The Terpsicorps Dancers 2026

Check out the incredible artists who are slated to bring AscenDANCE to life. Handpicked from companies across the US and abroad, our remarkable company dancers never disappoint.

Want to see your name featured beside a dancer’s for 2026? Become a dancer sponsor today!

announcing The returning dancers you know and love

Alexandra Zakharchenko

Sponsored by Olga Lucia

Alexandra “Sasha” Zakharchenko (Second Season) is not a stranger to the Terpsicorps stage. Before her remarkable interpretations of featured roles in The Date and AYT last season, she was a stand out apprentice with the company in 2022 for Vampyre and in 2023 for Cleopatra, and we are thrilled to be bringing her back for a second year as a company member. Alexandra is currently a company member with Alabama Ballet, under the direction of former Terpsicorps dancers Christopher Stuart (Artistic Dir) and Jon Upleger (Rehearsal Dir). Some of her favorite repertoire at Alabama Ballet includes Wendy in Christopher Stuart’s Peter Pan, Dew Drop in George Balanchine’s Nutcracker, The Artist in Imitations by Garrett Smith, Winter Fairy in Cinderella, Dawn in Coppelia and Not Fade Away Girl in Christopher Bruce’s Rooster. Prior to Alabama Ballet, she danced with with Mareck Dance (Formerly Missouri Contemporary Ballet). Alexandra began her pre-professional training at New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble. In addition to studying more traditional styles of dance, she also studied character dance with Riverdance Soloist Andrij Cybyk and rhythmic gymnastics under Russian Master of Sport, Natalia Ejova. In 2019 she was awarded the New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance.

Terpsicorps audiences will remember Sasha from her 2025 roles in The Date, AYT and Appalachian Phoenix.

Azusa Okamoto

Sponsored by Judith Maloy

Azusa Okamoto (Second Season) was born in Kyoto, Japan, and began her training at the age of three with the Fukutani Yoko Ballet Studio. At the age of 16, she was offered a full scholarship to attend the Victoria Academy of Ballet, where she graduated from the Post-Secondary Bridge Program, earning a diploma in Classical Ballet.

Since moving to the U.S. in 2017, Azusa has performed numerous principal roles, including Sugar Plum, Snow Queen, and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Snow White in Snow White, Cinderella and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, and Michaela in Carmen, among others. She has danced professionally for Roxey Ballet, Utah Metropolitan Ballet, and currently for Syracuse City Ballet. This is Azusa’s fourth season with Syracuse City Ballet.

Terpsicorps audiences will remember Azusa from her 2024 roles in Satto, Before the Scream and Second Line.

Jeff Ewing

Sponsored by Richard & Jean Palamar

Jeff Ewing (Twelfth Season) is from Torrance, California where he began his classical ballet training at the age of six. His family moved to Asheville while he was in high school, where he continued his studies locally at Center Stage with Heather Maloy as his ballet instructor. Jeff has danced in Chicago with Lucky Plush Productions and Cocodaco Dance Project and currently dances with Stewart/Owen Dance.  He earned a BFA in Dance Performance at the Boston Conservatory, studied at the Juilliard Summer intensive, the apprentice program at The Chautauqua Institution, and assisted Cathy Young at Bates Dance Festival.  He spent a year dancing with Charlotte Ballet’s second company where he performed the works of Mark Diamond, Dwight Rhoden, and David Ingram.

Terpsicorps audiences will remember Jeff as the Phoenix in 2025’s Appalachian Phoenix, the B-Boy in Before the Scream in 2024, Pothinus in Cleopatra, as well as his roles in HUNGER, Second Line, Transform, Together We Soar, Coach Potatoes, Zelda’s Dance, Le Suil Go, AYT and many more.

Lelo Ima Rosado González

Lelo Ima Rosado González (Second Season) Currently a fifth year company member with Ballet Idaho, Lelo was born and raised in Puerto Rico. They began training in gymnastics in their early years and, at the age of 9, started ballet with Bellas Artes de Arecibo (Arts School) where, during their first year, Lelo was awarded a scholarship to train at Ballet de San Juan. At age 13, they became the only person in Puerto Rico to earn a scholarship, titled Futuro Danzante (Future Dancer), which created an opportunity for them to train under Waldo Gonzalez at the School for the Performing Arts. There Lelo developed their ballet skills and expanded their dance vocabulary in modern, musical theater, and hip-hop. During that time, Lelo began high school and enrolled in “Julian E. Blanco Escuela Especializada en Ballet” (Specialized School in Ballet) where they remained for three years. At 16 Lelo was awarded a two-year scholarship with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) where they gained the opportunity to dance in ballets by George Balanchine and Alan Hineline. As a professional dancer determined to be able to express their true self onstage, Lelo began doing supplemental hours of training on top of their rehearsal load, studying pointe work with the Ballet Idaho Academy and CPYB and continued their pointe training at Mauro Ballet Company.  At Ballet Idaho, Lelo has enjoyed featured roles in The Nutcracker, Lar Lubovitch’s Concerto 622, and as “Bird” in Anne Mueller’s Peter and the Wolf. Lelo also spent a year as a Semi-soloist with Mauro Ballet in Puerto Rico.

