Senior Company
Lauren McBride
Lauren graduated from Texas Christian University School for Classical & Contemporary Dance with a BFA in Ballet and a minor in Social Work. She trained under Elizabeth Gillaspy, Jessica Zeller, Keith and Kelley Saunders from Dance Theatre of Harlem, Sarah Newton, Suki John, Susan Douglas Roberts, Laura West Strawser, Adam McKinney of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nina Martin, and various guest artists. Lauren began her training in 2006 with the Dance Center, started teaching in 2017, and choreographing in 2018. She is trained in Ballet, Pedagogy, Pointe, Intro to Dance, Modern, Jazz, and Tap. She was born and raised in Central Maine, and will always be a New Englander at heart. Throughout her life Lauren has developed passions for dance, strength training, and various movement types. During her time at TCU she completed a 700-hour comprehensive Pilates certificate program to further her movement education. She also teaches Pilates at SALUD in Portland, ME. Lauren strives to teach classes that are challenging and invigorating, while allowing space for individuality and inclusivity prioritizing health and growth.
Rachael Mullen
Originally from Connecticut, Rachael began dancing at age two and danced competitively through high school. At age sixteen, she pursued more formal training at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half-Day Program and Ballet Hartford. She then earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Belhaven University, graduating magna cum laude. At Belhaven, Rachael studied under renowned artists and educators including Ravenna Tucker Wagnon (The Royal Ballet), Marcie Robertson (Ballet Magnificat!), Krista Bower, Elizabeth Sweatt, and Clara Grace Watts. Beyond the studio, she was actively involved in the dance department, serving as a production assistant and in multiple leadership roles within Belhaven’s student-led dance club. In 2026, she received both the Diakonos Award for Exceeding Ministry Through Practical Service and the Excellence in Production Award. She is honored to join Ballet LA and is excited to use her gifts to serve audiences as she begins this next chapter.
Aliza Pullen
Aliza has been dancing for as long as she can remember! She started training with The Dance Center 14 years ago, and participated in all the technique classes offered. Aliza has been an assistant teacher for many Intro to Dance classes. She has been part of TDC”s Nutcracker for many years, and has participated in TDC’s Summer Intensive, A Nutcracker Christmas, Off World and Cinderella. Aliza has had many roles in Ballet LA’s performances but some of her favorites include Elodie, Rosebud, Snow and Marzipan Co-Lead in Nutcracker, Explorer in Off World, and the Evil Stepmother in Cinderella.
Addyson Blankenship
Addyson graduated with her BFA in Dance from Belhaven University. She grew up training in Mississippi with a local studio and at Belhaven’s high school program. During her time at Belhaven she trained with many prominent names, Ravenna Wagnon from The Royal Ballet, Krista Bower, and many others. Addyson is thrilled to be relocating to Maine and dancing with Ballet LA this season.
Molly Tardy
Molly has been dancing for 13 years, many of those years, being at The Dance Center. She has participated in many summer programs both at TDC and other studios in the area. Molly has performed many shows with Ballet LA, including, A Nutcracker Christmas, Off World, The Student Recital, and Cinderella. Molly has performed as the Harlequin Doll, Snow, Flowers, Marzipan Corps, Lead Chinese, and Elodie.
Sophia Berry
Sophia has been dancing with The Dance Center for 13 years! She participates in all technique classes offered at TDC and has been an assistant teacher in the past. She has performed in Ballet LA’s Nutcracker, Off World, The Student Recital, and Cinderella, since she started dancing! Some of her favorite roles include Snow, Flowers, Lead Spanish, and Lead Chinese in the Nutcracker, Ground Crew Explorer in Off World, and a Season Fairy in Cinderella .
Benjamin Tancrede
Ben has been dancing with The Dance Center for 10 years, over these past years Ben has participated in many technique classes, performances and summer intensives. He has danced intensives both at The Dance Center and studios around Maine. Ben has participated in many roles in Ballet LA’s shows, including A Nutcracker Christmas and Cinderella, some of his favorites being Soldier Doll, Lead Chinese, Spanish, Nutcracker and Snow.
Christoph Kroger
Christoph has been taking classes and attending The Dance Center for the past 15 years. Starting from Creative Movement all the way to Senior Company. He has been performing in Ballet LA’s Nutcracker for many years in a variety of roles. Christoph is looking forward to dancing for another season with Ballet LA.
Joseph Zullo
Joseph Zullo began his training in 2017 developing a foundation in classical ballet and performance. He has performed in the Nutcracker three years with ballet LA. Beyond performing, he is passionate about gymnastics, choreography, and other movement arts, graduating with his BS in Health Science from Grand Canyon University.
Cami Johnson
Cami has been dancing with The Dance Center for 7 years, and has participated in all technique classes offered. Over the past 7 years she has been involved in many of Ballet LA’s Nutcrackers, Student Recitals, Off World, and Cinderella. Cami has had many roles in TDC’s performances including Marzipan in Nutcracker, Ground Crew and an Explorer in Off World, and Ballroom for Cinderella.
Ryleigh Hansen
Ryleigh has been dancing with The Dance Center for 11 years. She has participated in many of Ballet LA’s shows, including Nutcracker, Student Recital, Off World and Cinderella. Ryleigh has been many roles through her years at Ballet LA, but some of her favorites have been a Party Girl, Marzipan, Snow and Flowers in Nutcracker, Ground Crew in Off World, and Ballroom in Cinderella.
Junior Company
Isaac Gendron
Gabby Roy
Eliza Bolling
Taylor Hood
Ballet LA from The Dance Center is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization