Company Artists
Led by Artistic Director Roy Kaiser, NBTs professional company of dancers hail from around the world and throughout the United States.
Sergio Alvarez
Sergio Alvarez
Hometown: Manizales, ColombiaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2015
Training: Ballet MILUZKA (Manizales), Ballet Anna Pavlova (Bogotá), Jacob’s Pillow, Ballet hispánico and The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia.
Previous affiliations: The Roxey Ballet Company, Ballet Des Moines
Favorite Roles Des Grieux (from Manon), Siegfried in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake, Frederick in Ben Stevenson’s Dracula.
A Career Highlight Performing in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake with my wife and fellow NBT Company Artist, Mirella Costa Neto. It was a magnificent role and the whole ballet was a dream to dance with my other half, plus my parents traveled from Colombia to see us perform.
Outside Interests: Exploring restaurants in Las Vegas; seeing live performances.
Leo Ameika
Leo Ameika
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VirginiaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2021
Training: Ballet Virginia, Ballet West Professional Training Division.
Favorite Roles: George Balanchine’s Western Symphony (4th Movement Lead), “Drosselmeyer” in Ballet West’s Nutcracker Showcase, “Franz” in Ballet Virginia’s Coppelia.
A Career Highlight Performing the role of the Nutcracker Prince as a guest dancer with Ballet Repertory Theatre of New Mexico.
Outside Interests: Singing, experimenting with makeup, reading.
Mirella Costa Neto
Mirella Costa Neto
Hometown: São Paulo, BrazilJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2017
Training Miami City Ballet School
Previous affiliations as a dancer Sarasota Ballet
Honors/Awards Gold Medal At Festival de Dança de Joinville, YAGP Top 12, Finalist in the "Isolist" of the best young talent in Brazil.
Favorite Roles: George Balanchine’s Tarantella and Serenade (Waltz Girl), and “Svetlana” in Ben Stevenson’s Dracula.
A Career Highlight Performing Odette/Odile in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake with my husband, NBT Company Artist, Sergio Alvarez.
Jaime DeRocker
Jaime DeRocker
Hometown: Oneida, New YorkJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2017
Training The Harid Conservatory
Previous affiliations Nederlands Dans Theatre Professional Summer Intensive, Festival Ballet Providence
Honors/Awards 2009 Dancer of the Year Award - The Harid Conservatory
Favorite Roles: Odette/Odile in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake, Dark Angel in Viktor Plotnikov’s Coma, Dancer in Nicolo Fonte’s Bolero.
A Career Highlight: Performing the role of Odette/Odile in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake; and other various choreographic opportunities.
Outside Interests: Choreography; interior design, architecture, and art. Exploring new art installations and galleries around town.
Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton
Hometown: State College, PennsylvaniaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2019
Training Allegheny Ballet Company, Houston Ballet (Professional Program), Trainee at Ballet West
Honors/Awards Penn State IdeaMakers Challenge 2021- 1st place winner
Favorite Roles George Balanchine’s Four Temperaments (2nd theme) ,Gerald Arpino’s Viva Vivaldi (3rd movement), Bruce Marks The Lark Ascending (2nd Pas de deux).
A Career Highlight Growing as a professional by dancing in live-streamed shows throughout the pandemic with Ballet Project OC.
Outside Interests Penn State World Campus Business Major and Founder of The Ballet Scout, a website for dancers to find auditions, training programs, and job opportunities.
Christina Ghiardi
Christina Ghiardi
Hometown: Morgantown, West VirginiaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2014
Training: The School of American Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School Trainee Program.
Previous affiliations: Boston Ballet II, Pennsylvania Ballet
Favorite Roles Myrtha in Giselle, Striptease Girl in George Balanchine’s Slaughter on 10th Avenue, Flora in Ben Stevenson’s Dracula.
A Career Highlight: Performing George Balanchine’s Serenade at the London Coliseum while on tour with Boston Ballet.
Outside Interests: Choreography, Teaching Ballet and Pilates, Hiking.
Jack Grohmann
Jack Grohmann
Hometown: Louisville, KentuckyJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2022
Training: Boston Ballet School under Peter Stark and Margaret Tracey, Indiana University, Miami City Ballet School, The Chautauqua Institution, and The School at Jacob's Pillow.
Favorite Roles: Robbie in Justin Peck's In Creases, The Waltz Boy in George Balanchine's Serenade, and Baryshnikov in Mark Morris' Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes.
Career highlight: Performing as the Cavalier in Michael Vernon's The Nutcracker.
Outside interests: music, new restaurants, spending time with friends and family. Indiana University Graduate with an Outside Field in International Studies.
Rebecca Haftl
Rebecca Haftl
Hometown: Exton, PennsylvaniaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2022
Training: School of American Ballet, Miami City Ballet School, Philadelphia Ballet School, Chester Valley Dance Academy.
Previous affiliations: New Chamber Ballet, New York City Ballet Choreographic Institute, New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Ballet.
Honors/Awards: The School of American Merit Scholarships, Princess Grace Foundation Scholarship nominee by Philadelphia Ballet School.
