Ballet Fantastique
Company Dancers
Hannah Joy Bontrager
Photos: Deborah Mundorff, Alex Dubedat, Mike Gillette
Hometown: Eugene, OR College: BA, Dance and BA, English Literature, Clark Honors College/University of Oregon(summa cum laude) Ballet Fantastique: Here since 2000, favorite role Rusalka in Song to the Moon Favorites: Dulce de leche Haagen Daaz, ranch dressing, books by Isabel Allende Pointe shoes: Grishko 2007s
Hannah has been a principal dancer with Ballet Fantastique since 2003. Hannah trained in the eight levels of the Vaganova Syllabus and Vaganova pedagogy under her mother, Donna Marisa Bontrager (Academy of Ballet Fantastique). In addition to completing two summer study programs at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. under Artistic Director Oleg Vinogradov (also Artistic Director of the Kirov Ballet in Russia), she was one of five students invited internationally to join renowned Kirov prima ballerina Mme. Alla Sizova's advanced class. Hannah also trained with Vaganova Academy graduate Inessa Pakri-Plekhanova at the Academy of Colorado Ballet and expert Vaganova coach Dina Fadayeva.
In addition to Ballet Fantastique, Hannah has performed professionally with a number of companies, including Colorado Ballet and Manassas Ballet Theatre. She has performed soloist and principal roles from a number of ballets, including the classics as well as many original works with Ballet Fantastique. Her original choreography includes collaborations with Artistic Director Donna Marisa Bontrager for Ballet Fantastique productions with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Eugene Symphony, Oregon Mozart Players, composer Jeremy DeKyle Schropp, and the Trio Voronezh. With Ballet Fantastique, Hannah has earned rave reviews in dozens of soloist roles, including: Kitri in Don Quixote (Danse en Rouge and on tour to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Aviary in Carnival of the Animals (with Eugene Symphony); Marguerite in Ballet Fantastique's Love at the Cafe Terrace (a collaboration with composer Jeremy DeKyle Schropp); the Nymph from Rusalka in Song to the Moon (Dvořàk); the Lover in La Vie en Rose; Peter Rabbit in Tales of Beatrix Potter, and Rosie, the lead in As You Like It: A Wild West Ballet--to name just a few.
Hannah graduated summa cum laude and phi beta kappa in 2007 from the Robert D. Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon, where, as a full scholarship student, she earned concurrent BA's in Dance and English Literature and a minor in Community Arts.
Ashley Blake Bontrager
Photos: Tony Lee, Jerry Gowins
Hometown: Eugene, OR College: BA, Journalism: Broadcasting, University of Oregon Ballet Fantastique: Here since 2000, favorite role Wanda, the floozy in Love at the Cafe Terrace Favorites: Cheese, cabernet sauvignon; BBC's Pride and Prejudice Pointe shoes: Gaynor MindensAshley has studied classical ballet since she was four years old, and trained at Buffalo City Ballet, the Conservatory of Classical Dance, Ballet Fantastique, and the University of Oregon. Under Ballet Fantastique Artistic Director Donna Marisa Bontrager, Ashley has performed many roles, including: Annie Oakley in As You Like It: A Wild West Ballet; Wanda, the floozy in Love at the Cafe Terrace (a collaboration with composer Jeremy DeKyle Schropp); Leila, the priestess in Je Crois Entendre Encore; Fossil in Carnival of the Animals with Eugene Symphony; the Fox in Tales of Beatrix Potter; New York Tango, Argentine Tango, and Strauss Polka with the Trio Voronezh; Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany's; a Novel Experience with the Oregon Mozart Players; and in numerous contemporary ballet pieces, many of which she has played an active role in choreographing. Ashley has appeared in Ballet Fantastique chamber company concerts touring in venues across the Northwest, including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (2009, 2010, 2011), Umpqua Dance Festival (2008), and the Slavic Festival (2007, 2008, 2009).
In addition to her work with Ballet Fantastique, Ashley completed a Journalism-Broadcasting major at the University of Oregon in 2008 with specializations in both news and documentary, and was honored when one of her documentaries aired on Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Justin Shae Feimster
Photos: Greg Burns, Jackson Hager
Hometown: Vidalia, Georgia College: BA, Theater Arts, Valdosta State University Ballet Fantastique: Here since 2011, favorite role Ollie in As You Like It: A Wild West Ballet Favorites: Lord of the Rings, Miyazaki movies, scuba diving, hikingJustin, a recent transplant from South Georgia, graduated with a BA in Theatre Production from Valdosta State University in 2009 while attending dance classes and performing with Dance Arts, Inc. While in Valdosta, Justin performed for several Nutcracker seasons, dancing several variations and the role of the Nutcracker Prince, and also appearing in a touring production of Gaite Parisienne.
With Ballet Fantastique, Justin has performed the roles of Ollie in As You Like It: A Wild West Ballet; Farmer McGregor in Tales of Beatrix Potter; Frederic in Pirates of Penzance (part of Ballet Fantastique's Pirates and Gypsies on tour to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival); and Magie Noire with the LA-based band Incendio.
Alanna Kristine Fisher
Photos: Matthew Rocha, Luke Isley
Hometown: Willow Creek, CA College: BFA, Dance/Ballet, University of Utah Ballet Fantastique: Here since 2011 Favorites: Coffee, the TV show Friends, pandas, Harry Potter Pointe shoes: Bloch SerenadesAlanna began her training with Nadine Cole at the Academy of Ballet Arts in Arcata, California. She then spent her last three years of high school at the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, training with Bojan and Stephanie Spassoff, Mariaelena Ruiz, and Natasha Bar. Alanna has also attended a variety of summer programs, including those at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and the School of American Ballet, and she participated in Long Beach Ballet's China Tour.
