Seventeen-year-old Bianca is a senior at Fusion Academy Private School in Huntington Beach. Bianca started studying at Long Beach Ballet before she was three and is a member of their Senior Company. She has danced in Long Beach Ballet’s The Nutcracker since 2011 and performed in many of the school’s annual spring productions including Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Coppelia, and Sleeping Beauty. Aside from ballet, Bianca is also involved with singing, currently taking lessons with Ginna Claire Mason, and was in the classical voice conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts for four years. Bianca has competed in the Youth America Grand Prix competition since 2018, placing Top 24 in the Junior Women’s Classical category in 2022, Top 24 in the Senior Women’s Classical category in 2023, Top 24 in the Senior Women’s Contemporary Category in 2025, and Top 12 in the Senior Women’s Classical Category in 2024 and 2025. Bianca competed at the YAGP 25th Anniversary Finals in New York and the World Ballet Competition Finals in Orlando, Florida in 2024. In April, she competed at the 2025 YAGP Finals in Tampa, Florida. Bianca got multiple college offers and trainee offers. She will be attending Nashville Ballet Company as an NB2 Trainee and studying part time at Belmont University. She is very excited for the future and so grateful for the past fifteen years at Long Beach Ballet.

Tate Lee began his training in California at the Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy. As a student, he competed at YAGP and was selected numerous times to perform at Lincoln Center for the final rounds. In 2016, he was the only male selected to represent the USA at Prix de Lausanne. Additionally, he was named School of American Ballet’s Jerome Robbins Award Recipient and received Honorable Mention for the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards. After completing his early training, Tate began his professional career with Colorado Ballet in 2017 before returning to Southern California to dance with Los Angeles Ballet. In the summer of 2024, he traveled to China with Long Beach Ballet’s USA Ambassadors Tour, performing as Basilio in Don Quixote. 

David received his ballet training at The School of American Ballet in New York City. He also attended summer intensives on scholarship at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Manhattan Youth Ballet. He joined Los Angeles Ballet as an apprentice in 2012 and was promoted to the corps de ballet in 2013. While at LAB, he performed repertoire by George Balanchine as well as numerous other notable choreographers. He danced with State Street Ballet in 2017 and began dancing with Long Beach Ballet In 2018, accompanying Mr. Wilcox to China for the Ambassadors Tour.  In 2019 he performed the title role of Aladdin in Wilcox’s production while touring through China.  Most recently David performed the role of Basilio in Long Beach Ballet’s production of Don Quixote. Besides dancing, he is an avid outdoorsman and fisherman.

Sixteen-year-old Nikki Boggs began training at Long Beach Ballet Academy at the young age of three and a half. Continuing her training through the summers, Nikki has attended many programs with schools such as Joffrey Ballet School’s JoffreyRED and Joffrey West, Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Academy, Southland Ballet Academy, and Long Beach Ballet Academy. She has also been twice invited to join Joffrey Ballet School’s year-round Ballet Trainee Program in NY. Finding her love for creating, Nikki has tapped into her choreographic talent and created contemporary ballet pieces for herself as well as Elizabeth Malley for the YAGP 2025 Finals in Florida. Additionally, Nikki completed her second year of high school with rigorous advanced classes, while balancing training in the Professional Track Conservatory at LBB. As a senior company member, Nikki is grateful for the amazing opportunities she has been given especially in being cast as Lead Chinese for the 2024 Nutcracker and as lead Mazurka in this production of Coppélia. She would like to thank all her coaches, the LBB staff, and her family for their unconditional love and support.

Sixteen-year-old Joaquin has been dancing at Long Beach Ballet for ten years and participated in their annual Nutcracker performances as well as their multiple spring productions including Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Aladdin, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. This is his first year being in Long Beach Ballet’s Senior Company and he competed with the group in the Youth America Grand Prix competition with the company’s ensemble pieces. He has danced in Long Beach Ballet’s Summer Intensive Program for six years and plans on attending the Summer Ambassadors to China Tour this summer. Joaquin is a 4.0 sophomore in Millikan High School’s QUEST Pathway where he is the vice president of Millikan’s La Raza Club, a dancer in the Ballet Folklorico Club, a member of Millikan’s Chamber Choir and enjoys being part of the art programs as well. Joaquin would like to thank his family, friends, and instructors for their support.

