The Elite Gala
Joy Womack Ballet Company ~ Gala Concert Programming
December, 18th 2024
Dallas, Texas
Artists & Live Musicians
Joy Womack
Tais Vindalo
Axel Alverez
Nina Matiashvili
Mamuka Kikalishvili
Erik Thordal-Christensen
Antonio Marin
Allison Marin
Program
Nutcracker Pas des Deux
Safety
Le Corsaire
Dying Swan
Golden Age Tango
Don Quixote Pas De deux
Chicago / La Vie en Rose
Finale (Choreography by Joy with Musicians )
Antonio Marin
Antonio Marin is a 5-time Grammy-nominated and 2-time Dove Award-winning musician whose influence as an instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter has left an indelible mark on the global music scene. Known for his technical mastery and soulful expression, Antonio records over 300 albums each year and travels more than 150,000 miles annually, bringing his transformative music to audiences worldwide.
In addition to his performance career, Antonio co-founded and served as Dean of Bethel College, where he inspired future generations of musicians and leaders. With a blend of artistry and mentorship, Antonio continues to shape the music world, captivating and inspiring both artists and audiences alike.
Allison Marin
Allison Marin is a Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning musician renowned for her exceptional skills as an instrumentalist and songwriter. With a doctorate in business and finance, Allison brings strategic insight and leadership to her artistic work, fostering creativity and purpose. Known for her soulful performances, Allison records over 300 albums each year and travels more than 150,000 miles annually to share her music with audiences around the world.
Allison’s unique combination of musical talent and business acumen has helped her make a lasting impact on the global music scene. Her dedication to inspiring others through her music and leadership continues to uplift and enrich the artistic community.
Joy Womack
Joy Womack, a US citizen currently based in Paris, is a dynamic ballet artist known for her extraordinary grace and talent. Trained at prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Kirov Ballet Academy and Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Joy has graced the stages of renowned ballet companies, including the Paris Opera Ballet. Her career spans guest roles, choreography, and even film, with notable appearances in "Joy Womack: The White Swan" and "Joika." As a guest lecturer at universities and a jury member at international ballet competitions, Joy is not only a performer but also an influential figure in ballet education. Her dedication extends to the Joy Womack Ballet Foundation, which supports aspiring dancers. With an extensive repertoire and a commitment to the future of ballet, Joy Womack is a captivating presence in the dance world. She envisions using her newfound experience to build more dance companies and opportunities for performances worldwide with her new fledgling ballet company.
Website: www.joywomack.com
Tais Vinolo
Taïs Vinolo is a professional ballerina from Hossegor, in the south of France. She began her ballet training at École des Ballets Lipszyc in France and later expanded her studies internationally. Taïs trained at the Gillespie School in Costa Mesa, California, before joining the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in New York, where she completed her pre-professional training. During her time at ABT, she performed a range of repertoire with the company on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House, gaining invaluable stage experience.
Following her studies at ABT’s school, Taïs joined the Boston Ballet Post Graduate Program, where she continued her intensive training. She is currently a member of the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto, where she continues to expand her repertoire and grow as an artist with the company.
Axel Alverez
Axel Alvarez is a dynamic, triple-threat artist known for his exceptional talent in dance, singing, and acting. Trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School, the CNSMDP, and the Royal Ballet School in London, Axel began his professional career with the Paris Opera Ballet in 2012, later performing soloist roles at the Rome Opera, Bordeaux Opera, and with the English National Ballet. His career has taken him to stages across Europe, Japan, and Malaysia, showcasing his versatility and passion for performance.
In 2015, Axel broadened his artistic journey by stepping into the world of musical theater, debuting as "Mr. Mistoffelees" in CATS at the Théâtre Mogador in Paris. His captivating portrayal led to international tours, solidifying his status as a versatile performer. In 2022, he joined the cast of The Producers at the Théâtre de Paris and enrolled in intensive acting training at the Méthode Acting Center in Paris.
Driven by a desire for creative independence, Axel self-produced his one-man show ARTISTE?, which blends dance, singing, acting, and tap to explore the question: "Are we born artists, or do we become one?" The show has played to sold-out audiences in Parisian theaters, including the Théâtre de la Reine Blanche and the Grand Point Virgule, and received critical acclaim for its originality.
In 2024, Axel appears as a dancer and actor in the Amazon series Étoile, set to release in spring 2025. With an infectious energy and a passion for bringing joy to his audience, Axel Alvarez continually redefines what it means to be an artist, declaring, “What I live for is to make people smile.”
