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Orlando Ballet Company and Artistic
Meet the talent and tenacity behind Orlando Ballet.
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Jorden Morris
Artistic Director
A visionary in ballet storytelling and entertainment, Jorden Morris brings dynamic leadership and a celebrated choreographic voice to the stage. After a professional dance career, he studied teaching and choreography at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) and theatre arts at NYU.
Jorden Morris
Artistic Director
A visionary in ballet storytelling and entertainment, Jorden Morris brings dynamic leadership and a celebrated choreographic voice to the stage. After a professional dance career, he studied teaching and choreography at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) and theatre arts at NYU. He trained in French pedagogy at the Paris Opera with Claude Bessy and Serge Golovine and in Russian technique at Boston Ballet with Sergei Berejnoi and Tatiana Terekhova. His first work, The Three Musketeers, premiered at RWB, where he later became Associate School Director. Morris created Peter Pan—RWB’s best-selling production—surpassed only by his international hit Moulin Rouge – The Ballet. He choreographed for Queen Elizabeth II and created the children's TV series The Toy Castle, in which he also starred. His additional RWB works include The Doorway (inspired by Leonard Cohen) and MOA (inspired by Egon Schiele). His Peter Pan has been staged by RWB, Pittsburgh Ballet and Nevada Ballet Theatre. In 2019, Pittsburgh Ballet premiered his The Great Gatsby. After joining Orlando Ballet in 2020 as Artist in Residence, he was named Artistic Director and, in 2023, debuted a reimagined Nutcracker for the company’s 50th anniversary season.
Lisa Thorn Morris
Associate Artistic Director
A dynamic force in ballet leadership and artistry, Lisa Thorn Morris joined Orlando Ballet in 2015 and serves as Associate Artistic Director, contributing significantly to the company's artistic growth.
Lisa Thorn Morris
Associate Artistic Director
A dynamic force in ballet leadership and artistry, Lisa Thorn Morris joined Orlando Ballet in 2015 and serves as Associate Artistic Director, contributing significantly to the company's artistic growth. She enjoyed a 20-year performance career with Kansas City Ballet, dancing principal roles in works by legendary choreographers such as Alvin Ailey, George Balanchine, Todd Bolender, August Bournonville, Merce Cunningham, Agnes DeMille, Nacho Duato, Ruth Page, Marius Petipa and Twyla Tharp. During her time at Kansas City Ballet, she transitioned into leadership, first as Associate Ballet Mistress, then Ballet Mistress in Residence. Lisa has choreographed for Orlando Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Actors Theatre of Kansas City and Kansas City Youth Ballet. Her choreographic work earned her the title of Emerging Choreographer at the 2005 Craft of Choreography Conference. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Missouri, where she graduated summa cum laude and served as an adjunct professor at the Conservatory of Music and Dance.
Heath Gill
Rehearsal Director
A bold creative voice and dynamic performer, Heath Gill has built a multifaceted career as a dancer, choreographer and leader in the ballet world.
Heath Gill
Rehearsal Director
A bold creative voice and dynamic performer, Heath Gill has built a multifaceted career as a dancer, choreographer and leader in the ballet world. He has performed featured roles in works by renowned choreographers including John McFall, Jorden Morris, Christopher Wheeldon, James Kudelka, Twyla Tharp, David Bintley, Jean-Christophe Maillot, Jorma Elo, Val Caniparoli, Helen Pickett, Liam Scarlett, Jiří Kylián, Alexander Ekman, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Michael Pink and Ohad Naharin. Celebrated for his artistry, Heath was named one of ArtsATL’s “30 Under 30” and Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch.” In 2017, he co-founded Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre in Atlanta, serving as Board Member, Production Director and Resident Choreographer. His full-length works earned acclaim, including Marley Was Dead, To Begin With, named “Best Dance Production of 2020” by ArtsATL. Since joining Orlando Ballet, he has created original works including Confronting Genius, The Next Big Thing and Memento. Now serving as Rehearsal Director, Heath is passionate about coaching and inspiring the next generation of dancers.
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John Abenanty
Brooklyn, New York. USA
John Abenanty
Born in Brooklyn, John Abenanty is a graduate of The Harid Conservatory. He was the first American principal dancer of the Sofia National Opera & Ballet and has toured to many countries. John is also a laureate of the Varna International Ballet Competition and a USA IBC finalist. He is in his fourth season with Orlando Ballet.
Charlotte Anub
Cameron Bailey
Morecambe, Lancashire. England
Cameron Bailey
Born in England, Cameron Bailey trained at the Royal Ballet in the junior associate program, followed by joining Elmhurst Ballet School. Representing the UK at the 2017 Cecchetti International Ballet competition, he earned a scholarship with Oklahoma City Ballet and later graduated from English National Ballet School. He is in his second season with Orlando Ballet.
