World-Class Internationally Acclaimed Ballet in the heart of Arizona!
Phoenix Ballet Company 2024/25 Season
Principal Dancer
Slawek Wozniak
Nutcracker cast 2021: Sugar Plum Cavalier, Russian Cavalier
Slawomir Jr., also known as Slawek was born into a ballet family: His father was Principal Dancer of the Ballet of the Polish National Opera in Warsaw. At age 11, Slawomir began his studies on scholarship at the State School of Ballet in Warsaw, Poland. While at the school he performed in many productions in the national opera house. In 2005 Slawomir won Second Place in the National Ballet Competition in Gdansk, and went on to represent Poland in the International Ballet Competition in Nagoya, Japan.
In 2006 Slawomir accepted a full scholarship to study at The School of American Ballet in New York City where he trained for 2 years. Slawomir joined Ballet Arizona in 2008 and has danced soloist roles in Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15, The Four Temperments, and Ib Andersen’s Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake. Slawomir has also performed in Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Sleeping Beauty (Blue Bird), Play, Twyla Tharp’s The Golden Section and Petipa’s Raymonda. Slawomir performed in Andersen’s premiere of Diversions at the Kennedy Center in D.C., Balanchine’s “Rubies” (from Jewels) at The Chicago Dancing Festival and Andersen’s Play at The Joyce Theatre in New York City.
Principal Dancer
Michal Wozniak
Nutcracker cast 2021: Sugar Plum Cavalier, Russian and Arabian
Michal began his training in gymnastics at age 7, and began his ballet training when he was 10 at the State School of Ballet in Warsaw, Poland. As a student, Michal was invited to perform in ballets and operas at the Great Theatre in Warsaw, and in 2004 was awarded first place in the ballet competition there. In 2006 Michal accepted a full scholarship to study at The School of American Ballet in New York City where he trained for 2 years. Michal continued studying on full scholarship at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre.
Since joining Ballet Arizona in 2009, Michal has been featured in Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, Petipa’s Raymonda, and Ib Andersen’s The Sleeping Beauty. Michal danced the principal role in George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son and Ib Andersen’s Mosiak. Michal toured with Ballet Arizona to perform Andersen’s Diversions at The Kennedy Center, Balanchine’s “Rubies” (from Jewels) at The Chicago Dancing Festival and Andersen’s Play at The Joyce Theatre in New York City.
Company Member
Carolina Centenera
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Ballerina Doll, Snow, Spanish, Waltz of the Flowers
Carolina Centenera is from New Mexico and is 17 years old. She started studying ballet in 2014 at Fishback Studio of the Dance in Albuquerque, NM, and is currently a pre professional ballet student at the Master Ballet Academy, coached by Slawomir and Irena Wozniak. She has won several awards at Youth America Grand Prix including 1st place contemporary solo and Top 12 Senior(2021), 2nd place contemporary solo and Top 12 Senior(2019), and 2nd place for ensemble and Top 12 Junior (2018). At the ADC International Ballet Competition in 2018, she was a Top 25 winner in the Junior Division. She has attended summer programs at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Master Ballet Academy, Chautauqua Dance Festival and the Joffrey Ballet Academy. In 2018, Carolina was a Gaynor Girl for the Gaynor Minden pointe shoe company. She has performed the roles of Clara and Harlequinade in Nutcracker, Red Riding Hood in Sleeping Beauty, and the Pigtail girl in the Graduation Ball.
Company Member
Benjamin Dunlap
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Arabian Cavalier, Snow Cavalier, Chinese and Russian
Benjamin Dunlap is a 17-year-old high school student who has trained with Master Ballet Academy since 2019. He was awarded 3rd place in the YAGP (Youth American Grand Prix) Seattle Senior Classical division in 2020 and placed in the Professional Category top twelve at the 2021 World Ballet Competition where he was also awarded Honorable Mention by the jury. Benjamin completed the five-week Royal Ballet School Summer Intensive in 2021 and was later offered an apprenticeship at United Ballet Theater. He trains in all forms of dance, but especially enjoys classical ballet and plans to pursue a professional career in ballet.