Alanna graduated in 2011 from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City with a BFA in ballet. As a two-year member of the University Ballet Department's performing company, Utah Ballet, she studied under various choreographers including Conrad Ludlow, Eddie Toussaint, and Sharee Lane. She also participated in the University's Character Dance Ensemble for three years and travelled to Costa Rica and Greece, as well as to Germany to train and learn choreography at the Berlin State Ballet School. This is her first season with Ballet Fantastique, and she is thrilled to be in the Pacific Northwest.
Leanne Michelle Mizzoni
Photos: Mike Gillette, Monovita
Hometown: Burke, VA College: BFA, Dance/Pedagogy, The Hartt School/University of Hartford (cum laude) Ballet Fantastique: Here since 2009, favorite role Cupid in As You Like It: A Wild West Ballet Favorites: Mint chocolate chip ice cream, gummy bears, West Side Story Pointe shoes: Grishko 2007 ProsA Northern Virginia native, Leanne started her training under Susan Blazy at the Metropolitan Ballet School. She later went to Virginia Ballet, where she trained under former Ballets Russes dancers Oleg Tupine and Tania Rousseau. Leanne continued her training at the Hartt School of the University of Hartford, where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Pedagogy. At Hartt, Leanne trained under Peggy Lyman, Peter O'Brian, Alla Nikitina and Hilda Morales. She performed with American Ballet Theatre in Kirk Peterson's Nutcracker and Jean Gran-Maitre's Romeo and Juliet. Leanne also trained at the Joffrey Ballet for four summers and one summer at Virginia School of the Arts.
Prior to joining Ballet Fantastique, Leanne was a company dancer for four years with Manassas Ballet Theatre, performing soloist roles to rave critical reviews, including Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Arabian and Spanish in The Nutcracker, Michaela in Carmen, Canary Fairy in Sleeping Beauty and many pieces choreographed for and premiered by the company. Leanne joined Ballet Fantastique in 2009, and has appeared in a number of soloist roles with the company, including: Cupid in As You Like It: A Wild West Ballet; Squirrel Nutkin in Tales of Beatrix Potter; Magie Noire with the LA-based band Incendio; Chloe in Love at the Cafe Terrace (a collaboration with composer Jeremy DeKyle Schropp); Carla in Ma Jeunesse and one of the three Sisters in Je Suis une Enfant (both to the music of Carla Bruni); the Lost Love in Apres un Reve; and the Butterfly in Le Papillon, with choreography by Dina Fadayeva and guest pianist Dr. John Jantzi.
Amelia Rose Unsicker
Photos: Anne Nunn, Woden Photo
Hometown: Portland, OR College: BS, Biology (Dance minor), University of Oregon Ballet Fantastique: Here since 2008, favorite role Lola, the sweetheart in Love at the Cafe Terrace Favorites: I Love Lucy, Brave New World, and the quote "The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed." -Albert Einstein Pointe shoes: Freed ClassicsAmelia began her ballet training at Pacific Festival Ballet under John Gardner. In 2000, she was accepted into the School of Oregon Ballet Theatre, where she trained for seven years while concurrently appearing in a number of company productions. Amelia attended American Ballet Theatre's Austin summer intensive in 2003. With OBT, Amelia performed various roles in Il Distratto, La Source, Napoli, Peter and the Wolf, Raymonda, Snow White, Swan Lake, and George Balanchine's The Nutcracker.
Amelia joined Ballet Fantastique in 2008. With Ballet Fantastique, Amelia has appeared in many soloist roles, including: the Rose in a series with classical guitarist John Jarvie (performances included a tour to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Charlotte, the forbidden love in Pourquoi me Reveiller; Argentine Tango and Strauss Polka with Trio Voronezh; the Lion in Carnival of the Animals with Eugene Symphony; Lola, the lead in Love at the Cafe Terrace (collaboration with composer Jeremy DeKyle Schropp); Jemima Puddle-Duck in Tales of Beatrix Potter; Passion in the Red Violin suite with live violinist Matthew Fuller; and La Belle in As You Like It: A Wild West Ballet.
Amelia holds a Biology degree from the University of Oregon, and someday hopes to pursue a career in public health.
Krislyn Ann Wessel
Photos: Joanne Ashman Wessel, McKenna Johnson
Hometown: Idaho Falls, ID College: BA, Dance (Ballet emphasis), Brigham Young University Ballet Fantastique: Here since 2010, favorite role Zummarud in Arabian Nights Favorites: Peanut butter ice cream, Life is Beautiful (Italian version), seafood, cinnamon bear candies Pointe shoes: Bloch AlphaKrislyn, a native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, trained at The Ballet Society under the direction of Janice James and John Nelson. Krislyn then spent four years at Brigham Young University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with a Ballet emphasis, performed extensively with the Ballet Showcase Company, and earned a departmental dance scholarship. Krislyn spent summers performing with Burklyn Ballet Theater in Vermont and training at Kaatsbaan under international prima ballerina Martine Van Hamel.
After graduating from BYU, Krislyn moved to New York City to train and perform with Ajkun Ballet Theatre. With Ajkun, she toured New York and was invited to Albania where she joined with the National Opera Ballet of Tirana, Albania to perform Spartacus and Raymonda. After her work with Ajkun, Krislyn received a contract with Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina. There, Krislyn performed in many original works by Artistic Director William Starrett, including Dracula, Frosty the Snowman, Cleopatra, Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. With Ballet Fantastique, Krislyn has performed the role of Desperation in the Red Violin suite with live violinist Matthew Fuller, Phebe in As You Like It, and the solo in Dime Amor with Jessie Marquez and her band (live on stage), and has toured to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.