Terpsicorps audiences will remember Lelo from the solo work Stayed on Freedom created for them is 2024, as well as their roles in Before the Scream and Second Line.

Phoebe Magna

Sponsored by Mountaine Jonas

Phoebe Magna (Second Season) was born in Hartford, Connecticut. She is a graduate of The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts and also trained with The Hartt School Community Dance Division. Prior to joining Ballet Memphis in 2022, Phoebe danced with Colorado Ballet Studio Company, City Ballet of San Diego, Richmond Ballet (Guest Artist), and Boulder Ballet. In addition, she has performed at Vail Dance Festival and Jacob’s Pillow Annual Gala and Contemporary Dance Program.

She has enjoyed performing repertoire by choreographers such as Christopher Wheeldon, (This Bitter Earth), Mark Godden (Angels in the Architecture, A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Puck), Steven McMahon (Dracula), Trey McIntyre (Barramundi), Gerald Arpino (Birthday Variations), Matthew Neenan (The Darting Eyes), Paul Taylor (Airs), George Balanchine (Donizetti Variations, Emeralds), Joshua L. Peugh (MacBeth), Amy Seiwert (The Devil Ties My Tongue), Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa (Elements), Sidra Bell (Developing Tongue), and Amy Hall Garner (Come to Light). Other roles include the title roles in Giselle and Cinderella, as well as Don Quixote Act III Pas de Deux, Swan Lake Act III Pas de Deux, Diane and Acteon Pas de Deux, and Sugar Plum, Clara and Dew Drop in the Nutcracker.

Terpsicorps audiences will remember Phoebe from her 2025 roles in Le Suil Go, AYT and Appalachian Phoenix.

introducing six incredible new company members for this season!

Andres Castillo

Andrés Castillo (First Season), was born in Cali, Colombia, and began dancing at age nine at INCOLBALLET. After eight years of training, he joined the professional company at seventeen, performing internationally throughout Europe with the Colombian Ballet Company (INCOLBALLET), including appearances in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and beyond.

In 2013, Andrés moved to the United States to further develop his career. He danced with Ballet San Antonio from 2015–2018 and has been a member of Alabama Ballet since 2018. His notable roles include Basilio in Don Quixote, the Cavalier in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, Albrecht in Giselle and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. Over his 18-year career, Andrés has collaborated with distinguished choreographers and mentors including Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Dominic Walsh, Darla Hoover, and Norbe Risco. He has also been recognized by the American Guild of Musical Artists for his exceptional artistry.

Cayce Cavett

Cayce Cavett (First Season) was born in Tucson, Arizona. He trained at Houston Ballet Academy, Ballet West Academy, The Washington School of Ballet, and The School at Jacob’s Pillow. From 2021–2024 he was a trainee with The Washington Ballet, performing a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire before joining Ballet Memphis in 2024.

Most recently, Cayce performed the title role in the world premiere of Macbeth by Joshua L. Peugh. His additional repertoire includes George Balanchine’s Donizetti Variations and Theme and Variations, Silas Farley’s Spiral, Mark Godden’s Angels in the Architecture, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Unicorn, and Emilia Sandoval’s One and I Could Be Your Moon. He has also performed leading and featured roles in works such as Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, Raymonda, The Awakening of Flora, Napoli, Romeo and Juliet, and The Nutcracker.

Cayce has appeared at the 2025 Palm Desert Choreography Festival and as a guest artist at the ADC International Ballet Competition 20th Anniversary Gala and performed at the Jacob’s Pillow Annual Gala and Festival. His honors include First Place in the Professional Division Classical Solo at the Washington D.C. Grand Prix, the Shari Quinney Lawson Full Scholarship at Ballet West, and the Morton & Grace Bender Full Scholarship at The Washington School of Ballet.

Emma Guertin

Emma Guertin (First Season) is originally from Canada and trained at the Oakville School of Classical Ballet before continuing her studies at the Orlando Ballet School. She later joined Orlando Ballet as a trainee and member of the second company.

Emma went on to dance with Atlanta Ballet, performing a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire including works by Yuri Possokhov, Claudia Schreier, Keith Reeves, Johan Kobborg, Alexander Ekman, and Bruce Wells.

