Artistic Staff

Photo by Keiko Guest Photography

Michael Garrison

Artistic Director

Michael is a native of Atlanta. In 1976 he began his training with the Ruth Mitchell Studio in Buckhead. In 1977 Michael entered the North Carolina school of the Arts in Winston Salem. He began his professional career in 1980 with the Tampa Ballet returning to Atlanta in 1981. Over the next twelve years Michael performed with Ballet Rotaru, Carl Ratcliff Dance Theatre and Ruth Mitchell Dance Company. He danced principal and soloist roles in “The Nutcracker”, “Don Quixote”, “Swan Lake”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Carmen” and “Giselle.” He also performed in many contemporary and modern works. Throughout his career Michael distinguished himself as a gifted character dancer, receiving acclaim for his powerful dramatic portrayal of “Poe” in Ruth Mitchell’s “Tales of Edgar Allen Poe” as well as his characterization of “Sancho Panza” in Rotaru’s “Don Quixote" and the dark alter-ego in Ginger Prince's "Lifeline."

Michael has been teaching for twenty-eight years. From 1985 until 1991 he taught for the Rotaru Ballet School where he also conducted company classes for International Ballet Rotaru. In 1991 he embarked on a successful freelance career and in 1997 he founded in partnership with his wife Kitty the North Atlanta Dance Academy. In 1998 they founded North Atlanta Dance Theatre.

For eleven years Michael has been the creative force driving NADT. In 2005 he premiered his original "Carmen". In 2007 he successfully stage the timeless romantic classic "Giselle" and in 2008 he premiered his three-act action ballet titled "Pirates of the Phantom Waves"! His rare ability to train dancers, choreograph new works and stage the classics provides a strong single vision guiding North Atlanta Dance Theatre.

Ballet Mistress

Ellen d`Hemecourt ~ Stacey Slichter

Resident Choreographer

Photo by Keiko Guest Photography

Tatiana Dubois

Tatiana Dubois first choreographed Narada for North Atlanta Dance Theatre’s first season in 1998. She has also choreographed for North Atlanta Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker, as well as several works for past Spring Concerts. Tatiana was trained at the Ukraine National School and performed with the internationally renowned Virsky, the Ukranian National Dance Company. Her choreographic skills and extensive knowledge of traditional European folk dancing are invaluable artistic resources for our theatre and school. She has served as a faculty member of North Atlanta Dance Academy since its inception in 1997, providing our students with the valuable opportunity to study traditional folk dancing. She also teaches classical ballet and pointe.

Artistic Advisor

Reagan Messer

Costume Design

Kitty Garrison

Dancers

Reagan Messer

Emeritus

Reagan Messer has been a mainstay performer since our first Nutcracker season. Through the years his powerful performances thrilled our audiences. He was instrumental in bringing to our stage Sarah Lamb, now principal dancer with the Royal Ballet of London and Polyanna Rubiero former principal dancer of the Boston Ballet. Reagan has been a friend of Mr. Garrison since they worked together many years ago. He now sits on the NADT board as Vice President and is a valued artistic advisor.

Mr. Messer is a native of Atlanta and former Boston Ballet Soloist. He is currently the Artistic Director of the dance program for Moco Arts in Keene, NH. He teaches at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH, and is Artistic Advisor for North Atlanta Dance Theatre. Reagan has performed Solar and Golden Idol in La Bayadere, Basilio and Espada in Don Quixote, Siegfried and Jester in Swan Lake, Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, Blue Bird in The Sleeping Beauty, Slave, Pas d’esclave, and Birbanto in Le Corsaire, Peasant Pas de Deux in Giselle, Lucentio in Cranko’s The Taming of the Shrew, Sir Kenneth Macmillan’s Winter Dreams, Quasimodo in Michael Pink’s Hunchback of Notre Dame, Goro in Stanton Welch’s Madame Butterfly, Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, Tico in Paul Taylor’s Company B, Champion Roper in Rodeo, Red Boy in Lila York’s Celts, the lead in Balanchine’s Slaughter on Tenth Avenue. In 1993, Reagan toured Brazil with Fernando Bujones and Friends where he danced Don Quixote Pas de Deux and Gopak. In 1994, he was a finalist at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss. Reagan was Ballet Master for Boston Ballet II from 2000 to 2002 and directed and produced the International Ballet Gala in Atlanta, Georgia featuring artist from Boston Ballet and the Royal Ballet of London in 1995 and 1996. Reagan made his debut with North Atlanta Dance Theatre as a choreographer with his neoclassical ballet Time.