Favorite Roles: George Balanchine’s Symphony In C, (1st Movement Finale Demi), Donizetti Variations (Principal Variation), and The Sleeping Beauty (Garland Dance).
A Career Highlight: Performing George Balanchine’s Scherzo à la Russe in New York City Ballet’s Spring Gala.
Outside Interests: Spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, baking, thrifting.
Camille Kellems
Camille Kellems
Hometown: Newport Beach, CaliforniaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2019
Training: Classical Dance Center In Orange County, CA, Maple Conservatory of Dance, Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music (2015-2019).
Previous affiliations: Ballet Project OC (August 2020 - September 2021)
Favorite Roles A Matinee Lady in Jerome Robbins's The Concert, Principal Woman in George Balanchine's Valse Fantasie, Corps de Ballet in George Balanchine's Serenade.
A Career Highlight Performing as the Principal Woman in Jerome Robbins's Spring (from Four Seasons). The role was taught to me and coached by the woman who originated the role, former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Kyra Nichols.
Outside Interests: Cycling or Pilates classes; new restaurants, exploring Las Vegas.
Cameron Kesten
Cameron Kesten
Hometown: Bossier City, LouisianaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2023
Training: Academy of City Ballet of Houston, Houston Ballet Academy
Previous affiliations: Ballet West Traineeship
Favorite Roles: Puss-in-Boots in Ballet West and the Sleeping Beauty , Five Guys in George Balanchine's Who Cares?.
A Career Highlight: Guest performing in Dracula with Nevada Ballet Theatre while training at Ballet West
Outside Interests: Studying psychology at the University of Utah, watching and rating movies, playing board games and chilling with my cat Theo.
Selena Knowlton
Selena Knowlton
Hometown: Clifford, PennsylvaniaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2022
Training: The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia; Ballet Theatre of Scranton.
Previous affiliations: Charlotte Ballet II.
Favorite Roles: Cinderella, Sugar Plum Fairy, White Cat in The Sleeping Beauty.
A Career Highlight: Being coached by Patricia McBride in Fascinatin’ Rhythm in Who Cares?
Outside Interests: Pilates, yoga, walking, and biking; currently pursuing an Associates Degree in Business Administration.
Zachary Kushubar
Zachary Kushubar
Hometown: Spartanburg, South CarolinaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2023
Training: Ballet Spartanburg, South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Southern Methodist University, Chautauqua Summer Dance Program
Favorite Roles: George Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux and The Man I Love/Liza in Who Cares?
A Career Highlight: Being coached by Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux in Who Cares? at the Chautauqua Institution.
Outside Interests: Fashion and Costume Design, Minor in Women's and Gender Studies from Southern Methodist University, Choreography.
Paityn Lauzon
Paityn Lauzon
Hometown: Phoenix, ArizonaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2022
Training: Arizona Dance Artistry, Indiana University, Bachelor of Science in Ballet and Astronomy/Astrophysics.
Honors/Awards: First place at the Arizona Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition (ranked Top 5 nationally). Recognition as a Premier Young Artist and a Founders Scholar at Indiana University.
Favorite Roles: Waltz Girl in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Giselle, Eileen in Twyla Tharp’s Deuce Coupe.
Outside Interests: hiking, stargazing with my telescope.
Betsy Lucas
Betsy Lucas
Hometown: Hillsboro, OregonJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2010
Training: School of Oregon Ball Theatre Pre-Professional Division.
Favorite Roles: “Clara” in NBT’s production of The Nutcracker, choreographed by James Canfield, “Alice” in Septime Webre’s Alice (In Wonderland), “Svetlana” in Ben Stevenson’s Dracula.
Career Highlights: Being coached by Cynthia Gregory, performing the Grand Pas de deux in NBT’s The Nutcracker for the first time, and performing in the national Capezio Awards.
Outside Interests: Sewing and designing dancewear, gardening, home renovations, and cuddling with my rescue shepherd-mixes, Jax and Molly.
Brooke Lyness
Brooke Lyness
Hometown: Moraga, CaliforniaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2016
Training: Lamorinda Ballet Center, Orinda Ballet Academy and Company, Contra Costa Ballet, University of Cincinnati: College Conservatory of Music, The School at Jacob’s Pillow, Miami City Ballet Summer Intensive.
Previous affiliations: Atlanta Ballet: Fellowship Dancer (2014 -2016).
Favorite Roles: Light Rain (Pas de Deux), Nicolo Fonte’s Bolero, Matthew Neenan’s Until December.
A career highlight: The first time I received flowers on stage (as a lead in Matthew Neenan’s Until December). As an Apprentice at the time, it was special to be chosen to dance in this World Premiere.
Outside interests: Crocheting.
Emma McGirr
Emma McGirr
Hometown: Little Hocking, OhioJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2014
Training: BFA in dance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Schrader Youth Ballet
Previous affiliations as a dancer: Ballet120, Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance, Eugene Ballet, Louisville Ballet.
Favorite Roles: “Alice” in Septime Webre’s Alice (in Wonderland), “Tinkerbell” in Jorden Morris’ Peter Pan and My One and Only/Embraceable You in George Balanchine’s Who Cares?