Bernardo Bentacor
Bernardo Bentacor
Raised in the Canary Islands, Bernardo began dancing at the age of four and in 2015 moved to Madrid to train under Victor Ullate. In 2017 he joined The Washington School of Ballet, followed by English National Ballet earning a Level 6 Diploma in Dance and Choreography from Trinity College. In 2022, he joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal, performing for three seasons. This is his first season with Orlando Ballet.
Savannah Campbell
Savannah Campbell
Originally from Illinois, Savannah relocated to Florida at age twelve and trained at Orlando Ballet School. She joined Sarasota Ballet, advancing from trainee to main company member. Her performance highlights include principal in Renato Paroni’s Rococo and featured appearances in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Who Cares?, and Western Symphony. This is her first season with Orlando Ballet.
Israel Zavaleta Escobedo
Mexico City/Texcoco, Mexico
Israel Zavaleta Escobedo
Born in Mexico, Israel Zavaleta Escobedo is a proud Orlando Ballet School alumnus. Prior to attending Orlando Ballet School, he received training from his family’s dance company Ballet Folklorico Texcoco de Noe Zavaleta. He is in his seventh season with Orlando Ballet.
Maya Fazzari
Ontario, Canada
Maya Fazzari
Born in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, Maya Fazzari trained at Canada’s National Ballet School. Following her graduation in 2021, she joined their post-graduate program and performed with the National Ballet of Canada. She joined OBII in 2023, and this is her first season with Orlando Ballet.
Joshua Fickling
Joshua Fickling
Born in Meltham, England, Joshua Fickling trained at The Royal Ballet School and later with Mentors in Ballet Education, where he earned Diplomas in both the Enrico Cecchetti Method and Dance Education. He has performed with Birmingham Royal Ballet, The McNicol Ballet Collective, and The Sarasota Ballet of Florida. This is his first season with Orlando Ballet as a Company Dancer.
Kate Gardinier
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. USA
Kate Gardinier
Born in Pittsburgh, Kate Gardinier trained at the Washington School of Ballet's Professional Training Program where she had the opportunity to perform under the direction of Julie Kent. She joined OBII in 2021. She is in her third season with Orlando Ballet.
Thomas Gerhardt
Weymouth, Dorset. England
Thomas Gerhardt
Born in England, Thomas Gerhardt trained at the Royal Ballet School White Lodge. He soon joined the Royal Ballet Upper School and worked with choreographers Ashley Page, Carlos Acosta and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. He is in his third season with Orlando Ballet.
Kenna Gold
Mission Viejo, California. USA
Kenna Gold
Born in California, Kenna Gold trained at The Rock School on a full scholarship. She joined Orlando Ballet in 2018 as a trainee and has since danced numerous lead roles. She is in her fourth season with Orlando Ballet.
Dominique Guerra
USA
Dominique Guerra
Born in South Carolina, Dominique started her training at Ballet Spartanburg in South Carolina. She also received training from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Before joining Orlando Ballet, she danced with United Ballet Theatre’s company as a trainee. She is thrilled to begin her first season with Orlando Ballet.
Ellie Iannotti
Deptford, New Jersey. USA
Ellie Iannotti
Born in New Jersey, Ellie Iannotti trained at The Rock School for Dance Education, and later became a part of ABT's National Training Scholar program. She then attended the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School on scholarship for a year before joining OBII. She is in her second season with Orlando Ballet.
Cielo Ibarrola
Asuncion, Paraguay
Cielo Ibarrola
Born in Paraguay, Cielo Ibarrola trained at the Miami City Ballet School Pre-Professional Program, graduating in 2022. Joining OBII in 2022, then promoted to Apprentice, she has performed in Western Symphony (MCBS) and Paquita (OBII). She is in her second season with Orlando Ballet.
Hazuki Kishida
Victoria, B.C. Canada
Hazuki Kishida
Born in Canada, Hazuki Kishida trained at the Victoria Academy of Ballet and graduated from their Post-Secondary Bridge Program in 2022. Upon graduation, she joined OBII and was later promoted to Apprentice for the 23/24 season. She is in her second season with Orlando Ballet.
Remy Loren
Remy Loren
Originally from California, Remy Juliette Loren trained at Ballet Arte and held trainee positions with Philadelphia Ballet and Joffrey Ballet. She performed works by Christopher Wheeldon and Kathy Marston and attended summer programs with San Francisco Ballet, ABT, Royal Ballet School, and Dutch National Ballet. This is her first season with Orlando Ballet.
