company artists

CHRISTYE BALFANZ – Christye began her training under Pat and Tanju Tuzer Ballet in Dallas, Texas. She was a member of Fort Worth Ballet from 1989-1993. Ms. Balfanz then sailed around the world performing on the Cunard, Royal, and Raddison Cruise Lines. While living in Las Vegas, she performed with Siegfried and Roy and then she became a principal dance for Enter the Night at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. Ms. Balfanz is very excited to be dancing and teaching for Central Florida Ballet.company artists

MELISSA D’AVANZO – born in Hawaii, she received her early dance training at Ballet Hawaii and later studied with Nolan Dingman in Orlando. She has performed with Ballet Hawaii, Honolulu Dance Theatre, American Festival Ballet, and Ballet Idaho as well as dancing at Walt Disney World, Sea World, and Euro Circus. She has been teaching ballet in the Orlando area for eight years and is currently teaching at Columbus Dance Studio. Melissa has danced in numerous CFB productions including Giselle, The Nutcracker, and Paquita.

REBEKAH DUNN – Born and raised in Apopka, Florida, Rebekah danced at Clodaugh’s Academy of Dance until the age of eight. In 2000, she began training at the Central Florida Ballet Academy and joined the Studio Company in 2001. Rebekah has performed in numerous roles in Central Florida Ballet’s productions including Queen of Hearts in the Toy Shop and Chinese Lead in The Nutcracker. Since 2007, Rebekah  actively participated in Movement Mentor Program since its inception in 2002. In 2007, she graduated from Central Florida Ballet Academy and in the fall of 2007 became a teacher for the school.

MELISSA HESLEP - Melissa received her training at the School of Orlando City Ballet for thirteen years under the direction of Beatrix, Aldana until Spring 2003, and also spent her summers training with professional teachers like Luba Gulyaeva, Mark Spivak, Valeria Sinyavakaya and Veronica Aldana. She also performed with the student company until 2001 upon graduation and was accepted into the 2002 Youth America Grand Prix finals in NYC. She has been a free lance artist work in Central Florida for the past five years and last fall had the opportunity to work with Robert Sher-Macherdhl Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet. Her repertoire also includes many classics such as Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, The Nutcracker, and many others. She is continuing her dance career and currently teaching at Central Florida Ballet.

KAILEY KLOPFENSTEIN - Kailey began serious ballet training at Central Florida Ballet Academy in 2003, joining the Studio Company in 2004, the company as an apprentice in 2006, and the company in 2007. She has danced roles in many productions including the Pas de Trois in Paquita, Pas de Deux in 9/11 An American Moment, and numerous roles in The Nutcracker including Maria (Clara) and the Snow Queen. She has attended the summer intensives of American Ballet Theatre in New York City (2006) and Central Florida Ballet Academy (2003-2005, 07-08). Kailey has won scholarships to Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre at the World Ballet Competition 2007 and Atlanta Ballet at the American Dance Competition 2008.

 NIKOLAI MOROZ - Born in Bilopillia, Ukraine, Nikolai received his dance education from Kiev State Choreographic School under Dr. Valery Parsegov. He began his professional career with Odessa Theatre Opera and Ballet in Ukraine. Later, he joined the Kiev State Theatre of Classical Ballet as a soloist, then principal dancer. He toured Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, France, and several other countries. In 1995, Nikolai was invited to the El Paso Ballet company where he spent two seasons dancing solo and principal roles. Nikolai is proficient in both classical and modern ballet. Since joining Ballet Arizona in 1997, Nikolai has originated featured roles in Julia Adam’s before, and in Ib Andersen’s Coppélia (Dr. Coppélius), 2B, Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), and Mosaik. He has performed soloist roles in many ballets including Giselle (Peasant Pas de Deux), The Leaves are Fading, The Nutcracker, and George Balanchine’s Agon, Apollo, La Sonnambula, Theme and Variations Serenade Allegro Brilliante and Prodigal Son. Presently, Nikolai serves as ballet master teacher and choreographer at Mary Jo Performing Arts Academy in Tampa, Florida and is frequent guest artist and ballet teacher for Central Florida Ballet.

 JILLIAN REIS WHITE – has trained under Beatric Aldana, Nonna Jestovskaia, Xiao Mi Li, and Luba Gulyaeva, and has studied at the Boston and Milwaukee ballet companies. In addition to leading and principal roles with Orlando City Ballet for over ten years, Mrs. Reis White has also performed with the Jacksonville Ballet Theatre and with the World Ballet Company. After graduating with a B.S. in Micro/Molecular Biology from UCF, she has embarked on a career in forensice Serology and DNA. Mrs. Reis White is currently a Forensic Analyst with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

DAVID SCOTT - Born and raised in Florida, David trained at Central Florida Ballet’s Academy. He has performed several roles for Central Florida Ballet’s productions including, The Nutcracker, The Enchanted Garden, and the Toy Shop. David has studied at Miami City Ballet, The Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet, The School of American Ballet, and School of Performing Arts. Mr. Scott Has performed on cruise ships all around the world as well as Tokyo Disneyland, and just finished performing with Miley Cyrus. David is currently working at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. David wants to thank everyone for there love and support.

trainees

HANNAH BETTES - Hannah was born in Dallas, Texas and began dancing at The Dance P.A.D. (formerly Deltona Academy of Dance) at the age of seven. She has won many scholarships, titles, and first place awards at numerous dance competitions including the Silver Medal at the World Ballet Competition 2008 and Top 12 at the YAGP Finals in NYC. In 2008, Hannah danced the role of Maria in Central Florida Ballet’s The Nutcracker, which was Hannah’s first featured role in a full length classical ballet.

