23-24 Carmina Burana - Other - Page 16
GUEST ARTISTS, Cont.
Nikolas Gaifullin cont.
Midsummer Nights Dream, Devon Carney’s Nutcracker. Nikolas has performed
principal roles in the classical ballet repertoire such as Basilio in Don Quixote,
Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Drosselmier in Yuri Possokhov’s Nutcracker,
Cavalier in Robert Mills and John McFall’s Nutcracker, and Tybalt in Johan
Kobborg’s Romeo and Juliet which was the world premiere in Arena di Verona
of 2019 and once again performed and reprised his role of Tybalt at Royal
Albert Hall in London of 2021. He has attended The Carreno Festival in 2012,
ABT Summer Intensive and National Ballet School of Canada in 2015 and
Jacob’s Pillow in 2016. Nikolas has competed in two world renowned ballet
competitions, YAGP and World Ballet Competition. In 2007 he performed Gala
of the Stars at the Spoleto Festival in Italy. Recently Nikolas has performed
the roles of Volga Vouty and the Hooligan King in Sugar Hill Ellington/
Strayhorn Nutcracker which premiered in the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago,
choreographed by Jade Hale Christofi whom choreographed the famous
variation Take Me to Church and Joshua Bergasse from Broadway New York
whom choreographed numerous Broadway productions. Nikolas’s career
showcases his dedication, talent, and versatility as a dancer. His achievements
and performances have earned him recognition and respect in the ballet
community.
Katherine Hanson, Guest Artist
Katherine Hanson, née Liljestrand, grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where
she began studying with Ballet Repertory Theatre of New Mexico at the age of
three. She attended summer intensives at American Ballet Theatre, Nutmeg
Conservatory for the Arts, the Walnut Hill School, and Alonzo King’s LINES
Ballet. Katherine first joined Ballet Repertory Theatre of New Mexico’s company
as an apprentice in 2007 and danced with the company until 2016. Katherine
danced featured and principal roles in numerous BRT productions, including
Sleeping Beauty (Aurora), Beauty & the Beast (Beauty), The Nutcracker (Dew
Drop Fairy, Sugarplum Fairy), and Diana & Acteon (Diana). She also returned in
2019 to guest as Titania in Celia Dale’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Katherine
graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2014 with bachelor's degrees
in Biology and English. In 2016, she moved to Washington, DC, to attend
Georgetown University Law Center, where she received her J.D. in 2019.
Between 2016 and 2020, Katherine danced with several choreographers and
groups in the DC metro area, including Moveius Contemporary Ballet. She also
danced with The Tallahassee Ballet for a season before joining NOBT in 2021.
Since joining NOBT, Katherine has performed featured and lead roles in The
Nutcracker. She will graduate from the University of New Orleans in May 2024.