UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

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Katy, originally from Baltimore, Maryland, began her ballet training at an early age and left home in 2014 to study at The Rock School for Dance Education. She soon joined Ballet West, performing extensively in the Professional Training Division and as a Trainee, where she danced alongside the main company and took on lead roles within the academy.

Katy’s career then led her to the Kansas City Ballet’s Second Company in 2019, where she performed in the corps de ballet for productions like The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, along with a soloist role in Parrish Maynard’s Vectors. At Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company, she expanded her repertoire with works such as Violin Concerto, Les Patineurs, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Serenade, and Bourrée Fantasque. Most recently, at Ballet Frontier, her roles included Giselle, The Nutcracker, Carmen, Endless by LeeWei Chao, and Sleeping Beauty.

Katy has had the privilege of working with renowned Balanchine repetiteurs on pieces like Violin Concerto, Walpurgisnacht, and Valse Fantasie, as well as setting Gerald Arpino’s Viva Vivaldi and Frederick Ashton’s Les Patineurs. Currently, she is a company dancer with Ballet Papillon.

This season, Minnesota Ballet Theatre is thrilled to welcome Katy as our guest artist and Sugar Plum Fairy, where she will bring her artistry and magic to this beloved holiday production.

We are delighted to welcome Cristian as the Nutcracker Prince in this year’s enchanting production of The Nutcracker! Hailing from Cali, Colombia, Cristian is an exceptionally talented and versatile dance artist known for his incredible range in both classical ballet and contemporary dance.

Cristian began his formal training at the Instituto Colombiano de Ballet, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Ballet. He further honed his craft at the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Ballet de Cuba on a full scholarship. Over the years, he has captivated audiences as a Principal Dancer with renowned companies such as the Milwaukee Ballet and the Slovak National Ballet, showcasing his artistry in beloved productions like Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and La Bayadère.

As a sought-after guest artist, Cristian has traveled the world, performing and teaching in places like Japan, Brazil, and Europe. His diverse repertoire includes works by celebrated choreographers such as George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, and Martha Graham, alongside new creations from rising talents. Beyond his performance work, Cristian serves as a Rehearsal Director, sharing his passion and expertise by mentoring fellow dancers and helping to bring new choreographic visions to life.

With his rich experience and deep understanding of dance, Cristian is set to bring a magical presence to the Nutcracker Prince role. Don’t miss the chance to see him shine in this beloved holiday classic, bringing joy and artistry to the stage alongside the talented cast of Minnesota Ballet Theatre.

We are thrilled to introduce Sam as this season’s Snow Prince and Spanish lead in The Nutcracker! Originally from Australia, Sam’s journey in dance has taken him from his early training at the Atelier School for Classical Ballet to esteemed roles on stages worldwide. Sam continued his studies on scholarship at The McDonald College in Australia, where he danced with Premier State Ballet under the guidance of Josephine Jason and Allan Cross.

After completing summers with Milwaukee Ballet, he joined Milwaukee Ballet II in 2010. During his time there, Sam danced in acclaimed productions, including Lila York’s Celts, Salvatore Aiello’s Clowns and Others, and Michael Pink’s Dracula and Esmeralda. He joined Minnesota Ballet in 2012, where he graced the stage in memorable roles like the Prince in The Nutcracker, Kostchei in The Firebird, and Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake.

Now with Eugene Ballet, Sam has taken on leading roles in Toni Pimble’s The Nutcracker and The Little Mermaid, among others. He has also performed as a guest artist with companies such as St. Lucie Ballet, Ballet Co.Laboratory, and Minnesota Dance Theatre.

Join us as Sam brings his talent and passion to our Nutcracker stage, bringing holiday magic and charm to the roles of the Snow Prince and Spanish lead.