Community Partner
Company Leadership
Roberta Phillips, Executive Director
Roberta Phillips brings a wealth of experience in the areas of strategic planning, community engagement and partnership collaboration. Roberta is dedicated to raising awareness, advocacy, and funding to the Carolina Ballet Theatre and recently joined Greenville Women Giving. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS), Roberta R. Phillips oversaw all operations of its nineteen branch libraries that serve a diverse population of approximately 960,000. Her work focused on advancing the community through inclusive practices, strategic and conceptual -thinking and evidence based best practices for 21 st century learning. In addition, she amplified community partnerships and community engagement with the library. Prior to working at PGCMLS, Phillips served as the Director of Planning and Projects for the award-winning Richland Library in Columbia, South Carolina. During her tenure at Richland Library, Phillips worked on strategic plan initiatives, community engagement and special projects. Most notably, Phillips coordinated interiors, space planning, and customer experiences for twelve building projects with three new facilities and nine renovations, including the renovation of the 240,000-square foot Main Library. Previously, she served as the Director of the Orangeburg County Library in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Roberta resides in Easley with her husband Chris, dog Finn and cat Kitts.
Email Roberta at roberta@carolinaballet.org
Hernan Justo, Artistic Director
Hernan was invited to become the Artistic Director of Carolina Ballet Theatre by its founder, Barbara Selvy, in 2000. He has been involved in all aspects of the company, from teaching classes, coaching, and teaching after-school dance and outreach classes to creating original works. His repertoire for the company is from classical to contemporary. Choreographing full-length ballets such as Hunchback of Notre Dame to his Award-winning choreography Pulling the Strings, which toured internationally with the company. Hernan has also brought world-renowned choreographers such as Alonzo King and Dwight Rhoden. His training came from the national ballet school of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Instituto Superior de Arte Teatro Colón. He joined the ballet Estable del Teatro Colón in 1982 and then Ballet del Teatro Argentino de la Plata two years later. 1988 his career took him to the Ballet de Santiago, Chile. After three years, Hernan joined the Ballet Clásico de Cámara in Caracas, Venezuela, under the direction of Nina Novak, formerly prima ballerina of Les Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.
Hernan arrived in the United States as a principal dancer with the Charlotte Ballet in 1994 under the artistic direction of the late Salvatore Aiello and later, Jean Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, and Jerri Kumery, all artists affiliated with New York City Ballet. He added to his repertoire several Balanchine masterpieces for which Dance Magazine and The New York Times critically acclaimed him. Hernan and his wife, Anita Pacylowski, co-direct and teach at DanceArts Greenville. When Hernan is not at the studio, you can find him watching soccer or enjoying a good movie, book, or meal.
Anita Pacylowski-Justo, Associate Artistic Director
Anita Pacylowski-Justo, a native of Columbia, MD, trained at the Washington School of Ballet in Washington, D.C. She is a Princess Grace Award in Dance winner, a National Young Arts Level 1 winner, and received the Presidential Scholar in the Arts in Dance award by the White House Commission on the Arts. She was a finalist at the New York International Ballet Competition, a semi-finalist at the Prix de Lausanne, and a Benois de la Danse Award nominee who was invited to perform in Moscow. At The Washington Ballet, she was coached and trained by Patricia Berrend.
Anita began her professional career with The Washington Ballet under the artistic direction of Mary Day, Kevin McKenzie, and Simon Dow. Her international tours included Russia, Thailand, Singapore, France, England, and Spain. Highlights include performing The Nutcracker’s Grand Pas de Deux at the Kennedy Center for President Clinton and at the White House Holiday Tea Party.
She later joined Charlotte Ballet as a principal dancer, working under the artistic direction of Salvatore Aiello, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, and Jerri Kumery. There, she met her husband, Hernan Justo. After seven years, they became artistic leaders of the Carolina Ballet Theatre.
