Tänzer:innen 2025/26

Karen Azatyan is originally from Armenia. Trained at the Yerevan Dancing Art State College and the Dance Academy Zurich, he won the Prix de Lausanne in 2005. From 2007 to 2014, he was a member of the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich (promoted to soloist in 2012). In 2014, he joined the Hamburg Ballet as a principal dancer, where he maintained a close collaboration with John Neumeier until the latter’s departure in 2024. He danced leading roles and solos in many of Neumeier’s ballets, including: «Illusions» – like «Swan Lake», «The Nutcracker», «A Midsummer Night’s Dream», «A Streetcar Named Desire», «Death in Venice», «Peer Gynt», «Romeo and Juliet», «Nijinsky», «Liliom», «The Seagull», «Winterreise», «St. Matthew Passion», «The Song of the Earth» and Mahler’s «Third Symphony».
His repertoire also includes works by Frederick Ashton, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Marius Petipa, Jerome Robbins, and Christopher Wheeldon.
Since the 2024/25 season, Karen Azatyan has been a principal dancer with Ballett Zürich. Here, he has appeared as Robert Schumann in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», Hilarion in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and as the Shadow in Kim Brandstrup’s «Of Light, Wind and Waters».

Esteban Berlanga is from Spain. After his training at the Royal Conservatory of Albacete and the Professional Dance Conservatory of Madrid, he danced with the English National Ballet from 2006 to 2013. There, he was promoted to principal dancer in 2012. Among other roles, he danced Prince Siegfried in Derek Dean’s «Swan Lake», the prince in Kenneth MacMillan’s «The Sleeping Beauty», Albrecht in Mary Skeaping’s «Giselle», the Nutcracker in Wayne Eagling’s choreography, and Frédéric in Roland Petit’s «L’Arlésienne». For David Dawson’s «Faun(e)», he was nominated for the «Benois de la Danse». From 2013 to 2018, he was principal dancer at the Compañia Nacional de Danza de España. Since the 2018/19 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, and since 2022, a principal dancer. He appeared in the title role of Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski» and danced leading roles in choreographies by Christian Spuck (including «The Sleeping Beauty»; «Anna Karenina») and Cathy Marston («The Cellist»; «Snowblind»).
In 2024, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Brandon Lawrence is from Great Britain. He received his ballet training at the Royal Ballet School. From 2011 to 2023, he danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet, serving as Principal Dancer since 2019. Important roles included the Prince («The Nutcracker»), Franz («Coppélia»), Prince Florimund («The Sleeping Beauty»), Prince Siegfried («Swan Lake») in choreographies by Peter Wright; Romeo in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet»; Colas in Frederick Ashton’s «La Fille mal gardée»; the Prince («Cinderella»), Beast («The Beauty and the Beast»), Albrecht («Giselle») and Otello («Shakespeare Suite») in choreographies by David Bintley.
He also performed in works by Carlos Acosta, Edward Clug, Jiří Kylián, Juliano Nunes, Twyla Tharp, and Uwe Scholz. Since the 2023/24 season, Brandon Lawrence has been Principal Dancer at Ballett Zürich and has danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Atonement», «The Cellist», «Snowblind», «Clara»), Marco Goecke, Wayne McGregor, Bronislava Nijinska, Mthuthuzeli November, Jerome Robbins, Christian Spuck, Kenneth MacMillan, Bryan Arias, William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, and Kim Brandstrup.
In 2025, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Nancy Osbaldeston holds both Belgian and British citizenship. She completed her dance training at the English National Ballet School in London. In 2008, she joined the English National Ballet, where she was awarded the «Emerging Dance Award» in 2013. In 2014, she moved to the Royal Ballet of Flanders, where she was promoted to principal dancer. She was regularly a guest performer with the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich and later danced at the Ballet du Capitole de Toulouse.
Her repertoire includes leading roles in choreographies by Yuri Grigorovich (Aegina in «Spartacus»), John Neumeier (Marie in «The Nutcracker»), Akram Khan («Giselle»), Kader Belarbi (Kitri in «Don Quixote»), and Pina Bausch («Café Müller»). Additionally, she has appeared in works by George Balanchine, Ohad Naharin, Jiří Kylián, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and Andonis Foniadakis.
Since the 2024/25 season, she has been principal dancer at Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Clara», Cecilia in «Atonement», «Mrs. Robinson»), Patrice Bart («Giselle»), William Forsythe («In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated»), Kenneth MacMillan («Concerto»), and Bryan Arias («Colorful Darkness»).

Ayaha Tsunaki is from Japan. She studied at the Palucca University of Dance Dresden, the Hamburg Ballet School, and the Kyouko Kanda Ballet Academy in Japan. From 2014 to 2025, she danced with the Semperoper Ballet in Dresden, serving as demi-soloist since 2021. Here, she performed as Julia in David Dawson’s «Romeo and Juliet», Odette in Johan Inger’s «Swan Lake», the title role in Inger’s «Carmen», the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in Aaron S. Watkin/Jason Beechey’s «The Nutcracker», and Gamzatti in Watkin’s «La Bayadère».
She has also appeared in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Stijn Celis, Ohad Naharin, Mats Ek, George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, John Neumeier, and Justin Peck.
Since the 2025/26 season, Ayaha Tsunaki has been principal dancer at Ballett Zürich.

Charles-Louis Yoshiyama holds Japanese and French citizenship. He received his dance training at Trinity College London and the English Ballet School. In 2007, he joined Houston Ballet and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2016. Important roles included Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Mayerling» and De Grieux in «Manon», as well as Oberon in John Neumeier’s «A Midsummer Night’s Dream». He also danced in Roland Petit’s «L’Arlésienne» and numerous works by George Balanchine. In choreographies by Ben Stevenson, he portrayed Basilio («Don Quixote»), Prince Florimund («Sleeping Beauty»), Franz («Coppélia»), Mercutio («Romeo and Juliet»), and the Prince («The Nutcracker»). In Stanton Welch’s works, he was Siegfried («Swan Lake»), Solor («La Bayadère»), and Albrecht («Giselle»). In John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», he danced Lucentio and Hortensio. In 2023, Charles-Louis Yoshiyama was Principal Dancer at Oregon Ballet Theatre. Since the 2023/24 season, he has been Principal Dancer at Ballett Zürich.

Karen Azatyan is originally from Armenia. Trained at the Yerevan Dancing Art State College and the Dance Academy Zurich, he won the Prix de Lausanne in 2005. From 2007 to 2014, he was a member of the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich (promoted to soloist in 2012). In 2014, he joined the Hamburg Ballet as a principal dancer, where he maintained a close collaboration with John Neumeier until the latter’s departure in 2024. He danced leading roles and solos in many of Neumeier’s ballets, including: «Illusions» – like «Swan Lake», «The Nutcracker», «A Midsummer Night’s Dream», «A Streetcar Named Desire», «Death in Venice», «Peer Gynt», «Romeo and Juliet», «Nijinsky», «Liliom», «The Seagull», «Winterreise», «St. Matthew Passion», «The Song of the Earth» and Mahler’s «Third Symphony».
His repertoire also includes works by Frederick Ashton, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Marius Petipa, Jerome Robbins, and Christopher Wheeldon.
Since the 2024/25 season, Karen Azatyan has been a principal dancer with Ballett Zürich. Here, he has appeared as Robert Schumann in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», Hilarion in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and as the Shadow in Kim Brandstrup’s «Of Light, Wind and Waters».

Esteban Berlanga is from Spain. After his training at the Royal Conservatory of Albacete and the Professional Dance Conservatory of Madrid, he danced with the English National Ballet from 2006 to 2013. There, he was promoted to principal dancer in 2012. Among other roles, he danced Prince Siegfried in Derek Dean’s «Swan Lake», the prince in Kenneth MacMillan’s «The Sleeping Beauty», Albrecht in Mary Skeaping’s «Giselle», the Nutcracker in Wayne Eagling’s choreography, and Frédéric in Roland Petit’s «L’Arlésienne». For David Dawson’s «Faun(e)», he was nominated for the «Benois de la Danse». From 2013 to 2018, he was principal dancer at the Compañia Nacional de Danza de España. Since the 2018/19 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, and since 2022, a principal dancer. He appeared in the title role of Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski» and danced leading roles in choreographies by Christian Spuck (including «The Sleeping Beauty»; «Anna Karenina») and Cathy Marston («The Cellist»; «Snowblind»).
In 2024, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Brandon Lawrence is from Great Britain. He received his ballet training at the Royal Ballet School. From 2011 to 2023, he danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet, serving as Principal Dancer since 2019. Important roles included the Prince («The Nutcracker»), Franz («Coppélia»), Prince Florimund («The Sleeping Beauty»), Prince Siegfried («Swan Lake») in choreographies by Peter Wright; Romeo in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet»; Colas in Frederick Ashton’s «La Fille mal gardée»; the Prince («Cinderella»), Beast («The Beauty and the Beast»), Albrecht («Giselle») and Otello («Shakespeare Suite») in choreographies by David Bintley.
He also performed in works by Carlos Acosta, Edward Clug, Jiří Kylián, Juliano Nunes, Twyla Tharp, and Uwe Scholz. Since the 2023/24 season, Brandon Lawrence has been Principal Dancer at Ballett Zürich and has danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Atonement», «The Cellist», «Snowblind», «Clara»), Marco Goecke, Wayne McGregor, Bronislava Nijinska, Mthuthuzeli November, Jerome Robbins, Christian Spuck, Kenneth MacMillan, Bryan Arias, William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, and Kim Brandstrup.
In 2025, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Nancy Osbaldeston holds both Belgian and British citizenship. She completed her dance training at the English National Ballet School in London. In 2008, she joined the English National Ballet, where she was awarded the «Emerging Dance Award» in 2013. In 2014, she moved to the Royal Ballet of Flanders, where she was promoted to principal dancer. She was regularly a guest performer with the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich and later danced at the Ballet du Capitole de Toulouse.
Her repertoire includes leading roles in choreographies by Yuri Grigorovich (Aegina in «Spartacus»), John Neumeier (Marie in «The Nutcracker»), Akram Khan («Giselle»), Kader Belarbi (Kitri in «Don Quixote»), and Pina Bausch («Café Müller»). Additionally, she has appeared in works by George Balanchine, Ohad Naharin, Jiří Kylián, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and Andonis Foniadakis.
Since the 2024/25 season, she has been principal dancer at Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Clara», Cecilia in «Atonement», «Mrs. Robinson»), Patrice Bart («Giselle»), William Forsythe («In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated»), Kenneth MacMillan («Concerto»), and Bryan Arias («Colorful Darkness»).

Ayaha Tsunaki is from Japan. She studied at the Palucca University of Dance Dresden, the Hamburg Ballet School, and the Kyouko Kanda Ballet Academy in Japan. From 2014 to 2025, she danced with the Semperoper Ballet in Dresden, serving as demi-soloist since 2021. Here, she performed as Julia in David Dawson’s «Romeo and Juliet», Odette in Johan Inger’s «Swan Lake», the title role in Inger’s «Carmen», the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in Aaron S. Watkin/Jason Beechey’s «The Nutcracker», and Gamzatti in Watkin’s «La Bayadère».
She has also appeared in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Stijn Celis, Ohad Naharin, Mats Ek, George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, John Neumeier, and Justin Peck.
Since the 2025/26 season, Ayaha Tsunaki has been principal dancer at Ballett Zürich.

