SSBYD Dancers
Charlotte Haimerl
Company IV
Charlotte is 17 years old and a senior at Dos Pueblos High School. This is her 6th year in SSBYD. Prior to joining SSBYD, she had training at Ensemble Theatre Company and performed in several theater plays. Charlotte auditioned at The Ballet Alliance and was awarded a scholarship for Kansas City Ballet’s 5 week intensive in summer of 2024. She also has attended Ballet Austin and State Street Ballet summer intensives. Charlotte was chosen to perform the role of Clara in The Nutcracker at the Granada Theatre in 2023. For the past three years, she has been an emerging choreographer and is grateful for her SSBYD family. Other than enjoying ballet, she loves traveling and spending quality time with friends, family and her dog Marley.
Mia DiMaggio
Company IV
Mia is 17 years old and is a senior homeschooling through Heartland Charter School. She’s been dancing since she was three, and this is her sixth, and last year in SSBYD. She is so grateful and excited for her Spirit of Winter Pas de Deux in Rudolph, and is really looking forward to the rest of the year.
Catalina Brace
Company IV
Loma Murdy
Company IV
Loma is 16 years old and a Junior in high school. At 3 years old, we signed her up for ballet at State Street Ballet Academy, where she has been dancing ever since. Loma has loved performing in The Nutcracker, Rudolph, and other performances where she lights up on stage. She has met so many wonderful life-long friends, instructors, and mentors through dance. She is looking forward to her 5th year dancing with SSBYD and continuing her passion for dance.
Penelope Welsh
Company IV
Penelope Welsh is in her fifth year as a company dancer with State Street Ballet, where she has been dancing since the age of two. She is currently a sophomore at San Marcos High School and a member of the Health and Careers Academy. Outside of ballet, Penelope loves cooking, reading, spending time with friends, and soaking up the sun at the beach. She is also an animal lover, especially devoted to her goldendoodle, Winston.
Sloan Brookshire
Company IV
This will be Sloan’s fifth year in SSBYD and she is very excited to be a Co-Dance Captain for this season. Last season, she was so grateful to dance as Heidi in Rudolph, and the title role of Thumbelina in the spring! Over the summer, she spent five weeks at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and learned so much. Sloan is so excited for this season, especially this winter, where she is so excited to dance as Clara in the Nutcracker.
Sophie Navarro
Company IV
Sophie has been dancing with State Street Ballet Academy since she was 3 years old, and this will be her fifth year in SSBYD. This year Sophie is looking forward to being Cowgirl in Rudolph, and an Angel in The Nutcracker. When she isn’t dancing Sophie enjoys crocheting, and spending time with her friends and family.
Vivian Smith
Company IV
Vivian is a 17 year old senior at San Marcos High School. This is her 5th and final year of dancing in SSBYD. Some of her favorite roles she’s played have been Clarice and Charlie in the Box in Rudolph and a party girl in the Nutcracker. Vivian is working towards her goals both physically to become a better dancer at the studio and academically at school to be prepared for college. Vivian attended The Ballet Alliance Festivals in 2024 and 2025 and is looking forward to her last one in 2026 in Reno, Nevada.
Aubrey Vowels
Company IV
Aubrey Vowels is a sophomore in high school. She has been dancing with State Street Ballet Academy since she was 4 years old. Over her years with State Street Ballet Academy, Aubrey’s favorite roles have been party girl, firefly, and snowshoe hare. She is looking forward to her role as lead elf and angels in December. Last year, Aubrey had the opportunity to travel with the company to the TBA Festival in Spokane, Washington. She also attended the State Street Ballet Summer Intensive. When Aubrey isn’t dancing she enjoys reading, babysitting, assisting with younger dancers, and studying. During the winter she enjoys skiing and in the summer she enjoys traveling.
Chanel von Yurt
Company IV
Chanel von Yurt, 14 years old, loves performing, especially dancing and singing. She has been at SSBA since she was just under 2 years and trained in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and musical theatre. This is her forth year in the SSBYD and is honored to perform as Ballerina Barbie in Rudolph and as a princess this year in the State Street Ballet Nutcracker! Chanel is happiest dancing and performing in front of an audience. Chanel had the privilege of performing lead roles as Clara in last years Nutcracker and Teen Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. She has also danced in Rudolph, The Nutcracker and Thumbelina performances and SSBYD summer camps for over eleven years and State Street Ballet Summer Intensive for two years now. Chanel is grateful to her teachers for their continued guidance and instruction as she looks forward to a future in dance
Cooper Kuzminski
Company IV
Cooper is 14 years old and has been dancing with State Street Ballet Academy since she was 3. She is in 8th grade at Goleta Valley Junior High, and super excited to be preforming as Rudolph and a princess in the winter shows! She loves contemporary and jazz along with her ballet classes. Cooper enjoys reading, crafting, drawing and volunteering at the cat shelter. She can’t wait for another great year in SSBYD!
