Giselle DiBlasi Pugh
Tenth Season

Giselle is originally from West Columbia, Texas where she received her early ballet training from Margo Marshall. She graduated cum laude from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Performance. While pursuing her degree, Giselle was chosen as a member of Oklahoma Festival Ballet under the direction of Mary Margaret Holt, and was honored to tour with the company to Nice, France and Cancun, Mexico.   With AFB since 2002 she has had the opportunity to perform as The Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker, Peter in Peter Pan, Beauty in Beauty and the Beast, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, and soloist roles in Carmina Burana, Alice in Wonderland, and Paquita.

Jennifer Hurley Dunn
Sixth Season

Jennifer began her training with Warwick Ballet Theatre of Warwick, New York under the direction of Lucinda Henry. Jennifer graduated cum laude from The University of the Arts with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Dance Education. In her sixth season with AFB, Jennifer is excited to perform as Clara in The Nutcracker.

Heather Bays
Third Season

Heather is originally from Homer, LA. She trained with Cydni Hutson and was a member of the Twin City Ballet Company under the direction of Linda Ford. Heather graduated summa cum laude from Texas Christian University in 2009 with a BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance. At TCU, she was a Nordan Fine Arts Scholar in dance.

Caitlin Collins
Third Season

Caitlin began her training at the age of seven, under the direction of Nicolas Pacaña, Gregory Aaron, and Jocelyn Buchanan. She has performed in the corps de ballet for Atlanta Festival Ballet in The Nutcracker, Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and Peter Pan.

Johannah Mosley
Second Season

Originally from Virginia, Johannah is now in
her second season with Atlanta Festival
Ballet. She graduated summa cum laude
from Radford University with a BFA in Ballet
Performance. She trained at The Washington
School of Ballet where she performed in
Septime Webre's The Nutcracker and
Balanchine's Serenade.

Jennifer Kitchens
Second Season

Jennifer Kitchens was born in Plano, Texas
where she began her training with her
mother, Sherri, at Ballet Dallas. She furthered
her training at Mercyhurst College, under the
direction of Tauna Hunter, receiving a BA in
dance. While at Mercyhurst, she also
performed at the American College Dance
Festival and choreographed three works
performed by her fellow students.

Christy Sikking
Second Season

Christy began her training at age 7 at Atlanta Festival Ballet under the direction of Nicolas Pacaña, Gregory Aaron, and Jocelyn Buchanan. She has enjoyed dancing with AFB in many productions such as The Nutcracker, The Little Mermaid, and Peter Pan. Christy is currently a full time student at Gordon College, majoring in Early Childhood Education.

Elizabeth Galloway
First Season

Elizabeth is from Cheverly, Maryland where she began her training at the National Ballet School under the direction of Helen and Pamela Moore. She later studied at Mercyhurst College where she graduated in 2010 with a BA in Dance. There she trained under the direction of Tauna Hunter and had the opportunity to perform in ballets such as Coppelia, Giselle, and many original works choreographed by students and faculty.

Stepanie Ivey
First Season

Stephanie began dancing at the age of 3 and
started training at AFB in 1994. She attended
the University of Alabama, where she trained
under Cornelius Carter and Rita Snyder, and
graduated in May 2011 with a Bachelor of
Arts in Dance. This is her first season as
professional company member.

Melissa McGranahan
First Season

Melissa McGranahan started training at Judith
Svalander School of Ballet at 15. She studied
ballet, jazz, and modern. She is very grateful
for the opportunity to dance in this seasons
Nutcracker.

Derrick Roney
First Season

Derrick began his training two years ago with Jane Madison and is now in his first season with Atlanta Festival Ballet. He moved to Atlanta in 2010 to study wtih Nicolas Pacaña and Gregory Aaron. He has performed Russian and Spanish in The Nutcracker and Paris in Romeo & Juliet.

Emily Wilhite
First Season

Emily began her ballet training with Keith J. Martin, a formal principal with England's Royal Ballet, at Ballet Indiana. She spent summers at Cincinnati Ballet School and Joffrey Ballet School in NYC, on partial scholarship. Emily is currently pursuing a BBA in Fashion Marketing at Berkely College and is delighted to be dancing her first season with Atlanta Festival Ballet.