Charles-Louis Yoshiyama holds Japanese and French citizenship. He received his dance training at Trinity College London and the English Ballet School. In 2007, he joined Houston Ballet and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2016. Important roles included Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Mayerling» and De Grieux in «Manon», as well as Oberon in John Neumeier’s «A Midsummer Night’s Dream». He also danced in Roland Petit’s «L’Arlésienne» and numerous works by George Balanchine. In choreographies by Ben Stevenson, he portrayed Basilio («Don Quixote»), Prince Florimund («Sleeping Beauty»), Franz («Coppélia»), Mercutio («Romeo and Juliet»), and the Prince («The Nutcracker»). In Stanton Welch’s works, he was Siegfried («Swan Lake»), Solor («La Bayadère»), and Albrecht («Giselle»). In John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», he danced Lucentio and Hortensio. In 2023, Charles-Louis Yoshiyama was Principal Dancer at Oregon Ballet Theatre. Since the 2023/24 season, he has been Principal Dancer at Ballett Zürich.

Inna Bilash is from Ukraine. She completed her ballet training at Kharkov Choreographic School, Perm State Choreographic College, and Perm State Academy of Arts and Culture. She was a soloist with Ballet Perm, where she danced Julia in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet», Odette/Odile in Natalia Makrova’s «Swan Lake», Giselle in the choreography by Perrot/Coralli/Petipa, the Bride in Jiří Kylián’s «Les Noces», and Masha in MacMillan’s «Winter Dreams». She also performed solo roles in choreographies by Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, and Douglas Lee. She won the Arabesque competition in Perm and the Bolshoi Ballet TV competition. In 2017, she received the «Soul of Dance» award from the ballet magazine. Since the 2018/19 season, Inna Bilash has been a member of Ballett Zürich and appeared as Briony in Cathy Marston’s «Atonement» and in the title role of Patrice Bart’s «Giselle». In 2024, she received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Wei Chen is from the USA and trained at Boston Ballet School, Margo Marshall’s School of Ballet, Walnut Hill School, and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy. At the Royal Ballet of Flanders, he danced Siegfried in Marcia Haydée’s «Swan Lake» and Prince Désiré in «The Sleeping Beauty», as well as Lenski in Cranko’s «Onegin». He has also performed in choreographies by Balanchine, Bournonville, Dawson, Forsythe, Godani, McGregor, Nureyev, Pite, Stevenson, and Wheeldon. Since the 2013/14 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, performing in works by Douglas Lee, Jiří Kylián, Marco Goecke, Edward Clug, William Forsythe, and Crystal Pite. He also danced Romeo and Mercutio in Christian Spuck’s «Romeo and Juliet», Benno in Ratmansky’s «Swan Lake», Coppelius in Spuck’s «Sandmann», Albrecht in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and the Cello in Cathy Marston’s «The Cellist». In 2023, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Max Richter is from the USA and trained at the International City School of Ballet and Houston Ballet II. Important choreographies during her engagement at Houston Ballet included Cathy Marston’s «Summer and Smoke», Ben Stevenson’s «Sleeping Beauty», and Balanchine’s «Diamonds». Since the 2023/24 season, Max Richter has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in Cathy Marston’s ballets «Atonement» and «Clara». She also appeared in the title role of Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», as the Bride in Bronislava Nijinska’s «Les Noces», and in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Jerome Robbins, Marcos Morau, Meryl Tankard, Christian Spuck, Marco Goecke, William Forsythe, Kim Brandstrup, and Kenneth MacMillan.

Shelby Williams holds American and Italian citizenship. She studied at Houston Ballet Academy, Washington School of Ballet, and Dancer’s Workshop Baton Rouge (Louisiana, USA). After engagements with Semperoper Ballet, Corella Ballet, and Ballet d’Europe, she was a soloist at Ballett Mainz, Hessisches Staatsballett Wiesbaden, and from 2016 to 2023 at Royal Ballet of Flanders. In 2017 and 2018, she was nominated for «Best Performance by a Female Dancer» and «Best News» in the «Critic’s Choice Awards» by Dance Europe Magazine. She danced Pina/Malou in Pina Bausch’s «Café Müller», Rusalka in the choreography by Alan Lucien Øyen, Myrtha in Akram Khan’s «Giselle», as well as leading roles in choreographies by Martha Graham, Johan Inger, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Andonis Foniadakis, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Édouard Lock, and Jermaine Spivey. Since the 2023/24 season, Shelby Williams has been a member of Ballett Zürich, where she has danced leading roles in creations by Meryl Tankard, Bryan Arias, and Cathy Marston, and important roles in the repertoire of Marcos Morau, Marco Goecke, William Forsythe, and Mats Ek.

Joel Woellner is Australian. He completed his training at the Ben Stevenson Academy of Houston Ballet and with Houston Ballet II. In 2013, he was a two-time prize winner at the Prix de Lausanne. After performing with Houston Ballet, he was a Principal Artist with Queensland Ballet from 2015 to 2024.
Joel Woellner danced Des Grieux in «Manon» by Kenneth MacMillan, Valmont in «Dangerous Liaisons» by Liam Scarlett, Oberon in Scarlett’s «A Midsummer Night’s Dream», Prince Ivan in Scarlett’s «The Firebird», and Prince Siegfried in «Swan Lake» by Ben Stevenson, as well as in choreographies by Greg Horsman, Christopher Bruce, and Jiří Kylián.
Since the 2024/25 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, he has appeared as Johannes Brahms in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», as Albrecht in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan, Crystal Pite, Bryan Arias, and Kim Brandstrup.

Karen Azatyan is originally from Armenia. Trained at the Yerevan Dancing Art State College and the Dance Academy Zurich, he won the Prix de Lausanne in 2005. From 2007 to 2014, he was a member of the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich (promoted to soloist in 2012). In 2014, he joined the Hamburg Ballet as a principal dancer, where he maintained a close collaboration with John Neumeier until the latter’s departure in 2024. He danced leading roles and solos in many of Neumeier’s ballets, including: «Illusions» – like «Swan Lake», «The Nutcracker», «A Midsummer Night’s Dream», «A Streetcar Named Desire», «Death in Venice», «Peer Gynt», «Romeo and Juliet», «Nijinsky», «Liliom», «The Seagull», «Winterreise», «St. Matthew Passion», «The Song of the Earth» and Mahler’s «Third Symphony».
His repertoire also includes works by Frederick Ashton, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Marius Petipa, Jerome Robbins, and Christopher Wheeldon.
Since the 2024/25 season, Karen Azatyan has been a principal dancer with Ballett Zürich. Here, he has appeared as Robert Schumann in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», Hilarion in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and as the Shadow in Kim Brandstrup’s «Of Light, Wind and Waters».

Esteban Berlanga is from Spain. After his training at the Royal Conservatory of Albacete and the Professional Dance Conservatory of Madrid, he danced with the English National Ballet from 2006 to 2013. There, he was promoted to principal dancer in 2012. Among other roles, he danced Prince Siegfried in Derek Dean’s «Swan Lake», the prince in Kenneth MacMillan’s «The Sleeping Beauty», Albrecht in Mary Skeaping’s «Giselle», the Nutcracker in Wayne Eagling’s choreography, and Frédéric in Roland Petit’s «L’Arlésienne». For David Dawson’s «Faun(e)», he was nominated for the «Benois de la Danse». From 2013 to 2018, he was principal dancer at the Compañia Nacional de Danza de España. Since the 2018/19 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, and since 2022, a principal dancer. He appeared in the title role of Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski» and danced leading roles in choreographies by Christian Spuck (including «The Sleeping Beauty»; «Anna Karenina») and Cathy Marston («The Cellist»; «Snowblind»).
In 2024, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Brandon Lawrence is from Great Britain. He received his ballet training at the Royal Ballet School. From 2011 to 2023, he danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet, serving as Principal Dancer since 2019. Important roles included the Prince («The Nutcracker»), Franz («Coppélia»), Prince Florimund («The Sleeping Beauty»), Prince Siegfried («Swan Lake») in choreographies by Peter Wright; Romeo in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet»; Colas in Frederick Ashton’s «La Fille mal gardée»; the Prince («Cinderella»), Beast («The Beauty and the Beast»), Albrecht («Giselle») and Otello («Shakespeare Suite») in choreographies by David Bintley.
He also performed in works by Carlos Acosta, Edward Clug, Jiří Kylián, Juliano Nunes, Twyla Tharp, and Uwe Scholz. Since the 2023/24 season, Brandon Lawrence has been Principal Dancer at Ballett Zürich and has danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Atonement», «The Cellist», «Snowblind», «Clara»), Marco Goecke, Wayne McGregor, Bronislava Nijinska, Mthuthuzeli November, Jerome Robbins, Christian Spuck, Kenneth MacMillan, Bryan Arias, William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, and Kim Brandstrup.
In 2025, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Nancy Osbaldeston holds both Belgian and British citizenship. She completed her dance training at the English National Ballet School in London. In 2008, she joined the English National Ballet, where she was awarded the «Emerging Dance Award» in 2013. In 2014, she moved to the Royal Ballet of Flanders, where she was promoted to principal dancer. She was regularly a guest performer with the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich and later danced at the Ballet du Capitole de Toulouse.
Her repertoire includes leading roles in choreographies by Yuri Grigorovich (Aegina in «Spartacus»), John Neumeier (Marie in «The Nutcracker»), Akram Khan («Giselle»), Kader Belarbi (Kitri in «Don Quixote»), and Pina Bausch («Café Müller»). Additionally, she has appeared in works by George Balanchine, Ohad Naharin, Jiří Kylián, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and Andonis Foniadakis.
Since the 2024/25 season, she has been principal dancer at Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Clara», Cecilia in «Atonement», «Mrs. Robinson»), Patrice Bart («Giselle»), William Forsythe («In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated»), Kenneth MacMillan («Concerto»), and Bryan Arias («Colorful Darkness»).

Ayaha Tsunaki is from Japan. She studied at the Palucca University of Dance Dresden, the Hamburg Ballet School, and the Kyouko Kanda Ballet Academy in Japan. From 2014 to 2025, she danced with the Semperoper Ballet in Dresden, serving as demi-soloist since 2021. Here, she performed as Julia in David Dawson’s «Romeo and Juliet», Odette in Johan Inger’s «Swan Lake», the title role in Inger’s «Carmen», the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in Aaron S. Watkin/Jason Beechey’s «The Nutcracker», and Gamzatti in Watkin’s «La Bayadère».
She has also appeared in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Stijn Celis, Ohad Naharin, Mats Ek, George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, John Neumeier, and Justin Peck.
Since the 2025/26 season, Ayaha Tsunaki has been principal dancer at Ballett Zürich.

