Marigny Opera Ballet presents WINTERLIGHT at Marigny Opera House

Diogo de Lima

Diogo de Lima is a distinguished choreographer, designer, and Professor of Dance. He has performed internationally, including for Grupo Corpo, José Limón Dance Company, and Pina Bausch. As a former dancer with Grupo Corpo, he has showcased his artistry on some of the world’s most prominent stages. His choreographic works have been featured by the Marigny Opera Ballet, New Orleans Opera, New Orleans Ballet Theatre, and international dance companies such as Divinadanca. A four-time recipient of the Big Easy Awards Tribute to the Classical Arts (2014–2017) and multiple S.A.T.E.D. Awards for Best Dancer, de Lima continues to influence the dance world. He has been a guest artist for José Limón and Pina Bausch, and his film and commercial work includes serving as an assistant choreographer for the movie If You Were the Last starring Anthony Mackie, as well as Rosalía’s live performance at the Latin Grammy Awards. His involvement in the Gucci campaign with James Franco and performance in the film Rio, I Love You further highlight his multidisciplinary impact.

Christian Denice

Christian Denice is a dancer and choreographer originally from Los Angeles, California. His professional dance experience includes Odyssey Dance Theatre, River North Dance Chicago, BJM Danse (Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal), High School Musical 2, "The Little Prince" on Broadway, and currently Christian dances for Andonis Foniadakis Dance Company based in Athens, Greece. Christian was named one of the top ten male dancers of 2010 by Time Out Chicago and recognized as a notable Chicago dancer of 2010 by the Chicago Tribune. As a choreographer, he has created new works for such companies and organizations as Cincinnati Ballet, Moving Arts with dancers of Kansas City Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet22, Marigny Opera Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Odyssey Dance Theatre, DanceWorks Chicago, Interlochen Center for the Arts, the Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, Houston Contemporary Dance Company, Dance Lab New York, among others.

Lauren Guynes

Lauren Guynes is a dancer, choreographer, and educator based in New Orleans, holding a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Southern Mississippi. Now in her ninth season with the Marigny Opera Ballet as Company Manager, Lauren has performed throughout the Gulf Coast, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City. Her own choreographic work has been presented with the Marigny Opera Ballet and in collaborations with local musicians and filmmakers. Additionally, Lauren works in the film industry, contributing performances for productions on TNT, Netflix, Amazon, and choreography for Disney and Electric Entertainment. Her commitment to dance education spans all ages and skill levels, celebrating movement as a profound form of artistry.

Stephanie Murris-Gaifullin

Edward Spots

Edward Spots, a New Orleans native, is an accomplished dancer, actor, and singer whose journey began in his hometown and expanded globally. After graduating from the prestigious Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Boston, Edward joined Alvin Ailey II, touring extensively across the U.S. and abroad. His talents have also graced television, with appearances on shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, Dance Moms, and Bulgaria’s Dancing Stars. Named one of Gambit's 40 Under 40, Edward continues to illuminate the stages of New Orleans with his artistry. Follow his journey on Instagram: @spotsedward.

Joshua P. Bell

Born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Clinton, Mississippi, Joshua P. Bell is an emerging multidisciplinary artist with his chosen mediums rooted in dance and fashion design. After earning a BA in Dance from Belhaven University, he moved to New Orleans in 2016 to pursue his creative path. Joshua has performed locally, nationally, and internationally as a freelance dancer. He is now delving into sustainable fashion, focusing on textile development and garment construction with environmentally conscious practices. Through storytelling and artistry, Joshua is driven to share messages of Love, Hope, and Faith.

Blake Bellanger

Blake Bellanger is a graduate of University of North Carolina School of the Arts, receiving a BFA in Contemporary Dance. He started dancing in the small town of Clinton, North Carolina when he was 9 years old. In 2018, he was accepted into UNCSA for his senior year of high school, where he was first introduced to modern dance techniques, such as Limón and Cunningham. After high school, Blake decided to continue his studies at UNCSA with the addition of a minor in Arts Administration. Following his graduation in 2022, Blake began his professional career with the Marigny Opera Ballet in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has performed works for many different choreographers, including Diogo de Lima, Giovanni Castellon, Cassi Abranches and Gina Patterson. In addition to working with the Marigny Opera Ballet, Blake is also a touring member of Momix, a Connecticut based dance company known for its innovative physical theatre and dance illusion. For Blake, dance is about making connections with others through the artistic expression of human emotion and story. He draws inspiration from dancers of the past and strives to bring elements of their artistry into the modern day.

