Mystic Ballet - Principals

PRINCIPALS

DaJuan Booker

Dhouglas Carvalho

Vanessa Duarte da Silva

Dajuan Booker

Born In: St.Petersburg, Florida
Dancing Since: 1999
With Mystic Ballet since: 2007
Why I Dance: Girls
When I'm Not Dancing: Playing video games
Favorite Music: pretty much everything
Favorite Movie: anything scary
Favorite Store: Mall
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Place: Stage

Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, received ballet training at the Academy of Ballet Arts and the Dance Theatre of Harlem under Arthur Mitchell and Eva Evdokimova. He has attended The Rock Schools Summer Intensive Program and was awarded full scholarships to attend the Harid Conservatory and Alvin Ailey. In 2003, he won first place at the Youth America Grand Prix. He has performed with Dance Theater of Harlem's Dancing Through Barriers Ensemble from 2003 to 2007.

Dhouglas Carvalho

Born In: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Dancing Since: 2000
With Mystic Ballet since: 2007
Why I Dance: It is a part of me.
When I'm Not Dancing: I am studying languages
Favorite Music: Jazz
Favorite Movie: Love Actually
Favorite Store: Armani
Favorite Food: Japanese
Favorite Place: Ipanena

Started his dance training at Euphany Pecanha Ballet- Niteroi ( Brazil). Continuing his studies at Rio De Janeiro with Nilton Nunes - former Municipal Ballet soloist, and Fabio Mateus. In 2003 and for two years Mr. Carvalho performed with Euphany Pecanha Ballet, for the Euphany Pecanha Ballet- Niteroi ( Brazil) including the Germany piece of her around the world Festival. During this time Mr. Carvalho performed Boot n` cat and other modern choreographies for the Camarin School of dance Niteroi ( Brazil).

Vanessa Duarte da Silva

Born In: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Dancing Since: 1989
With Mystic Ballet since: 2007
Why I Dance: I don't know, there wasn't a reason - it is in my spirit.
When I'm Not Dancing: Listening music, and writing
Favorite Music: Alternative
Favorite Movie: City of Angels, Love Actually, The Notebook
Favorite Store: H&M
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Place: Where I am - Stonington - "Barbie Town"

A Sao Paulo, Brazil native, joined Mystic Ballet in 2007. Duarte da Silva was awarded Best Young Dancer of Sao Paulo (1996), and Best Soloist Dancer in Sao Paulo (1998), among other awards. In 1998, Vanessa joined Especial Dance Company- Sao Paulo, Brazil as soloist, where she performed the classics such as "Don Quixote" as Kitri and Mercedes; "Sleeping Beauty" as Aurora; "La Bayadère" as Nikiya; "Swan Lake" as Odette/Odile. Her repertory also includes a vast array of modern and contemporary pieces. In 2000, she was awarded at the Brasilia International Dance Festival with a scholarship to Akademie Des Tanzes-Manheim,Germany under the direction of Birgit Keil, where she graduated with her masters. In 2003, Duarte da Silva joined Ballett Dresden-SemperOper, where she performed, beyond the classic productions, "Illusions, like Swan Lake", "Midsummer's Night Dream" and "The Nutcracker".

Maegan Garvey

Born in: New Haven, CT
Dancing Since: age 7
With Mystic Ballet Since: 2002
Why I Dance: I dance because I enjoy the hard work and effort that I have to put into. I also enjoy the movements and different styles of dance.
When I am Not Dancing: I am hanging out with my friends or doing schoolwork
Favorite Music: Alternative
Favortie Movie: Garden State
Favorite Store: Delia's And Abercrombie & Fitch
Favorite Food: Mexican Food
Favorite Place: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Born in New Haven, presently residing in Pawcatuck, Connecticut. Received her ballet training at Dance Palace since 2001 and joined Mystic Ballet in 2004. Her repertoire includes Swan Lake, Firebird, The Little Mermaid, Giselle and Sonata. Soloist roles include (Canary) in Cinderella,
(Michelle) and (Tootles) in Peter Pan. She attended Festival Ballet's Summer Program in 2007.