Charles-Louis Yoshiyama holds Japanese and French citizenship. He received his dance training at Trinity College London and the English Ballet School. In 2007, he joined Houston Ballet and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2016. Important roles included Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Mayerling» and De Grieux in «Manon», as well as Oberon in John Neumeier’s «A Midsummer Night’s Dream». He also danced in Roland Petit’s «L’Arlésienne» and numerous works by George Balanchine. In choreographies by Ben Stevenson, he portrayed Basilio («Don Quixote»), Prince Florimund («Sleeping Beauty»), Franz («Coppélia»), Mercutio («Romeo and Juliet»), and the Prince («The Nutcracker»). In Stanton Welch’s works, he was Siegfried («Swan Lake»), Solor («La Bayadère»), and Albrecht («Giselle»). In John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», he danced Lucentio and Hortensio. In 2023, Charles-Louis Yoshiyama was Principal Dancer at Oregon Ballet Theatre. Since the 2023/24 season, he has been Principal Dancer at Ballett Zürich.

Inna Bilash is from Ukraine. She completed her ballet training at Kharkov Choreographic School, Perm State Choreographic College, and Perm State Academy of Arts and Culture. She was a soloist with Ballet Perm, where she danced Julia in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet», Odette/Odile in Natalia Makrova’s «Swan Lake», Giselle in the choreography by Perrot/Coralli/Petipa, the Bride in Jiří Kylián’s «Les Noces», and Masha in MacMillan’s «Winter Dreams». She also performed solo roles in choreographies by Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, and Douglas Lee. She won the Arabesque competition in Perm and the Bolshoi Ballet TV competition. In 2017, she received the «Soul of Dance» award from the ballet magazine. Since the 2018/19 season, Inna Bilash has been a member of Ballett Zürich and appeared as Briony in Cathy Marston’s «Atonement» and in the title role of Patrice Bart’s «Giselle». In 2024, she received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Wei Chen is from the USA and trained at Boston Ballet School, Margo Marshall’s School of Ballet, Walnut Hill School, and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy. At the Royal Ballet of Flanders, he danced Siegfried in Marcia Haydée’s «Swan Lake» and Prince Désiré in «The Sleeping Beauty», as well as Lenski in Cranko’s «Onegin». He has also performed in choreographies by Balanchine, Bournonville, Dawson, Forsythe, Godani, McGregor, Nureyev, Pite, Stevenson, and Wheeldon. Since the 2013/14 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, performing in works by Douglas Lee, Jiří Kylián, Marco Goecke, Edward Clug, William Forsythe, and Crystal Pite. He also danced Romeo and Mercutio in Christian Spuck’s «Romeo and Juliet», Benno in Ratmansky’s «Swan Lake», Coppelius in Spuck’s «Sandmann», Albrecht in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and the Cello in Cathy Marston’s «The Cellist». In 2023, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Max Richter is from the USA and trained at the International City School of Ballet and Houston Ballet II. Important choreographies during her engagement at Houston Ballet included Cathy Marston’s «Summer and Smoke», Ben Stevenson’s «Sleeping Beauty», and Balanchine’s «Diamonds». Since the 2023/24 season, Max Richter has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in Cathy Marston’s ballets «Atonement» and «Clara». She also appeared in the title role of Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», as the Bride in Bronislava Nijinska’s «Les Noces», and in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Jerome Robbins, Marcos Morau, Meryl Tankard, Christian Spuck, Marco Goecke, William Forsythe, Kim Brandstrup, and Kenneth MacMillan.

Shelby Williams holds American and Italian citizenship. She studied at Houston Ballet Academy, Washington School of Ballet, and Dancer’s Workshop Baton Rouge (Louisiana, USA). After engagements with Semperoper Ballet, Corella Ballet, and Ballet d’Europe, she was a soloist at Ballett Mainz, Hessisches Staatsballett Wiesbaden, and from 2016 to 2023 at Royal Ballet of Flanders. In 2017 and 2018, she was nominated for «Best Performance by a Female Dancer» and «Best News» in the «Critic’s Choice Awards» by Dance Europe Magazine. She danced Pina/Malou in Pina Bausch’s «Café Müller», Rusalka in the choreography by Alan Lucien Øyen, Myrtha in Akram Khan’s «Giselle», as well as leading roles in choreographies by Martha Graham, Johan Inger, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Andonis Foniadakis, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Édouard Lock, and Jermaine Spivey. Since the 2023/24 season, Shelby Williams has been a member of Ballett Zürich, where she has danced leading roles in creations by Meryl Tankard, Bryan Arias, and Cathy Marston, and important roles in the repertoire of Marcos Morau, Marco Goecke, William Forsythe, and Mats Ek.

Joel Woellner is Australian. He completed his training at the Ben Stevenson Academy of Houston Ballet and with Houston Ballet II. In 2013, he was a two-time prize winner at the Prix de Lausanne. After performing with Houston Ballet, he was a Principal Artist with Queensland Ballet from 2015 to 2024.
Joel Woellner danced Des Grieux in «Manon» by Kenneth MacMillan, Valmont in «Dangerous Liaisons» by Liam Scarlett, Oberon in Scarlett’s «A Midsummer Night’s Dream», Prince Ivan in Scarlett’s «The Firebird», and Prince Siegfried in «Swan Lake» by Ben Stevenson, as well as in choreographies by Greg Horsman, Christopher Bruce, and Jiří Kylián.
Since the 2024/25 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, he has appeared as Johannes Brahms in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», as Albrecht in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan, Crystal Pite, Bryan Arias, and Kim Brandstrup.

Sean Bates is from the United Kingdom and studied at the Royal Ballet School. He danced with Northern Ballet under the direction of David Nixon and performed in numerous leading roles, including Jay Gatsby in «The Great Gatsby», Romeo in «Romeo and Juliet», and Puck in «A Midsummer Night’s Dream».
After working with Cathy Marston on «Jane Eyre» and «Victoria», he joined Ballett Zürich at the beginning of the 2023/24 season. Here, he has appeared in soloist roles including Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski», Kenneth MacMillan’s «Concerto», as Denis in Cathy Marston’s «Snowblind», and as Bargiel in «Clara».
He has taught at Cape Town City Ballet as well as at various summer schools in the UK, and continues to coach dancers in his free time.

Chandler Dalton is American. He received his training at the School of Richmond Ballet and the Houston Ballet Academy. At Houston Ballet, he was promoted to Principal and danced roles such as James in Bournonville’s «La Sylphide», Bluebird and Pas de Quatre in Ben Stevenson’s «Sleeping Beauty», the Pas de trois in George Balanchine’s «Emeralds», and leading roles in ballets by John Neumeier, Jerome Robbins, Christopher Bruce, and Justin Peck.
Since the 2023/24 season, Chandler Dalton has been a member of Ballett Zürich, where he has appeared in the title role of Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski» and as Johannes Brahms in Cathy Marston’s «Clara». He has also performed in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle» (Peasant Pas de deux), William Forsythe’s «In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated», and in ballets by Crystal Pite, Christian Spuck, Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan, and Marcos Morau.

Francesca Dell’Aria is from Italy. She received her training at the Elmhurst School and with Birmingham Royal Ballet. After engagements with the Slovak National Ballet and the Bavarian State Ballet, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2014/15 season.
She has performed in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, George Balanchine, Hans van Manen, Jacopo Godani, Douglas Lee, Edward Clug («Peer Gynt»), Marco Goecke («Nijinski»), Crystal Pite, and Marcos Morau.
She has also danced title roles in Cathy Marston’s «The Cellist» and Christian Spuck’s «Anna Karenina», as well as Myrtha in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle». In 2019, she was awarded the «Tanzpreis der Freunde des Balletts Zürich».

Jesse Fraser was born in Saskatoon, Canada. Trained at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, he joined Stuttgart Ballet in the 2010/11 season. There, he danced in choreographies by Cranko, MacMillan, Spuck, Haydée, Neumeier, Béjart, Forsythe, Cherkaoui, Goecke, Clug, Volpi, and Stiens. He also created his own choreographic works as part of the Noverre Society’s «Young Choreographers» series.
Since the 2015/16 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Among other roles, he has appeared as Paris in Christian Spuck’s «Romeo and Juliet», Hilarion in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», the Stag in Edward Clug’s «Peer Gynt», and in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jacopo Godani, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Cathy Marston, Marcos Morau, Crystal Pite, and Bryan Arias.

Jorge García Pérez is Spanish. He received his dance training at the Estudio de Danza María de Ávila and became a member of Malandain Ballet Biarritz II at the age of 16. In 2005, he won the gold medal at the Premio Roma competition. Heinz Spoerli then engaged him for the Junior Ballet and shortly thereafter for the Zürich Ballet. In 2008, he became a soloist at Ballett Basel under Richard Wherlock, where he danced numerous leading roles.
In 2011, he made his debut as a choreographer. He has won several awards at prestigious competitions, including the choreography competition in Hannover. In 2024, he was a coach at the «Prix de Lausanne» and co-founder of the charity gala «Strength and Grace». Since the 2023/24 season, Jorge García Pérez has been a member of Ballett Zürich again. Alongside his dancing duties, he has also been working as a rehearsal assistant since last season.

Daniela Gómez Pérez is from Cuba. She studied at the Fernando Alonso National Ballet School and the Instituto Superior de Arte de Cuba. From 2015 to 2023, she was Principal Dancer at the Cuban National Ballet. Under Alicia Alonso’s direction, she danced leading roles in «Coppélia», «Giselle», «Swan Lake», and «The Nutcracker». She also appeared in choreographies by Peter Quanz, Brian McDonald, George Balanchine, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Cathy Marston, Ricardo Amarante, Alexei Ratmansky, Uwe Scholz, Ben Stevenson, Mikhail Fokine, and Gemma Bond. For her interpretation of Daniel Proietto’s «Cigne», she was entered into the Golden Book of the Gran Teatro de La Habana. Since the 2023/24 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich.

Irmina Kopaczynska was born in Poland. She trained at the National Polish Ballet School in Poznan. She is a multiple prizewinner of the National Polish Ballet Competition and has participated in «Premio Roma» and «Prix de Lausanne». After two seasons with the Junior Ballet, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2011/12 season. She danced the Silver Fairy in Mats Ek’s «Sleeping Beauty», Betsy in Christian Spuck’s «Anna Karenina», the Nurse in Spuck’s «Romeo and Juliet», and the Mother in Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski». She has also appeared in many other works by Christian Spuck and choreographies by William Forsythe, Iacopo Godani, Marco Goecke, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Marcos Morau, and Crystal Pite.

Mlindi Kulashe is from South Africa. He trained at the English National Ballet School. From 2013 to 2022, he danced with Northern Ballet in Leeds, performing many leading roles. Since early 2023, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, he appeared in choreographies by Cathy Marston, including as Cello («The Cellist»), Officer («Atonement»), and Wieck («Clara»). As part of the «Next Generation» series, he choreographed his own piece titled «Molo».

