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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. Lisa also serves as the stager for Artistic Director Jorden Morris’ highly popular ballets including ©Moulin Rouge – the Ballet, Peter Pan, The Great Gatsby, and Deverell. She spent two years as choreographic assistant to Morris in the development and world premiere of his new multi-million-dollar production of The Nutcracker during Orlando Ballet’s 2023-2024 season.
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
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, John Abenanty trained at Brooklyn Ballet, LaGuardia High School, and The Harid Conservatory. He became the first foreign dancer to achieve Principal rank at Sofia Opera and Ballet after dancing as a Soloist with the State Ballet of Georgia. His repertoire includes Siegfried, Romeo, Albrecht, and Basilio. This is John’s sixth season with Orlando Ballet.
Finn Adams
Massachusetts. USA
Finn Adams
Originally from Massachusetts and raised in Houston, Texas, Finn Adams trained at Houston Repertoire Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Ballet, and the graduate program at Houston Ballet. His performance credits include William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, José Martínez’s Le Corsaire, and the Mazurka man in Serge Lifar’s Suite en Blanc. Finn joins Orlando Ballet for his first season with the company.
Cameron Bailey
Morecambe, Lancashire. England
Cameron Bailey
Originally from Morecambe, England, Cameron Bailey attended Elmhurst Ballet School and graduated from English National Ballet School. His performance highlights include the Genius in Heath Gill’s Confronting Genius, Captain Hook in Jorden Morris’s Peter Pan, and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. Cameron spent two seasons with OBII and begins his fourth season with Orlando Ballet’s main company.
Bernardo Betancor
Canary Islands. Spain
Bernardo Betancor
From the Canary Islands, Spain, Bernardo Betancor graduated from English National Ballet School and trained under renowned teacher Taina Morales. He previously danced with Ballet Dortmund, English National Ballet, and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. His performance highlights include Jiří Kylián’s Six Dances and Mauro Bigonzetti’s Cantata. Bernardo joins Orlando Ballet for his second season with the company.
Ruei Lin Cheng
Taoyuan City. Taiwan
Ruei Lin Cheng
Originally from Taoyuan City, Taiwan, Ruei Lin Cheng graduated from Taipei National University of the Arts before continuing training at The Washington School of Ballet. Ruei Lin performed in Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker and placed second in classical and third in contemporary at the 2024 YAGP Pittsburgh semifinal. This is Ruei Lin’s second season with Orlando Ballet, his first as a company member.
Savannah Campbell
Morris, Illinois. USA
Savannah Campbell
Originally from Morris, Illinois, Savannah Campbell trained at Salt Creek Ballet, Orlando Ballet Academy, and Sarasota Ballet as a trainee and studio company member. Her repertoire includes George Balanchine’s Who Cares, Rubies, and Serenade. This is Savannah’s fourth season with Orlando Ballet, including two years with the school and her second season as a company member. Savannah is also a certified yoga instructor.
Maya Fazzari
Hamilton, Ontario. Canada
Maya Fazzari
Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Maya Fazzari graduated from Canada’s National Ballet School and completed an exchange program at San Francisco Ballet School. Following her graduation, she danced with The National Ballet of Canada before joining Orlando Ballet. Her Orlando Ballet highlights include Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby, and the Swan Lake pas de trois. This is Maya’s fourth season with Orlando Ballet.
Joshua Fickling
Meltham, West Yorkshire. England
Joshua Fickling
Originally from Meltham, West Yorkshire, Joshua Fickling enters his second season with Orlando Ballet. He trained at The Royal Ballet School and graduated from Mentors in Ballet Education. His highlights include Escamillo in Kenneth Tindall’s Carmen, Jay Gatsby in Jorden Morris’s The Great Gatsby, and the Cavalier in The Nutcracker. Joshua holds a teaching diploma in Cecchetti classical ballet and received the Gail Monahan Overall Winners Award at GradPro 2024.
Kate Gardinier
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. USA
Kate Gardinier
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kate Gardinier trained at Wexford Dance Academy and graduated from The Washington Ballet School before joining OBII. She was promoted to the main company after one season. Her highlights include Mome Fromage in Moulin Rouge, Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby, and Clara in The Nutcracker. This is Kate’s fifth season with Orlando Ballet.