Seventeen-year-old Maeve began training at Long Beach Ballet Academy at age ten. She is now a member of the Long Beach Ballet Senior Company, and an honors student at Saint John Bosco. Her repertory includes the principal role in Giselle, and lead roles such as Snow Queen and Clara (The Nutcracker), and Princess Florine in (The Sleeping Beauty). She has also performed corps roles in Don Quixote, Swan Lake, and Aladdin. Maeve was a 2025 3rd place YAGP winner in Senior Classical, and Top 12 in Senior Contemporary. She earned 2nd Place in Senior Classical in 2024, and 3rd Place in Junior Classical in 2023. She was invited as a soloist to the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York (2024) and Tampa (2023). Maeve also reached the Professional Category Final Round at the 2024 World Ballet Competition in Orlando, placing in the Top 12. Maeve has trained at The Royal Ballet School’s 2022 Spring Intensive, Houston Ballet’s 2023 Summer Intensive on full scholarship, and most recently went to San Francisco Ballet School’s 2024 Summer Intensive where she was invited into their professional training program. She will be returning to San Francisco Ballet’s 2025 Summer Intensive.

Ken earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from California Institute of the Arts. After graduation, Ken performed for a myriad of companies including The Ciagio Collective, The Rai Aoo’s Dance Planet Company, The Big Show Company and for Liz Hoefner Adamis and Denise Leitner. In 2016 Ken was featured as Sancho Panza in David Wilcox’s new production of Don Quixote. He was thrilled to have been asked to play the iconic “Chimneysweep” for his 10^th year.

Aundenet is a sixteen-year-old ballet dancer with a remarkable journey in the performing arts. She has been training with Long Beach Ballet since she was four years old and has participated in memorable performances, including roles like Little Sentry, Mirliton and Clara in The Nutcracker. Her dedication to ballet is evident through her achievements in competitions, such as the Youth America Grand Prix, where she earned recognition placing top 12 in the Junior Women’s Classical category in 2023. Aundenet has also been offered scholarships to prestigious summer programs, including The Rock School of Dance and Oklahoma City Ballet. Audenet’s journey reached new heights in the summer of 2024 when she toured China with Long Beach Ballet, performing the “Bridesmaid” variation from Don Quixote on multiple stages. Beyond ballet, Aundenet was involved in the Kid’s Theatre Company of Long Beach, showcasing her versatility as an actress in productions like Grease, Into the Woods and West Side Story. Aundenet is currently a 10th grader at Holy Innocents School Academy, where she is enriched academically while flourishing spiritually.  She looks forward to continuing her passion for dance and performing arts for many more years to come.

Brandon Forrest just returned from South Carolina Ballet, and has already performed with Hollywood Ballet directed by Petra & Eris, and Pacific Festival Ballet’s Cinderella. Upon arriving to SCB, he was the lead in Dracula With a Bite on tour as Jonathan. Giselle, Romeo & Juliet, Motown Ballet, Snow White, and Elvis were some additional spectaculars during the two seasons at SCB. Starring in productions in Utah, Texas, and Pennsylvania, Brandon also guests and has guested with Nevada Ballet Theatre, and Festival Ballet Theatre. TV appearance highlights include Bunheads and Glee.  LACHSA and San Francisco Ballet School proved integral forging his classical regimen, leading to Los Angeles Ballet as well. The Los Angeles Times wrote Brandon Forrest’s performance as Older Billy in La Mirada’s Billy Elliot as “breathtaking and “superb”. Dance and esoteric updates on Instagram @B_Forrest_B!

Katherine is seventeen-years-old and has been a member of the Long Beach Ballet Senior Company for three years. She has danced in Long Beach Ballet’s productions of The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake,  Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, and Aladdin. This will be her second time performing in Coppelia. She participated in the 2024 World Ballet Competition finals in Orlando, and attended San Francisco Ballet’s summer intensive. Katherine maintains a 4.0 grade point average and has studied piano for 13 years. Katherine would like to thank her incredible teachers, family, and friends for their continued support and encouragement. She would also like to thank the audiences for being such a special part of the show. 

