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DANCERS OF
A Family of Professional and Emerging Artists
The Tallahassee Ballet is a regional, professional company presenting a combination of classical and cutting-edge ballet. For over 50 years, we have provided an outstanding training ground for emerging professionals while stimulating appreciation of the dance arts in our community through several full-scale productions each year featuring live music.
The main company is divided into lead company artists, company artists, apprentices, and trainees. By sharing the stage with seasoned professionals, the younger dancers can experience the artistry, hard work, dedication, and stamina that performing takes. All our dancers are expected to represent The Tallahassee Ballet with poise, grace, and integrity.
The Tallahassee Ballet welcomes dancers regardless of race, color, gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, religion, or sexual orientation. We expect dancers, staff, and support personnel to treat each other with respect and dignity. We pride ourselves on creating a safe, family atmosphere—both on stage and off.
We believe that our love of dance communicates our passion to audiences and supporters—keeping them engaged, enriched, and inspired.
LEAD COMPANY ARTISTS
Alberto Andrade
Originally from Queens, New York, Andrade trained at the Colburn School and Milwaukee Ballet School. He has also studied at prestigious summer programs including the School of American Ballet, The Harid Conservatory, Ellison Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet School.
Alberto's professional experience includes performances with Milwaukee Ballet II, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Zikr Dance Ensemble, and Chicago Repertory Ballet, bringing with him a dynamic blend of classical technique and contemporary artistry.
Alberto's professional experience includes performances with Milwaukee Ballet II, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Zikr Dance Ensemble, and Chicago Repertory Ballet, bringing with him a dynamic blend of classical technique and contemporary artistry.
Jorge Arceo
(Sponsored by: Dr. Sonia Taylor)
Jorge Arceo’s dance career began in the city of Havana, Cuba. At the age of nine, he was already honing his skills under the guidance of the esteemed Cuban dancer Narciso Medina. His early promise saw him through rigorous training at Escuela Provincial de Ballet, culminating in advanced studies at The National Ballet School.
By 18, Arceo earned a coveted spot with the National Contemporary Dance Company of Cuba, and he quickly rose to the position of first soloist, allowing him to perform for audiences in Cuba and around the world. His performances were not just limited to stages; he had the rare privilege of performing in a private studio setting for the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov. He also had the privilege of working with renowned choreographers such as Mats Ek, Samir Akika, Rafael Bonachela, Cathy Marston, George Céspedes, and Jan Linkens. In addition, he shared the stage with some world-renowned dancers, including Carlos Acosta, Ana Laguna, Herman Cornejo, Rasta Thomas, and Miguel Altunaga, among others.
Arceo’s move to the United States in 2009 marked a new chapter in his career. He performed with the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami and Rio Hotel’s Las Vegas show, ND’S FUEGO. His journey took him next to Los Angeles, where he became a principal dancer for several renowned companies, including Pasadena Dance Theater, City of Angels Ballet, California Riverside Ballet, and the notable production Silent Roar, choreographed by Zina Bethune.
In 2014, Arceo joined The Tallahassee Ballet, where his role as a principal dancer has enabled him to collaborate with distinguished choreographers such as Kathryn Karrh Cashin, Christopher Huggins, Sarah Harkness, Trent D. Williams, and Anjali Austin. He performed both contemporary works and classical ballets such as Paquita, Swan Lake, La Bayadère, The Firebird, and The Nutcracker, where he danced lead and solo roles. Arceo’s time with the Tallahassee Ballet has been one of the most rewarding and joyful experiences of his professional career, and he is excited for the future of the company.
Jorge Arceo’s dance career began in the city of Havana, Cuba. At the age of nine, he was already honing his skills under the guidance of the esteemed Cuban dancer Narciso Medina. His early promise saw him through rigorous training at Escuela Provincial de Ballet, culminating in advanced studies at The National Ballet School.