Norbert Nirewicz

Perennial Guest Artist

Norbert Nirewicz has been appearing with NADT since 2006. He has appeared as Cavalier in The Nutcracker as well as Albrecht in NADT's production of Giselle in 2008. In 2009 he created the role of Sabadine in Michael Garrison's Pirates of the Phantom Waves. A native of Poland Norbert began his ballet studies at the National Ballet School in Gdansk. He was a finalist in Poland's national Ballet Competition in 1993 and obtained a silver medal in the same competition in 1995. As a Dancer for the Polish National Theater he portrayed roles in a variety of classical ballets such as "Swan Lake","Giselle","Sleeping Baeuty" and "La Fille Mal Gardee" in Warsaw and throughout Europe. In 1997 Mr. Nirewicz joined Ballet Classico de Camara in Venezuela, as a Principal Dancer adding "La Bayadere", "Le Corsaire" and many more to his repertoire. After Mr. Nirewicz competed at the 1998 US International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, he was offered a contract to join Cleveland/San Jose Ballet. He performed with the company for two seasons in Dennis Nahat's "Blue Suede Shoes" and Roland Petit's "Carmen" garnering public and critical acclaim. In the Summer of 2000 Norbert competed in New York International Ballet Competition where he was a finalist. After two seasons with Cleveland/San Jose Ballet Mr. Nirewicz joined Columbia City Ballet with a Principal contract where he performed in "Don Quichote" and "Dracula" among others.

Since 2002 Norbert has been working as a Free Lance Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer adding many more ballets to his repertory such as "Apollo", "Who Cares", "Allegro Brilliante", "Combat", "Serenade", "Chaykowski Pas de Deux, "Romeo&Juliet" to name the few as well as taught numerous Master Classes, Company Classes and Summer Intensive Workshops through out the country.

Photo by Keiko Guest Photography

Ellen d`Hemecourt

Principal Resident Artist

In her eighth season as Principal Artist in Residence with North Atlanta Dance Theatre. Most recently Ellen Performed Ship Wreck Sallie and Obsedian in Michael Garrison's Pirates of the Phantom Waves. In 2008 she danced the role Of Giselle in NADT's production. In 2005 and 2006 she danced the role of Carmen in Michael Garrison's Carmen. She performed the role of Sugar Plum Fairy in NADT’s Nutcracker 2005 as well as Snow Queen and Russian for NADT’s Nutcracker 2004.

Ellen began dancing at the age of four, and entered professional training at age nine with Alexandra Zaharias in St. Louis where she was chosen to demonstrate for children’s classes. She continued intense ballet training under Vladimir Marek, and at the age of fifteen was invited to join the Junior Company of the San Antonio Ballet. In addition to Zaharias and Marek, some of her most memorable training has been from Mayra Worthen-Vance, Kathy Thibodeaux, David Howard, Paul Mejia, Lauri Worril-Biggs and Mr. Garrison. Ellen began her professional career with Ballet San Antonio in 1995 as a soloist, and was promoted to principal in 1999. She also performed with Ballet West and the Gainesville Ballet, and toured extensively for three years throughout the United States with Ballet Magnificat, dancing in many original works. Some of Ellen’s highlighted roles are Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Fanny Cerrito in Pas De Quatre, Kitri in Don Quixote, and Lead in Paquita. She has also performed many contemporary works including most recently Charlz Carr's Abstract Reflexions. In various Nutcrackers she has danced Russian, Columbine, Marzipan, Spanish, Snow Queen and Sugar Plum. Ellen resides in Alpharetta with her husband Brian and their two children, Matthew and Mollye.

Stacey Slichter

Principal Resident Artist

Stacey is in her seventh season with North Atlanta Dance Theatre. Stacey most recently danced the lead Wench and Lead Topaz Mr. Garrison's Pirates of the Phantom Waves as well as Sugar Plum in NADT's Nutcracker. In 2008 she Performed Myrtha in NADT's Giselle. In 2007 she performed the Grand Pas De Deux in Aurora's Wedding from Sleeping Beauty. In 2005 & 2006 she performed Fate in Michael Garrison's Carmen. She has also performed Michael Garrison’s Echa Pa’Lante solo in NADT’s Spring Concert 2005 and Snow Queen and Russian in NADT’s Nutcracker 2005 and 2006.