She is currently a company dancer with Ballet RI, where her repertoire includes the title role in Yuri Yanowsky’s Cinderella, as well as the principal roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Don Quixote Suite. She has also been featured in original works by choreographers such as Alex Lantz, and Trey McIntyre.

Emma has participated in the finals of the Youth America Grand Prix at Lincoln Center and the USA international ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi and brings a strong theatrical presence and versatility to the stage.

Jacy Contreras

Jacy Contreras (First Season) is originally from Brighton, Michigan and began her ballet training at the age of 5 at Brighton School of Ballet. She finished her high school years under Denise Paavola at Young People’s Ballet Theatre and joined Cincinnati Ballet as a trainee after graduating high school in 2018. In 2021, she joined Charlotte Ballet’s trainee program and was promoted to second company halfway through the season. After two years with Charlotte Ballet, she became an apprentice with Grand Rapids Ballet from 2023-2024 before ultimately becoming a company member with Alabama Ballet in 2024. Jacy’s favorite roles include Tinker Bell in Christopher Stuart’s Peter Pan, Dew Drop in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, Five Girls in George Balanchine’s Who Cares, and Bluebird in Matthew Hart’s Sleeping Beauty. She has had the opportunity to work with Patricia McBride, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Christopher Stuart, Alejandro Cerrudo, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Rena Butler, Helen Pickett, Stephanie Powell, and Andrew McNicol. Additionally, she was invited to the Contemporary Ballet Program at Jacob’s Pillow where she received the Professional Advancement Award in Dance and was featured in a world premier choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. 

JETHRO PAINE

Jethro Paine (First Season) started his dance training in Southeastern Europe, where he lived for ten years, before attending the Royal Ballet School in London (2013-19). He went on to work as a professional dancer with Boston Ballet II.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Jethro kickstarted his freelance career and worked with English National Ballet on their productions of Raymonda and The Nutcracker, followed by various short-term contracts with Wales’ national ballet company, Ballet Cymru. He has also spent time touring with Zikr Dance Ensemble across Colorado and New Mexico.

After recently completing an MSc in Social Anthropology at University College London with a Distinction, Jethro is currently dancing with Boulder Ballet in Colorado.

Juan Rafael Castellanos

Juan Rafael Castellanos (First Season) began his dance training in Dublin, Ireland, where he was born and continued in the U.S. at Metropolitan Ballet Academy in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, under the Direction of Lisa Collins Vidnovic. As a member of their nationally acclaimed Boys’ scholarship Program, Juan’s 11 years of study there included access to many world-class teachers and the opportunity to perform a variety of principal roles in both classical ballet and contemporary dance working with choreographers including Jessica Lang, Sarah Mettin, Kanji Segawa and Ashley Pabst. After graduation in 2019, Juan then joined the Charlotte Ballet Pre-Professional program under the Direction of Laszlo Berdo, Kati Mayo and Patricia McBride. Over the span of four years with Charlotte Ballet, Juan went through the ranks of the company through Charlotte Ballet II and finishing with the main company. With Charlotte Ballet he had the opportunity to perform pieces from many renowned choreographers including Christopher Stuart, Helen Pickett, Jennifer Archibald, and many others. Juan is currently in his second season with Alabama Ballet under the Direction of former Terpsicorps dancers Christopher Stuart and Jon Upleger, where he has been featured in works by Stuart (including the signature role in his Peter Pan), Twyla Tharp, George Balanchine, Julia Eisen (also a former Terpsicorps dancer), Roger Van Fletteran, Aiden Nettles, Kendia Bennet, and James B. Whiteside.

the terpsicorps apprentices

Excellent artists in their own right, we are extremely lucky to have talented young dancers, many already established in their professional careers, apprentice with us each summer.

Gretchen Vander Bloomer

Gretchen Vander Bloomer (Second Season) grew up in Libertyville, Illinois and received her training at Dance Academy of Libertyville, Colorado Ballet’s Pre-Professional Training Program, Richmond Ballet’s Trainee Program before moving on to become an apprentice at Alabama Ballet. She joined Ballet Memphis as a company member in 2021 where she has been featured in works by George Balanchine, Steven McMahon, Alia Kache, Garrett Ammon and Trey McIntyre, amongst others. While training with Colorado Ballet she qualified for and performed at the YAGP finals in New York. We are excited and deeply grateful to have Gretchen join us again this summer!

Terpsicorps audiences will remember Gretchen from her 2025 roles in Appalachian Phoenix.

Giana Parlin

Zoey Uhlman

Terpsicorps has been showcasing remarkable artists for almost 23 years!

Take a trip down memory lane and see some of the artists from past performances.