For the past twenty years, Anita has been a guiding force in the dance community as the co-director of DanceArts Greenville. Her influence extends beyond the studio, as she served on the Fine Arts Center Board of Directors, co-chaired the Parent Engagement Committee, and was a member of the Presidential Scholar Alumni Association’s steering committee. From 2017-2021, Anita was the Associate Academy Director of Charlotte Ballet, where she continues to share her expertise as a guest teacher and consultant. In 2022, she joined the Fine Arts Center Dance, directed by Gina Buntz, as the main ballet instructor, teaching all levels of ballet and serving as the YoungArts coordinator and coach. In 2023, she launched the Alonzo King Immersion Project for Fine Arts Center Dance, a testament to her commitment to inspiring the next generation.
Outside of her professional achievements, Anita finds joy in her personal life. She is a proud mother of three adult children: Martin, Sofia, and Nicolas. In her free time, she enjoys life’s simple pleasures, such as her Augusta Road Pure Barre sessions, walks with her Havashu pup, Ellie, and dining out with her husband, Hernan, at Local Restaurant 05. Her love for a good margarita and chips is a testament to her down-to-earth nature. Anita is grateful to be a resident of Greenville by choice and is enamored by the vibrant arts scene that continues to flourish.
Erica Sturman, Ballet Répétiteur
Erica is a native of Springfield, Illinois, where she began dancing at the age of 3 under the direction of Grace Nanavatti. She then joined the Springfield Ballet Company in 1999 under the direction of Julie Ratz. She performed many leading and soloist roles, including Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Odette in Swan Lake, and Princess Fluorine in Sleeping Beauty. In 2005, Erica moved to Greenville, SC, to start her professional training and career with Carolina Ballet Theatre under artistic direction from Hernan Justo. She has performed in many leading and soloist roles in classical and contemporary ballets set by Hernan Justo and resident choreographer Francesca Genovese. These include Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker, Carabosse and Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Ambrosia in Francesca Genovese’s The Ribbon, Eva Peron in Hernan Justo’s The Chestnut of Your Eyes Erased and the wife of a military soldier in He Never Came Back. She had the opportunity to tour Uruguay, South America, with CBT and perform in four cities. Erica also had the extreme privilege of working with and performing Alonzo King’s “Map” and Dwight Roden’s “Beetlejuice.” Erica has been a dance instructor at DAG since 2007. When Erica is not in the studio, she enjoys time with her husband, Andrew, and their baby boy, Beckett.
Company Dancers
Meghan Loman
Originally from Springfield, Illinois, Meghan grew up in the Midwest. She began teaching under the mentorship of Grace Luttrell Nanavati, founder of the Springfield Ballet Company, where she started her professional dance career at age 15. She has been with CBT since 2011.
She has had the amazing opportunity to teach and perform all over the US, learning and working with many companies and Choreographers such as; Julie Tice (Paul Taylor Dance Company), Dwight Rhoden (Complexions Contemporary Ballet), Mark Diamond (NCDT/ Charlotte Ballet), Jerri Kumery (NCDT, Richmond Ballet, The George Balanchine Trust, & Salvatore Aiello Trust), Mia Cunningham (NCDT, Salvatore Aiello Trust) Herman Marcus Payne, (Broadway Theatre Project, Juilliard & Miami City Ballet), Krenly Guzman (UCLA, Ventura College), Savion Glover (Broadway and American tap legend), Margi Cole ( The Dance COLLEctive), Wilfredo Rivera (Hubbard Street Dance, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre & River North Dance Chicago), Robert Philander-Valentine (Ballet Memphis, Hong Kong Ballet, Nashville Ballet & Missouri Ballet Theatre), Hernan Justo (NCDT, Carolina Ballet theatre), Carlos Agudelo and Lona Gomez (Spartanburg Ballet), Alexei Khimenko (Bolshoi Ballet and Opera Theatre) and Shamil Yagudin (Bolshoi Ballet and Opera Theatre)
Meghan’s journey has led her to the Upstate and Greenville, South Carolina, which she proudly calls home. She is deeply grateful for the students she has had the privilege to teach, inspire, and watch grow over the years. Her heart is set on nurturing many more budding talents in the years to come.
Martin Justo
Martin Justo, originally from Caracas, Venezuela, began dancing in 1999. He trained at the Quinte Ballet School in Canada and the School of Carolina Ballet Theatre (now known as DanceArts Greenville), where he built a strong foundation in classical ballet.