By 18, Arceo earned a coveted spot with the National Contemporary Dance Company of Cuba, and he quickly rose to the position of first soloist, allowing him to perform for audiences in Cuba and around the world. His performances were not just limited to stages; he had the rare privilege of performing in a private studio setting for the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov. He also had the privilege of working with renowned choreographers such as Mats Ek, Samir Akika, Rafael Bonachela, Cathy Marston, George Céspedes, and Jan Linkens. In addition, he shared the stage with some world-renowned dancers, including Carlos Acosta, Ana Laguna, Herman Cornejo, Rasta Thomas, and Miguel Altunaga, among others.
Arceo’s move to the United States in 2009 marked a new chapter in his career. He performed with the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami and Rio Hotel’s Las Vegas show, ND’S FUEGO. His journey took him next to Los Angeles, where he became a principal dancer for several renowned companies, including Pasadena Dance Theater, City of Angels Ballet, California Riverside Ballet, and the notable production Silent Roar, choreographed by Zina Bethune.
In 2014, Arceo joined The Tallahassee Ballet, where his role as a principal dancer has enabled him to collaborate with distinguished choreographers such as Kathryn Karrh Cashin, Christopher Huggins, Sarah Harkness, Trent D. Williams, and Anjali Austin. He performed both contemporary works and classical ballets such as Paquita, Swan Lake, La Bayadère, The Firebird, and The Nutcracker, where he danced lead and solo roles. Arceo’s time with the Tallahassee Ballet has been one of the most rewarding and joyful experiences of his professional career, and he is excited for the future of the company.
Carri Britt
This is Carri Britt’s thirteenth season with The Tallahassee Ballet (TTB); she was promoted to Principal in 2016. At TTB, Britt performed soloist and lead roles in classical works, which include; The Lilac Fairy, The White Cat and Gold Fairy Variation in The Sleeping Beauty; Fall Fairy and Princess of the Sea in Cinderella, Sugar Plum, Dew Drop, Snow Queen, Coffee, and Automaton in The Nutcracker; Third Shade in La Bayadère; Big Swan in Swan Lake; and First Variation in Paquita. Britt has also performed lead roles in original repertoire by Kathryn Karrh Cashin, Ilana Goldman, Christopher Huggins, Katy Cashin, Anjali Austin, Trent D. Williams Jr., and Gabriel Williams, among others.
Britt trained in the Vagonava method at the Academy of Ballet Internationale in Indianapolis, Indiana, under Tatiana Pali and Irina Koplakova. Here, she had the exciting opportunity to tour The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty with the professional company in residence, as well as compete in Youth America Grand Prix, where her ensemble placed third in the New York City finals. Britt later graduated from the Louisville Ballet School, after expanding her experience in modern dance; she participated in creating an original work that was performed at the opening gala of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
During her years of training, Britt attended summer intensives at Joffrey Midwest, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Met, Ballet Austin, and The Harid Conservatory. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Florida State University.
Britt trained in the Vagonava method at the Academy of Ballet Internationale in Indianapolis, Indiana, under Tatiana Pali and Irina Koplakova. Here, she had the exciting opportunity to tour The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty with the professional company in residence, as well as compete in Youth America Grand Prix, where her ensemble placed third in the New York City finals. Britt later graduated from the Louisville Ballet School, after expanding her experience in modern dance; she participated in creating an original work that was performed at the opening gala of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
During her years of training, Britt attended summer intensives at Joffrey Midwest, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Met, Ballet Austin, and The Harid Conservatory. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Florida State University.
Jackson Carpenter
Jackson Carpenter began his dance training in 2014 at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, under the direction of Wes Chapman. There, he performed ballet works staged by Wes Chapman, as well as modern and contemporary works from choreographers, including Mark Morris, Robert Battle, and Susan Shields. Carpenter spent his summers training at the Alabama Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Carpenter began his professional career with The Tallahassee Ballet in 2022. Since then, he has performed roles such as Rat King in The Nutcracker and Puss in Boots in The Sleeping Beauty, as well as various contemporary works. Carpenter also performed with the Andalusia Ballet as a guest artist in 2024. Outside of dance, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in English Education at Florida State University.
Carpenter began his professional career with The Tallahassee Ballet in 2022. Since then, he has performed roles such as Rat King in The Nutcracker and Puss in Boots in The Sleeping Beauty, as well as various contemporary works. Carpenter also performed with the Andalusia Ballet as a guest artist in 2024. Outside of dance, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in English Education at Florida State University.
