in Giselle, and the Liberty Bell in Stars and Stripes. Kristine is currently a senior inching towards an undergraduate degree at George State University. She is extremely grateful for her family and friends continued love and support.

Joshua Reynolds

Fifth Season

A Texas native, Joshua comes from a family of dancers. At age twelve, Joshua began formal training at the Georgia Academy of Dance. He has since studied at Houston Ballet, School of American Ballet, and The Rock, and has performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Joshua returned to Atlanta to study at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education. Since joining Atlanta Ballet, he has performed lead roles in The Great Gatsby, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, and Lauri Stallings' Shoo Pah Minor and bekken/the drum also waltzes.

Kelly Tipton

Second Season

Kelly was born and raised in Berea, Kentucky. Before coming to Atlanta Ballet she trained with Richmond Ballet, Lexington Ballet and Kentucky Ballet Theatre. At seventeen, she moved to Seattle to train at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School as a student in their professional division. While at Atlanta Ballet she has performed in Dracula, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, George Balanchine's Stars & Stripes, Allegro Brillante, and Lauri Stallings' bekken/the drum also waltzes. When not dancing, Kelly is working on her Bachelor's degree in Biology from Georgia State University. She thanks her parents for all their love and support.

Rachel Van Buskirk

Second Season

A native of Vancouver, Canada, Rachel trained with Li Yaming at Pacific Dance Arts. With Atlanta Ballet, Rachel has performed in Dracula, Madame Butterfly, Swan Lake, Cinderella, and has been featured in Nutcracker, Giselle and Sleeping Beauty. She was also involved in the creation of The Great Gatsby and Lauri Stallings' bekken/the drum also waltzes. Outside of dance, Rachel enjoys reading and outdoor activities. She would like to thank her family for their love and support.

Brian Wallenberg

Eleventh Season

Brian began dancing at the age of 16 under Debbe Busby in Victoria, Texas. He was accepted to Houston Ballet Academy a year later and became an apprentice with Houston Ballet. Mr. Wallenberg accepted a position with Atlanta Ballet in 1998. His favorite roles include The Roasted Swan in Fernand Nault's Carmina Burana, Jonathon Harker in Michael Pink's Dracula, and performing in Tara Lee's Poem and Margo Sappington's Shed Your Skin: The Indigo Girls Project. Brian's other interests include film production and film making. Brian started Saturnblu Productions in an effort to eventually get more dance back on television.

John Welker

Fourteenth Season

John began dancing at eleven with the persuasive encouragement of his sister. He received his primary dance training at Ballet Met Dance Academy in Columbus, Ohio under the directorship of John McFall. Roles he performed last season include Dracula in Michael Pink's Dracula, lead roles in Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, Prince in Ben Stevenson's Cinderella, Prince Seigfred in John McFall's Swan Lake, Slayer in Kirk Peterson's Belling the Slayer and roles in Christopher Hampson's ensemble piece Sinfonietta Giacosa. His hobbies include, but are not limited to, inactive activities such as eating and sleeping.

Christine Winkler

Fourteenth Season

A California native, Christine trained with the Sacramento Ballet School and the San Francisco Ballet School, later performing with those companies as well as Ballet West. She has been a guest artist with American Repertory Ensemble, Chamber Dance Project, Configurations, Maximum Dance and New Orleans Ballet Theatre. Christine has performed principal roles in Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, John McFall's Peter Pan, Swan Lake, and most recently, Sleeping Beauty, as well as John McFall and Lauri Stallings' The Great Gatsby, Michael Pink's Dracula and Romeo & Juliet, and Stanton Welch's Madame Butterfly. She has enjoyed working with acclaimed choreographers such as Julia Adam, Christopher Hampson, Margo Sappington, and Lila York. Christine thanks her family for their continued support and loves sharing life with her husband John Welker and their dogs Muenster and Gouda.