Company Member
Alexis Hawkins
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Harlequin Doll, Snow, Spanish, Russian, Arabian Flower
Alexis Hawkins is from Dallas, Texas where she competed in multiple dance genres with Dance Industry Performing Arts Center. She has attended several summer dance intensives; School of American Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance, Complexions Academy, The Juilliard School and Master Ballet Academy. Alexis recently moved to Scottsdale to train with Master Ballet Academy in their pre-professional program. She has received scholarships from Ballet West, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Dance Council of North Texas, and NYCDA. Alexis’ YAGP awards include top 12 in the Junior and Senior Classical Divisions and 1st Place in the Junior and Senior Contemporary Divisions. At the YAGP 2021 North
American Finals, Alexis and her partner won 1 st Place Contemporary Duet.
Company Member
Gregori Humphreys
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Mice, Arabian Cavalier, Russian, Waltz Cavalier, Chinese
Gregori had full tuition scholarship to Nashville Ballet, where he attended three years and performed as Fritz in Nutcracker twice and once as a Bon Bon. He also performed in a Sleeping beauty as a prince for a small dance company in Nashville, under direction of Nashville Ballet.He also performed in several productions with the Franklin School of Performing Arts while attending classes at Nashville Ballet. He received full tuition scholarship to Nutmeg Ballet Academy, where he attended classes after Nashville ballet. He performed in multiple roles with them for the two years he was with them, until he was accepted into Master Ballet. He has also received full tuition scholarship with Kirov, Joffrey NY and Bolshoi Ballet Ny, as well as several others( all as a result of an audition) but never attended any classes at any of them. He has also received full tuition and housing scholarship to the University of Arts in Belgrade, Serbia, after attending summer classes there in June of 2019.
Company Member
Anna Inchausti
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Sugar Plum, Ballerina Doll, Snow, Waltz of the Flowers
Anna Inchausti discovered her passion for dance at only 3 years of age, and trained at Academia de Danzas Steps in Panamá City, Panamá until she was 15. She then decided to move away from home to join the Pre-Professional program at Master Ballet Academy to further her dance training. At her current age of 17, Anna is working on refining her technique and artistry and wishes to pursue a career in dance and join a professional ballet company in the near future. Some of Anna’s recent achievements include the 1st Place at YAGP Phoenix Semi-Finals 2021 and The Aspire Award at the Universal Ballet Competition 2019.
Company Member
Alexia Jones
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Russian, Snow, Waltz of the Flowers
Alexia began her training when she moved to the U.S. in 2012. She was accepted into the Pacific Northwest Ballet school shortly after, and studied there for three years before moving to California. She trained in California until March of 2021 when she joined Master Ballet Academy. Alexia has competed in YAGP and WBAC, where she received top 12 in both classical and contemporary, as well as Icon Dance Awards where she received 1st place in classical and 3rd place in contemporary. During the summer, Alexia has trained at the Royal Ballet School on several occasions, as well as the Dutch National Ballet School.
Company Member
Elise Jones
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Harlequin Doll, Snow, Chinese, Waltz of the Flowers
Elise Jones has been dancing for twelve years and has been with Master Ballet Academy for the last three. She has been invited to YAGP (Youth American Grand Prix) national finals the last two years after placing at regionals. Her greatest joy comes from performing.
Company Member
Brianna Patrick
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Sugar Plum Fairy, Waltz Queen, Snow Queen
Brianna Patrick has been training under the professional division at Master Ballet Academy for three years. She has represented MBA (Master Ballet Academy) at the 2021 finals for both the Youth America Grand Prix and the World Ballet Competition.Participation in these competitions allowed her to earn one of the only
scholarships awarded by Ballet West.