Abigail Centers
(Sponsored by: Ron Sachs & Gay Webster-Sachs)
Abigail Centers joined The Tallahassee Ballet as a Junior Dancer in 2009 and is a recipient of both the Helen Salter Scholarship and the Ken Cashin Scholarship, awarded by The Tallahassee Ballet Board of Directors. She has performed in productions of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, An Evening of Music and Dance, In Performance, The Nutcracker, Paquita and Other Works, Rapunzel, Swan Lake and Other Works, Bernstein and Gershwin, The Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Her lead and featured roles include Clara, Marzipan, Tea, Columbine, Automaton, and Chocolate in The Nutcracker; Pas de Trois Variation in Paquita; Diamond Fairy, Canary Fairy, and Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty; Waltz Pas de Deux from Kathryn Cashin's Three Dances; Dance of the Little Swans in Swan Lake; and the title role in Cinderella.
Centers has attended summer intensives with Orlando Ballet, Richmond Ballet, the Harid Conservatory, and Florida State University (FSU) School of Dance, and she served as a resident assistant for the Orlando Ballet School’s summer intensive. Outside of dance, she is pursuing a Master of Science degree in computer science at FSU and works full-time as an application developer at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Abigail Centers joined The Tallahassee Ballet as a Junior Dancer in 2009 and is a recipient of both the Helen Salter Scholarship and the Ken Cashin Scholarship, awarded by The Tallahassee Ballet Board of Directors. She has performed in productions of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, An Evening of Music and Dance, In Performance, The Nutcracker, Paquita and Other Works, Rapunzel, Swan Lake and Other Works, Bernstein and Gershwin, The Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Her lead and featured roles include Clara, Marzipan, Tea, Columbine, Automaton, and Chocolate in The Nutcracker; Pas de Trois Variation in Paquita; Diamond Fairy, Canary Fairy, and Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty; Waltz Pas de Deux from Kathryn Cashin's Three Dances; Dance of the Little Swans in Swan Lake; and the title role in Cinderella.
Centers has attended summer intensives with Orlando Ballet, Richmond Ballet, the Harid Conservatory, and Florida State University (FSU) School of Dance, and she served as a resident assistant for the Orlando Ballet School’s summer intensive. Outside of dance, she is pursuing a Master of Science degree in computer science at FSU and works full-time as an application developer at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Paige Centers
Paige Centers joined The Tallahassee Ballet (TTB) in 2009, became a Soloist in 2013, and a Principal in 2017. She has received the Joyce Straub Fausone Scholarship and the Ken Cashin Scholarship, awarded by TTB Board of Directors.
Centers has performed in productions of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, An Evening of Music and Dance, In Performance, The Nutcracker, Paquita and Other Works, Rapunzel, Swan Lake and Other Works, Bernstein and Gershwin, The Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Her lead and feature roles include Dew Drop, Snow Queen, Coffee, Mirliton, Chocolate, and Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker; Variation II from Paquita; Princess Aurora, Diamond Fairy, and Princess Florine from The Sleeping Beauty; Summer Fairy from Cinderella; Meagan Helman’s Solitude; Annette Barcelona’s Reminiscence; Joyce Fausone’s Tango; Tango Pas de Deux from Kathryn Cashin’s Three Dances; Julie Opiel’s Toccata and Nocturne; and Dance of the Big Swans from Swan Lake.
Centers has attended intensives at Orlando Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Florida State University (FSU) School of Dance, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and for two consecutive summers she was privileged to attend Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell—a three-week intensive at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. She has worked as a resident assistant for the Orlando Ballet School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City. Centers also received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science Education from FSU in the fall of 2018.
Centers has performed in productions of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, An Evening of Music and Dance, In Performance, The Nutcracker, Paquita and Other Works, Rapunzel, Swan Lake and Other Works, Bernstein and Gershwin, The Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Her lead and feature roles include Dew Drop, Snow Queen, Coffee, Mirliton, Chocolate, and Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker; Variation II from Paquita; Princess Aurora, Diamond Fairy, and Princess Florine from The Sleeping Beauty; Summer Fairy from Cinderella; Meagan Helman’s Solitude; Annette Barcelona’s Reminiscence; Joyce Fausone’s Tango; Tango Pas de Deux from Kathryn Cashin’s Three Dances; Julie Opiel’s Toccata and Nocturne; and Dance of the Big Swans from Swan Lake.