Nina Matiashvili
Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Nina Matiashvili began her ballet training at the Vakhtang Chabukiani State Ballet School. In 2007, she joined the State Ballet of Georgia, where she rose to the rank of Soloist in 2012. Her career then took her to the Hong Kong Ballet in 2014 as a Coryphée, and two years later, she joined Boston Ballet, where she was promoted to Second Soloist in 2022.
Matiashvili’s repertoire with the State Ballet of Georgia and Hong Kong Ballet includes standout roles such as Kitri in Nina Ananiashvili's Don Quixote, Lise in Alexei Fadeyechev's La Fille mal gardée, the Sugar Plum Fairy in Terence Kohler's The Nutcracker, Natalie in August Bournonville’s Natalie, Desdemona in Vakhtang Chabukiani’s Othello, and Princess Aurora in Yuri Ng's The Sleeping Beauty. She has also performed soloist roles in works by acclaimed choreographers such as Alexey Ratmansky, Yuri Possokhov, Frederick Ashton, Ken Ossola, and Lia Cirio.
At Boston Ballet, Matiashvili’s repertoire includes Juliet in John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet, as well as principal and soloist roles in iconic works like George Balanchine’s Agon, Serenade, and Chaconne. She has danced in Cacti by Alexander Ekman, Bach Cello Suites and Creatures of Egmont by Jorma Elo, William Forsythe's Blake Works, Artifact, and Approximate Sonata, Jiří Kylián’s Bella Figura, Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker (as the Snow Queen), Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, and Leonid Yakobson's Pas de Quatre.
In addition to her company work, Nina has been featured in international galas, including the Donetsk International Ballet Festival's "World Ballet Stars Gala" in 2012. She has also participated in Bournonville seminars in Biarritz in 2009, 2011, and 2012.
Mamyka Kikalishvili
Mamuka Kikalishvili, known professionally as Murman, is a distinguished ballet artist born on April 6, 1994, in Tbilisi, Georgia. Standing at 5'9", Murman began his ballet training at the V. Chabukiani Tbilisi Ballet Art State School, where he built the foundation for an impressive international career. His journey has taken him to renowned companies, including the State Ballet of Georgia, Hungarian National Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Boston Ballet, and, most recently, Ballet Rhode Island.
With a rich and diverse repertoire, Murman has brought to life roles such as Don José and Escamillo in Carmen, the Prince in The Nutcracker, Prince Désiré in The Sleeping Beauty, and Kolen in La Fille mal gardée. His collaborations with esteemed choreographers like Christopher Wheeldon, Yuri Possokhov, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Alexander Ekman showcase his technical skill and expressive range.
Beyond his work with ballet companies, Murman has captivated audiences on stages worldwide, participating in prestigious festivals and competitions. These include the Donetsk International Ballet Festival "World Ballet Stars" and the Helsinki International Ballet Competition, and he earned the Grand Prix at the IX International Choreographic Competition "Riga Spring." Fluent in Georgian, Russian, and English, Murman continues to inspire audiences globally with his disciplined artistry, passionate expression, and international experience.
Erik Thordal-Christensen
Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, Erik Thordal-Christensen moved to California at age seven and trained at the Los Angeles Ballet School under Colleen Neary and Thordal Christensen. Currently a Soloist with Oklahoma City Ballet, Erik has also danced with prestigious companies including Los Angeles Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Sarasota Ballet. He joined Oklahoma City Ballet in the 2018/19 season as a corps de ballet member and was promoted to soloist in 2021.
Erik’s repertoire features principal and soloist roles such as Prince Désiré in The Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Cavalier and Arabian in The Nutcracker, Espada in Don Quixote, Ali in Le Corsaire, Romeo and Paris in Romeo & Juliet, Iago in José Limón’s The Moor’s Pavane, Lysander in Frederick Ashton’s The Dream, Sanguinic in George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, and Arthur in Michael Pink’s Dracula.
In addition, Erik has performed in Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Stars and Stripes, La Sonnambula, La Valse, and Serenade, as well as Ashton’s Illuminations, William Forsythe’s Artifact, Jiří Kylián’s Sechs Tänze, and Sonya Tayeh’s Beneath One’s Dignity. His classical repertoire also includes Le Corsaire, Swan Lake, and Giselle, showcasing his versatility and range as an artist.
