DIRECTORS

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 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
Fowle

ELIZABETH FOWLE, Ballet Master, Faculty. Elizabeth, is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA in Contemporary Dance focusing on contemporary, ballet and composition. Elizabeth has a diverse training background in ballet, pointe, partnering, contemporary, ballroom, jazz, hip hop, music, and was a High Point Ballet Performing member.

MANDI TAYLOR trainED in various jazz, tap, and musical theatre genres, and the ballet styles of Vaganova, Cecchetti, and contemporary techniques of Cunningham, Limon, Safety Release, and Countertechnique. She has an MFA in Choreography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and performed works by Trisha Brown, Serena Webb, Cynthia Jones, Molly Jorgenson, Ethan Kirschbaum, Paul Novack, Sergio Brindusa, and BJ Sullivan. Mandi has been teaching dance for ten years primarily in the forms of West Coast Jazz, Street Jazz, and Release-based Contemporary techniques.

ROHIMA WARD, Faculty, began her training with her mother at age three.  Later she furthered her training with Inga Lujerenko, (a former principal dancer with Ballet Austin) at the The Slavin Nadal School of Ballet, Ballet Austin, The HARID Conservatory, University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s graduate program.  During her time in PBT’s graduate program she has had the opportunity to perform in leading roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker and the White Swan from Swan Lake.  She also performed in various productions with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Company for four years.  These include: Giselle, The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Dracula, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Great Gatsby, Rubies, Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast. 

RVTaylor

RYAN TAYLOR, Guest 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 and Holland America touring worldwide.