Sixteen-year-old Charlotte Jones is a sophomore at Poly High School’s CIC Pathway and has studied classical ballet since the age of three. She has danced various roles in Long Beach Ballet’s The Nutcracker and performed in the school’s annual Spring productions since 2014. Charlotte competed in the Youth America Grand Prix competition from 2021 – 2025 placing Top 24 in the Junior and Senior Women’s Classical category. In addition to her training at Long Beach Ballet Academy, she has attended summer intensives with Southland Ballet and Joffrey Ballet, and was invited to join Joffrey Ballet’s year round program in Chicago. Charlotte has participated in Long Beach Ballet’s summer intensive for 5 years and will to travel to New York for John Cranko Schule’s ballet intensive this summer. She is so grateful to be apart of this years production, and thanks her friends, family, and teachers for all the guidance and opportunities they’ve provided her. 

Damian has performed in Anaheim Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker since 2016; along with performances of their Martini Ballet, Beach Blanket Ballet, Ballet’s Greatest Hits, & #NoFilter. Over the years he’s performed with Ballet Etudes, Nouveau Chamber Ballet, Coast City Ballet, SoCal Ballet Scene, & in parades with both The Disneyland Resort & Disney CA Adventure Park. This production of The Nutcracker will be his return to the Long Beach Ballet stage since 2023’s Sleeping Beauty. While training in ballet for the last 15 years he has also taught ballet technique & choreography at a wide variety of studios across Southern CA including Peninsula School of Performing Arts, Legacy Dance Studio, South County Dance, Elevation Studios, Murrieta Dance Project, & Center Stage Dance Academy.

Eighteen-year-old Sven began training with the Long Beach Ballet Academy four years ago and had the opportunity to perform Jester in The Nutcracker, the Village Couple in Sleeping Beauty, and a Suitor in Aladdin.  This summer, he had the opportunity to train and perform in China with the Long Beach Ballet and had the role of Red Gypsy King in Don Quixote. He has also guest-starred for the Peninsula School of Performing Arts in their production of Don Quixote. Sven continues his training and performing as a member of this year’s Senior Company. Sven is honored to have had wonderful teachers and staff at the Long Beach Ballet and is filled with gratitude for all their support. 

Seventeen-year-old Mikayla has dedicated fourteen years to the art of classical ballet, beginning her training at the age of five with Long Beach Ballet. Since then, she has performed in numerous iconic ballets, including Aladdin, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and Coppelia, showcased annually at the company’s spring productions. In addition, Mikayla has taken part in various summer intensives, including the three-week Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive in New York City. Notably, this year marks her twelfth consecutive performance in Long Beach Ballet’s spring productions, a testament to her dedication and artistry. Beyond her commitment to ballet, Mikayla is a high-achieving junior at Wilson High School, where she excels in the rigorous WAVE advanced academic pathway, successfully tackling five AP courses and actively contributing to her community through volunteer work with the National Honor Society and Unified Sports Club. Simultaneously, she pursues dual enrollment at Long Beach City College, evidence of her academic involvement. Further showcasing her multifaceted talents, Mikayla’s artistic passions extend to the visual arts, where her work has garnered significant recognition. Her original artwork has been commissioned and exhibited on several occasions at the Long Beach Museum of Art, and even graced the office of California Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal. Adding to her artistic accolades, she participated in the annual art competition at the Alpert Jewish Community Center, where she won second place, indicative of her exceptional artistic abilities. Mikayla’s achievements in both the arts and academics reflect a strong understanding of commitment and dedication, a foundation upon which she hopes to build a future career.

Benjohn started dancing at the age of nine and trained at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School for ten years before continuing his training with David Wilcox and the faculty at Long Beach Ballet Academy. He has attended summer courses at Ballet Austin, Los Angeles Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and joined Long Beach Ballet for the Ambassadors to China Tour in 2019.  In 2019, Benjohn was placed on the Dean’s List of South Seattle College and attended West Seattle High School. He also performed in productions with Pacific Northwest Ballet, such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Hansel & Gretel, and as the Real Boy in Pinocchio. In Long Beach Ballet’s annual spring production of 2024, he played the title role of Aladdin.