Martin’s career has taken him around the world. He toured Uruguay with Carolina Ballet Theatre and performed as a guest artist in Fujinomiya, Japan, where he danced the pas de deux from famous ballets like Giselle, La Bayadère, and Swan Lake. Some of his standout roles include the Nutcracker Prince in Hernan Justo’s The Nutcracker, the Mad Scientist in Madeline Jazz’s Super Heroes, and the male soloist in A Tango for Angelina. He has also performed contemporary works like Dwight Rhoden’s Beatle Juice and Alonzo King’s Map.
From 2015 to 2017, Martin was with Boulder Ballet, where he took on various roles in The Nutcracker and contemporary pieces like Stepping Out by Lance Hardin and Ana Claire. During a Mother’s Day show, he also performed in Peter Davidson’s American in Paris.
Martin has played significant roles in Carolina Ballet Theatre’s productions over multiple seasons. In the 2021-2022 season, Martin played Zuniga in Carmen and participated in Hernan Justo’s Tangofusion. In the 2022-2023 season, he again performed as the Master of Ceremonies in Ghosts and the Mountaineer in Snow Princess. In the 2023-2024 season, he was the Master of Ceremonies in Ghosts, the Cavalier and Nutcracker Prince in The Nutcracker, and the Principal Pirate in Pirate and the Princess.
Martin has been teaching for six years at DanceArts Greenville in South Carolina. He leads the Carolina Ballet Theatre Boys Program and teaches the Adult Ballet class. He also teaches at schools in the Greenville Upstate area, including The Dance Shop, LA Dance Factory, and Legacy Dance SC. Martin is the Teaching Artist in Residence for Greenville Schools’ A.R.M.E.S. Dance program, focusing on ballet and boys technique. He also taught in the Shock Dance Summer Program in 2024 and was a judge for the SC Dance Masters Competition 2021. Additionally, he has worked as a teacher in the ballet program at Upstate Carolina Dance Center.
Martin’s career reflects his dedication, versatility, and passion for dance as a performer and teacher.
Gabrielle Moore
Gabrielle began dancing at the age of 2 ½ in New York. After moving to South Carolina, she trained with The School of Carolina Ballet Theatre and International Ballet Academy for several years. In 2016, she began dancing under Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux at Charlotte Ballet Academy; in 2017, she joined the trainee program there. During her time at Charlotte Ballet, she has also had the pleasure of working with many great instructors, such as Michael Vernon, Lazlo Berdo, Stephanie Martinez, and Peter Chu.
Gabrielle has attended summer intensives at Ballet West, Houston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and the Chautauqua Institution. She has enjoyed many roles, including Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Grande Pas Classique female variation, Kitri’s Variation in Don Quixote, Russian Girl in Serenade, and My One and Only in Who Cares. Gabrielle recently moved from Virginia, where she spent two seasons dancing in the company with Roanoke Ballet Theater.
