Ambassadors & Influencers
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Sikhumbuzo HlahleniSikhumbuzo Hlahleni, Originally from South Africa, began his training at Dance for all and after did a three year formal training with Cape Academy of Performing Art. He then later participated in an intensive at South Africa International Ballet and went to Kaatsbaan International Dance Center under the guidance of Stella Abrera in the US. Professionally, he has danced with the Joburg Ballet and Mzansi Ballet, where he did productions like the Queen, Carmen, Ramonda, etc. Mr Hlahleni joined Ohio Contemporary Ballet in 2021 as part of the International Cultural Exchange Program for six months. Later that year, he became an official company dancer, featured in works including Romeo and Juliet, World of Another, Rainbow around my shoulder, and many more. He is incredibly grateful and honored to be a brand ambassador for Stage Center. Instagram: @shklahleni |
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Ava WaldronAva Waldron danced in her first dance recital at only two years old and hasn't stopped since! She has been a standout dancer since joining the competition world and has won many regional titles and overall awards. She enjoys dance conventions such as New York City Dance Alliance, Artists Simply Human, and Revel, to name a few. She has been recognized by these conventions multiple times being named Outstanding Dancer, Apprentice, and Elite Reveler, as well as winning multiple scholarships. Ava receives training under the guidance of Krystie Whetstone Sutch at Krystie's Dance Academy, where she is a long time member of the Elite/Pre-Professional Team. She has danced in her studio's Nutcracker Suite performance and enjoys helping the younger dancers at the studio. Ava trains in multiple dance genres - her favorites are contemporary and ballet, though she loves them all.Instagram: @dancingqueenava |
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Alia FedericoAlia Federico grew up in Swarthmore, PA where she trained at the Swarthmore Ballet Theatre with Lori Ardis and Amber Flynn from age four to sixteen. Then, she joined the School of Pennsylvania Ballet under the direction of Arantxa Ochoa. After graduating high school, Federico was invited to attend Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. During this transformative time, she performed works such as Divertimento No. 15, Elegie, Valse Fantasie, and La Source by George Balanchine, Fanfare by Jerome Robbins, and Diversion of Angels by Martha Graham. She also co-founded the Bloomington Ballet Ensemble, performed in the IU operas Die Fledermaus and Rodelinda, taught for the pre-college and collegiate non-major programs, and choreographed pieces for two productions. In 2018, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet with an Urban Studies Outside Field. Next, Federico moved to Nashville and completed Nashville Ballet’s two-year Second Company program. She was then asked to join Cleveland Ballet as a company dancer in 2020. Since being with Cleveland Ballet, Federico has danced notable roles such as the Dew Drop and Coffee in The Nutcracker, and the Dark Angel in George Balanchine’s Serenade. She also performed as a Twisted Sister in Lynn Taylor-Corbett’s Dracula, a Big Swan in Swan Lake, a Lead Fairy in Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the March Hare and Iris in Margot Sappington’s Alice. She has also had the privilege of choreographing for Cleveland Ballet’s ChoreoLab and for multiple student recitals in Cleveland. Instagram: @aj_fred |
Influencers
Rebecca BanigCincinnati Ballet Trainee Instagram: @becca.ballet_ |
Naomi SanfordBallet Theater AshtabulaInstagram: @naomi.dance12 |
Blake PradoBallet Theatre of OhioInstagram: balletblake1515 |
Quin PradoButler UniversityInstagram: quin_prado_ |
Caroline MoffaButler UniversityInstagram: carolinemoffa |