Raised in Oregon, Ben joined the Long Beach Ballet after spending two years as a missionary in Brazil. He has been featured in roles such as the prince in David Wilcox’s Cinderella, Von Rothbart in Swan Lake, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Dr. Coppelius in Coppélia, Don Quixote in Don Quixote, Jafar in Aladdin, and Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker. Besides his wonderful acting ability and exceptional stage presence, Ben is an accomplished photographer, videographer, and graphic designer. After touring China numerous times with the Long Beach Ballet Academy, he developed a fascination with the Chinese language and culture and subsequently graduated from CSULB with a BA in Mandarin Chinese. Ben’s work and personal travel schedules continue to immerse him in the various cultures of the languages that he has learned.

At the age of four, Elizabeth began her training at Long Beach Ballet. Now fifteen years old, she is a dedicated member of the ballet school’s Senior Company and Professional Training Conservatory. Elizabeth has been a Youth America Grand Prix competitor for the last five years; her performance this year earned her 3rd place in the San Diego competition and an invitation to YAGP Finals in Tampa, Florida. Previously she placed Top 12 in the Junior Women’s Classical category in 2024. This summer, she is looking forward to attending San Francisco Ballet’s 4-week Summer Intensive program. Previously she has attended Long Beach Ballet’s Senior Summer Intensive, along with several others around the country. Elizabeth just completed her freshman year in high school with a 4.0 GPA. For the wonderful experiences she has had and those still to come, Elizabeth would like to thank the Long Beach Ballet faculty for their unparalleled instruction, kindness, and encouragement.

Fifteen-year-old Katherine began training at Long Beach Ballet at the age of three. She has performed in Long Beach Ballet’s The Nutcracker since 2015. Katherine has performed in many Long Beach Ballet productions including Aladdin, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Don Quixote. She has competed in the Youth America Grand Prix since 2021, and placed Top 24 in the Junior Women’s Classical Category in 2024 as well as Top 24 in the Senior Women’s Classical category in 2025. Katherine is currently a freshman at Valley Christian High School where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. Katherine is extremely grateful for all the support, love, and guidance from her family and the Long Beach Ballet staff.

Zahlei is sixteen years old and began her ballet training at the age of three and came to Long Beach Ballet at the age of five. Her favorite performances she did were Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, and Aladdin. This year is her first year with Senior Company and 8th spring performance with Long Beach Ballet. She is a sophomore currently enrolled at Long Beach Woodrow Wilson High School where she is a member of the Young Black Scholars Club, African Ambassadors, The Wilma’s (Women Empowerment Club), and AVID Club. She also is a dancer on Wilson’s Advanced Dance Team where she is studying a variety of other styles of dance. She thanks her family and friends for supporting her in her pursuit in dance.

Kaitlyn began her ballet journey at Long Beach Ballet at the age of three and is a freshman in high school.  Over the years, Kaitlyn has graced the stage in productions such as Swan Lake, Coppélia, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, and Giselle. Her favorites roles have been Snow Queen, Lead Spanish, Willis, and Clara. She is excited to perform as one of Swanhilda’s Friends in Coppelia. Her love for performing continues w/ competitions  at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) at age nine. She has placed Top 12 and 1st Place in the pre-competitive  category earning her an invite to YAGP Finals in Tampa, Top 24 in the Junior category for 3 years, and recently Top 12 in the Senior year category and Top 12 Large Ensemble with LBB. She has received invitations to the YAGP New York Summer Intensive and YAGP Festival in Genova, Italy. She has earned  prestigious scholarships to programs such as The Rock School of Dance, Oklahoma City Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and European School of Ballet. This summer, Kaitlyn can’t wait to attend for the 2nd time the Long Beach Ballet Ambassador Tour to China, where she performed Don Quixote last summer and Coppelia this summer on international stages across various cities. It is an experience of a lifetime! She remains profoundly grateful for the opportunities she’s had and extends heartfelt thanks to the teachers and staff at Long Beach Ballet for their unwavering support.

Lizzy started training with Long Beach Ballet at the age of 5. She has been given the opportunity to perform many roles including the lead role of Nikia in Kingdom of the Shades, Dew Drop in the Nutcracker, and Queen of the Willis Myrtha in Giselle. Lizzy has competed in the Youth America Grand Prix for the past five years where she placed 3rd in the Junior Classical division for the 2023 year at the Los Angeles Semi-Finals and was invited to the YAGP Finals in Tampa Florida. Lizzy performed her variation as well as in Long Beach Ballet’s large ensemble Time, which placed Top 24. Last season, Lizzy placed top 10 at the World Ballet Competition Finals and 3rd in the Senior classical division for the YAGP Los Angeles Semi-Final. This season, she was awarded top 12 in contemporary and 2nd place in classical. She was invited again to perform at the YAGP Finals this last April. She has been able to spend her past two summers training with San Francisco Ballet. She also studied at Next Generation Ballet on a full scholarship during the summer of 2024. Lizzy is currently 16 and in her junior year with Cabrillo Point Academy and continues to maintain a 4.0 GPA. She is grateful for the guidance and coaching of the wonderful staff at Long Beach Ballet and all of the opportunities to perform. 