Jamar Goodman

Born In: Waterbury, CT
Dancing Since: 1990
With Mystic Ballet since: 2007
Why I Dance: I dance because my sole enjoys communicating through movements which tell an enjoyable story on stage.
When I'm Not Dancing: I am studying
Favorite Music: Alicia Keys
Favorite Movie: A Chorus Line and of course Center Stage…lol
Favorite Store: H&M and Armani
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Place: Athens, Greece

Originally from Waterbury, Connecticut, Jamar M. Goodman began his dance training when he was eight years old at The School of the Hartford Ballet under a Dance City Youth Scholarship. He was concurrently a member of The School of the Hartford Ballet's Touring Ensemble. In 1998 Mr. Goodman joined the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company and in 2000, joined American Ballet Theatre. From 2003 through 2005, Mr. Goodman was a member of the Pennsylvania Ballet. In 2005 he left the Pennsylvania Ballet to explore a career as a freelance guest artist. From 2005 through 2006 Mr. Goodman was a dancer with Carnival Cruise Lines. In 2007 Mr. Goodman joined Mystic Ballet as a principal dancer, is a teacher with Dance Palace and a role model for outreach students looking to enjoy dance at a young age; just as he did. Mr. Goodman is currently pursuing a degree in Business Management to combine his love of dance with Business in the Arts. Mr. Goodman was also a dancer in the film, Center Stage, and appeared in the published works, "The Dancer Book".

Kurt Gorrell

Born In: Baltimore, MD
Dancing Since: 1995
With Mystic Ballet since: 2006
Why I Dance: It's challenge, the athleticism, ... and GIRLS
When I'm Not Dancing: Personal trainer, and gymnastics instructor
Favorite Music: everything and anything
Favorite Movie: Team America, Van Wilder, Lion King
Favorite Store: Salvation Army
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Place: Any place that I can surf.

Received his ballet training from Joffrey Ballet School. Kurt performed in the National Tour of Contact, and as a soloist with Delta Festival Ballet and Butler Ballet he has performed as (Prince Desire) in Sleeping Beauty, (Prince Charming) in Snow White, (Solar) in La Bayader, and as the title role in Aladdin, the Nutcracker. With Mystic Ballet Mr. Gorrell performed (Prince Eric) in The Little Mermaid, and (Captain Hook) in Peter Pan.

Carey McGuire

Born In: Westerly, Rhode Island
Dancing Since: 1996
With Mystic Ballet since: 2001
Why I Dance: I dance because I want to be part of the creative process in which music reflects movement, and discipline coincides with passion.
When I'm Not Dancing: I'm reading, or spending time with family and friends
Favorite Music: Celtic and alternative music
Favorite Movie: Pride and Prejudice (2005 version)
Favorite Store: Anthropologie
Favorite Food: Chocolate
Favorite Place: The Westerly Public Library

Originally from Westerly RI, received ballet training at Dance Palace since 2000. Joined Mystic Ballet in 2002. Her classical repertoire includes Swan Lake, Giselle, Alice in Wonderland, Wind in Your Hair, Cinderella, Coppelia, Acceleration, and as a soloist created the title role in Snow White, (Wendy) in Peter Pan, and (Ariel) in The Little Mermaid. Carey was awarded scholarship to attend Festival Ballet's Summer Program in 2007.

Hope Nelson

Born In: New London Connecticut
Dancing Since: ..always.
With Mystic Ballet since: 2003
When I'm Not Dancing: I am at school, with friends or family, working, or sleeping.
Favorite Music: is by Gavin DeGraw, AC/DC, the Starting Line, Plain White T's.
Favorite Movie: All 7 seasons of the Gilmore Girls
Favorite Store: American Eagle
Favorite Food: Steak and Chinese
Favorite Place: Watch Hill Beach
Favorite book: A Corner of the Universe
Favorite Nailpolish: OPI LA Positively Hot!
Favorite Color: PINK

A Ledyard native, she received her ballet training at Dance Palace since
2002 and joined Mystic Ballet in 2004. She has performed leading roles in Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Sonata. Her classical repertoire also includes Coppelia, Giselle and Swan Lake.