Centers has attended intensives at Orlando Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Florida State University (FSU) School of Dance, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and for two consecutive summers she was privileged to attend Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell—a three-week intensive at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. She has worked as a resident assistant for the Orlando Ballet School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City. Centers also received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science Education from FSU in the fall of 2018.
Anthony Cefalu
Anthony Cefalu studied ballet first in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Norwalk, Ohio. In 2015, while in Ohio, he had the opportunity to perform ‘Let’s Say It with Firecrackers’ from Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn as a Guest Artist for the Bellevue Society for the Arts. He moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 2017, to train at Saint Louis Ballet School, then to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2019, to train at the Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy’s Pre-Professional Training Program. In 2020, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky, to join the Louisville Ballet Studio Company.
During his two seasons, he performed in company productions of Kentucky! Volume One, Robert Curran’s Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty, and Louisville Ballet School’s Spring Dance Festival. In 2022, he moved to Duluth, Minnesota, to join the Minnesota Ballet as an apprentice. During his two seasons there, he performed in The Nutcracker: A Duluth Tale, Forward, The Sleeping Beauty, Poe, Rise, and Snow White. He had the opportunity to coordinate and manage the Minnesota Ballet’s participation in the 2023 Duluth/Superior Pride Festival, choreographing a piece titled "Nuance." In April 2024, he participated in the Lake Arts Project: Revival of the HeART, organized by Karl von Rabenau and Jennifer Miller. He had the opportunity to perform in Pulling at the Threads, Resilience, To Hell and Back, and Constellations. He moved to Tallahassee, Florida, in 2024 to join The Tallahassee Ballet as a soloist and has performed in productions created and staged by Meagan Helman, Katy Cashin, and Caleb Mitchell.
During his two seasons, he performed in company productions of Kentucky! Volume One, Robert Curran’s Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty, and Louisville Ballet School’s Spring Dance Festival. In 2022, he moved to Duluth, Minnesota, to join the Minnesota Ballet as an apprentice. During his two seasons there, he performed in The Nutcracker: A Duluth Tale, Forward, The Sleeping Beauty, Poe, Rise, and Snow White. He had the opportunity to coordinate and manage the Minnesota Ballet’s participation in the 2023 Duluth/Superior Pride Festival, choreographing a piece titled "Nuance." In April 2024, he participated in the Lake Arts Project: Revival of the HeART, organized by Karl von Rabenau and Jennifer Miller. He had the opportunity to perform in Pulling at the Threads, Resilience, To Hell and Back, and Constellations. He moved to Tallahassee, Florida, in 2024 to join The Tallahassee Ballet as a soloist and has performed in productions created and staged by Meagan Helman, Katy Cashin, and Caleb Mitchell.
Sarah Genzer
(Sponsored by: Courtney Brewer, Alyssa Matthews)
Sarah Genzer began her training at the age of eight at Vickers Dance Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, before moving to the United States at 11. She continued her training at Joffrey Ballet School and White River Ballet Academy. After graduating high school, she attended Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory and BalletMet’s Trainee Program, where she had the opportunity to perform with the company in Gerard Charles’ The Nutcracker. In addition, Genzer performed in student productions of Western Symphony and Walpurgisnacht by George Balanchine, as well as other classical ballets.
Genzer began her professional career with Ballet Hartford under the direction of Leyna Doran and Claire Kretzschmar before moving to Florida in 2024 to join The Tallahassee Ballet (TTB). As a Corps de Ballet member at TTB, she loved performing roles such as Lead Tea in The Nutcracker and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.
Sarah Genzer began her training at the age of eight at Vickers Dance Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, before moving to the United States at 11. She continued her training at Joffrey Ballet School and White River Ballet Academy. After graduating high school, she attended Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory and BalletMet’s Trainee Program, where she had the opportunity to perform with the company in Gerard Charles’ The Nutcracker. In addition, Genzer performed in student productions of Western Symphony and Walpurgisnacht by George Balanchine, as well as other classical ballets.