Company Member
Maya Schonbrun
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Sugar Plum Fairy, Waltz Queen, Snow Corps
Maya Schonbrun began ballet training at age 13 with Master Ballet Academy. In 2019, she received the Rising Star Jury Award at the Beijing International Ballet Competition. She was a selected competitor for the Helsinki International Ballet Competition 2020, which was cancelled secondary to COVID. She received first place at YAGP regional competition in 2019, 2020 and 2021. She has received scholarships for ballet study at the Harid Conservatory, Dutch National Ballet, Royal Ballet School of Belgium, and Sibiu Ballet in Romania. She received 2nd place pas de deux at YAGP Finals 2021. In 2021, she was the first place gold medal winner winner for the World Ballet Competition. This summer she performed as a gala soloist for the World Ballet Competition and the YAGP Nevi Ballet Festival in Genova, Italy.
Company Member
Sonya Shetyn
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Snow Queen, Russian, Arabian, Waltz of the Flowers
Sonya Shteyn, originally from New Jersey, began her dance training at Verona Ballet School under the direction of Alissa Kossov. After graduating from high school, she began dancing full time with Master Ballet Academy, becoming an official student in 2020 at 18 years old. She placed in the Top 12 Female Professional Category at World Ballet Competition in summer of 2021.
Company Member
Sami Sonder
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Snow, Russian Flowers, Arabian Flowers
Sami Sonder was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. She’s been training in dance since she was 2 years old. She started competing in contemporary at the age of 8. Sami has been training under Master Ballet for the past 5 years. She has been named Top 20 dancer at both The Dance Awards and Radix Nationals. She has also placed Top 12 in contemporary at YAGP. She has received solo choreography from Teddy Forance, Akira Uchida, Nick Meola, Jaci Royal, Haley Heckethorn, Rasta Thomas, Taylor Tsvyetkov, Easton Blake, Albert Blaise Cattafi, and Myles Lavaleé. Sami is currently enjoying dancing with Phoenix Ballet and looks forward to a career on the stage.
Company Member
Cruz Vining
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Sugar Plum Cavalier, Russian, Waltz Cavalier, Mice, Snow Cavalier
Cruz has been dancing with Master Ballet for 9 years. He won the bronze medal at the World Ballet Competition in 2021. Cruz and his dance partner placed 2nd at the youth America Grand Prix in the Pas de Deux category in 2021. He is a senior in high school and excels in honors classes. He is on his fourth year as a member of the horizon high school show choir. Preforming in several shows each year. From years Cruz was a member of the Phoenix Boys Choir and he has performed in several countries abroad such as China and Spain.
Company Member
Christianna Weissbach
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Sugar Plum Fairy, Waltz Queen, Snow Corps
Christianna trained at Bossov Ballet Theater’s (BBT) Pre-Professional Program under the direction of Natalya Getman. She studied with Ms. Getman as a full-time student from ages 13-18 and graduated in 2021. While at BBT, Christianna performed such roles as Sugar Plum Fairy, Dying Swan, Arabian Princess, Crystal Fountain Fairy and Spanish in Swan Lake. Christianna participated in YAGP Tampa Finals in 2021 and with YAGP in the Nervi Ballet Festival in Genoa, Italy. She also traveled to Istanbul, Turkey in the summer of 2021 where she studied at the Vaganova Academy Summer Intensive (Russian Ballet Masters) under Yulia Kasenkova, Polina Rassadina, Alexander Omar, and Dmitriy Shevstov. At the Gala Performance Christianna performed in the trio, Nymphs, from Faust and the contemporary piece, Slip, by Mr. Shevstov.
Company Member
Chase Vining
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Cavalier, Russian, Arabian
Chase Vining is 20 years old and has danced at Master Ballet Academy for 9 years. He has been in numerous performances of the nutcracker and has performed every male role available to a student. In January he plans on moving to Poland to start his career as a Demi-soloist at the Teatr Wielki w Łódź. Chase is very thankful for his friends, family and his teachers for the guidance and support they’ve shown him.
Company Member
Daniel Mangiaracino
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Chinese, Russian, Mice, Waltz Cavalier
Bio coming soon!
Company Member
Parker Rozzano-Keefe
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Chinese, Russian, Mice, Waltz Cavalier
Bio coming soon!
Company Member
Oscar Lagna
Nutcracker Cast 2021: Chinese, Russian, Mice, Waltz Cavalier
Bio coming soon!