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Distinguished Alumni
JUSTIN ABEL
Originally from League City, Texas, Justin Abel began dancing when he was 9 years old at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. During his five years there, he trained and performed alongside the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater.
From 2014–2021, Abel performed with Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater, Feijóo Ballet School, and Next Generation Ballet. During this time, he performed various roles in The Nutcracker, including the Snow King and Sugar Plum Cavalier, as well as Siegfried in Swan Lake. He also participated in YAGP Houston and Tampa Regionals, where he placed in the top 3 in the Pas De Deux category and was a finalist at ADC IBC 2021.
That same year, Abel moved to Nashville to join NB2, Nashville Ballet’s official second company. During this time, he performed several works by Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling, including Peter Pan, Cinderella, Billy the Kid, Firebird, and Appalachian Springs. He has also danced in several world premieres by Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin, Alia Kache, Company Dancer Julia Eisen, Charlotte BoyeChristensen, Justin Peck, and Jiří Kylián. He cites Mullikin’s He Loved Big Brother as his favorite, as he felt like it pushed him out of his comfort zone to explore new types of movement and technique.
Abel was promoted to company apprentice in November of 2022 then promoted to Company Artist in 2024. When he’s not rehearsing, he enjoys teaching the next generation of dancers at School of Nashville Ballet, as well as spending time with loved ones and enjoying the beautiful city of Nashville.
From 2014–2021, Abel performed with Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater, Feijóo Ballet School, and Next Generation Ballet. During this time, he performed various roles in The Nutcracker, including the Snow King and Sugar Plum Cavalier, as well as Siegfried in Swan Lake. He also participated in YAGP Houston and Tampa Regionals, where he placed in the top 3 in the Pas De Deux category and was a finalist at ADC IBC 2021.
That same year, Abel moved to Nashville to join NB2, Nashville Ballet’s official second company. During this time, he performed several works by Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling, including Peter Pan, Cinderella, Billy the Kid, Firebird, and Appalachian Springs. He has also danced in several world premieres by Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin, Alia Kache, Company Dancer Julia Eisen, Charlotte BoyeChristensen, Justin Peck, and Jiří Kylián. He cites Mullikin’s He Loved Big Brother as his favorite, as he felt like it pushed him out of his comfort zone to explore new types of movement and technique.
Abel was promoted to company apprentice in November of 2022 then promoted to Company Artist in 2024. When he’s not rehearsing, he enjoys teaching the next generation of dancers at School of Nashville Ballet, as well as spending time with loved ones and enjoying the beautiful city of Nashville.
ALEXANDER ÁLVAREZ
Alexander Álvarez Silvestre was born in Hiqüey (Dominican Republic) in 2003, but grew up in San Juan (Puerto Rico). He started dancing at the age of 16 at the Centro Danza in San Juan. He then moved to Texas (United States) where he studied for a year at the Feijóo Ballet School and was a member of Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre. During this same year, he participated in the Youth America Grand Prix. There, he received a scholarship to complete his ballet training at the Dutch National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam, where he graduated in 2023. During his studies in Amsterdam, Alexander has already had the opportunity to dance in The Sleeping Beauty by Dutch National Ballet. As of season 2023/2024, he joined the Junior Company.
KENNEDY BALLARD
Kennedy made his stage debut at age 4 as a party boy in The Nutcracker with the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre. Kennedy grew up at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts with Ms. Lynette Mason Gregg where he trained exclusively until the summer of 2015, when he studied at the prestigious School of American Ballet. In 2016, he trained at Feijóo Ballet School under the direction of Lorna Feijóo and Nelson Madrigal. Kennedy was a Principal Dancer with the Huntsville Ballet Company for three years. He is currently in his second season as a Company Artist with Ballet Memphis.
Throughout his career, Kennedy has performed many roles. Some of his favorites are Albrecht (Giselle), Seigfried (Swan Lake), Basilio (Don Quixote), Lead Man (Durante Verzola’s Many a New Day), Lysander (Mark Godden’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Principal Man (George Balanchine’s Donizetti Variations), and Sugarplum Cavalier (The Nutcracker). Kennedy would like to thank Lorna Feijóo, Lorena Feijóo, Nelson Madrigal, Natalie Zundel, his parents, and Lynette Mason Gregg for everything he has become.
Throughout his career, Kennedy has performed many roles. Some of his favorites are Albrecht (Giselle), Seigfried (Swan Lake), Basilio (Don Quixote), Lead Man (Durante Verzola’s Many a New Day), Lysander (Mark Godden’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Principal Man (George Balanchine’s Donizetti Variations), and Sugarplum Cavalier (The Nutcracker). Kennedy would like to thank Lorna Feijóo, Lorena Feijóo, Nelson Madrigal, Natalie Zundel, his parents, and Lynette Mason Gregg for everything he has become.