Brandon Penn
Brandon was born and raised in Richmond, VA. At age 10, he began his dance training at the Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center, where he studied with Annette Holt, Rodney Williams, and Willie Hinton, learning various styles. He later enrolled in the School of Richmond Ballet, where he studied under Igor Antanov, Malcolm Burn, and more. After spending three years at the Richmond Ballet, Mr. Penn was accepted as a company trainee while completing his senior year. After graduating, Brandon spent one year at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Purchase College Conservatory for Dance, studying under Larry Clark, Taryn Russell, and Ted Kivitt. After spending a year at SUNY, Penn was offered a position with Atlanta Ballet 2. After two years there, Brandon was offered a company position with the Columbia City Ballet. Later, after much experience and repertory under his belt, Brandon accepted a principal contract with the Fort Wayne Ballet, where he just finished his second season. Since then, he has taken upon a freelance career and guested around the country before joining Carolina Ballet Theatre, as this is his first season. He would like to immensely thank his family for all of their love, support, and words of wisdom. Sofia Justo
Sofia Justo is embarking on her second year as a professional dancer with the Carolina Ballet Theatre and as a full-time instructor at DanceArts Greenville. In addition to her performance and teaching roles, she contributes as a choreographer for the company and the school. Her choreography has garnered notable accolades, including a 3rd place regional finish and a Top 12 placement worldwide at the Youth American Grand Prix competition. Sofia earned her bachelor’s degree in dance performance and choreography with a cognate in education from the University of South Carolina. Her career has been enriched through collaborations with esteemed directors and artists such as Alonzo King, Dwight Rhoden, and Mark Diamond. She has had the privilege of performing works by these distinguished choreographers, as well as Antique Epigraphs by Jerome Robbins (set by Jennifer Ringer), Antony Tudor’s Fandango (set by John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow), and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company works (set by the company’s dancers). Before attending college, Sofia performed with Carolina Ballet Theatre as a community cast member. She also attended a local arts high school, The Fine Arts Center, with director Jan Woodward and Gina Buntz. Her favorite pieces to perform with the company are Merceditas and Tango for Angelina by Hernan Justo. Her favorite ballet to perform is Ghosts. This year will mark Sofia’s 16th Nutcracker with Carolina Ballet Theatre. Sofia is dedicated to expanding her dance knowledge to inspire her audiences and future generations of dancers.
Marja’ Quaqua
Marja’ was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina- her journey with dancing began when she was 3, and from that young age, her love and passion for dancing only grew. In 2015, Marja’ attended a prestigious ballet competition called Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), ranking Top 12 and Top 3 in the semi-finals under her ballet and contemporary category, granting her a chance to go to the finals. From then on, she participated again in said competition- performing in the semi-finals and finals of YAGP, and in April 2023, Marja placed Top 12 in her trio against 38 countries. Marja’ has done several works such as The Nutcracker, Arabian Nights, Snow White, Chants, Fairy Doll, Who Cares, Esmeralda, La Sylphides, and Don Quixote.Marja’ has attended Summer Intensives at the International City School of Ballet (Atlanta, GA), Sheer Elite International (NYC), and Orlando Ballet School (Orlando, FL). She has also worked with renowned teachers such as Charmaine Hunter, Phillip Broomhead, Amyia Burrel, Natasha Glos, Ashley Boulder, Julia Erickson, Francis and Lauren Veyette, and Gonzalo Espinoza. She has traveled along the East Coast as a guest artist, more specifically for Ballet in The City (a non-profit organization). Marja’ has been listed in several articles, such as Brown Girls Do Ballet (5 To Watch) and Ballet in The City. She made her debut in a book called Anti Racism In Ballet. Marja’ began her apprenticeship with Carolina Ballet Theatre in 2023 and is overjoyed to be continuing with this company as a teacher and professional.
Chris Collins
Chris Collins received his training from the Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education, on scholarship with the Joffrey Ballet School, Hubbard Street Dance summer intensive, and Point Park University. He has performed with Gelsey Kirkland Academy and the Joffrey Ballet School, and with Ballet for Young Audiences in New York City. Chris has performed various lead roles in several companies across the country including Carolina Ballet Theatre, Springfield Ballet, Western Ballet, and Ballet Theater Company. He’s had the pleasure of performing in the Rochester City Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ for many many years dancing the roles of the Cavalier, Russian Trepak, and Snow King to name a few. He has danced works by many prestigious choreographers such as George Balanchine, Sidra Bell, Alonzo King, David Palmer, Salvatore Aiello, Danny Rosseel, Kate Skarpetowska and more. He’s also had the privilege to guest teach at Foot Hills Dance Conservatory in South Carolina and Terpsichore Dance in North Carolina as well as Nazareth College, Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Rochester.
Pre Professionals
Jessie Arnold
Jessie Arnold is currently in her second season as a pre-professional dancer with Carolina Ballet Theatre. Her dance journey began in South Carolina at Foothills Dance Conservatory, where she trained for eight years under the direction of Ginny Siano-Eck. During this time, her passion for dance thrived through performances in school outreach programs, community events, and annual productions of The Nutcracker. In addition to her work at Carolina Ballet Theatre and training at Foothills Dance Conservatory, Jessie has appeared in the dance short film Tempest’s Edge and the dance project Composite Identity. She continues to express her love for movement and storytelling both on stage and in the studio, teaching and encouraging the next generation of dancers. Jessie is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of her family and friends, whose encouragement has helped make her dream a reality.