Sebastian Marriott-Smith
Nottingham, England
Sebastian Marriott-Smith
Born in England, Sebastian Marriott-Smith trained at the Royal Ballet School, later graduating from English National Ballet School where he worked with Tamara Rojo on the World Premiere of her production Raymonda. He joined Orlando Ballet in 2022 as an OBII. He is currently in his second season with Orlando Ballet.
Charlie Mellor
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. England
Charlie Mellor
Born in England, Charlie Mellor trained at Tring Park School. There, he secured First Place at the Cecchetti Children’s Awards at Sadler Wells and is a Mabel Ryan Junior Award runner-up. His TV debut in BBC Young Dancer of the Year showcased a La Fille Mal Gardee pas de deux. He is in his third season with Orlando Ballet.
Francis Mihm
Dubuque, Iowa. USA
Francis Mihm
Born in Iowa, Francis Mihm trained at Heartland Academy. He attended American Ballet Theatre and Milwaukee Ballet summer intensives and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Arts Administration from Butler University. He is in his third season with Orlando Ballet.
Hitomi Nakamura
Tokyo, Japan
Hitomi Nakamura
Born in Japan, Hitomi started her training at Kaneta Kono ballet academy, then she moved to the states and trained with Houston Ballet Academy. She joined OBII and was promoted to apprentice in 2014. Since joined the Company, she has performed several principal roles. This is her tenth season with Orlando Ballet.
Alberto Peñalver
Murcia, Spain
Alberto Peñalver
Born in Spain, Alberto Peñalver trained at the Conservatorio Profesional de Danza of Murcia, John Cranko Schule, and School of American Ballet. He was a Tulsa Ballet II member before becoming a Company dancer at Ballet Arizona. He is in his second season with Orlando Ballet.
Jack Ragland
South Carolina, USA
Jack Ragland
Born in South Carolina, Jack trained at South Carolina Christian Dance Theatre and attended summer programs at Charlotte Ballet, University of SC Dance Conservatory and Pennsylvania Ballet. Jack was invited to The Youth America Grand Prix Finals in 2021 as well as being invited to perform in the Danza in Arte a Pietrasanta Festival. This is his first season with Orlando Ballet.
Nathan Rowell
Eugene, Oregon. USA
Nathan Rowell
Born in Oregon, Nathan Rowell trained at Houston Ballet Academy and then later at the Texas Ballet Theatre. He joined Orlando Ballet in 2019 as an OBII. He is currently in his fourth season with Orlando Ballet.
Troy Santulli
Troy Santulli
Originally from Massachusetts, Troy Santulli trained at Boston Ballet School and performed in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Giselle. He danced with Kansas City Ballet II in works by Lila York, Michael Pink, and Tomm Ruud; with Texas Ballet Theater in ballets by Ben Stevenson, O.B.E.; and with Milwaukee Ballet in productions by Kenneth Tindall, Michael Pink, and Mark Godden. This is his first season with Orlando Ballet.
Renee Shubov
New York. USA
Renee Shubov
Born in New York, Renee Shubov started her training at the Academy of Dance Arts in New Jersey. At 14, she moved to Houston to train at the Houston Ballet Academy. After two years, she joined Houston Ballet II under the direction of Claudio Muñoz. In 2023, Renee joined OBII. She is in her first season with Orlando Ballet.
Sabrina Sierens
Detroit, Michigan. USA
Sabrina Sierens
Born in Michigan, Sabrina Sierens started dancing at the Ann Parsley School of Dance. She then continued her training at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia where she graduated under Peter Stark and Stephanie Spassoff. in 2023, Renee joined OBII. She is in her first season with Orlando Ballet.
Aria Smith
California. USA
Aria Smith
Born in Southern California, Aria Smith began her training at Maple Conservatory of Dance. At 10, she joined Ballet West Academy where she participated in many performances. Aria graduated from the Ballet West Professional Training Division in 2022 and joined OBII that fall. She is in her first season with Orlando Ballet.
Jaysan Stinnett
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Ruei Lin Cheng
Aylin Contreras
Chen-yu Liao
Emma Longin
Noe Lynds
Declan MacIsaac
Shannon McNiven
Jaime Monroy
Anna Neudorf
Ruri Nonami
Riley Pollack
Ellarie Price
Eliana Smith
Tolly Stewart
Caleb Wire
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Trainees
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Dancers in order from left to right starting on the bottom row: Maya Cohen, Rei Yanagishima, Natalie DuCharme, Kotono Suzuki,
Second Row, l to r: Viktoriia Kovyreva, Miyu Takasawa, Rachel Cravener, Mallory Baggs, Mia Bianchi, Regina Osorio Cabiedes, Sara Marin,
Sadie Kern
Top Row, l to r: Joel Ruybalid, Garreth Chapple, and Bradyn Harris
*Not Pictured – Laura Sonnek