Kelsey Yip

Fourth Season

Vancouver native Kelsey Yip began her serious dance training with Yaming Li at Pacific Dance Arts. She has spent summers with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Banff Center, Atlanta Ballet's Centre for Dance Education, and Jacob's Pillow. Since joining Atlanta Ballet in 2001, Kelsey has performed roles in Serenade, Dracula, Rapture, Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, David Parson's Caught and Lauri Stallings' bekken/the drum also waltzes. In the 06-07 season she made her debut in a principal role as Myrtha in Giselle. When Kelsey is not dancing, she enjoys shopping, cooking and painting. Kelsey thanks her family for their continued love and support.

Lauren Alesch

An Atlanta native, Lauren began dancing at the age of three. She later trained with the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, as well as attended their summer intensives. With Atlanta Ballet, she has performed roles in various productions including Romeo & Juliet, Peter Pan, Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Snow White, George Balanchine's Serenade, and Lauri Stallings' big. Outside of dance, Lauren is currently working on her undergraduate degree at Georgia State University in Exercise Science and enjoys shopping, listening to music, and learning. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support.

Jarrod Kentrell

Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Jarrod began his training at the Montgomery Ballet School under the teachings of Oskar Antunez. He continued his training at the Cobb County Center for Excellence in Performing Arts. As a scholarship student, he attended the Alvin Ailey School and Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts. Completing school, Jarrod placed third in YAGP 2008 Regional, performing a pas de deux from William Forsythe's In the middle somewhat elevated. Arriving at Atlanta Ballet, Jarrod has been able to perform roles in John McFall's Peter Pan, Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, Michael Pink's Romeo & Juliet, and Lauri Stallings' big. "Every day is an experience."

Yoomi Kim

A native of South Korea, Yoomi Kim started ballet at the age of 7 at the Korea National Ballet Company Academy. She majored in ballet at Yewon School and Seoul Arts High School, and graduated summa cum laude. She trained mainly at Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Korea, and earned a Master's Degree of Dance Arts at Ewha Womens University. She received first prize in the Dance Association of Korea's 30th National Ballet Competition, and has performed Sleeping Beauty at the International Performing Arts Festival in Japan. Since moving to the US in 2006, Yoomi has performed in Giselle, Stars and Stripes, Sleeping Beauty, Hyperspace, Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, Romeo & Juliet, and Serenade. In the 2007-08 season, she had the opportunity to perform the title role in Cinderella.

Mark MacKillop

Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mark trained at Pacific DanceArts under the artistic direction of Li Yaming. Mark spent summers training on full scholarship with American Ballet Theatre in New York, Boston Ballet and Atlanta Ballet. After his first season in Atlanta, he has already had the pleasure of dancing with the company in John McFall's Peter Pan, Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, George Balanchine's Serenade, and title roles such as Paris in Michael Pink's Romeo & Juliet and the Prince in Cinderella. He would like to thank his family, friends, and all the artistic staff for their ongoing support. Mark looks forward to this season and his future with Atlanta Ballet.

Alessa Rogers

Alessa graduated from the North Carolina School for the Arts. She spent one season with North Carolina Dance Theatre II, where she performed works by Salvatore Aiello, Dwight Rhoden, and Alvin Ailey. She has been a guest artist for three summers at the Roanoke Island Festival in Manteo, North Carolina. Alessa likes to read, learn, sit in airports, eat zucchini, and be silly.

Jesse Tyler

Jesse began his training at The School of the North Carolina Dance Theatre at age 9 under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride. In 2003, he joined North Carolina Dance Theatre as an apprentice and then was promoted to the company in 2004, where he worked with world-renowned choreographers such as Alonzo King, Dwight Rhoden and Mark Diamond. Since 2006, he has performed as a guest artist with many companies in the southeast including The Florida Ballet and most recently, Atlanta Ballet, where he danced works by John McFall and Lauri Stallings. When not dancing, he spends his time as the singer and guitar player for a local band called The Midnight United.