Alexa Sauchuk

Born in: New London, CT
Dancing since: 1998
With Mystic Ballet since: 2004
Why I dance: Dance is a way to express myself
When I'm not dancing: I am with my family and friends
Favorite Music: Alternative
Favorite Movie: Step Up
Favorite Store: Delia's
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Place: Beach

Born in New London, residing in Mystic, she started her training at Dance Palace in 1999, and joined Mystic Ballet in 2004. Her repertoire includes Swan Lake, Firebird, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Giselle and Sonata. Soloist roles include the title role in Alice in Wonderland. She attended Festival Ballet's Summer Program in 2007.

Hayley Schneider

Born: Hampton, VA
Dancing Since: age 4
With Mystic Ballet since: 2004
Why I dance: Dances b/c it is fun and I enjoy it
When I'm not dancing: I'm playing soccer
Favorite music: Pop/Gwen Stefani
Favorite Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean
Favorite Store: Rue 21
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Place: Siesta Key, Florida

Born in Newport News, Virginia presently residing in Ledyard. Received her training at Dance Palace since 2003, joined Mystic Ballet in 2005. She has performed leading roles in The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Sonata, and
(Cookson) in Peter Pan. Her classical repertoire also includes Coppelia, Giselle, Firebird and Swan Lake.

Aleksander Subotic

Born in: Phoenix, Arizona
Dancing Sence: the age of 9
With Mystic Ballet: 2004
When im not dancing: im reading, drawing or hanging w/ friends
Favorite Music: my chemical romance, plain white T's, Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, just about everything but country
Favorite Movie: apocalypto, dances with wolves
Favorite Store: gamestop, gap
Favorite Food: candies? (war heads, air heads)
Favorite Place: Serbia, Cicevac

Started his training at the age of 9, at the Dance Palace in 2001. Joined Mystic Ballet in 2004. In 2006 he attended American Ballet Theatre's Summer Program on full scholarship. The same year Aleksander was awarded full scholarship to Miami City Ballet. In 2007 Aleksander is awarded full scholarship for ABT and same year he attended Miami City Ballet's Summer Program under full scholarship. He has performed in Festival Ballet¹s Nutcracker, and as "Franz" in Coppelia, "Kashchei" in Firebird, the "Grand Duke" in Cinderella, the "Huntsman" in Snow White, the title role in Peter Pan, "Sebastian" in the The Little Mermaid, and a leading role in "Sonata" by Vanaev.

Brianne Taylor

Born in: New London, CT on Jan. 13, 1990.
Dancing Sence: I was three (1993)
With Mystic Ballet: 2001, I believe.
Why I dance: At first because my mom thought it was cute, but then I began to love it. It helps me stay active, helps me in life and I'm just happy doing it.
When im not dancing: I'm either at school, work or hanging out with friends.
Favorite Music: I like everything except bluegrass.
Favorite Movie: Center Stage, Chicago, and Pride and Prejudice.
Favorite Store: I don't have one. I like to mix and match designers.
Favorite Food: Either pancakes or biscuits.
Favorite Place: Anywhere as long as I'm having a good time.

A Stonington native, received ballet training at Dance Palace since 2000, and joined Mystic Ballet in 2002. Performing leading roles in Wind in Your Hair, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid, Coppelia, Cinderella, Acceleration and as a soloist created the role of Twin Lost Boy in Peter Pan, and Giselle in Giselle. In 2007, Taylor was accepted to prestigous American Ballet Theater Collegiate Summer Program in New York.