KEVIN CAHOON
Broadway : Shucked ( Tony, Drama Desk Nominations ),The Who’s Tommy, The Lion King, The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Wedding Singer. Off-Broadway: Hedwig and The Angry Inch ( also Boston, San Fransisco, Edinburgh), The Foreigner ( Lortel Nomination ),The Wild Party, How I Learned To Drive, The Shaggs. TV: Monarch, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, GLOW, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Nurse Jackie, Modern Family, Six Degrees, The Good Wife, Elementary, among others. Film: So Cold The River, Mars Needs Moms, I Am Michael, The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion, among others. Regional : The Guthrie, Williamstown, The Old Globe, Bard Summerscape, The Ahmanson. NYU -Tisch. As a director, concerts, events, developmental productions at Ars Nova, 8 consecutive NYTW Galas, plays and musicals at George Street and many others.
CAITLIN CANNON
Caitlin began her career at 18 years old, kicking eye high as a Radio City Rockette. Select performing credits: White Christmas, Annie w/ Sadie Sink, Spamalot, A Chorus Line, Show Boat (HGO.) Choreo credits include Figaro 90210 (Associate Choreographer, Off-Bway,) Thoroughly Modern Millie, Grease, Annie, Fiddler. Caitlin conceived, directed, and choreographed the dance webseries Who Could Ask For Anything More. She has taught at STEPS & BDC in NYC & is currently on faculty at HSPVA and Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance. Proud RAFA & BAHBT alum! For Makenzie.
@CaitlinCannonChoreo & @CaitlinCannonPhotography (IG.)
@CaitlinCannonChoreo & @CaitlinCannonPhotography (IG.)
LAUREN FRERE
Lauren born and trained in Houston, Texas at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. During her time there her principal teachers were Miroslav Bart and Milena Leben under the direction of Lynette Mason Gregg. Her professional credits include Sarasota Ballet, Columbia Classical Ballet, and First State Ballet Theater. She has performed many of the principal classical ballet repertoire during her career as well as contemporary works by choreographers such as George Balanchine, Frederick Ashton, and Viktor Plotnikov. Ms. Frere left Sarasota Ballet to pursue other classical artistic opportunities. She became Principal dancer of Columbia Classical Ballet under the direction of Radenko Pavlovich where she forged a memorable partnership with her partner Ivan Popov. In 2011, their partnership was put on display as the season opened with a significant premiere – Swan Lake was Lauren’s first opportunity to dance the principal role traditionally as both Odette/Odile. The State, South Carolina's largest newspaper, recognized her performance as one of the "2011 Moments in Art", proclaiming “It was Lauren Frere, who danced the roles of Princess Odette and Odile, who made the performance spectacular. Her dancing was precise, lyrical and a joy to watch.” Ms. Frere joined First State Ballet Theater in 2014 as a Principal dancer under the direction of Pasha Kambalov until her retirement in 2017. Lauren is honored to return to BAHBT and to continue the legacy of the organization she once called her home.
VANESSA GARNER
is the daughter of BAHBT founder, Lynette Mason Gregg. Vanessa is originally from Houston, TX and currently resides in Nashville, TN with her husband Grey and their two children, Will and Hattie Grey. Vanessa is the founder and Artistic Director of Nashville Theatre School, a children's musical theatre school in West Nashville.
Vanessa began her career in musical theatre at the age of 7 in New York City in the off-broadway production of “Really Rosie”, where she played the role of Kathy and recorded the cast album. Upon returning to Houston, she performed with both Theatre Under the Stars and Houston Grand Opera, while attending the High School for Performing Arts. After graduating from Houston’s High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Vanessa appeared in the national tour of “Bye, Bye, Birdie” with Tommy Tune and Ann Reinking.
Vanessa graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelors in Business Administration / Music Business in Nashville, while performing at Opryland in “And the Winner Is”. Vanessa also performed with Opryland Productions in The Opryland Hotel’s “A Country Christmas” as well as at The Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a season.
In 2000, Vanessa wrote and recorded a solo album, “A Letter Home to You”. Her record received national radio airplay, as well as a “Just Plain Folks” award in 2001. Her song “Not the One” was featured on the hit TV show “Dawson’s Creek”.