HUNTER FINNEGAN - Hunter, twelve years old, was born in Can Tho, Vietnam. He began gymnastics at the age of three. At the age of eight, Hunter gave up gymnastics for ballet. He has danced with Central Florida Ballet for four years and has been taking Irish Step Dancing for one year. He has been in Student Company for three years and has played the role of Fritz in The Central Florida Ballet Production of The Nutcracker for the past three years. Hunter placed third at the 2007 Youth America Grand Prix regional in Orlando, Florida and won both the Encouragement Prize and a full scholarship to Central Florida Ballet at the World Ballet Competition 2008. His dream is to become a professional dancer and own a dance school.

ARIELLE MARTIN - Arielle began her classical training at Central Florida Ballet Academy and in 2003 became a member of the Studio Company. She won the Encouragement Award at the American Ballet Competition 2006, placed in the Top 12 at the Youth America Grand Prix 2007, and won second place at the Youth America Grand Prix 2008 in Orlando, Florida. At the World Ballet Competition, Arielle won the Silver Medal in 2007 in the Pre-Competitive Division and in 2008 won the Gold Medal in the Preparatory Division, and the Silver Medal in 2009 in the Pre-Professional Division. Ms. Martin has also attended summer intensives of Central Florida Ballet Academy (2003-2007), Kirov Ballet (2007), and Miami City Ballet (2008).

CAMILA VARLEY - Camila Varley was born in Orlando, Florida. She has been dancing since the age of four. In 2001, she began training at Central Florida Ballet Academy under the direction of Vladimir Bykov and Vasile Petrutiu. Camila became a member of the Studio Company in 2006.She has participated in several productions including The Nutcracker, Giselle, Peter and the Wolf, 9/11 An American Moment, and The Ugly Duckling. Camila has also attended Central Florida Ballet's Summer Intensive programs for the past five years. She a member of the Central Florida Ballet's Competition Team. In 2008 and 2009, she was featured in the lead rold of Maria in CFB's productions of The Nutcracker. In June of 2009, she placed 5th at the World Ballet Competition in Orlando, Florida and she received a scholarship to Kirov Academy's Summer Program in Washington, D.C.

EMILY WILLIAMS - Emily began dancing at age three at the Dancer’s Pointe in Orlando, Florida.  After moving, she trained with Donna Grimm in Frederick, Maryland and Mark Spivak in Jacksonville, Florida.  Upon returning to Orlando in 2006, she began her intensive ballet training at Central Florida Ballet under Vasile Petrutiu and Vladimir Bykov.  They have helped to instill in Emily a love of ballet.  Performing in the Nutcracker is an annual tradition for Emily and a highlight of each year.  She hopes to continue dancing for many more years, and she is honored to be able to perform with Central Florida Ballet.   

KAILEY WITHEE - Kailey Withee is a 13-year-old at the Central Florida Ballet Academy in Orlando, Florida. She studies under direction of Vasile Petrutiu, Vladimir Bykov, and her mother, Diane Withee. Kailey was born in Mandeville, Louisiana where she began dancing at the age of 5. In 2008, she placed in the Top 12 at the Youth America Grand Prix Regional in Orlando, Florida and represented Central Florida Ballet Academy in the Youth America Grand Prix Regional Finals in New York City. It is her dream and her passion to become a professional ballerina.

special features

KARIF CORTIELLA - Karif Cortiella began his training in San Juan, Puerto Rico with Taller de Varones, under supervision of Nana Hudo. He used his knowledge from the dance studio to win a soccer scholarship for four years at a division 3 NCAA soccer program in Boston, Massachusetts. A year after his college graduation he joined the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan where he resumed ballet training. After two years of service he began training with Central Florida Ballet and has performed in The Nutcracker, Giselle, and Toy Shop. Karif also works in our office and has contributed to numerous projects to compliment our dancers.

DIANE WITHEE – Diane received her ballet training from Boston School of Ballet.  She performed for many years throughout Massachusetts and Louisiana.  Diane received her pedagogical training through the Royal Academy of Dance and Nutmeg Ballet's Vaganova training program.  She has taught ballet for the past 25 years.  She owned and directed a ballet school and company in New Orleans, Louisiana and choreographed many full length ballets and original works.  This is Diane’s 4th year with Central Florida Ballet.