Sujung Lim is from South Korea. She trained at Yewon Arts High School and the Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts. She won gold medals at the Tanzolymp Berlin in 2008 and 2011. From 2011 to 2018, she danced as a soloist with Ballett Karlsruhe, performing in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet», John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», Peter Wright’s «Giselle», and Christopher Wheeldon’s «Swan Lake». Since the 2018/19 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich, appearing in many choreographies by Cathy Marston, Christian Spuck, Wayne McGregor, Patrice Bart, William Forsythe, Johan Inger, Jiří Kylián, Marcos Morau, and Crystal Pite. In 2025, she was awarded the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Pablo Octávio is Brazilian. He studied at Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts. He was a finalist at the Prix de Lausanne in 2011. From 2012 to 2023, he danced at Badisches Staatsballett Karlsruhe. Important roles there included Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet», Prince in Youri Vamos’ «The Nutcracker», Lucentio in John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», and Albrecht in David Dawson’s «Giselle». Since the 2023/24 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, performing the title role in Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski», Joseph Joachim in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», the Peasant Pas de Deux in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and in choreographies by Jerome Robbins, Marcos Morau, Wayne McGregor, and Crystal Pite.

Yun-Su Park is from Korea. She trained at Shunwa Arts School and the Hamburg Ballet School. From 2007 to 2024, she danced with Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier, where she was promoted to soloist in 2018. She appeared in numerous ballets by John Neumeier, including Lady Capulet in «Romeo and Juliet», Diana in «Sylvia», Elisabeth in «Preludes CV», and in «Nocturnes», «Messiah», and «Beethoven Project». She also danced in ballets by Rudolf Nureyev and George Balanchine. Since the 2024/25 season, she has been a guest dancer with Ballett Zürich, performing the title role in Cathy Marston’s ballet «Mrs. Robinson».

The Italo-Argentine Constanza Perotta Altube trained at Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and at the Ballet School of La Scala Milan. After engagements with the Teatro Colón Ballet and Victor Ullate Ballet in Madrid, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2009/10 season. Here, she appeared in choreographies by Christian Spuck (including Snow Queen in «The Nutcracker and the Mouse King»), Marco Goecke («Nijinski»), Patrice Bart (Myrtha in «Giselle»), Mats Ek, Iacopo Godani, Hans van Manen, Jiří Kylián, Edward Clug, Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, Alexei Ratmansky, and William Forsythe.

McKhayla Pettingill is Filipino-American. She trained at Houston Ballet Academy. At Houston Ballet, she danced in choreographies by Jerome Robbins, Stanton Welch, James Kudelka, Disha Zang, John Neumeier, and George Balanchine. At the National Ballet of Canada, she appeared in works by Crystal Pite, David Dawson, and Kenneth MacMillan. Since the 2023/24 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich, performing as Clara in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», in the Peasant Pas de Deux in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and solo in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Christian Spuck, Kenneth MacMillan, and William Forsythe.

Karen Azatyan is originally from Armenia. Trained at the Yerevan Dancing Art State College and the Dance Academy Zurich, he won the Prix de Lausanne in 2005. From 2007 to 2014, he was a member of the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich (promoted to soloist in 2012). In 2014, he joined the Hamburg Ballet as a principal dancer, where he maintained a close collaboration with John Neumeier until the latter’s departure in 2024. He danced leading roles and solos in many of Neumeier’s ballets, including: «Illusions» – like «Swan Lake», «The Nutcracker», «A Midsummer Night’s Dream», «A Streetcar Named Desire», «Death in Venice», «Peer Gynt», «Romeo and Juliet», «Nijinsky», «Liliom», «The Seagull», «Winterreise», «St. Matthew Passion», «The Song of the Earth» and Mahler’s «Third Symphony».
His repertoire also includes works by Frederick Ashton, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Marius Petipa, Jerome Robbins, and Christopher Wheeldon.
Since the 2024/25 season, Karen Azatyan has been a principal dancer with Ballett Zürich. Here, he has appeared as Robert Schumann in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», Hilarion in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and as the Shadow in Kim Brandstrup’s «Of Light, Wind and Waters».

Esteban Berlanga is from Spain. After his training at the Royal Conservatory of Albacete and the Professional Dance Conservatory of Madrid, he danced with the English National Ballet from 2006 to 2013. There, he was promoted to principal dancer in 2012. Among other roles, he danced Prince Siegfried in Derek Dean’s «Swan Lake», the prince in Kenneth MacMillan’s «The Sleeping Beauty», Albrecht in Mary Skeaping’s «Giselle», the Nutcracker in Wayne Eagling’s choreography, and Frédéric in Roland Petit’s «L’Arlésienne». For David Dawson’s «Faun(e)», he was nominated for the «Benois de la Danse». From 2013 to 2018, he was principal dancer at the Compañia Nacional de Danza de España. Since the 2018/19 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, and since 2022, a principal dancer. He appeared in the title role of Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski» and danced leading roles in choreographies by Christian Spuck (including «The Sleeping Beauty»; «Anna Karenina») and Cathy Marston («The Cellist»; «Snowblind»).
In 2024, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Brandon Lawrence is from Great Britain. He received his ballet training at the Royal Ballet School. From 2011 to 2023, he danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet, serving as Principal Dancer since 2019. Important roles included the Prince («The Nutcracker»), Franz («Coppélia»), Prince Florimund («The Sleeping Beauty»), Prince Siegfried («Swan Lake») in choreographies by Peter Wright; Romeo in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet»; Colas in Frederick Ashton’s «La Fille mal gardée»; the Prince («Cinderella»), Beast («The Beauty and the Beast»), Albrecht («Giselle») and Otello («Shakespeare Suite») in choreographies by David Bintley.
He also performed in works by Carlos Acosta, Edward Clug, Jiří Kylián, Juliano Nunes, Twyla Tharp, and Uwe Scholz. Since the 2023/24 season, Brandon Lawrence has been Principal Dancer at Ballett Zürich and has danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Atonement», «The Cellist», «Snowblind», «Clara»), Marco Goecke, Wayne McGregor, Bronislava Nijinska, Mthuthuzeli November, Jerome Robbins, Christian Spuck, Kenneth MacMillan, Bryan Arias, William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, and Kim Brandstrup.
In 2025, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Nancy Osbaldeston holds both Belgian and British citizenship. She completed her dance training at the English National Ballet School in London. In 2008, she joined the English National Ballet, where she was awarded the «Emerging Dance Award» in 2013. In 2014, she moved to the Royal Ballet of Flanders, where she was promoted to principal dancer. She was regularly a guest performer with the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich and later danced at the Ballet du Capitole de Toulouse.
Her repertoire includes leading roles in choreographies by Yuri Grigorovich (Aegina in «Spartacus»), John Neumeier (Marie in «The Nutcracker»), Akram Khan («Giselle»), Kader Belarbi (Kitri in «Don Quixote»), and Pina Bausch («Café Müller»). Additionally, she has appeared in works by George Balanchine, Ohad Naharin, Jiří Kylián, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and Andonis Foniadakis.
Since the 2024/25 season, she has been principal dancer at Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Clara», Cecilia in «Atonement», «Mrs. Robinson»), Patrice Bart («Giselle»), William Forsythe («In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated»), Kenneth MacMillan («Concerto»), and Bryan Arias («Colorful Darkness»).

Ayaha Tsunaki is from Japan. She studied at the Palucca University of Dance Dresden, the Hamburg Ballet School, and the Kyouko Kanda Ballet Academy in Japan. From 2014 to 2025, she danced with the Semperoper Ballet in Dresden, serving as demi-soloist since 2021. Here, she performed as Julia in David Dawson’s «Romeo and Juliet», Odette in Johan Inger’s «Swan Lake», the title role in Inger’s «Carmen», the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in Aaron S. Watkin/Jason Beechey’s «The Nutcracker», and Gamzatti in Watkin’s «La Bayadère».
She has also appeared in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Stijn Celis, Ohad Naharin, Mats Ek, George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, John Neumeier, and Justin Peck.
Since the 2025/26 season, Ayaha Tsunaki has been principal dancer at Ballett Zürich.

Charles-Louis Yoshiyama holds Japanese and French citizenship. He received his dance training at Trinity College London and the English Ballet School. In 2007, he joined Houston Ballet and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2016. Important roles included Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Mayerling» and De Grieux in «Manon», as well as Oberon in John Neumeier’s «A Midsummer Night’s Dream». He also danced in Roland Petit’s «L’Arlésienne» and numerous works by George Balanchine. In choreographies by Ben Stevenson, he portrayed Basilio («Don Quixote»), Prince Florimund («Sleeping Beauty»), Franz («Coppélia»), Mercutio («Romeo and Juliet»), and the Prince («The Nutcracker»). In Stanton Welch’s works, he was Siegfried («Swan Lake»), Solor («La Bayadère»), and Albrecht («Giselle»). In John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», he danced Lucentio and Hortensio. In 2023, Charles-Louis Yoshiyama was Principal Dancer at Oregon Ballet Theatre. Since the 2023/24 season, he has been Principal Dancer at Ballett Zürich.

Inna Bilash is from Ukraine. She completed her ballet training at Kharkov Choreographic School, Perm State Choreographic College, and Perm State Academy of Arts and Culture. She was a soloist with Ballet Perm, where she danced Julia in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet», Odette/Odile in Natalia Makrova’s «Swan Lake», Giselle in the choreography by Perrot/Coralli/Petipa, the Bride in Jiří Kylián’s «Les Noces», and Masha in MacMillan’s «Winter Dreams». She also performed solo roles in choreographies by Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, and Douglas Lee. She won the Arabesque competition in Perm and the Bolshoi Ballet TV competition. In 2017, she received the «Soul of Dance» award from the ballet magazine. Since the 2018/19 season, Inna Bilash has been a member of Ballett Zürich and appeared as Briony in Cathy Marston’s «Atonement» and in the title role of Patrice Bart’s «Giselle». In 2024, she received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Wei Chen is from the USA and trained at Boston Ballet School, Margo Marshall’s School of Ballet, Walnut Hill School, and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy. At the Royal Ballet of Flanders, he danced Siegfried in Marcia Haydée’s «Swan Lake» and Prince Désiré in «The Sleeping Beauty», as well as Lenski in Cranko’s «Onegin». He has also performed in choreographies by Balanchine, Bournonville, Dawson, Forsythe, Godani, McGregor, Nureyev, Pite, Stevenson, and Wheeldon. Since the 2013/14 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, performing in works by Douglas Lee, Jiří Kylián, Marco Goecke, Edward Clug, William Forsythe, and Crystal Pite. He also danced Romeo and Mercutio in Christian Spuck’s «Romeo and Juliet», Benno in Ratmansky’s «Swan Lake», Coppelius in Spuck’s «Sandmann», Albrecht in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and the Cello in Cathy Marston’s «The Cellist». In 2023, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Max Richter is from the USA and trained at the International City School of Ballet and Houston Ballet II. Important choreographies during her engagement at Houston Ballet included Cathy Marston’s «Summer and Smoke», Ben Stevenson’s «Sleeping Beauty», and Balanchine’s «Diamonds». Since the 2023/24 season, Max Richter has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in Cathy Marston’s ballets «Atonement» and «Clara». She also appeared in the title role of Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», as the Bride in Bronislava Nijinska’s «Les Noces», and in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Jerome Robbins, Marcos Morau, Meryl Tankard, Christian Spuck, Marco Goecke, William Forsythe, Kim Brandstrup, and Kenneth MacMillan.