Thomas Gerhardt
Dorset. England
Thomas Gerhardt
Originally from Dorset, England, Thomas Gerhardt trained at The Royal Ballet School and performed with The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. With Orlando Ballet, he has danced Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, the Nutcracker Prince, the Swan Lake pas de trois, and Jewels in Christopher Stowell’s The Sleeping Beauty. Thomas has danced with Orlando Ballet for five years.
Kenna Gold
Redondo Beach, California. USA
Kenna Gold
Originally from Redondo Beach, California, Kenna Gold trained at The Rock School for Dance Education on a full scholarship. Since joining Orlando Ballet, she has danced Myrtha in Giselle, Daisy and Myrtle in Jorden Morris’s The Great Gatsby, and Mina in Michael Pink’s Dracula. She is also a certified personal trainer specializing in cross-training for dancers. This is Kenna’s sixth season with the company.
Dominique Guerra
Landrum, South Carolina. USA
Dominique Guerra
Originally from Landrum, South Carolina, Dominique Guerra trained at Ballet Spartanburg and attended summer intensives on scholarship at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Dominique performed at Italy’s DAP Festival and has received overseas training opportunities with Akram Khan Company and Spellbound. This is Dominique’s third year with Orlando Ballet.
Ellie Iannotti
West Deptford, New Jersey. USA
Ellie Iannotti
Originally from West Deptford, New Jersey, Ellie Iannotti trained at The Rock School for Dance Education before completing her graduating year at American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Her Orlando Ballet highlights include the title role in Giselle, Carmen in Kenneth Tindall’s Carmen, and Blanche in Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s A Streetcar Named Desire. This is Ellie’s fifth season with the company.
Hazuki Kishida
Victoria, British Columbia. Canada
Hazuki Kishida
Originally from Victoria, British Columbia, Hazuki Kishida graduated from Victoria Academy of Ballet’s Post-Secondary Bridge Program in 2022. She joined OBII and was promoted to the main company after one season. Her highlights include Heath Gill’s Confronting Genius, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Serenade, Divertimento No. 15, and Allegro Brillante. A three-time British Columbia Provincial Arts Council Scholarship recipient, Hazuki is in her fourth season with Orlando Ballet.
Chen-yu Liao
Taichung. Taiwan
Chen-yu Liao
Originally from Taichung, Taiwan, Chen-Yu Liao trained in the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School Graduate Program and spent one season with OB II before joining the main company. Performance highlights include Terrence S. Orr’s The Nutcracker, Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz, and Houston Thomas’ Steel City Elegy. This is Chen-Yu’s first season with Orlando Ballet’s main company.
Sophia Longid
Chicago, Illinois. USA
Sophia Longid
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Sophia Longid trained at Joffrey Academy of Dance and graduated from The Joffrey Ballet Trainee Program in 2026. Her performance highlights include Gerald Arpino’s Reflections and Viva Vivaldi, Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Yuri Possokhov’s Eugene Onegin. This is Sophia’s first season as a dancer with Orlando Ballet.
Remy Juliette Loren
San Diego, California. USA
Remy Juliette Loren
Originally from San Diego, California, Remy Juliette Loren trained at Ballet Arte Academy, Philadelphia Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet. Her highlights include Gerald Arpino’s Kettentanz, Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker, Cathy Marston’s Atonement, and Jorden Morris’s The Nutcracker. Remy has also earned multiple top YAGP placements in classical and contemporary. This is her second season with Orlando Ballet.
Charlie Mellor
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. England
Charlie Mellor
Originally from Peterborough, England, Charlie Mellor trained at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. His Orlando Ballet repertoire includes the Nutcracker Prince in Jorden Morris’s The Nutcracker, Hilarion and the Pas de Quatre in Giselle, and Alan in Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s A Streetcar Named Desire. Charlie also performed in Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet. This is his sixth season with Orlando Ballet.
Hitomi Nakamura
Tokyo. Japan
Hitomi Nakamura
Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Hitomi Nakamura trained at Kaneta Kono Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet Academy, and Orlando Ballet with the second company, OBII. Her Orlando Ballet highlights include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, and Carmen in Kenneth Tindall’s Carmen. A 2014 USA IBC Jackson semifinalist and first-place winner at The Ballet Competition in Tokyo, Hitomi has danced with Orlando Ballet since 2014.