Genzer began her professional career with Ballet Hartford under the direction of Leyna Doran and Claire Kretzschmar before moving to Florida in 2024 to join The Tallahassee Ballet (TTB). As a Corps de Ballet member at TTB, she loved performing roles such as Lead Tea in The Nutcracker and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.
Sophia Lutinski
Sophia Lutinski, originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia, joined The Tallahassee Ballet in 2021 and was promoted to Soloist in 2023. Her repertoire with the company showcases a wide range of classical and contemporary roles, including standout performances as Swanhilda in Coppélia, the Snow Queen, Marzipan lead, Coffee lead, and Chocolate Lead in The Nutcracker, Autumn Fairy in Cinderella, and the Violente Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty. She has also performed leading roles in contemporary works such as Rare Bird, Solitude, and Kythirian Dances under the direction of choreographers including Meagan Helman, Holly Borrelli, and Katy Cashin.
Lutinski holds both a Master of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Florida State University (FSU). At FSU, she had the privilege of training with renowned artists including Suzanne Farrell, Kara Wilkes, Ilana Goldman, Meagan Helman, Caleb Mitchell, Donna Uchizono, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. While there, she performed in multiple notable works such as Divertimento No. 15 and Serenade by George Balanchine, both staged by Suzanne Farrell.
Lutinski holds both a Master of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Florida State University (FSU). At FSU, she had the privilege of training with renowned artists including Suzanne Farrell, Kara Wilkes, Ilana Goldman, Meagan Helman, Caleb Mitchell, Donna Uchizono, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. While there, she performed in multiple notable works such as Divertimento No. 15 and Serenade by George Balanchine, both staged by Suzanne Farrell.
Jessica Skinker
(Sponsored by: Mark & Bonnie Burrell)
Jessica Skinker was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She began her early training at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) under the direction of Christine Kardell, as well as Antonio and Kirven Douthit-Boyd of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She spent her summers training at Nashville Ballet, Joffrey Ballet Texas, and on full scholarship at Missouri Contemporary Ballet. With both dance and academic scholarships, Skinker graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mercyhurst University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pre-Health Sciences. There, she studied under the tutelage of renowned instructors Jennifer McNamara, Matthew Christensen, Tauna Hunter, Solveig Santillano, Mark Santillano, C. Noelle Partusch, and Lesley Bories-Scalise. She performed with the Mercyhurst Dancers in Giselle as Myrtha, Michael Gleason’s Symphonie Italienne, Catherine Meredith’s Aftermath, and in several newly choreographed classical and contemporary works. She has also performed with SoMar Dance Works and as a guest artist with Erie Contemporary Ballet Theater in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker.
Skinker began her professional career with Central Illinois Ballet, where she performed roles such as Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables. She joined The Tallahassee Ballet in 2024 as a Corps de Ballet member, performing in works by Caleb Mitchell, Hope Eltomi, Meagan Helman, and Madeline Luzarraga, as well as full-length productions, such as Snow Princess in The Nutcracker, Winter Fairy in Cinderella, and Swanhilda in Coppélia.
Jessica Skinker was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She began her early training at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) under the direction of Christine Kardell, as well as Antonio and Kirven Douthit-Boyd of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She spent her summers training at Nashville Ballet, Joffrey Ballet Texas, and on full scholarship at Missouri Contemporary Ballet. With both dance and academic scholarships, Skinker graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mercyhurst University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pre-Health Sciences. There, she studied under the tutelage of renowned instructors Jennifer McNamara, Matthew Christensen, Tauna Hunter, Solveig Santillano, Mark Santillano, C. Noelle Partusch, and Lesley Bories-Scalise. She performed with the Mercyhurst Dancers in Giselle as Myrtha, Michael Gleason’s Symphonie Italienne, Catherine Meredith’s Aftermath, and in several newly choreographed classical and contemporary works. She has also performed with SoMar Dance Works and as a guest artist with Erie Contemporary Ballet Theater in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker.