Vanessa soon returned to her musical theatre roots and began teaching musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (RAFA), in Houston, TX. Producing over 25 musicals for children and overseeing RAFA’s Broadway Studio Workshop program. In addition to working with RAFA students, she also produced 6 main stage professional productions for Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre (BAHBT), alongside director Kevin Cahoon. Vanessa served as the Artistic / Executive Director for RAFA & the interim Artistic Director for BAHBT between 2014-2015. In 2016, Vanessa began teaching musical theatre classes to preschool and elementary school aged children in Nashville. Within a year, the program grew into Nashville Theatre School providing professional musical theatre training for over 200 students with mainstage musicals, Summer Intensive programs and a full, year round program of classes in music, theatre and dance.
Vanessa has lived in Nashville for the last 25 years and is married to Grey Garner; they have two children, 20 year old Will who attends Ole Miss and 18 year old Hattie Grey who attends The Ensworth School.
Vanessa began her career in musical theatre at the age of 7 in New York City in the off-broadway production of “Really Rosie”, where she played the role of Kathy and recorded the cast album. Upon returning to Houston, she performed with both Theatre Under the Stars and Houston Grand Opera, while attending the High School for Performing Arts. After graduating from Houston’s High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Vanessa appeared in the national tour of “Bye, Bye, Birdie” with Tommy Tune and Ann Reinking.
Vanessa graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelors in Business Administration / Music Business in Nashville, while performing at Opryland in “And the Winner Is”. Vanessa also performed with Opryland Productions in The Opryland Hotel’s “A Country Christmas” as well as at The Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a season.
In 2000, Vanessa wrote and recorded a solo album, “A Letter Home to You”. Her record received national radio airplay, as well as a “Just Plain Folks” award in 2001. Her song “Not the One” was featured on the hit TV show “Dawson’s Creek”.
Vanessa soon returned to her musical theatre roots and began teaching musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (RAFA), in Houston, TX. Producing over 25 musicals for children and overseeing RAFA’s Broadway Studio Workshop program. In addition to working with RAFA students, she also produced 6 main stage professional productions for Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre (BAHBT), alongside director Kevin Cahoon. Vanessa served as the Artistic / Executive Director for RAFA & the interim Artistic Director for BAHBT between 2014-2015. In 2016, Vanessa began teaching musical theatre classes to preschool and elementary school aged children in Nashville. Within a year, the program grew into Nashville Theatre School providing professional musical theatre training for over 200 students with mainstage musicals, Summer Intensive programs and a full, year round program of classes in music, theatre and dance.
Vanessa has lived in Nashville for the last 25 years and is married to Grey Garner; they have two children, 20 year old Will who attends Ole Miss and 18 year old Hattie Grey who attends The Ensworth School.
AMANDA GLADU
is a New York City based costume designer working in theater, dance, opera, and film. She's designed and associate designed at esteemed companies such as Lincoln Center Theatre, Joe's Pub, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Spoleto Festival, The Wilma Theater, Arena Stage, Roundabout Theatre Company, New York Theatre Workshop, and Second Stage. Select recent projects include Lunch Dances (Monica Bill Barnes & Co, NYC), Scales on the Wings of a Butterfly (BalletX, Philadelphia), Ghosts of Versailles (Shepherd School of Music, Houston), Silent Light (National Sawdust, NYC), Threshold (ParaMar Dance Theatre, Chicago), and Peerless (59 E 59, NYC). Upcoming: Amadeus (Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago), La Passion de Simone (Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia). Amanda received the 2017 Michael Merritt Academic Award for Collaborative Design for Northwestern University. She holds an M.F.A. in Stage Design from Northwestern University, and dual B.A. degrees in Dance and Art History from the University of Texas at Austin. Amanda has held faculty positions in costume design at Northwestern University, Ithaca College and Boston University, and will be Special Visiting Faculty in Costume Design at Carnegie Mellon University in the upcoming academic year. She sends unending love and gratitude to her family for never for a moment questioning her artistic path, and to BAHBT for being the artistic home of her youth.
AYMAN HARPER
Ayman is an interdisciplinary artist and educator committed to the performing and visual arts community. A 25-year veteran, he has performed in over 25 countries and has taught across five continents.
A former dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Netherlands Dance Theater 2, Frankfurt Ballet and The Forsythe Company, he has collaborated with and performed works by some of his field’s most influential artists.
In 2009 he was extended a personal invitation from Mikhail Baryshnikov to perform alongside of him at the Baryshnikov Arts Center Gala. Harper has staged William Forsythe repertoire on companies across the globe including Paris Opera, La Scala, Nederlands Dans Theater, San Francisco Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, English National Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, Semperoper Dresden, Dutch Nationale Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance and Sydney Dance company.
Harper has been an avid practitioner and teacher of improvisation for over 25 years and as Choreographer has created for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago 2, Netherlands Dance Theater 2, The Forsythe company, as well as various international companies and universities including Bar Area Houston Ballet and Theater.