Brent has been dancing since the age of 7 and has performed many roles including Basilio in Don Quixote, Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Franz in Coppelia, and Prince Charming in Cinderella. He graduated summa cum laude from Biola University in 2024 with a B.A. in Biblical Studies and is now pursuing an M.A. Classical Theology there. He enjoys running and spending time with his wife and cat, and is honored to have danced 17 years with Long Beach Ballet. 

Alayna is currently a junior in the Center for International Curriculum pathway at Long Beach Polytechnic High School where she maintains a 4.45 GPA. She is president of the Poly Kaibigan club and was recently elected social vice president of Poly Key Club. Even though she is involved in outside activities, her main passion is ballet. She began studying at Long Beach ballet at the age of 5 and recently competed in the company group pieces this season of YAGP, which one of them was awarded top 12. She enjoyed performing in LBB productions such as Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Aladdin, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker, and this will be her 3rd year in the Coppelia and is honored to perform the role again as lead Czardas. In previous summers, she attended intensives such as Southland’s Classical Variations Intensive, Joffrey Red, Joffrey’s pre-professional ballet intensive in New York and is thrilled to tour Coppelia in China with Long Beach Ballet.

Seventeen-year-old Matilda van der Fluit is a soon-to-graduate senior at Sage Oak Charter School and is dually enrolled at Long Beach City College, where she will be attending full time this fall. She harbors a timeless passion for dancing with Long Beach Ballet and strives to eventually achieve a profession as a certified choreographer. Matilda’s interests are not only restricted to dance; she is a biologist, writer, bassist, creative mind, music and film appreciator, and lover of God’s creation. Matilda would like to end her final year of high school by extending her gratitude to the faculty at Long Beach Ballet, her family, and Jesus for giving her the motivation, opportunity, and skill to dance with the Long Beach Ballet Senior Company.

Fifteen year old Miakoda Yniguez attends Virtual Academy Business and Entrepreneurship program as a freshman. Miakoda has been studying dance since the age of three. She began training at Long Beach Ballet Academy at six years old, where she fell in love with the art of classical ballet. Miakoda has danced in various productions with the Long Beach Ballet Academy, such as Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote and Swan Lake. Miakoda competed in the Youth American Grand Prix in 2025 and placed Top 12 and Top 24 in Junior Classical. To continue her training, Miakoda has attended ballet intensives, such as the Ballet Clinic and Southland Ballet’s International Intensive. Currently she attends the LBB Academy and their Professional Track Conservatory. Miakoda is excited to be performing in Coppelia as a senior company member this year.

Johnny graduated from the Shen Yang Arts Institute in China and performed for seven years as a Soloist with the National Ballet of China, Guangzhou. He was featured as the Golden Idol in La Bayadère, the Court Jester in Swan Lake, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, and the role of Cupid in Don Quixote was choreographed specifically for him to exhibit his exceptional athletic ability and artistic grace. Along with an extensive international touring background, he also competed in many competitions and was a semi-finalist in the International Ballet Competition in Varna and Shanghai. Since immigrating to America, Johnny has become a freelance ballet dancer and ballet instructor/coach around the LA area. He has danced for Anaheim Ballet, C. Round Ballet Works, Festival Ballet Theater, Long Beach Ballet, and Westside Ballet. After performing in Westside Ballet’s, The Nutcracker for many years, he joined the Westside Ballet faculty in 2013.  Johnny is a sought after master guest teacher with Utah Regional Ballet, Barak Ballet, and Bodytraffic Contemporary Ballet. Johnny’s choreography has been featured in numerous ballet festivals, including Regional Dance America Festival and Youth America Grand Prix. He has dedicated his life to ballet and enjoys spending most of his time dancing, teaching, and choreographing.