Shelby Williams holds American and Italian citizenship. She studied at Houston Ballet Academy, Washington School of Ballet, and Dancer’s Workshop Baton Rouge (Louisiana, USA). After engagements with Semperoper Ballet, Corella Ballet, and Ballet d’Europe, she was a soloist at Ballett Mainz, Hessisches Staatsballett Wiesbaden, and from 2016 to 2023 at Royal Ballet of Flanders. In 2017 and 2018, she was nominated for «Best Performance by a Female Dancer» and «Best News» in the «Critic’s Choice Awards» by Dance Europe Magazine. She danced Pina/Malou in Pina Bausch’s «Café Müller», Rusalka in the choreography by Alan Lucien Øyen, Myrtha in Akram Khan’s «Giselle», as well as leading roles in choreographies by Martha Graham, Johan Inger, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Andonis Foniadakis, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Édouard Lock, and Jermaine Spivey. Since the 2023/24 season, Shelby Williams has been a member of Ballett Zürich, where she has danced leading roles in creations by Meryl Tankard, Bryan Arias, and Cathy Marston, and important roles in the repertoire of Marcos Morau, Marco Goecke, William Forsythe, and Mats Ek.

Joel Woellner is Australian. He completed his training at the Ben Stevenson Academy of Houston Ballet and with Houston Ballet II. In 2013, he was a two-time prize winner at the Prix de Lausanne. After performing with Houston Ballet, he was a Principal Artist with Queensland Ballet from 2015 to 2024.
Joel Woellner danced Des Grieux in «Manon» by Kenneth MacMillan, Valmont in «Dangerous Liaisons» by Liam Scarlett, Oberon in Scarlett’s «A Midsummer Night’s Dream», Prince Ivan in Scarlett’s «The Firebird», and Prince Siegfried in «Swan Lake» by Ben Stevenson, as well as in choreographies by Greg Horsman, Christopher Bruce, and Jiří Kylián.
Since the 2024/25 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, he has appeared as Johannes Brahms in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», as Albrecht in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan, Crystal Pite, Bryan Arias, and Kim Brandstrup.

Sean Bates is from the United Kingdom and studied at the Royal Ballet School. He danced with Northern Ballet under the direction of David Nixon and performed in numerous leading roles, including Jay Gatsby in «The Great Gatsby», Romeo in «Romeo and Juliet», and Puck in «A Midsummer Night’s Dream».
After working with Cathy Marston on «Jane Eyre» and «Victoria», he joined Ballett Zürich at the beginning of the 2023/24 season. Here, he has appeared in soloist roles including Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski», Kenneth MacMillan’s «Concerto», as Denis in Cathy Marston’s «Snowblind», and as Bargiel in «Clara».
He has taught at Cape Town City Ballet as well as at various summer schools in the UK, and continues to coach dancers in his free time.

Chandler Dalton is American. He received his training at the School of Richmond Ballet and the Houston Ballet Academy. At Houston Ballet, he was promoted to Principal and danced roles such as James in Bournonville’s «La Sylphide», Bluebird and Pas de Quatre in Ben Stevenson’s «Sleeping Beauty», the Pas de trois in George Balanchine’s «Emeralds», and leading roles in ballets by John Neumeier, Jerome Robbins, Christopher Bruce, and Justin Peck.
Since the 2023/24 season, Chandler Dalton has been a member of Ballett Zürich, where he has appeared in the title role of Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski» and as Johannes Brahms in Cathy Marston’s «Clara». He has also performed in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle» (Peasant Pas de deux), William Forsythe’s «In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated», and in ballets by Crystal Pite, Christian Spuck, Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan, and Marcos Morau.

Francesca Dell’Aria is from Italy. She received her training at the Elmhurst School and with Birmingham Royal Ballet. After engagements with the Slovak National Ballet and the Bavarian State Ballet, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2014/15 season.
She has performed in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, George Balanchine, Hans van Manen, Jacopo Godani, Douglas Lee, Edward Clug («Peer Gynt»), Marco Goecke («Nijinski»), Crystal Pite, and Marcos Morau.
She has also danced title roles in Cathy Marston’s «The Cellist» and Christian Spuck’s «Anna Karenina», as well as Myrtha in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle». In 2019, she was awarded the «Tanzpreis der Freunde des Balletts Zürich».

Jesse Fraser was born in Saskatoon, Canada. Trained at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, he joined Stuttgart Ballet in the 2010/11 season. There, he danced in choreographies by Cranko, MacMillan, Spuck, Haydée, Neumeier, Béjart, Forsythe, Cherkaoui, Goecke, Clug, Volpi, and Stiens. He also created his own choreographic works as part of the Noverre Society’s «Young Choreographers» series.
Since the 2015/16 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Among other roles, he has appeared as Paris in Christian Spuck’s «Romeo and Juliet», Hilarion in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», the Stag in Edward Clug’s «Peer Gynt», and in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jacopo Godani, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Cathy Marston, Marcos Morau, Crystal Pite, and Bryan Arias.

Jorge García Pérez is Spanish. He received his dance training at the Estudio de Danza María de Ávila and became a member of Malandain Ballet Biarritz II at the age of 16. In 2005, he won the gold medal at the Premio Roma competition. Heinz Spoerli then engaged him for the Junior Ballet and shortly thereafter for the Zürich Ballet. In 2008, he became a soloist at Ballett Basel under Richard Wherlock, where he danced numerous leading roles.
In 2011, he made his debut as a choreographer. He has won several awards at prestigious competitions, including the choreography competition in Hannover. In 2024, he was a coach at the «Prix de Lausanne» and co-founder of the charity gala «Strength and Grace». Since the 2023/24 season, Jorge García Pérez has been a member of Ballett Zürich again. Alongside his dancing duties, he has also been working as a rehearsal assistant since last season.

Daniela Gómez Pérez is from Cuba. She studied at the Fernando Alonso National Ballet School and the Instituto Superior de Arte de Cuba. From 2015 to 2023, she was Principal Dancer at the Cuban National Ballet. Under Alicia Alonso’s direction, she danced leading roles in «Coppélia», «Giselle», «Swan Lake», and «The Nutcracker». She also appeared in choreographies by Peter Quanz, Brian McDonald, George Balanchine, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Cathy Marston, Ricardo Amarante, Alexei Ratmansky, Uwe Scholz, Ben Stevenson, Mikhail Fokine, and Gemma Bond. For her interpretation of Daniel Proietto’s «Cigne», she was entered into the Golden Book of the Gran Teatro de La Habana. Since the 2023/24 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich.

Irmina Kopaczynska was born in Poland. She trained at the National Polish Ballet School in Poznan. She is a multiple prizewinner of the National Polish Ballet Competition and has participated in «Premio Roma» and «Prix de Lausanne». After two seasons with the Junior Ballet, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2011/12 season. She danced the Silver Fairy in Mats Ek’s «Sleeping Beauty», Betsy in Christian Spuck’s «Anna Karenina», the Nurse in Spuck’s «Romeo and Juliet», and the Mother in Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski». She has also appeared in many other works by Christian Spuck and choreographies by William Forsythe, Iacopo Godani, Marco Goecke, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Marcos Morau, and Crystal Pite.

Mlindi Kulashe is from South Africa. He trained at the English National Ballet School. From 2013 to 2022, he danced with Northern Ballet in Leeds, performing many leading roles. Since early 2023, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, he appeared in choreographies by Cathy Marston, including as Cello («The Cellist»), Officer («Atonement»), and Wieck («Clara»). As part of the «Next Generation» series, he choreographed his own piece titled «Molo».

Sujung Lim is from South Korea. She trained at Yewon Arts High School and the Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts. She won gold medals at the Tanzolymp Berlin in 2008 and 2011. From 2011 to 2018, she danced as a soloist with Ballett Karlsruhe, performing in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet», John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», Peter Wright’s «Giselle», and Christopher Wheeldon’s «Swan Lake». Since the 2018/19 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich, appearing in many choreographies by Cathy Marston, Christian Spuck, Wayne McGregor, Patrice Bart, William Forsythe, Johan Inger, Jiří Kylián, Marcos Morau, and Crystal Pite. In 2025, she was awarded the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Pablo Octávio is Brazilian. He studied at Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts. He was a finalist at the Prix de Lausanne in 2011. From 2012 to 2023, he danced at Badisches Staatsballett Karlsruhe. Important roles there included Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet», Prince in Youri Vamos’ «The Nutcracker», Lucentio in John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», and Albrecht in David Dawson’s «Giselle». Since the 2023/24 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, performing the title role in Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski», Joseph Joachim in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», the Peasant Pas de Deux in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and in choreographies by Jerome Robbins, Marcos Morau, Wayne McGregor, and Crystal Pite.

Yun-Su Park is from Korea. She trained at Shunwa Arts School and the Hamburg Ballet School. From 2007 to 2024, she danced with Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier, where she was promoted to soloist in 2018. She appeared in numerous ballets by John Neumeier, including Lady Capulet in «Romeo and Juliet», Diana in «Sylvia», Elisabeth in «Preludes CV», and in «Nocturnes», «Messiah», and «Beethoven Project». She also danced in ballets by Rudolf Nureyev and George Balanchine. Since the 2024/25 season, she has been a guest dancer with Ballett Zürich, performing the title role in Cathy Marston’s ballet «Mrs. Robinson».

The Italo-Argentine Constanza Perotta Altube trained at Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and at the Ballet School of La Scala Milan. After engagements with the Teatro Colón Ballet and Victor Ullate Ballet in Madrid, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2009/10 season. Here, she appeared in choreographies by Christian Spuck (including Snow Queen in «The Nutcracker and the Mouse King»), Marco Goecke («Nijinski»), Patrice Bart (Myrtha in «Giselle»), Mats Ek, Iacopo Godani, Hans van Manen, Jiří Kylián, Edward Clug, Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, Alexei Ratmansky, and William Forsythe.

McKhayla Pettingill is Filipino-American. She trained at Houston Ballet Academy. At Houston Ballet, she danced in choreographies by Jerome Robbins, Stanton Welch, James Kudelka, Disha Zang, John Neumeier, and George Balanchine. At the National Ballet of Canada, she appeared in works by Crystal Pite, David Dawson, and Kenneth MacMillan. Since the 2023/24 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich, performing as Clara in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», in the Peasant Pas de Deux in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and solo in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Christian Spuck, Kenneth MacMillan, and William Forsythe.

Aurore Aleman Lissitzky is from France. She trained with Monique Loudières, at the Académie Princesse Grace in Monte-Carlo, and at the Hamburg Ballet School. In 2008, she won the gold medal at the Concours International de Danse de Grasse. At age 16, she joined Hamburg Ballet in 2012 and danced solos in numerous choreographies by John Neumeier. After half a season in the Junior Ballet, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2017/18 season. She danced solos in choreographies by Christian Spuck, Edward Clug, Johan Inger, Jiří Kylián («Stepping Stones»), Patrice Bart (Peasant Pas de Deux in «Giselle»), and William Forsythe («The Second Detail»).