Lillian Kanard
Company IV
Lillian is 14 years old and has been dancing at SSBA since she was 6. Before moving to Santa Barbara, Lillian danced at Dance Center Evanston in Illinois. Lillian is looking forward to dancing as a Princess in the Nutcracker, and the Lead Penguin in Rudolph. Currently, she attends Dos Pueblos High School any plays the Viola with Santa Barbara Strings. In her free time, Lillian loves reading, drawing, and playing with her adorable puppy Hazel.
Lillian Milazzo
Company IV
Lucia Deslippe
Company IV
Lucia is a freshman in high school. She has been a dancer since she was 3 years old. This is her 3rd season with SSBYD and her 6th at SSBA. Her dream is to someday become a professional dancer. Lucia enjoys many different types of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary. Last year she was a part of the children’s cast in State Street Ballet’s The Little Mermaid. Lucia is looking forward to attending The Ballet Alliance festival in the spring, performing in State Street Ballet’s Nutcracker, and performing her first lead role as Charlie in the Box in Rudolph. Over the summer she attended State Street Ballet’s summer intensive. She hopes everyone has an amazing Season!
Mireille Brenninkmeyer
Company IV
Minnie is a sophomore at Dos Pueblos High School. She has been dancing 11 years. Her disciplines include ballet, contemporary, jazz, and tap. Past performances include (but not limited to) the Nutcracker, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and the Little Mermaid with State Street Ballet. She is proud to be casted as Yukon Cornelia in this year’s Rudolph performance and excited to keep dancing her happy feet.
Noelle Dogic
Company IV
Noelle is 14 and this is her fourth year in SSBYD and her 8th year dancing at the academy although she started ballet at the age of 3. Noelle is currently a freshman at Dos Pueblos high school. This year, Noelle is beyond excited to be able to preform the role of Clarice and blizzard in Rudolf and as an angel in the Nutcracker. For the past two years, noelle has choreographed pieces in the spring emerging showcases and is looking forward for this years. Last year, she attended TBA’s festival and is super excited to attend this year’s festival in Nevada. Noelle is so grateful for this community, her instructors, and the life long friendships she had made through dance. She is eager to learn and grow as a dancer this 2025- 2026 season!
Seraphina du Bourdieu
Company IV
Seraphina is a 14 year old freshman at Laguna Blanca and has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She has performed in many shows during her time in SSBYD, with some of her favorite roles being Clarice in the Rudolph performance, a Party Girl in the Nutcracker and as Icky the Porcupine with the State Street Ballet Professional Company’s show of the Jungle Book this past summer. This upcoming year, Seraphina is excited to be the Blizzard Queen in the Rudolph show and a Princess for the Nutcracker season, as well as performing in State Street Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet. Seraphina loves everything about begin a member of SSBYD, from the challenging classes to the incredible instructors. She looks forward to this 2025-2026 season with all the opportunities and memories that will come with it.
Sophia Poytress
Company IV
Sophia is 14 years old and a freshman at Dos Pueblos High School. She has been dancing with State Street Ballet Academy since she was 6, and this is her 4th year in SSBYD. This past summer, she attended the Colorado Ballet Summer Intensive, and has also attended summer intensives at State Street Ballet. She has had the opportunity to play the role of Rudolph last year, and is very excited to be a demi-soloist in Rudolph, and a princess in the Nutcracker this year. When Sophia is not dancing, she is reading, spending time with friends, or traveling with family. Sophia is looking forward to another year in SSBYD!
Ariella Soleil Pipes
Company III
Chloe Navarro
Company III
Kaitlyn Hewitt
Company III
Kaitlyn Hewitt is 14 years old and a Freshman at San Marcos high school. This is her 3rd year in SSBYD, and her 5 year dancing with State Street Ballet Academy. She loves dancing many different styles, including ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Her favorite roles so far have been Battletoys and Thumblina’s fairy sisters. This year she looks forward to being a party girl in the Nutcracker and an ice fairy, reindeer games, elves, and northern lights in Rudolph. When Kaitlyn isn’t dancing, she likes reading, drawing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. She is excited for another great year dancing with SSBYD!
