SOLOISTS

KATHLEEN BLACK RALEIGH, NC

Kathleen Black trained at Infinity Ballet and The Raleigh School of Ballet. She continued her training on scholarship at both Boston Ballet and School of American Ballet. She joined Carolina Ballet in 2014 and was promoted to Soloist in 2021.

Pointe Shoe Sponsor: Chris Walt Photography

JOSEPH GERHARDT JACKSONVILLE, FL

Joseph Gerhardt began training at age 10 at Mary Pollines. In 2017, Joseph was awarded the two year male scholarship to attend the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. He joined Carolina Ballet in 2019 and was promoted to Soloist in 2021.

Pas de Deux Sponsors: Alex and Taizo Uchiyama

BRADEN HART WESTPOINT, NY

Braden Hart began training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and trained for 7 years. He attended summer programs at Ballet Academy East and Miami City Ballet.. She joined Carolina Ballet in 2020 and was promoted to Soloist in 2022.

Pas de Deux Sponsor: Marion Johnson Church

AYLA O’DAY NEW YORK, NY

Ayla O'Day began her ballet training at the age of 3 where she trained at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. In 2016, she became a trainee at Boston Ballet. She joined Carolina Ballet in 2018 and was promoted to Soloist in 2022.

Pointe Shoe Sponsor: Joan Caviness and Scot Huber

LUKE POTGIETER NEW YORK, NY

Luke Potgieter began ballet training at the School of American Ballet (SAB) at age 9 under Olga Kostritzky, Garielle Whittle, Jock Soto, Johnathan Stafford, Sean Lavery and Andrei Kramarevsk. In 2016, Mr. Potgieter joined Pacific Northwest Ballet’s (PNB) Professional Division. He joined Carolina Ballet in 2017 and was promoted to Soloist in 2021.

Dancer Sponsor: Dr. Robert Schantz Pas de Deux Sponsor: Jacobi Daley

Sokvannara Sar Cambodia

Sokvannara Sar is from Cambodia and joined Carolina Ballet in 2011 as Soloist. Main and featured roles include: Flower Festival, Rubies, Mopey Blue Bird, Tarantella, Oberon, Frankenstein, Prodigal Son and Romeo. He appeared in the Documentary Dancing Across Borders.

Dancer Sponsor: Anonymous