Iacopo Arregui is from Italy. He trained at Balletto di Verona and Académie Princesse Grace in Monte-Carlo, and performed in «The Nutcracker» by J.-C. Maillot with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. After two seasons with the Junior Ballet, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2019/20 season. He appeared in choreographies by Christian Spuck (including Silver Fairy in «Sleeping Beauty»), William Forsythe («The Second Detail»; «One Flat Thing, Reproduced»), Marco Goecke («Nijinski», «Almost Blue»), Crystal Pite («Emergence», «Angels’ Atlas»), Johan Inger («Walking Mad»), Jiří Kylián, Ohad Naharin, Marcos Morau, and Cathy Marston.

Breanna Foad is Australian. From 2018 to 2025, she danced with English National Ballet. There, she performed leading roles in choreographies by Mats Ek, Johan Inger, and Andrea Miller. She also appeared in works by Akram Khan, William Forsythe, Christopher Wheeldon, Derek Deane, and Arielle Smith. In 2024, she won the «English National Opera’s Emerging Dancer Competition». Since the 2025/26 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich.

Giorgia Giani is Italian. She completed her ballet training at the Hamburg Ballet School. After her first engagement with the Federal Youth Ballet, she was with the Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier from 2016 to 2023, gaining extensive stage experience. Since the 2023/24 season, Giorgia Giani has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, she has appeared in numerous ballets by Cathy Marston (including as Clara in «Clara» and as Briony Tallis in «Atonement»). She also danced in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle» (Peasants’ Pas de Deux), Kenneth MacMillan’s «Concerto», Wayne McGregor’s «Infra», and William Forsythe’s «In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated».

Marià Huguet is from Spain. He received his dance training at the Classical Ballet School in Girona, the Royal Ballet School, and the Hamburg Ballet School. From 2016 to 2023, he danced with the Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier, performing in Neumeier’s productions of «Anna Karenina», «Ghost Light», «Dona Nobis Pacem», «Nijinsky», «The Lady of the Camellias», and «A Midsummer Night’s Dream». Since the 2023/24 season, Marià Huguet has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, he performed as Johannes Brahms in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», Kai in Kim Brandstrup’s «Of Light, Wind and Waters», Wilfried in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», as well as in choreographies by Marcos Morau, Christian Spuck, Wayne McGregor, William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, and Bryan Arias.

Erik Kim is from the USA. He completed his dance training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. After his first engagement at Ballet Nacional Sodre in Uruguay, he danced with the Atlanta Ballet from 2021 to 2024. Among others, he performed the title role in Yuri Possokhov’s «The Nutcracker» and appeared in choreographies by August Bournonville, Ben Stevenson, Cathy Marston, Kenneth MacMillan, and Juliano Nunes. Since the 2024/25 season, he has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, he appeared as Benjamin Braddock in Cathy Marston’s «Mrs. Robinson», in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle» (Peasants’ Pas de Deux), and in Crystal Pite’s «Emergence».

Ruka Nakagawa is from Japan. She received her ballet training at the Shimoda Harumi Ballet in Japan, at the Benedict Manniegel Ballet Academy in Munich, and at the Royal Ballet School in Antwerp. From 2017 to 2023, she danced with Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Belgium. Among others, she performed as Giselle in Akram Khan’s «Giselle», as the Chosen One in Pina Bausch’s «Le Sacre du printemps», and in choreographies by Ohad Naharin and Johan Inger. Since the 2023/24 season, she has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Clara», Mattie in «Snow Blind», and Lola in «Atonement») and appeared in works by Christian Spuck, William Forsythe, Marco Goecke, and Marcos Morau.

Nehanda Péguillan holds French and South African citizenship. She received her dance training in Johannesburg and at the Pôle National Supérieur de Danse Rosella Hightower in Cannes. With Cannes Jeune Ballet, she performed in choreographies by Jean-Christophe Maillot, Carolyn Carlson, and Thierry Malandin. In 2023, she danced in the Dutch company De Theater BV’s production of «Nureyev». After one season in the Junior Ballet, she has been a member of the Ballett Zürich since the 2024/25 season. Here, she has performed in choreographies by Crystal Pite, William Forsythe, Cathy Marston, and Wayne McGregor.

Caroline Perry is from the USA. She trained at the Houston Ballet Academy and Houston Ballet II. In her first engagement with Houston Ballet, she danced in choreographies by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Kenneth MacMillan, Ben Stevenson, Stanton Welch, and Christopher Wheeldon. From 2022 to 2024, she was a member of Cincinnati Ballet, where she performed in choreographies by Jiří Kylián, Alejandro Cerrudo, William Forsythe, Peter Chu, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Cathy Marston. Since the 2024/25 season, Caroline Perry has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, she appeared in Bryan Arias’ «Colorful Darkness», Wayne McGregor’s «Infra», and William Forsythe’s «In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated».

Kilian Smith holds British and Irish citizenship. He danced at the National Ballet of Portugal in choreographies by Fernando Duarte and Akram Khan. During his engagement with the Polish National Ballet, he performed in Wayne McGregor’s «Infra» as well as the roles of Mercutio («Romeo and Juliet»), Trinculo («The Tempest»), and Renfield («Dracula») by Krzysztof Pastor. Since the 2023/24 season, Kilian Smith has been a member of the Ballett Zürich.

Dustin True is from the USA. After training at the School of American Ballet, he performed with Dutch National Ballet Amsterdam, Ballet Dortmund, and Los Angeles Ballet. He danced solo roles in «Swan Lake», «Sleeping Beauty», «Giselle», and «Romeo and Juliet», and appeared as a soloist in choreographies by David Dawson, George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Christian Spuck, Justin Peck, Benjamin Millepied, Jacopo Godani, Jiří Kylián, Mauro Bigonzetti, and Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa. Since the 2023/24 season, he has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, he appeared in numerous choreographies by Cathy Marston as well as in William Forsythe’s «In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated», Wayne McGregor’s «Infra», and Jerome Robbins’ «Glass Pieces».

Karen Azatyan is originally from Armenia. Trained at the Yerevan Dancing Art State College and the Dance Academy Zurich, he won the Prix de Lausanne in 2005. From 2007 to 2014, he was a member of the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich (promoted to soloist in 2012). In 2014, he joined the Hamburg Ballet as a principal dancer, where he maintained a close collaboration with John Neumeier until the latter’s departure in 2024. He danced leading roles and solos in many of Neumeier’s ballets, including: «Illusions» – like «Swan Lake», «The Nutcracker», «A Midsummer Night’s Dream», «A Streetcar Named Desire», «Death in Venice», «Peer Gynt», «Romeo and Juliet», «Nijinsky», «Liliom», «The Seagull», «Winterreise», «St. Matthew Passion», «The Song of the Earth» and Mahler’s «Third Symphony».
His repertoire also includes works by Frederick Ashton, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Marius Petipa, Jerome Robbins, and Christopher Wheeldon.
Since the 2024/25 season, Karen Azatyan has been a principal dancer with Ballett Zürich. Here, he has appeared as Robert Schumann in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», Hilarion in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and as the Shadow in Kim Brandstrup’s «Of Light, Wind and Waters».

Esteban Berlanga is from Spain. After his training at the Royal Conservatory of Albacete and the Professional Dance Conservatory of Madrid, he danced with the English National Ballet from 2006 to 2013. There, he was promoted to principal dancer in 2012. Among other roles, he danced Prince Siegfried in Derek Dean’s «Swan Lake», the prince in Kenneth MacMillan’s «The Sleeping Beauty», Albrecht in Mary Skeaping’s «Giselle», the Nutcracker in Wayne Eagling’s choreography, and Frédéric in Roland Petit’s «L’Arlésienne». For David Dawson’s «Faun(e)», he was nominated for the «Benois de la Danse». From 2013 to 2018, he was principal dancer at the Compañia Nacional de Danza de España. Since the 2018/19 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, and since 2022, a principal dancer. He appeared in the title role of Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski» and danced leading roles in choreographies by Christian Spuck (including «The Sleeping Beauty»; «Anna Karenina») and Cathy Marston («The Cellist»; «Snowblind»).
In 2024, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Brandon Lawrence is from Great Britain. He received his ballet training at the Royal Ballet School. From 2011 to 2023, he danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet, serving as Principal Dancer since 2019. Important roles included the Prince («The Nutcracker»), Franz («Coppélia»), Prince Florimund («The Sleeping Beauty»), Prince Siegfried («Swan Lake») in choreographies by Peter Wright; Romeo in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet»; Colas in Frederick Ashton’s «La Fille mal gardée»; the Prince («Cinderella»), Beast («The Beauty and the Beast»), Albrecht («Giselle») and Otello («Shakespeare Suite») in choreographies by David Bintley.
He also performed in works by Carlos Acosta, Edward Clug, Jiří Kylián, Juliano Nunes, Twyla Tharp, and Uwe Scholz. Since the 2023/24 season, Brandon Lawrence has been Principal Dancer at Ballett Zürich and has danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Atonement», «The Cellist», «Snowblind», «Clara»), Marco Goecke, Wayne McGregor, Bronislava Nijinska, Mthuthuzeli November, Jerome Robbins, Christian Spuck, Kenneth MacMillan, Bryan Arias, William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, and Kim Brandstrup.
In 2025, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Nancy Osbaldeston holds both Belgian and British citizenship. She completed her dance training at the English National Ballet School in London. In 2008, she joined the English National Ballet, where she was awarded the «Emerging Dance Award» in 2013. In 2014, she moved to the Royal Ballet of Flanders, where she was promoted to principal dancer. She was regularly a guest performer with the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich and later danced at the Ballet du Capitole de Toulouse.
Her repertoire includes leading roles in choreographies by Yuri Grigorovich (Aegina in «Spartacus»), John Neumeier (Marie in «The Nutcracker»), Akram Khan («Giselle»), Kader Belarbi (Kitri in «Don Quixote»), and Pina Bausch («Café Müller»). Additionally, she has appeared in works by George Balanchine, Ohad Naharin, Jiří Kylián, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and Andonis Foniadakis.
Since the 2024/25 season, she has been principal dancer at Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Clara», Cecilia in «Atonement», «Mrs. Robinson»), Patrice Bart («Giselle»), William Forsythe («In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated»), Kenneth MacMillan («Concerto»), and Bryan Arias («Colorful Darkness»).

Ayaha Tsunaki is from Japan. She studied at the Palucca University of Dance Dresden, the Hamburg Ballet School, and the Kyouko Kanda Ballet Academy in Japan. From 2014 to 2025, she danced with the Semperoper Ballet in Dresden, serving as demi-soloist since 2021. Here, she performed as Julia in David Dawson’s «Romeo and Juliet», Odette in Johan Inger’s «Swan Lake», the title role in Inger’s «Carmen», the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in Aaron S. Watkin/Jason Beechey’s «The Nutcracker», and Gamzatti in Watkin’s «La Bayadère».
She has also appeared in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Stijn Celis, Ohad Naharin, Mats Ek, George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, John Neumeier, and Justin Peck.
Since the 2025/26 season, Ayaha Tsunaki has been principal dancer at Ballett Zürich.