Marcella Ashlock
Company III
Marcella is 14 years old and a ninth grader at San Marcos High School. She has been dancing with SSBA since she was 4 years old and is excited for her third year with SSBYD. Marcella has enjoyed the roles of a fairy sister in Thumbelina, an elf in Rudolph and a mongoose in The Jungle Book. This year Marcella is looking forward to being a party girl in The Nutcracker and a snowshoe hare in Rudolph. When she’s not dancing, Marcella enjoys going to the beach, mountain biking, and hanging out with friends.
Amanda Kabaretti
Company III
Amanda is 13 years old and an eighth grader at La Colina Jr. High. She has been dancing at State Street Ballet Academy since the age of 4 training in many styles including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Contemporary. Amanda is beyond thrilled to have the honor of being Clara in this year’s Nutcracker, as she is very excited for this big opportunity! Along with this, she will be a reindeer in Rudolph. Her favorite role she has done was as the “Changeling Child” in the State Street Ballet’s production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream. This will be her third year in SSBYD and she is very happy to be part of Company III. This will also be her first year attending festival, which she is definitely excited for! Amanda is looking forward to her future in dance and is grateful for all her friends and teachers at SSBA!
Bronwyn Waterfall
Company III
Bronwyn is 13 years old and an 8th grader at Goleta Valley Junior High. This is Bronwyn’s 7th year dancing with SSBA and her second year in SSBYD. Bronwyn was very lucky to be a part of the world premiere of “The Little Mermaid” this past season. She is excited to finally be a party girl in “The Nutcracker” this winter. When not dancing, Bronwyn loves to draw and paint, listen to music, read, go thrift shopping, and put cute outfits together. She loves her two black dogs, Mati and Zeus.
Mariam Mussman
Company III
Mariam Mussman is in 8th grade and homeschools through Heartland Charter. She has been with SSBA for five and a half years and is excited to be in her second year of SSBYD. This year she is looking forward to playing the part of an Ice Fairy and a Reindeer in Rudolph and a Party Girl in the Nutcracker. She is also looking forward to going to Reno, Nevada for the TBA Festival. When she isn’t dancing, Mariam enjoys writing, reading, music and spending time with her friends and family, especially her little sister, Orelya.
Katharina Probstel
Company III
Katharina, a dedicated 8th grader at Laguna Blanca School and a member of Company 3 with SSBYD, has been passionately dancing with SSB for approximately 4 years. She is exploring the variety of classes offered, including jazz and contemporary dance. When she is not dancing, she spends her time horseback riding. Katharina is looking forward to another year at State Street Ballet, where she has found a nurturing teaching environment and a supportive community. She is deeply appreciative of the opportunities and experiences she has gained and is excited for what the future holds!
Kayla Malengo
Company III
Kayla is very excited to be in SSBYD this year. She is currently attending San Marcos High School. She is excited to be a reindeer at play in Rudolph, and a party boy in the Nutcracker. One of her favorite roles that she has done is Battletoys in the Nutcracker. When not dancing, she enjoys being with friends, family, or being at beach She is excited for what opportunities SSBYD will bring this year.
Maureen Nealon
Company III
Maureen is an 12 year old seventh grader at La Colina Junior High. Currently in her second year in SSBYD. She continues to grow as a student and performer. She has participated in the Joffrey Sun Valley summer program(2024) and State Street Ballet intensive(2025)
Amelia Hanks
Company III
Amelia is a homeschooled freshman who has been at State Street for 2 years. She previously danced at the NJ School of Ballet where she performed in the NJ Ballet’s Nutcracker. She also performed in the annual tour of The Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet as a party girl. Recently, she participated in State Street Ballet’s summer intensive. When she is not dancing, Amelia can be found reading or crafting. She is looking forward to her first year at SSBYD.
Mila Messer
Company III
Mila Messer has been dancing with SSBA for 11 years. She has done the SSB intensive, SSBA junior intensives and ballet boot camp. Mila dances ballet, tap, contemporary and jazz. She appreciates her teachers and friends she has made at this studio.
Molly King
Company III
Molly is 13 years old, and in eighth grade. She has been dancing at State Street Ballet Academy since she was five years old, and this is her second year in SSBYD. She loves all forms of dance including ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Molly is excited to continue her development as a dancer through SSBYD. Outside of dance, Molly loves reading, hanging out with friends, going to concerts, and spending time with her younger brothers.