Stacey began training in Miami, Florida under the direction of Lynne Dresson, Gloria Gaither and Victoria Leigh. She spent her summers training at The Houston Ballet Academy. After attending and graduating from The Harid Conservatory, Stacey joined The Sarasota Ballet of Florida as a company member. She has also danced professionally with Ballet Eddy Toussaint USA, Ballet Memphis, and Atlanta Ballet, in addition to performing with The Sarasota Opera. Stacey is cuurently on the faculty of North Atlanta Dance Academy. She enjoys teaching ballet to students of all ages. Stacey is the proud mother of three-year old Maren!

Ralph Jacques

Resident Artist

Ralph is in his sixth season with North Atlanta Dance Theatre. He most recently performed a pirate and the lead "Garnet" in Michael Garrison's Pirates of the Phantom Waves. In 2008 he performed Hilarion in NADT's Giselle. He has performed numerous roles in NADT's Nutcracker such as Snow King, Lead Arabian, Russian and Spanish. In 2007 he performed Mr. Garrison's Mélange and Charles Carr's Abstract Reflexions. In 2005 he dance the roles the roles of the Commanding Officer in Michael Garrison's Carmen, and as the Wolf with Little Red Riding Hood in Sleeping Beauty.

Ralph was born in Chicago, where he studied for five years with Boitsov Classical Ballet, and subsequently joined their company. He has been a member of the Dance Theater of Harlem, Atlanta Ballet, International Ballet Rotaru, and most recently Ballet Memphis where he was a principal dancer. He has performed as a guest artist for many companies both nationally and internationally. He toured Romania with International Ballet Rotaru, and Taiwan with the Indianapolis Ballet. Ralph has performed in Minkus Suite, La Rumbera, Cappricio Espanol and Carmen in NADT’s Spring Concerts.

Photo by Keiko Guest Photography

Cristina Rinik

Resident Artist

Cristina was most recently seen as the lead character Santella in Michael Garrison's Pirates of the Phantom Waves as well as Lead Arabian and Snow Queen in NADT's Nutcracker. Throughout the years, she performed numerous roles. These include Snow Queen and Lead Marzipan in NADT’s first full-length Nutcracker, Passion in Mr. Garrison’s “Fire-Water-Passion”, Arabian, Columbine, Spanish and Friends in Giselle, as well as other contemporary ballet, character, modern, jazz and tap pieces.

Cristina began her ballet training at age 11 with North Atlanta Dance Academy and was an inaugural student company member of North Atlanta Dance Theatre. She spent four years training and understanding the fundamentals of ballet from Michael Garrison, Tatiana Dubois and Danita Emma. Her training continued at Gwinnett Ballet Theater under Lisa Sheppard Robson and later at Rotaru Ballet under Pavel Rotaru. At age 17, she moved to Orlando and danced as a trainee at Orlando Ballet under Peter Stark, Samantha Dunster and ballet legend Fernando Bujones. All throughout high school, she attended numerous summer camps including ABT, Boston Ballet, and Kaatsbaan , where she studied under Martine van Hamel, Kevin McKenzie, John Meehan, Robert Hill, Bonnie Mathis, Christian Holder and Jessica Lang. In January 2005, Cristina returned home from Orlando in order to pursue a career in natural medicine and is currently in school to earn a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and chiropractics.