Charles-Louis Yoshiyama holds Japanese and French citizenship. He received his dance training at Trinity College London and the English Ballet School. In 2007, he joined Houston Ballet and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2016. Important roles included Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Mayerling» and De Grieux in «Manon», as well as Oberon in John Neumeier’s «A Midsummer Night’s Dream». He also danced in Roland Petit’s «L’Arlésienne» and numerous works by George Balanchine. In choreographies by Ben Stevenson, he portrayed Basilio («Don Quixote»), Prince Florimund («Sleeping Beauty»), Franz («Coppélia»), Mercutio («Romeo and Juliet»), and the Prince («The Nutcracker»). In Stanton Welch’s works, he was Siegfried («Swan Lake»), Solor («La Bayadère»), and Albrecht («Giselle»). In John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», he danced Lucentio and Hortensio. In 2023, Charles-Louis Yoshiyama was Principal Dancer at Oregon Ballet Theatre. Since the 2023/24 season, he has been Principal Dancer at Ballett Zürich.

Inna Bilash is from Ukraine. She completed her ballet training at Kharkov Choreographic School, Perm State Choreographic College, and Perm State Academy of Arts and Culture. She was a soloist with Ballet Perm, where she danced Julia in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet», Odette/Odile in Natalia Makrova’s «Swan Lake», Giselle in the choreography by Perrot/Coralli/Petipa, the Bride in Jiří Kylián’s «Les Noces», and Masha in MacMillan’s «Winter Dreams». She also performed solo roles in choreographies by Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, and Douglas Lee. She won the Arabesque competition in Perm and the Bolshoi Ballet TV competition. In 2017, she received the «Soul of Dance» award from the ballet magazine. Since the 2018/19 season, Inna Bilash has been a member of Ballett Zürich and appeared as Briony in Cathy Marston’s «Atonement» and in the title role of Patrice Bart’s «Giselle». In 2024, she received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Wei Chen is from the USA and trained at Boston Ballet School, Margo Marshall’s School of Ballet, Walnut Hill School, and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy. At the Royal Ballet of Flanders, he danced Siegfried in Marcia Haydée’s «Swan Lake» and Prince Désiré in «The Sleeping Beauty», as well as Lenski in Cranko’s «Onegin». He has also performed in choreographies by Balanchine, Bournonville, Dawson, Forsythe, Godani, McGregor, Nureyev, Pite, Stevenson, and Wheeldon. Since the 2013/14 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, performing in works by Douglas Lee, Jiří Kylián, Marco Goecke, Edward Clug, William Forsythe, and Crystal Pite. He also danced Romeo and Mercutio in Christian Spuck’s «Romeo and Juliet», Benno in Ratmansky’s «Swan Lake», Coppelius in Spuck’s «Sandmann», Albrecht in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and the Cello in Cathy Marston’s «The Cellist». In 2023, he received the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Max Richter is from the USA and trained at the International City School of Ballet and Houston Ballet II. Important choreographies during her engagement at Houston Ballet included Cathy Marston’s «Summer and Smoke», Ben Stevenson’s «Sleeping Beauty», and Balanchine’s «Diamonds». Since the 2023/24 season, Max Richter has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in Cathy Marston’s ballets «Atonement» and «Clara». She also appeared in the title role of Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», as the Bride in Bronislava Nijinska’s «Les Noces», and in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Jerome Robbins, Marcos Morau, Meryl Tankard, Christian Spuck, Marco Goecke, William Forsythe, Kim Brandstrup, and Kenneth MacMillan.

Shelby Williams holds American and Italian citizenship. She studied at Houston Ballet Academy, Washington School of Ballet, and Dancer’s Workshop Baton Rouge (Louisiana, USA). After engagements with Semperoper Ballet, Corella Ballet, and Ballet d’Europe, she was a soloist at Ballett Mainz, Hessisches Staatsballett Wiesbaden, and from 2016 to 2023 at Royal Ballet of Flanders. In 2017 and 2018, she was nominated for «Best Performance by a Female Dancer» and «Best News» in the «Critic’s Choice Awards» by Dance Europe Magazine. She danced Pina/Malou in Pina Bausch’s «Café Müller», Rusalka in the choreography by Alan Lucien Øyen, Myrtha in Akram Khan’s «Giselle», as well as leading roles in choreographies by Martha Graham, Johan Inger, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Andonis Foniadakis, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Édouard Lock, and Jermaine Spivey. Since the 2023/24 season, Shelby Williams has been a member of Ballett Zürich, where she has danced leading roles in creations by Meryl Tankard, Bryan Arias, and Cathy Marston, and important roles in the repertoire of Marcos Morau, Marco Goecke, William Forsythe, and Mats Ek.

Joel Woellner is Australian. He completed his training at the Ben Stevenson Academy of Houston Ballet and with Houston Ballet II. In 2013, he was a two-time prize winner at the Prix de Lausanne. After performing with Houston Ballet, he was a Principal Artist with Queensland Ballet from 2015 to 2024.
Joel Woellner danced Des Grieux in «Manon» by Kenneth MacMillan, Valmont in «Dangerous Liaisons» by Liam Scarlett, Oberon in Scarlett’s «A Midsummer Night’s Dream», Prince Ivan in Scarlett’s «The Firebird», and Prince Siegfried in «Swan Lake» by Ben Stevenson, as well as in choreographies by Greg Horsman, Christopher Bruce, and Jiří Kylián.
Since the 2024/25 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, he has appeared as Johannes Brahms in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», as Albrecht in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan, Crystal Pite, Bryan Arias, and Kim Brandstrup.

Sean Bates is from the United Kingdom and studied at the Royal Ballet School. He danced with Northern Ballet under the direction of David Nixon and performed in numerous leading roles, including Jay Gatsby in «The Great Gatsby», Romeo in «Romeo and Juliet», and Puck in «A Midsummer Night’s Dream».
After working with Cathy Marston on «Jane Eyre» and «Victoria», he joined Ballett Zürich at the beginning of the 2023/24 season. Here, he has appeared in soloist roles including Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski», Kenneth MacMillan’s «Concerto», as Denis in Cathy Marston’s «Snowblind», and as Bargiel in «Clara».
He has taught at Cape Town City Ballet as well as at various summer schools in the UK, and continues to coach dancers in his free time.

Chandler Dalton is American. He received his training at the School of Richmond Ballet and the Houston Ballet Academy. At Houston Ballet, he was promoted to Principal and danced roles such as James in Bournonville’s «La Sylphide», Bluebird and Pas de Quatre in Ben Stevenson’s «Sleeping Beauty», the Pas de trois in George Balanchine’s «Emeralds», and leading roles in ballets by John Neumeier, Jerome Robbins, Christopher Bruce, and Justin Peck.
Since the 2023/24 season, Chandler Dalton has been a member of Ballett Zürich, where he has appeared in the title role of Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski» and as Johannes Brahms in Cathy Marston’s «Clara». He has also performed in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle» (Peasant Pas de deux), William Forsythe’s «In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated», and in ballets by Crystal Pite, Christian Spuck, Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan, and Marcos Morau.

Francesca Dell’Aria is from Italy. She received her training at the Elmhurst School and with Birmingham Royal Ballet. After engagements with the Slovak National Ballet and the Bavarian State Ballet, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2014/15 season.
She has performed in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, George Balanchine, Hans van Manen, Jacopo Godani, Douglas Lee, Edward Clug («Peer Gynt»), Marco Goecke («Nijinski»), Crystal Pite, and Marcos Morau.
She has also danced title roles in Cathy Marston’s «The Cellist» and Christian Spuck’s «Anna Karenina», as well as Myrtha in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle». In 2019, she was awarded the «Tanzpreis der Freunde des Balletts Zürich».

Jesse Fraser was born in Saskatoon, Canada. Trained at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, he joined Stuttgart Ballet in the 2010/11 season. There, he danced in choreographies by Cranko, MacMillan, Spuck, Haydée, Neumeier, Béjart, Forsythe, Cherkaoui, Goecke, Clug, Volpi, and Stiens. He also created his own choreographic works as part of the Noverre Society’s «Young Choreographers» series.
Since the 2015/16 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Among other roles, he has appeared as Paris in Christian Spuck’s «Romeo and Juliet», Hilarion in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», the Stag in Edward Clug’s «Peer Gynt», and in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jacopo Godani, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Cathy Marston, Marcos Morau, Crystal Pite, and Bryan Arias.

Jorge García Pérez is Spanish. He received his dance training at the Estudio de Danza María de Ávila and became a member of Malandain Ballet Biarritz II at the age of 16. In 2005, he won the gold medal at the Premio Roma competition. Heinz Spoerli then engaged him for the Junior Ballet and shortly thereafter for the Zürich Ballet. In 2008, he became a soloist at Ballett Basel under Richard Wherlock, where he danced numerous leading roles.
In 2011, he made his debut as a choreographer. He has won several awards at prestigious competitions, including the choreography competition in Hannover. In 2024, he was a coach at the «Prix de Lausanne» and co-founder of the charity gala «Strength and Grace». Since the 2023/24 season, Jorge García Pérez has been a member of Ballett Zürich again. Alongside his dancing duties, he has also been working as a rehearsal assistant since last season.

Daniela Gómez Pérez is from Cuba. She studied at the Fernando Alonso National Ballet School and the Instituto Superior de Arte de Cuba. From 2015 to 2023, she was Principal Dancer at the Cuban National Ballet. Under Alicia Alonso’s direction, she danced leading roles in «Coppélia», «Giselle», «Swan Lake», and «The Nutcracker». She also appeared in choreographies by Peter Quanz, Brian McDonald, George Balanchine, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Cathy Marston, Ricardo Amarante, Alexei Ratmansky, Uwe Scholz, Ben Stevenson, Mikhail Fokine, and Gemma Bond. For her interpretation of Daniel Proietto’s «Cigne», she was entered into the Golden Book of the Gran Teatro de La Habana. Since the 2023/24 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich.

Irmina Kopaczynska was born in Poland. She trained at the National Polish Ballet School in Poznan. She is a multiple prizewinner of the National Polish Ballet Competition and has participated in «Premio Roma» and «Prix de Lausanne». After two seasons with the Junior Ballet, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2011/12 season. She danced the Silver Fairy in Mats Ek’s «Sleeping Beauty», Betsy in Christian Spuck’s «Anna Karenina», the Nurse in Spuck’s «Romeo and Juliet», and the Mother in Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski». She has also appeared in many other works by Christian Spuck and choreographies by William Forsythe, Iacopo Godani, Marco Goecke, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Marcos Morau, and Crystal Pite.

Mlindi Kulashe is from South Africa. He trained at the English National Ballet School. From 2013 to 2022, he danced with Northern Ballet in Leeds, performing many leading roles. Since early 2023, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich. Here, he appeared in choreographies by Cathy Marston, including as Cello («The Cellist»), Officer («Atonement»), and Wieck («Clara»). As part of the «Next Generation» series, he choreographed his own piece titled «Molo».

