Principals

Zachary is 14 years old and began dancing at the age of 4. He started to do competitive dancing at the age of 8 at CanDance Studios. He has been a member of AZYB since 2021 and just became a principal last spring. This is Zac’s second year doing the Nutcracker and he is honored to be given the role of Nutcracker for a second time. Zac’s dream is to be a part of the Joffrey ballet school or join the Juilliard company. He has been training in ballet for almost half of his life. One thing Zac looks forward to for this year’s performance of The Nutcracker is being on that stage and performing his heart out. Zac can’t wait for the many wonderful opportunities that await him.

Claire has been dancing since she was 3 years old and joined AZYB in 2014. Some of her favorite roles have been Cinderella, Marie, Harlequin Doll, Bashful the Dwarf, and the Magic Mirror from Snow White.  Claire also trains in different styles of dance at school. Ballet is her focus. She hopes to fulfil her dream of becoming a professional
ballet dancer, with help from the teachers she looks up to the most – Christina, Scott, and Sara. She is super excited to be Lead Marzipan this year and can’t wait for you to watch.

Olivia has been dancing for 11 years, 10 of which have been with NuEvolution Dance Studio, where she is an assistant dance teacher.
She has been dancing competitively since the age of 10, receiving scholarships for her solos. This is Olivia’s 7 th year with AZYB where she has performed many roles, including Snow Soloist, Flower Soloist, Gingersnap, Flower Corps, Snow Corps, Chinese, Marzipan, Party Mom, Little Bo Peep, and Spring Fairy. Olivia is ecstatic for her promotion to Principal. Olivia has attended summer intensives at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet & Joffrey Ballet in New York. Olivia is a Junior at Queen Creek High School. Her other passions include American Sign Language and Health Sciences. Olivia’s aspirations for her future are to become a Pediatric Travel Nurse.

Scarlett fell in love with ballet long before she walked into a ballet class. She was drawn to the movements and begged to take ballet in  addition to the other dance classes she was taking. She has been with AZYB since 2017 and is so very honored to be a principal dancer. Her
favorite role to date has been the role of Drisella in Cinderella.
Scarlett spent the summer of 2022 at Joffrey Ballet in New York City. A freshman at Benjamin Franklin High School, Scarlett also dances contemporary, jazz and hip hop with Nuevolution and is on varsity pom. She has loved her years at Arizona Youth Ballet and is grateful for her mentors, teachers, and fellow dancers.

Eva has been dancing since she was 13 years old. Throughout the years, she has performed roles such as Summer Fairy in Cinderella, Fairy of the Enchanted Garden in Sleeping Beauty, and Mechanical Doll the Nutcracker. In this year’s Nutcracker she will be performing the role of the Dew Drop Fairy. This past summer, Eva attended Boston Ballet’s summer intensive and hopes to attend more as the future comes. Eva’s
dream is to become a professional ballet dancer. She is grateful to the staff of Arizona Youth Ballet for their efforts in helping her reach her goals.

Katana started dancing at the age of 11 and immediately fell in love with it, especially ballet. After attending a variety of studios, she joined Arizona Youth Ballet at the age of 15 and performed in her first ever ballet production, the Nutcracker. Since joining, her favorite role has been Little Red Riding Hood in Cinderella. Katana also enjoys teaching dance at Arizona Community Theatre. This year she is now 17 and has grown and learned so much in dance and life through her instructors and friends made at AZYB.  She now hopes to continue her passion for dance professionally.

 Banessa is entering her ninth season as an Arizona Youth Ballet company member.  Performing in Coppelia last spring brought a full circle moment for Banessa since this was her first AZYB spring show when she played the Innkeeper’s Daughter. Banessa is proud to represent AZYB as a Principal and is looking forward to this season.  Competitive dance is in Banessa’s soul where she is part of CanDance Studios company dance team.  She has been recognized by several dance convention projects for her group and individual work.  In 2020, Banessa was named Pre-Teen Female Actor of the year, Pre-Teen Female Dancer of the year, and Most Sought-after Female Talent at IMTA LA.  She signed with KMR and Discover Management and used this opportunity to explore acting for television and film.  In 2023, Banessa migrated back to full time dance and recently signed last fall with The Movement Talent Agency.