Allyssa Nelson

Allyssa Nelson began her dance training at six in Homestead, Florida, studying at Donna Lee Studio of Dance/Expressions Dance Company. She later attended New World School of the Arts High School, performing works by renowned choreographers such as Paul Taylor and Robert Battle. After graduating in 2020, Allyssa joined BalletMet’s trainee program, performing in classics like Sleeping Beauty and Western Symphony. She went on to dance with New Orleans Ballet Theatre for two seasons, gracing the stage in The Nutcracker, Serenade, and Romeo and Juliet. Allyssa is thrilled to join the Marigny Opera Ballet for the 2024-2025 season.

Kennedy Walker

Kennedy Walker, a Baton Rouge native, is a versatile movement artist with a background in ballet, tap, hip hop, modern, and jazz. She pursued her dance education at Tulane University, where she danced with the Newcomb Dance Company and graduated in 2022 with a BA in Dance and a BS in Neuroscience. She continued her studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London, earning a MA in Dance Science while collaborating with artists across the city. Kennedy has worked with Louisiana based companies such as BODYART Dance and Basin Arts, and she is excited to join the Marigny Opera Ballet for her first season.

Cullen Barrileaux

Cullen Barrilleaux is a dancer and performer from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a graduate of Northwestern State University of Louisiana and received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a Minor in Dance and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. While at Northwestern State University, Barrilleaux has performed works by several choreographers and found a strong interest in tap and contemporary, as well as choreography and composition, having multiple works produced and performed in the university’s spaces. He now resides in Mandeville, Louisiana, regularly commuting to New Orleans for performances, rehearsals and classes as well as working locally in Mandeville.

Chloe Roberts

Chloe Roberts danced from a young age with The Willow School, and began her pre-professional training at age 13 with New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA). At NOBA she was able to train with and perform repertory works by Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Hispánico, Dance Theater of Harlem, Tommie Waheed-Evans, Darell Grand Moultrie, KEIGWIN + Co, and Jae Man Joo. Chloe continued her training with Tulane University where she received her Bachelors of Arts in dance in 2023. During her time with Tulane, she was able to perform works by Omar Carrum and Ronit Ziv. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Jill Karp Newcomb Dance Endowment Fund/Prize for Choreography and Performance. Post-graduation Chloe has danced professionally and toured with Lightwire Theater. Chloe is super excited to train with Saint Louis Dance Theatre this season and push her artistry and technique to a new level.

Delachaise Ensemble

Since its formation in 2020, the Delachaise Ensemble is quickly establishing itself as one of the most innovative and exciting music groups in the greater New Orleans area and Gulf Coast region. Featuring violinists Moises Cunha and Elizabeth Almond Cunha, violist Catherine Matushek, and cellist Jake Fowler as the core ensemble, the Delachaise Ensemble is a chamber music collective of New Orleans-based musicians dedicated to presenting accessible and innovative programs to the local community. The Delachaise Ensemble is the Ensemble-in-Residence with the Northern Neck Chamberfest in Virginia, and has also performed with the Crescent City Chamber Music Festival in New Orleans. Passionate about cross-discipline artistic collaboration, the Delachaise Ensemble regularly collaborates with dancers, visual artists, composers, musicians across genres, and other artists. Recent projects include collaborations with the Marigny Opera Ballet and Melange Dance Company. New music projects include performances by living composers and live performances of original music for silent films screenings. Currently featured as the ensemble of the Fever Up Candlelight Concert Series in New Orleans, the Delachaise Ensemble has performed programs featuring iconic and beloved classical masterpieces of the chamber music literature to innovative renditions of popular music. Set in innovative and iconic venues around New Orleans, the Delachaise Ensemble redefines the classical music experience.