As an interdisciplinary artist, he collaborated with Arto Lindsay and Rirkrit Tiravanijaa on a parade for Paris’ Nuit Blanche Festival. In the field of music his tap dancing has been featured on track “You” from the album The Marriage of True Minds by electronic musicians Matmos.
Harper has always been driven to pursue his love of pedagogy alongside his performance and choreographic career. Through this he has developed an approach to instruction that encourages nonviolent communication and promotes the exploration of artistic sensibilities, while emphasizing accessibility and inclusion to all that wish to experience it.
Born in Houston, Texas, Harper received his education at High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, The Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater.
A former dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Netherlands Dance Theater 2, Frankfurt Ballet and The Forsythe Company, he has collaborated with and performed works by some of his field’s most influential artists.
In 2009 he was extended a personal invitation from Mikhail Baryshnikov to perform alongside of him at the Baryshnikov Arts Center Gala. Harper has staged William Forsythe repertoire on companies across the globe including Paris Opera, La Scala, Nederlands Dans Theater, San Francisco Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, English National Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, Semperoper Dresden, Dutch Nationale Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance and Sydney Dance company.
Harper has been an avid practitioner and teacher of improvisation for over 25 years and as Choreographer has created for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago 2, Netherlands Dance Theater 2, The Forsythe company, as well as various international companies and universities including Bar Area Houston Ballet and Theater.
As an interdisciplinary artist, he collaborated with Arto Lindsay and Rirkrit Tiravanijaa on a parade for Paris’ Nuit Blanche Festival. In the field of music his tap dancing has been featured on track “You” from the album The Marriage of True Minds by electronic musicians Matmos.
Harper has always been driven to pursue his love of pedagogy alongside his performance and choreographic career. Through this he has developed an approach to instruction that encourages nonviolent communication and promotes the exploration of artistic sensibilities, while emphasizing accessibility and inclusion to all that wish to experience it.
Born in Houston, Texas, Harper received his education at High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, The Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater.
ALLISON HENNING-LUTTER
Allison began dancing at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts at age 4. She became a member of the BAHBT Company when she was 13 and went on to dance principal roles in BAHBT productions. Upon graduation from high school, Allison moved to New York to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. As an AADA Company member, she appeared in plays such as Ring Round the Moon, Some Girls and Dangerous Liaisons. Upon completion of her studies at AADA, Allison was cast in the First National Tour of Mel Brooks’ production, Young Frankenstein. After touring, Allison appeared in several Indy films, TV shows and commercials. Allison, and her sister, Laura, were the last recipients of the JETE Society award, chosen by Lynette Mason Gregg. Currently, Allison is an interior designer with Beacon Street Restoration, a company she founded with her husband. She is most passionate about being a mom to her two young children. She will always value her years spent with BAHBT and Lynette as her some of most valuable and formative!
LAURA HENNING
is a Royal Academy of Fine Arts and BAHBT alumna. She studied under Lynette Mason Gregg, Milena Leben, Amber Thornton, Soili Arvola, Leo Ahonen, and Misha Bart, as well as many wonderful guest teachers and choreographers. After graduating from Clear Lake High School, she moved to New York to attend university and dance. At 19 she joined the Radio City Rockettes, and went on to dance with them for six seasons at the Grand Ole Opry. She has played Cassandra in multiple productions of CATS, including the National Tour. Laura has also performed in 14 shows at the Theatre Under the Stars in Houston. She has performed in musicals all over the country from Salem, MA to Seattle, WA. Laura earned her degree in philosophy from NYU’s College of Arts and Sciences while pursuing her performance career. Laura has come back to BAHBT multiple times throughout her career. She was the choreographer of Thoroughly Modern Millie, directed by Kevin Cahoon, and An American in Paris, directed by Laney Carlin. In 2024 Laura directed and choreographed BAHBT’s Beauty and the Beast. It’s like the mafia… you have to die to get out.
KIRSTEN HUNTSBURGER
Kirsten was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV where she started her dance training at an early age. She attended Houston Ballet's summer intensive, and at age 16 she was accepted into their year round program on a full scholarship where she trained with their academy. She was invited to join Houston Ballet II where she had the opportunity to perform principal roles in various academy productions. In spring 2018 she was promoted to the company where she danced with the Corps de Ballet until 2022. At Houston Ballet she performed in productions such as Stanton Welch's The Nutcracker and Swan Lake as well as Ben Stevenson's Sleeping Beauty and other modern pieces such as Disha Zhang's “Elapse.” Kirsten then joined BAHBT as a guest artist where she was grateful to have received many performance opportunities to further her career. She joined Cincinnati Ballet in 2024 where she has had the opportunity to perform principal and soloist roles both in classical and contemporary genres.
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