Skinker began her professional career with Central Illinois Ballet, where she performed roles such as Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables. She joined The Tallahassee Ballet in 2024 as a Corps de Ballet member, performing in works by Caleb Mitchell, Hope Eltomi, Meagan Helman, and Madeline Luzarraga, as well as full-length productions, such as Snow Princess in The Nutcracker, Winter Fairy in Cinderella, and Swanhilda in Coppélia.
Tomoko Takahashi
(Sponsored by: Dr. Sonia Taylor)
Tomoko Takahashi began dancing at the age of eight in Nagano, Japan. At age 15, she was awarded the Special Judge Prize and Chacott Scholarship from the NBA All Japan Ballet Competition, and went to The Hungarian Dance Art Academy, Budapest as a scholarship student. Upon graduation in 2007, Takahashi started her professional career at companies including Columbia Classical Ballet, South Carolina (2007-2008), Singapore Dance Theatre (2011-2014), and The Israel Ballet (2014-2017). At the Israel ballet, she joined as a principal dancer.
Takahashi has danced principal roles of Madame Butterfly, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Raymonda, The Nutcracker, La Corsaire, La Sylphide, and Robin Hood. She also performed in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Concerto Barocco and Divertimento No.15; Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena and Chant; Edwaard Liang’s Age of Innocence and The Winds of Zephyrus; Natalie Weir’s 4 Seasons; and Nils Christe’s Organ Concerto.
Takahashi won 3rd place in the All Japan Ballet Union competition (2002), 1st place in the Tokyo Paper All Japan Ballet Competition (2003), and 2nd place in the Educational Ballet competition, Japan (2008). Tomoko is also a mom of two young daughters. Takahashi joined The Tallahassee Ballet in 2019 as a Principal Dancer.
Tomoko Takahashi began dancing at the age of eight in Nagano, Japan. At age 15, she was awarded the Special Judge Prize and Chacott Scholarship from the NBA All Japan Ballet Competition, and went to The Hungarian Dance Art Academy, Budapest as a scholarship student. Upon graduation in 2007, Takahashi started her professional career at companies including Columbia Classical Ballet, South Carolina (2007-2008), Singapore Dance Theatre (2011-2014), and The Israel Ballet (2014-2017). At the Israel ballet, she joined as a principal dancer.
Takahashi has danced principal roles of Madame Butterfly, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Raymonda, The Nutcracker, La Corsaire, La Sylphide, and Robin Hood. She also performed in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Concerto Barocco and Divertimento No.15; Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena and Chant; Edwaard Liang’s Age of Innocence and The Winds of Zephyrus; Natalie Weir’s 4 Seasons; and Nils Christe’s Organ Concerto.
Takahashi won 3rd place in the All Japan Ballet Union competition (2002), 1st place in the Tokyo Paper All Japan Ballet Competition (2003), and 2nd place in the Educational Ballet competition, Japan (2008). Tomoko is also a mom of two young daughters. Takahashi joined The Tallahassee Ballet in 2019 as a Principal Dancer.
COMPANY ARTISTS
Lillebeth Backes
Sponsored by
Andrew Monsour
Andrew Monsour
Abigail Bevill
Sponsored by
Meredith and David Strange
Meredith and David Strange
Marabelle Coggins
Ava Elpedes
Stella Elpedes
Eva Falcon
Kara Griffin
Sponsored by
Kevin Clark & Tim Daughtry
Kevin Clark & Tim Daughtry
Abigail Herron
Sponsored by Ron Sachs & Gay Webster-Sachs
Sierra Lowell
Miranda Martinez
Sponsored by
Alyssa Matthews
Alyssa Matthews
Natalie Montoya
Sponsored by
Don & Amy Furtys
Don & Amy Furtys
Sophia Schepers
Sponsored by
Joana Villeneuve
Joana Villeneuve
Sofia Serano
Jiji Shindler
Alexandra Willis
APPRENTICES
Addison Bevill
Sarah Jacobs
Ava Wagner
Allison Wheelock
Alex Yetter
TRAINEES
Olivia Harris
Mabel Prichard
Caroline Rowe
Anna Grace Sobeski
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