A career highlight: Performing in Krista Baker’s world premiere, The Current (2020). The rehearsal process was so special as it was my first time in a new work created by a fellow company artist for a main stage production.
Outside interests: Spending time with my husband and NBT Alum, Benjamin Tucker, and our terrier-mix puppy, Cece; and teaching at Young People’s Summer Stock Performing Arts Camp.
Leo McGrath
Leo McGrath
Hometown: Savannah, GATraining: Next Generation Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet and Ballet Austin
Previous Affiliations: Previously held positions with Ballet Tucson, Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre, and First State Ballet Theatre
Favorite Roles: My favorite roles to date are Basilio in Don Quixote, the Jester in Swan Lake, and The man in the hat from Stephanie Martinez's Otra Vez Otra Vez Otra Vez.
A Career Highlight: Getting to do Basilio in Don Quixote with my parents and brothers as well as a good chunk of my extended family present is pretty up there.
Outside Interests: Hiking, Cycling, Swimming, Live Music, Cooking, and Hosting Dinner Parties
Julia Pasquale
Julia Pasquale
Hometown: North Reading, MassachusettsJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2023
Training: Northeast Youth Ballet, The School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet.
Previous Affiliations: New York City Ballet Choreographic Institute, NBT II, and Boston Ballet.
Favorite Roles: George Balanchine’s Serenade (Waltz Girl), Balanchine's Western Symphony (Corps de Ballet), and Balanchine's Concerto Barocco (Corps de Ballet).
A Career Highlight Performing Chaconne with Boston Ballet.
Outside Interests: Spending time with my family and friends, and walking around exploring new cities.
Mackenna Pieper
Mackenna Pieper
Hometown: Denton, TexasJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2022
Training: Ballet Conservatory and Pacific Northwest Ballet Professional Division.
Previous Affiliations: Pegasus Contemporary Ballet, LakeCities Ballet Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Honors/Awards: 1st Place Classical Division YAGP.
Favorite Roles: Nikiya in La Bayadere, Medora in Le Corsaire, Paquita Grand Pas de Deux.
Career Highlight: Performing Snow and Flowers in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s new Nutcracker choreographed by George Balanchine.
Shelby Rambo
Shelby Rambo
Hometown: West Monroe, LouisianaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2022
Training: Twin City Ballet Company; Linda Lavender School of Dance, West Monroe, LA.
Previous affiliations: Sacramento Ballet Trainee Project, Ballet West Academy Professional Training Division.
Favorite Roles: Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, Song Fairy in Sacramento Ballet's Sleeping Beauty, and the Principal Dancer in Raymonda.
A Career Highlight: Teaching ballet, pointe, variations, and jazz at the Ballet West 2022 Summer Intensive.
Outside Interests: art (painting, drawing) and photography.
Niko Yaroslaski
Niko Yaroslaski
Hometown: Morro Bay, California Joined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2022
Training: Academy of Dance (San Luis Obispo), Ballet Theater of San Luis Obispo, Professional Training Division Ballet West, Summer Intensives at American Ballet Theater, Ballet West Academy, Ballet Arizona, Kansas City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Previous Affiliations: Ballet West Professional Training Division, Oregon Ballet Theatre.
Honors/Awards: Top 12 YAGP Salt Lake City Regionals.
Favorite Roles: George Balanchine’s Four Temperaments (First Theme) and The Nutcracker (Soldier Doll); Neapolitan in Kevin Irving’s Swan Lake.
A Career Highlight: Joining the Professional Training Division at Ballet West, which was the start of my career.
Outside Interests: spending time at the beach.
NBT Apprentices
Madeline Diehl
Madeline Diehl
Hometown: State College, PennsylvaniaJoined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2023
Training: Miami City Ballet School, Ribbon Mill Ballet (Leslie Hench), Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania
Previous Affiliations: Nashville Ballet - NB2 Trainee
Favorite Roles: George Balanchine’s Western Symphony (1st Movement), Jerome Robbins 2 & 3 Part Inventions.
Outside Interests: Penn State World Campus student studying Digital Journalism and Media, with an interest in Sports Journalism in the NHL or NFL.
Wyatt Dodd
Wyatt Dodd
Your Hometown: Dunbarton, New HampshireTraining: Boston Ballet preprofessional division, Sarasota Ballet trainee
Previous Affiliations: Sarasota Ballet Studio company
Favorite Roles: Snow pas de deux from Nutcracker
A Career Highlight: Performing theme & variations as corps
Outside Interests: I like thrifting, spending time outside and hiking
Ben Strassman
Ben Strassman
Your Hometown: San Rafael, CA Training: San Francisco Academy of Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre School, Stapleton School of the Performing Arts
Previous Affiliations: Oregon Ballet Theatre
Favorite Roles: Embraceable You in George Balanchine's Who Cares?, 4th Movement Lead in George Balanchine's Symphony in C, Pas de Quatre in Ben Stevenson's Sleeping Beauty
A Career Highlight: Performing in August Bournonville's La Sylphide, staged by former Royal Danish Ballet director Frank Andersen and Eva Kloborg
Outside Interests: Playing piano, studying at Pennsylvania State University