Sujung Lim is from South Korea. She trained at Yewon Arts High School and the Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts. She won gold medals at the Tanzolymp Berlin in 2008 and 2011. From 2011 to 2018, she danced as a soloist with Ballett Karlsruhe, performing in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet», John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», Peter Wright’s «Giselle», and Christopher Wheeldon’s «Swan Lake». Since the 2018/19 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich, appearing in many choreographies by Cathy Marston, Christian Spuck, Wayne McGregor, Patrice Bart, William Forsythe, Johan Inger, Jiří Kylián, Marcos Morau, and Crystal Pite. In 2025, she was awarded the «Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zürich».

Pablo Octávio is Brazilian. He studied at Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts. He was a finalist at the Prix de Lausanne in 2011. From 2012 to 2023, he danced at Badisches Staatsballett Karlsruhe. Important roles there included Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio in Kenneth MacMillan’s «Romeo and Juliet», Prince in Youri Vamos’ «The Nutcracker», Lucentio in John Cranko’s «The Taming of the Shrew», and Albrecht in David Dawson’s «Giselle». Since the 2023/24 season, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich, performing the title role in Marco Goecke’s «Nijinski», Joseph Joachim in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», the Peasant Pas de Deux in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and in choreographies by Jerome Robbins, Marcos Morau, Wayne McGregor, and Crystal Pite.

Yun-Su Park is from Korea. She trained at Shunwa Arts School and the Hamburg Ballet School. From 2007 to 2024, she danced with Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier, where she was promoted to soloist in 2018. She appeared in numerous ballets by John Neumeier, including Lady Capulet in «Romeo and Juliet», Diana in «Sylvia», Elisabeth in «Preludes CV», and in «Nocturnes», «Messiah», and «Beethoven Project». She also danced in ballets by Rudolf Nureyev and George Balanchine. Since the 2024/25 season, she has been a guest dancer with Ballett Zürich, performing the title role in Cathy Marston’s ballet «Mrs. Robinson».

The Italo-Argentine Constanza Perotta Altube trained at Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and at the Ballet School of La Scala Milan. After engagements with the Teatro Colón Ballet and Victor Ullate Ballet in Madrid, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2009/10 season. Here, she appeared in choreographies by Christian Spuck (including Snow Queen in «The Nutcracker and the Mouse King»), Marco Goecke («Nijinski»), Patrice Bart (Myrtha in «Giselle»), Mats Ek, Iacopo Godani, Hans van Manen, Jiří Kylián, Edward Clug, Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, Alexei Ratmansky, and William Forsythe.

McKhayla Pettingill is Filipino-American. She trained at Houston Ballet Academy. At Houston Ballet, she danced in choreographies by Jerome Robbins, Stanton Welch, James Kudelka, Disha Zang, John Neumeier, and George Balanchine. At the National Ballet of Canada, she appeared in works by Crystal Pite, David Dawson, and Kenneth MacMillan. Since the 2023/24 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich, performing as Clara in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», in the Peasant Pas de Deux in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», and solo in choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Christian Spuck, Kenneth MacMillan, and William Forsythe.

Aurore Aleman Lissitzky is from France. She trained with Monique Loudières, at the Académie Princesse Grace in Monte-Carlo, and at the Hamburg Ballet School. In 2008, she won the gold medal at the Concours International de Danse de Grasse. At age 16, she joined Hamburg Ballet in 2012 and danced solos in numerous choreographies by John Neumeier. After half a season in the Junior Ballet, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2017/18 season. She danced solos in choreographies by Christian Spuck, Edward Clug, Johan Inger, Jiří Kylián («Stepping Stones»), Patrice Bart (Peasant Pas de Deux in «Giselle»), and William Forsythe («The Second Detail»).

Iacopo Arregui is from Italy. He trained at Balletto di Verona and Académie Princesse Grace in Monte-Carlo, and performed in «The Nutcracker» by J.-C. Maillot with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. After two seasons with the Junior Ballet, he has been a member of Ballett Zürich since the 2019/20 season. He appeared in choreographies by Christian Spuck (including Silver Fairy in «Sleeping Beauty»), William Forsythe («The Second Detail»; «One Flat Thing, Reproduced»), Marco Goecke («Nijinski», «Almost Blue»), Crystal Pite («Emergence», «Angels’ Atlas»), Johan Inger («Walking Mad»), Jiří Kylián, Ohad Naharin, Marcos Morau, and Cathy Marston.

Breanna Foad is Australian. From 2018 to 2025, she danced with English National Ballet. There, she performed leading roles in choreographies by Mats Ek, Johan Inger, and Andrea Miller. She also appeared in works by Akram Khan, William Forsythe, Christopher Wheeldon, Derek Deane, and Arielle Smith. In 2024, she won the «English National Opera’s Emerging Dancer Competition». Since the 2025/26 season, she has been a member of Ballett Zürich.

Giorgia Giani is Italian. She completed her ballet training at the Hamburg Ballet School. After her first engagement with the Federal Youth Ballet, she was with the Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier from 2016 to 2023, gaining extensive stage experience. Since the 2023/24 season, Giorgia Giani has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, she has appeared in numerous ballets by Cathy Marston (including as Clara in «Clara» and as Briony Tallis in «Atonement»). She also danced in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle» (Peasants’ Pas de Deux), Kenneth MacMillan’s «Concerto», Wayne McGregor’s «Infra», and William Forsythe’s «In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated».

Marià Huguet is from Spain. He received his dance training at the Classical Ballet School in Girona, the Royal Ballet School, and the Hamburg Ballet School. From 2016 to 2023, he danced with the Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier, performing in Neumeier’s productions of «Anna Karenina», «Ghost Light», «Dona Nobis Pacem», «Nijinsky», «The Lady of the Camellias», and «A Midsummer Night’s Dream». Since the 2023/24 season, Marià Huguet has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, he performed as Johannes Brahms in Cathy Marston’s «Clara», Kai in Kim Brandstrup’s «Of Light, Wind and Waters», Wilfried in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», as well as in choreographies by Marcos Morau, Christian Spuck, Wayne McGregor, William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, and Bryan Arias.

Erik Kim is from the USA. He completed his dance training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. After his first engagement at Ballet Nacional Sodre in Uruguay, he danced with the Atlanta Ballet from 2021 to 2024. Among others, he performed the title role in Yuri Possokhov’s «The Nutcracker» and appeared in choreographies by August Bournonville, Ben Stevenson, Cathy Marston, Kenneth MacMillan, and Juliano Nunes. Since the 2024/25 season, he has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, he appeared as Benjamin Braddock in Cathy Marston’s «Mrs. Robinson», in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle» (Peasants’ Pas de Deux), and in Crystal Pite’s «Emergence».

Ruka Nakagawa is from Japan. She received her ballet training at the Shimoda Harumi Ballet in Japan, at the Benedict Manniegel Ballet Academy in Munich, and at the Royal Ballet School in Antwerp. From 2017 to 2023, she danced with Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Belgium. Among others, she performed as Giselle in Akram Khan’s «Giselle», as the Chosen One in Pina Bausch’s «Le Sacre du printemps», and in choreographies by Ohad Naharin and Johan Inger. Since the 2023/24 season, she has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, she danced leading roles in choreographies by Cathy Marston («Clara», Mattie in «Snow Blind», and Lola in «Atonement») and appeared in works by Christian Spuck, William Forsythe, Marco Goecke, and Marcos Morau.

Nehanda Péguillan holds French and South African citizenship. She received her dance training in Johannesburg and at the Pôle National Supérieur de Danse Rosella Hightower in Cannes. With Cannes Jeune Ballet, she performed in choreographies by Jean-Christophe Maillot, Carolyn Carlson, and Thierry Malandin. In 2023, she danced in the Dutch company De Theater BV’s production of «Nureyev». After one season in the Junior Ballet, she has been a member of the Ballett Zürich since the 2024/25 season. Here, she has performed in choreographies by Crystal Pite, William Forsythe, Cathy Marston, and Wayne McGregor.

Caroline Perry is from the USA. She trained at the Houston Ballet Academy and Houston Ballet II. In her first engagement with Houston Ballet, she danced in choreographies by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Kenneth MacMillan, Ben Stevenson, Stanton Welch, and Christopher Wheeldon. From 2022 to 2024, she was a member of Cincinnati Ballet, where she performed in choreographies by Jiří Kylián, Alejandro Cerrudo, William Forsythe, Peter Chu, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Cathy Marston. Since the 2024/25 season, Caroline Perry has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, she appeared in Bryan Arias’ «Colorful Darkness», Wayne McGregor’s «Infra», and William Forsythe’s «In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated».

Kilian Smith holds British and Irish citizenship. He danced at the National Ballet of Portugal in choreographies by Fernando Duarte and Akram Khan. During his engagement with the Polish National Ballet, he performed in Wayne McGregor’s «Infra» as well as the roles of Mercutio («Romeo and Juliet»), Trinculo («The Tempest»), and Renfield («Dracula») by Krzysztof Pastor. Since the 2023/24 season, Kilian Smith has been a member of the Ballett Zürich.

Dustin True is from the USA. After training at the School of American Ballet, he performed with Dutch National Ballet Amsterdam, Ballet Dortmund, and Los Angeles Ballet. He danced solo roles in «Swan Lake», «Sleeping Beauty», «Giselle», and «Romeo and Juliet», and appeared as a soloist in choreographies by David Dawson, George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Christian Spuck, Justin Peck, Benjamin Millepied, Jacopo Godani, Jiří Kylián, Mauro Bigonzetti, and Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa. Since the 2023/24 season, he has been a member of the Ballett Zürich. Here, he appeared in numerous choreographies by Cathy Marston as well as in William Forsythe’s «In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated», Wayne McGregor’s «Infra», and Jerome Robbins’ «Glass Pieces».

Greta Calzuola is Italian. She trained at the Umbria Ballet School in Italy and at the Académie Princesse Grace in Monte-Carlo. In 2014, she won the International Ballet Competition in Longiano. After two seasons in the Junior Ballet, she has been a member of the Ballett Zürich since the 2023/24 season. Among others, she performed as Princess Pirlipat in Christian Spuck’s «The Nutcracker and the Mouse King», as Lola in Cathy Marston’s «Atonement», in Patrice Bart’s «Giselle», as well as in choreographies by Crystal Pite, Edward Clug, and Marco Goecke. In 2023, she was awarded the «Dance Prize of the Friends of the Ballett Zürich».

Ayaka Kano is from Japan. She received her dance training at the Fairy Ballet Theatre in Toyama (Japan) and at the Pôle National Supérieur de Danse Rosella Hightower in Cannes. After two seasons in the Junior Ballet, she has been a member of the Ballett Zürich since the 2025/26 season.

Lucas van Rensburg holds German and Italian citizenship. He studied at the Palucca School in Dresden and already performed in several Semperoper Ballet productions during his studies. After two seasons in the Junior Ballet, he has been a member of the Ballett Zürich since the 2025/26 season. In Cathy Marston’s ballet «Mrs. Robinson», he appeared as Benjamin Braddock. He has also danced in choreographies by Marcos Morau, Patrice Bart, and Marco Goecke.