Sloane Estavillo
Company III
Sloane is fourteen years old and in eighth grade. She started dancing at age three and is now in her third year with State Street Ballet Academy and second in SSBYD. Sloane is looking forward to her roles as a Party Boy in The Nutcracker and a reindeer at play in Rudolph. In addition to dancing, Sloane loves reading, and spending time with her friends.
Svea Johnson
Company III
Svea is 13 years old and a 8th grader at Goleta Valley Junior High. She has been dancing since age 3 and with State Street Ballet since she was 10. This is her second year in SSBYD! Svea has had the privilege of dancing as an angel, toy solider, misfit toy, snowperson, and ice skater. She is looking forward to dancing as a reindeer at play in Rudolph and a party boy in this year’s Nutcracker. When she is not dancing, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, cuddling with her dog Wally, and going to the beach!
Annabelle Henderson
Company II
Annabelle is a twelve-year-old seventh grader at Laguna Blanca School. She began ballet at the age of 3 and has been dancing with SSBA for five years. Annabelle is so excited for her second year in SSBYD and can’t wait to be a battle toy in this year’s production of the Nutcracker! When Annabelle isn’t dancing, she enjoys reading, writing, baking, rafting, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.
Audrey Ashlock
Company II
Audrey is a 12 year old in 7th grade at La Colina junior high. She has danced with state street ballet academy since she was 2 years old and enjoys many styles of dance including ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap. She is in company 2 and this is her second year in SSBYD. Audrey is very excited to be a battle toy and a bon-bon leader in the Nutcracker, and a misfit toy in Rudolph. Outside of dance, Audrey enjoys reading, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends.
Hannah Klemann
Company II
Hannah Klemann, 12, has danced with the State Street Ballet Academy since age five. Now a 7th grader at Goleta Valley Junior High, she is excited for her second year performing with State Street Ballet Young Dancers and looks forward to appearing as a battle toy and bonbon helper in The Nutcracker. This past summer, she attended State Street Ballet Summer Intensive. Outside the studio, Hannah enjoys playing piano, exploring national parks, and has appeared on stage as Mrs. Potts in a production of Beauty and the Beast Jr.
Makenzie Bloom
Company II
Makenzie is 12 years old and in 7th grade. She moved to Santa Barbara from Colorado in 2020 and was thrilled to begin dancing at State Street Ballet Academy. This is her second year in SSBYD and she is very excited to perform as a battle toy in The Nutcracker and an ice skater in Rudolph. When she is not dancing, Makenzie enjoys singing, playing piano, and competing in tennis tournaments. She also loves reading, skiing, and having fun with her family.
Margot Sanchez
Company II
Margot is 13 years old and is in 8th grade at La Colina Junior High. She has been dancing with State Street Ballet Academy since she was 3. This is her 11th year dancing at SSBA and her second year in SSBYD. She enjoys dancing in many styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, and musical theatre. Margot has been in several shows with SSBA including “Tina the Ballerina”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “Rudolph”, “Thumbelina”, and “The Nutcracker.” She is looking forward to another great year dancing!
Sunny Siemens
Company II
Sunny is 12 years old and is currently a 7th grader at Crane Country Day School. She has been dancing with State Street Ballet since she was two years old and this is her second year taking part in SSBYD. Over the summer, she attended the State Street Ballet Summer Intensive and the Junior Intensive. Outside of dance, Sunny enjoys reading, traveling with her family, and spending time with friends. Sunny is so excited to be spending another year with SSBYD!
Lucca Cathey
Company II
Lucca, age 12, is a 7th grader at Trivium Charter School. She has been dancing since the age of five and is excited to be in her first season with State Street Ballet while. This year, she will appear as a Battle Toy in The Nutcracker and as an Ice Skater in Rudolph. When she is not dancing, Lucca enjoys going to the beach, traveling with her family, spending time with friends, and drawing. She is honored to be a part of SSBYD this year.
Elise Wildfeuer
Company II
Elise is 13 years old and is currently attending The Riviera Ridge School. She has been dancing at State Street Ballet Academy for a year and is very excited for her first year of SSBYD. One of her favorite roles was solider in the Nutcracker. This year she is looking forward to being a Battle toy in the Nutcracker and an ice-skater in Rudolph. When Elise isn’t dancing she enjoys playing volleyball, skiing, hanging out with her friends, and spending time with her family.
Charlotte Wootton
Company II
Charlotte Wootton is 14 years old and attends Santa Barbara High School. She has been dancing with State Street Ballet since she was 13 and she is happy to be in SSBYD this year! She is excited to perform as a Battle Toy in Nutcracker and an Ice Skater in Rudolph.
