DIRECTORS

RITA TAYLOR, Founder and Executive Director

RITA TAYLOR, Founder, CEO and Executive Director. Rita oversees all aspects of the company and is the vision for the overall mission. Rita has a BFA in performance & choreography and a BA in psychology, Graduate studies in clinical counseling and has been a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and director for the past 30 years. With a diverse background in the performing arts and over 100 productions in classical ballet and musical theatre, she is a respected member of the arts community.

GARY TAYLOR, Artistic Director and Choreographer
Gary Taylor, Artistic Director and Choreographer Headshot

GARY TAYLOR, Artistic Director and Choreographer. Gary takes a very active interest in the company and is the creative force behind the performances. He visits classrooms and consistently teaches master classes to upper level ensemble students. Considered a premiere expert in ballet and partnering training, students also experience the mastery of his choreography in the Nutcracker as well as his original works.

FACULTY AND STAFF

ELIZABETH FOWLE, Ballet Master
Elizabeth Fowle, Ballet Master, Headshot

Elizabeth Fowle is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she earned a BFA in Contemporary Dance with concentrations in contemporary, ballet, and composition. She currently serves as an Adjunct Professor with the UNCSA School of Music and as a newly elected Director-at-Large for Regional Dance America/Southeast.

With a diverse training background in ballet, pointe, partnering, contemporary, ballroom, jazz, hip hop, and music, Elizabeth brings a broad and dynamic perspective to dance education. She is also a former performing member of High Point Ballet.

CAROL JOHNSON, Faculty
Carol Johnson, Guest Faculty Headshot

CAROL JOHNSON holds a BS degree in Dance from Radford University and also studied with the Eglevsky School of Ballet and Point Park College in Pittsburgh, PA. Carol has choreographed numerous musicals and industrials for theater companies, schools, and businesses in North Carolina and Virginia.

RYAN TAYLOR, FACULTY
Ryan Taylor, Faculty Headshot

RYAN TAYLOR, Faculty, Ryan, a graduate of UNCSA in contemporary dance, has a diverse training background in ballet, partnering, contemporary, ballroom, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, Tap, and aerial work. He performed with the pre-professional company, High Point Ballet and also performed professionally with Momix and Royal Carribean Cruise Lines.  He has recently worked with RWS NYC, Holland America and Disney Cruises.

LEVIZADIK BUCKINS, Guest Faculty
Shadeek Buckins, Guest Faculty Headshot

LEVIZADIK (Shadeek) BUCKINS, is a graduate of University of North Carolina School of the Arts, in contemporary dance. During his professional career he has traveled with River North Chicago and danced professionally with High Point Ballet and Winston-Salem Festival Ballet.

RACHAEL DEAN, Guest Faculty

Rachael Dean, a High Point Ballet alumnus, attended The Hartt School at the University of Hartford where she furthered her training in ballet, contemporary, and modern techniques in Graham, Limon, and Cunningham. After attending Nashville Ballet’s 2021 summer intensive, she was offered a contract with NB’s second company. Starting out her professional career in Nashville, Rachael had opportunities to be in Nashville Ballet’s first company performances of The Nutcracker and Balanchine’s Four Temperaments. Rachael then joined Wonderbound in 2023 under the artistic direction of Garrett Ammon. She has had incredible opportunities to dance principal roles in original works with Wonderbound and is excited to continue working on her craft.