Artistic Director

crystal6.jpg

Crystal Wellman

Crystal is a North Carolina native who started her dance training at the School of Gaston Dance Theatre, under the direction of Pat Wall. She continued her training as a scholarship student with the Joffrey Ballet, Atlanta Ballet School/pre-professional program, The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and holds a BFA from East Carolina University, where she was coached by Galina Panova. Professionally she has worked with the Montgomery Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theatre, Charleston Dance Project, The Moving Poets of Charlotte, and Ballet Evolution. 

Throughout her career she has performed a wide range of works, from featured and principal classical roles to contemporary ballets. Some of her most memorable performances include GiselleSugar Plum FairyThe Cowgirl in Agnes DeMilles Rodeo, the title role in Cinderella, the principle role in Balachine's Valse Fantasie and Gerald Arpino's Light Rain. She has performed numerous world premiers, most notably those created by Helen Pickett, Jessica Lang, Leewei Chao and Amy Seiwert. Wellman has choreographed her own professional ballets for Oklahoma City Ballet and Charleston Dance Project, as well as set contemporary pieces on professional students for YAGP.