Erin-Elizabeth Watts

Resident Artist

Erin-Elizabeth is joining us for her first season as an NADT Resident Artist. From 2002-2010 Erin-Elizabeth danced with The Georgia Ballet performing many principal soloist roles: Grand Pas Classique, The Nutcracker- Iris Hensley- Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, and the Dewdrop Fairy , Giselle-Petipa- Giselle, La Sylphide- Erik Bruhn- La Sylph, The Firebird- Janusz Mazon- Firebird, Black Swan Pas de Deux- Petipa- Odile, Coppelia- Saint Leon as staged by Gina Hyatt- Mazon- Swanilda, A Sleepy Hollow Story- Janusz Mazon- girlfriend to Katrina, Serenade- Balanchine- Waltz Girl, The Sleeping Beauty- Petipa- Princess Aurora, American Dreamer- Janusz Mazon- soloist, Gershwin- Iris Hensley- soloist, Shall We Dance?- John Neumeier- pas de duex, Coppelia- Saint Leon as staged by Gina Hyatt-Mazon- Swanilda, Paquita- Petipa- Pas de Trois, The Dying Swan- Gina Hyatt-Mazon after Fokine, Songs Without Words- Lloyd Whitmore- pas de duex, Pas de Quatre- Perrot- Taglioni, Yes, Virginia Another Piano Ballet- Peter Anastos- Minute Waltz, I Never Saw Another Butterfly-Iris Hensley- The Butterfly, Swan Lake Act II- Petipa- Big Swan, Songs Without Words- Lloyd Whitmore- pas de deux, La Sylphide- Erik Bruhn- Reel, and demi-soloist Sylph.

From 1996 until 1998 Erin-Elizabeth danced with Southern Ballet Theater in Orlando Florida under the direction of Barbara Wiggins and Vasili Petruitu where she danced, The Nutcracker- Vasili Petruitu- Party Parent, Snow, and Walt, Cinderella-Barbara Riggins- ensembl, Les Sylphide- Fokine- corps de balle, Three Musketeers- Christopher Fleming- ensemble, Dracula- Christopher Fleming- ensemble, Serenade- Balanchie- corps de balle, Carmen- Vasili Petruitu- ensemble, The Nutcarcker- Russell Sultzbach- Party Parent, Snow, Waltz, and Arabian.

Erin-Elizabeth trained at the Virginia School of Ballet from 1990-1996 under the direction of Tania and Oleg Tupine. During that time time she participated in summer programs at the Richmond Ballet, Boston Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet.

Erin-Elizabeth is on faculty with North Atlanta Dance Academy and has embarked on a brand new entrepreneurial adventure, Elegant Events By Erin Elizabeth.

Photo by Keiko Guest Photography

Rikki Smith

Resident Artist

This is Rikki's third season with North Atlanta Dance Theatre. She was most recently seen in Mr. Garrison's Pirates of the Phantom Waves and his Nutcracker. Rikki is from Greensboro, NC and trained at the Greensboro Ballet. She attended Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA, graduating with a BA in Dance Performance, and performed with the Mercyhurst Dancers in productions of Swan Lake, La Sylphide, La Bayadere, and many other contemporary works. Rikki then performed for two seasons with Atlanta Festival Ballet in Stockbridge, GA, dancing the leading roles of Wendy’s brother John in Peter Pan, and Chinese and Spanish in The Nutcracker, as well as dancing in productions of Alice in Wonderland and Carmina Burana. She is currently on faculty with North Atlanta Dance Academy.

Chad Jones

Resident Artist

Chad Jones is in his second season with North Atlanta Dance Theatre. An Atlanta native, he received his dance training at Ballethnic Academy of Dance in East point, Georgia. He continued his training with Georgia Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Houston Ballet and American Ballet. Chad was honored with the opportunity to perform with Alvin Ailey and Dance Theater of Harlem. He has appeared in The Nutcracker, The Urban Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote and The Leopard Tale. Currently Chad enjoys performing as a guest artist with various companies through out the metropolitan Atlanta. He is delighted to be performing with North Atlanta Dance Theatre!

Student Company

Honors

Amanda Rostin, Sasha Sharova, Peyton Phillips

Senior Company

Morgan Hall, Carly Wood

Company

Erin Burt, Danielle Dawes, Jessica Gerber, Hannah Harvey, Lurda Jurgutis, Claire Kudlata,

Emily Patterson, Ashley Race, Silva Stewart

Junior Company

N/A

Apprentice

Summer Cushman, Tamara Kapetanovic, Julia Kemper, Maddie Kim, Samantha Lowe,

Olivia Perrone, Lyndsey Porter, Brighton Trugman

Junior apprentice

Emily Cross, Olivia James, Courtney Koop, Julia Patterson, Caitlin Pierce, Danielle Streever,

Bridget West

Trainees

Emilia Osgoode