Andrea Gonzalez
Andrea Gonzalez began her professional training at the age of 13 at Ballet Spartanburg, where she also joined StarMakers Dance Company, competing in various genres, including acro, contemporary, jazz, tap, and Irish dance. The following year, she was invited to train with Ballet Spartanburg’s pre-professional program. At the age of 16, she trained with the Drake School of Irish Dance, going on to compete in numerous feis, including the 2021 Oireachtas. The same year, she began training with International Ballet in Greenville, joining their pre-professional company the following season. During her training with International Ballet, she performed a La Fille Mal Gardee soloist duet in Ballet to Broadway, danced in The Nutcracker, played the Young Girl in La Sylphide, competed in Grand Jete, and performed various roles in Swan Lake, including the Little Swans and Neapolitan. She was also the Historian for the 2024 National Honor Society for Dance Arts. During her 2024-2025 season with Carolina Ballet Theatre, she performed as the Military Doll, Bridesmaid, and Snow Princess in The Nutcracker, as well as her most recent role as Snow White. Andrea is very excited for her second year with Carolina Ballet Theatre’s pre-professional program, and she also looks forward to continuing to choreograph for local studios. She resides in Boiling Springs, South Carolina.
Aimee LaRue
Aimee LaRue is from Greenville, South Carolina, where she grew up dancing at Carolina Ballet Theatre under the direction of Hernan Justo and Anita Pacylowski-Justo. She received additional training from Barbara English and studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, and modern. Aimee joined the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in 2018 to continue her dance training. While studying, she attended the SCGSAH summer intensive, as well as other programs, such as the School of American Ballet and Chautauqua in New York. Aimee has worked with notable choreographers and instructors, including Desmond Richardson, Alonzo King, Patricia McBride, Jennifer Ringer, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Kurt Douglas, and many more.
Aimee graduated from the University of South Carolina, earning a BA in Dance Performance and Choreography, as well as Advertising and Public Relations. Upon graduating, Aimee began her professional career, teaching dance classes to young students.
Rebekah Purdom
Rebekah Purdom is a native of Asheville, North Carolina, where she received all of her formal dance training before joining CBT. During her time as a student at the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville, under the artistic leadership of Angie Lynn, Rebekah performed both principal and soloist roles, including Myrtha (Giselle), the Arabian (Nutcracker), and Seraphina (Paquita), as well as various corps de ballet roles. She was also granted both teaching and choreographic opportunities during her time at BCA. In conjunction with her training during the school year, Rebekah attended multiple summer intensives, including those with the Washington Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, and the UNC School of the Arts, among others. Since joining CBT for their 2024/2025 season, Rebekah has been provided with a multitude of opportunities to grow as an artist. These opportunities have ranged from performing works such as “Waiting Room,” choreographed by Salvatore Aiello, and “Switch,” choreographed by Hernan Justo, to expanding her teaching and choreographic capabilities, and participating in outreach programs that bring the performing arts to the local community. Outside of dance, Rebekah is a Retail Marketing major attending college online and is a proud inductee of two academic honor societies. Rebekah is thrilled to be continuing her dance journey, joining Carolina Ballet Theatre for a second season!
Alina Shaner
Alina Shaner was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and began her training with the School of Carolina Ballet Theatre under the direction of Anita Pacylowski-Justo and Hernan Justo. In 2021, Alina graduated from the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities and furthered her training at Florida State University. Alina later transferred to the University of South Carolina, where she earned her BA in Dance Performance and Choreography with a cognate in pre-physical therapy.
Alina has worked with notable choreographers and instructors, including Alonzo King, Desmond Richardson, Xavier Núñez, Larissa Gerszke, Kara Wilkes, Ashley Wheater, and many more. Alina has performed in works with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet Chicago.
Alina is extremely excited to join Carolina Ballet Theatre for the 2025-26 season as a pre-professional dancer.