The NUTCRACKER Performers

This is Janelle's second year with Borderlands. She was promoted to Principal dancer in 2022. She has been previously featured in BBC's productions as Dew Drop Fairy (Nutcracker 2021) and the Fairy Godmother (Cinderella 2022). This year, Janelle was delighted to attend Dark Circles Contemporary Dance's Desert Peaks workshop.

As a founding member, this is Daniel's sixth year dancing with Borderlands Company. He originated the roles of Jake Marlowe (Cafe Noir, 2017) and Altan (The Persistence of Air, 2018). Last season, he danced the Chocolate variation in BBC's 2021 production of the Nutcracker and gave an unforgettable performance as Skinny, the Ugly Stepsister in Cinderella (2022).

(she/her) Skye is a Bryan, Texas-raised emerging artist who graduated from Southern Methodist University in May 2022. She received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance alongside a B.A. in Psychology. Skye is passionate about getting her master’s in counseling to work with adolescents struggling with mental health problems. Skye has performed in choreographic works by Robert Battle, Take Ueyama, Caleb Teicher, Joy Bollinger, Michelle Gibson, Mark Burrell, Pat Taylor, Brandi Coleman, and Joshua L. Peugh. She is thrilled and appreciative to be dancing with Dark Circles Contemporary Dance for the first time. (Sponsored by AAMCO of Las Cruces)

(he/him) Chadi, a native of Beirut, Lebanon, graduated from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, with a B.A. in Theology, Sociology, and Applied Research Methods. He then pursued a B.F.A. at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Conservatory of Music and Dance. He was a resident artist for Charlotte Street Foundation's Urban Culture Project (2013) and has had choreographic residencies with DCCDUSA, Modern Night at the Folly Festival, AROVA Contemporary Ballet, and Youth America Grand Prix. He joined DCCDUSA as a dancer in 2014 and assumed the role of Executive Director in the fall of 2015. Chadi's corporate background includes over 13 years of experience. In addition to his leadership role with DCCDUSA, Chadi is working towards an M.B.A. in Business Analytics from Southern Methodist University. He is also a Director overseeing Provider Collaboration Business Development at Elevance Health. (Sponsored by Northrise Dental)

JP joined Borderlands Ballet in 2021 and was promoted to Principal this year. Last season he performed the Nutcracker/Cavalier lead and pulled off a tour de force performance as Dumpy, the Second Ugly Stepsister in Cinderella.

Saddie joined Borderlands this year as a Company member. From Ruidoso, Saddie has danced for a number of years with the Dali Dance Company. Key roles include Sugar Plum and Dew Drop from The Nutcracker, Kitri from Don Quixote, Paquita from Paquita.

Rachel danced with Borderlands Ballet as an apprentice dancer in the 2016 production of Cafe Noir. After a short hiatus, she returned to Borderlands last year to dance the title role in Cinderella.

A founding member of BBC, Joshua originated the role of Ethan Stone (Cafe Noir, 2017) and Erebus Grimely (The Persistence of Air, 2018). In 2019 he performed the lead male role (Don Jose) in Carmen. Last year you might have seen him in the Nutcracker doing the Peacock pas de deux or playing the Prince in Cinderella.

This will be Maitlyn's first performance as a Borderlands company member. A strong dancer, we think you'll be as glad as we are that she joined the show!

As a Borderlands apprentice in 2017, Ally originated the role of Air (The Persistence of Air). She rejoined the Company this year as a member after a performing as a guest artist in El Paso Ballet Theatre’s production of Les Sylphides and The Nutcracker.

Olivia jointed Borderlands Ballet in 2021, performing featured roles as the Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker) and the Summer Faerie (Cinderella). She will be originating the Green Tea Cricket role for BBC this season.

Ryleigh has been a Borderlands Company member since 2021. Last year she was featured in the Coffee variation (Nutcracker) and as the Spring Faerie (Cinderella).