Chloë Confiac
Company II
Chloë is a 12-year-old who attends La Colina Junior High School. She has been dancing with the SSBA just over a year now and is excited for her first year as a SSBYD member. Chloë’s dream role is to be Rudolph, and she is excited to be a maid in the Nutcracker this year. She enjoys many styles of dance including ballet, jazz, and contemporary. In her free time, Chloë likes to play outside and cook with her mom.
Aurora Krainer
Company I
Aurora is 10 years old and currently in 5th grade. She began dancing at the age of 3 with State Street Ballet Academy. In addition to ballet, she enjoys jazz, tap, and contemporary. This past summer she participated in the junior intensive program. This is her first year with SSBYD, and she’s excited to perform in Rudolph, The Nutcracker, and many other upcoming shows.
When not dancing ballet Aurora enjoys skiing, playing tennis, and spending time with her dog Lavender. She also loves learning about marine biology and art.
Valentina Du Bourdieu
Company I
Valentina is an 11 year old, 5th grader at Crane Country Day School and has been dancing at State Street Ballet Academy since she was 3 years old. She is looking forward to dancing this upcoming season in the Nutcracker and Rudolph performances. As a first year SSBYD member, she is also excited to be dancing on pointe as often as she can! She has loved taking part in many performances during summer camps and junior intensives, her favorite role being Glinda this past summer dancing her first solo on pointe. Aside from dancing, she enjoys bracelet making, school, singing performances and spending time with her family, especially choreographing dances with her older sister.
Adeline Pifer
Company I
Adeline Pifer is a 4th grader at Montecito Union Elementary School. Adeline has been dancing since she was 2 years old. Aside from all things dance, Adeline enjoys crafting, singing, guitar, traveling and being with her friends and family.
Orelya Mussman
Company I
Orelya is in her first year of SSBYD and has been dancing since age 5. She is a 6th grade homeschooler through Heartland Charter School. This year she is looking forward to being an “Ice Skater” and a “Tapping Penguin” in Rudolf. She is also looking forward to being in the Nutcracker. In addition to dance her interests include playing piano, learning Hebrew, writing, singing, and making art. Orelya also enjoys spending time with her puppy Bo-Beau and her older sister Mariam, and she is so grateful and excited to be in SSBYD!
Geneveive Nevolo
Company I
Colette Rabb-Courson
Company I
Colette Rabb–Courson is 11 years old and has been dancing ballet since she was three. Ballet and contemporary are her favorite styles, and she has performed in four productions of The Nutcracker and three productions of Rudolph. She has also completed the State Street Academy Intensive, which strengthened her technique and passion for dance. This year, Colette is thrilled to be joining the SSBYD for her first season and is excited to grow as both a dancer and performer.
Outside of dance, Colette loves science and art. She is known for her creativity, curiosity, and joyful spirit, always eager to learn, create, and share her love of the arts.
Lillian Holehouse
Company I
Lillian Holehouse is a 13-year-old dancer from the city of Santa Barbara and currently attends Providence Upper school. She has been dancing for 10 years and is trained in ballet, contemporary, and Jazz. This year, she is very excited to perform as a soldier in The Nutcracker and an ice skater in Rudolph. She has attended several summer programs, where she’s grown both in technique and artistically. Lillian hopes to pursue her dancing career and is especially interested in choreography and teaching. She currently assists classes at State Street Ballet for Pre Ballet tap combo. She loves sharing her love of dance with other younger performers. Lastly she is excited to see what her first year of SSBYD will bring.
Sienna Hall
Company I
Sienna is 10 years old and a 5th grade student. She began her ballet training at State Street Ballet Academy at the age of 4 and quickly discovered a deep love for dance. This is her 7th year dancing with Sate Street Ballet Academy and her first year with SSBYD, and she is honored to continue her training and share her passion on stage. Outside of ballet, Sienna enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going to the beach, and traveling.
Raegan Tetalman
Company I
Raegan is in seventh grade at La Colina Junior High and has been dancing with State Street Ballet Academy since the age of three. This year marks her first year with State Street Ballet Young Dancers (SSBYD). Raegan enjoys exploring various styles of dance, such as jazz and contemporary, in addition to classical ballet. Over her many years with SSBA, some of her favorite memories include performing as a mouse in The Nutcracker and as a snowman in Rudolph. Outside of dance, Raegan loves singing, musical theater, spending time with her friends, and snuggling her cat, Milo.