Alberto Peñalver Melgarejo
Murcia. Spain
Alberto Peñalver Melgarejo
Originally from Murcia, Spain, Alberto Peñalver Melgarejo trained at the Conservatorio Profesional de Danza de Murcia and John Cranko Schule before graduating from the School of American Ballet. He previously danced with Tulsa Ballet II and Ballet Arizona, performing George Balanchine’s Agon. His Orlando Ballet repertoire includes Divertimento No. 15. Alberto received a 2025 Premios Kairós award and has danced five seasons with Orlando Ballet.
Jack Ragland
Columbia, South Carolina. USA
Jack Ragland
Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Jack Ragland trained at South Carolina Christian Dance Theatre and attended summer programs at Charlotte Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, and the University of South Carolina Conservatory for the Arts. His Orlando Ballet highlights include Tom in Jorden Morris’s The Great Gatsby and the principal male role in Alyssa Pires’s Skyward. This is Jack’s fourth season with Orlando Ballet.
Nathan Rowell
Eugene, Oregon. USA
Nathan Rowell
Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Nathan Rowell trained at Oregon Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet Academy, and Orlando Ballet’s second company, OBII. His Orlando Ballet highlights include the title role in Casanova, Peter Pan, Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire, and Toulouse in Moulin Rouge. Nathan has danced six years with Orlando Ballet’s main company.
Troy Santulli
Boston, Massachusetts. USA
Troy Santulli
Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Troy Santulli trained at Boston Ballet School and danced with Kansas City Ballet II, Texas Ballet Theater, and Milwaukee Ballet. His career highlights include Drosselmeyer in Jorden Morris’s The Nutcracker, the Red Inquisitor in Kenneth Tindall’s Casanova, and the Queen of Hearts in Ben Stevenson’s Alice in Wonderland. This is Troy’s second season with Orlando Ballet.
Renee Shubov
Manahttan, New York. USA
Renee Shubov
Originally from Manhattan, New York, Renee Shubov trained at the Academy of Dance Arts and Houston Ballet Academy. Her Orlando Ballet highlights include Tinkerbell in Jorden Morris’s Peter Pan, Princess Florine in Christopher Stowell’s The Sleeping Beauty, and the Pas de Trois in his Swan Lake. Renee joined OBII in 2023 and the main company in 2024; this is her fourth year with Orlando Ballet.
Sabrina Sierens
Detroit, Michigan. USA
Sabrina Sierens
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Sabrina Sierens began her training at Ann Parsley School of Dance before graduating from The Rock School for Dance Education on scholarship under the direction of Peter Stark. Her performance highlights include Russian Girl in Christopher Stowell’s Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, and Moyna in Giselle. This is her fourth season with Orlando Ballet.
Aria Smith
San Clemente, California. USA
Aria Smith
Originally from San Clemente, California, Aria Smith trained at Maple Conservatory of Dance and graduated from Ballet West Academy’s Professional Training Division. Her highlights include Michaela in Kenneth Tindall’s Carmen, the lead couple in Maple Leaf Rag, and a soloist role in Divertimento No. 15. She also performed The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center with Ballet West. This is Aria’s fifth season with Orlando Ballet.
Jaysan Stinnett
Knoxville, Tennessee. USA
Jaysan Stinnett
Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Jaysan Stinnett began training at Thomas Armour Youth Ballet and graduated from The Harid Conservatory. His Orlando Ballet highlights include Prince Albrecht in Giselle, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Prince Florimund in The Sleeping Beauty, Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby, and Don José in Kenneth Tindall’s Carmen. This is Jaysan’s eighth season with Orlando Ballet.
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Isaac Aguirre
Charlotte Borden
Mykhailo Denysenko
Natalie DuCharme
Jocelyn Gross
Saydee Kim
Viktoriia Kovyreva
Emma Longin
Noe Lynds
Sara Marin
Jaime Monroy
Ruri Nonami
Ellarie Price
Ezekiel Richards
Brendan Turner
Caleb Wire
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