Ballet LA From The Dance Center Company

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.

Aliza Pullen

Aliza has been dancing for as long as she can remember! She started training with The Dance Center 13 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.

Ayanthi Reese

Ayanthi has been dancing with The Dance Center for 15 years. She has participated in all the technique classes offered and assistant teaches for the intro to dance classes at TDC. Ayanthi has attended many summer intensives including TDC’s summer intensive, and various intensives in Maine, Boston and New York City. Some of Ayanthi’s favorite past roles include Snow Queen, Rosebud, and Kissing Doll in Nutcracker, Explorer in Off World and Cinderella in Cinderella.

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 .

Ben 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. This year, he will be reprising the role of lead Spanish, Cavalier and The Prince in Cinderella.

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.

Lily Yarnevich

Lily began her dance training at the dance center where she trained for 5 years before going to Dean College to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in dance with a concentration in studio management. At Dean she received training in pedagogy, creative movement, ballet, modern, jazz and hip hop. Lily was also selected for the prestigious, “Choreographers Concert” to showcase her work. Lily graduated from Dean in 2020, since graduation lily has been teaching, choreographing and producing shows with The Dance Center and Ballet LA. Lily has enjoyed performing many roles with Ballet LA, including, Snow, Flowers, Spanish, lead roles in Off World, a village dancer in Cinderella.

Alex graduated from Belhaven University in April of 2022, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Dance. She primarily concentrated on Modern Dance, Pedagogy, and Choreography for the Camera. During her time at Belhaven she received extensive training under dance professionals; Laura Morton, Krista Bower, Ravenna Tucker-Wagon, Mia Whitehead, Steve Rooks, and many more. She had the opportunity to perform with Belhaven’s Dance Ministry Ensemble for two seasons, as well as produce works for The Emerging Choreographer’s Concert and Collaborative Arts Concert. Prior to her time at Belhaven, Alex trained for 15 years with The Dance Center. Participating in all the technique classes offered; performing in A Nutcracker Christmas, Student Choreography Showcase, and the annual Recital. She is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with each of her students for years to come.

Junior Company

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.

Louisa Strong

Louisa has been dancing with The Dance Center for 14 years, and has been involved in multiple performances from Ballet LA, including, Nutcracker, Off World, Student Recital, and Cinderella. Louisa has participated in summer programs at both TDC and other studios. This year Louisa is working as an assistant teacher for one of TDC’s Intro to Dance classes. Some of Louisa’s favorite past roles include: Party Girl, Marzipan Corps, and Snow (Nutcracker), Ground Crew and Explorer in Off World, and The Queen in Cinderella.