Company

Hometown: Bolton, MA

Training/Education: Boston Ballet, Gelsey Kirkland Academy, and Forrest Academy of Classical Ballet

Favorite quote: “Comparison is the thief of joy” Theodore Roosevelt

Favorite ballet and why: Petite Mort by Jiři Kylián. Fencing swords, dresses that roll, and incredible choreography? What’s not to love

Accomplishment I’m Most Proud of: Getting to perform Lilac Fairy alongside principal dancers from around Europe at the Estonian National Opera House.

Fun fact: I’ve gone digging for dinosaur bones and found a few!

Hometown: Morrisville, NC

Training/Education: International Ballet Academy, Ballet Idaho Trainee, Ballet RI Trainee, ABT Certified pre-primary to level 3, BA in Liberal Studies from University of North Carolina at Greensboro cum laude.

Favorite quote: “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.” – Carrie Fisher

Favorite ballet and why: Giselle is my favorite ballet because it was the time I really felt how difficult ballet was. Being in the corps as a wilis was incredibly difficult but it was also so fulfilling.

An accomplishment you’re most proud of: Creating my first of piece of choreography that I did on the dancers of Ballet RI. It was really scary to be a trainee choreographing on the company dancers, I had to overcome a lot of anxiety. Choreographing that piece gave me so much confidence and joy for continuing dancing.

Fun fact about yourself: I was born on the Ides on March.

Name: Shawn Pearson

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Joined: 2025

Training/Education: Vitacca Ballet School and Nashville Ballet’s Second Company

Favorite Quote: “Live fast. Die young. Be wild. And have fun.” – Lana del Rey

Favorite Ballet & Why: My favorite ballet is William Forsythe’s Blank Works I. I am drawn to the way the music combines with the energetic, free, and precise movement, creating a performance that feels both dynamic and inspiring.

An accomplishment you’re most proud of: Signing my first professional contract at 17 with Nashville Ballet.

Fun Fact about yourself: I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 12, and have been balancing life with an autoimmune disease while pursuing my passion for dance. I also have 2 hidden tattoos.

Name: Jackson Calhoun

Company Position: Joined as an apprentice in 2024, Promoted to Company in 2025.

Joined Ballet RI: 2024

Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC

Training/Education: UNCSA Dance

Favorite Quote: “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”

Favorite Role or Ballet & Why:
My favorite ballet is Ghost Dances by Christopher Bruce. The breath from the artists of folk group Inti-Illimani, fill the pipe flutes like the wind that blows through an abandoned house, eerie, yet a beautiful memorie of the life that once filled its walls. Telling the reality of normal people getting caught up in the violence of political oppression, Ghost Dances exposes the wicked underbelly of this world while reminding us just how precious life is.

Accomplishment you are most proud of: In 2023 I became a professional choreographer, it is always something I have done and deeply enjoyed.

Fun Fact about yourself: I love art, visual, musical and performative, it is the expression of the human soul that gets me right!

Follow Jackson on Instagram @jacksonbleu

Hometown: Richmond, Virginia

Joined Ballet RI: 2025

Training/Education: School of Richmond Ballet

Favorite Quote: “Believe you can and you are halfway there” – Theodore Roosevelt

Favorite Ballet: Either Romeo and Juliet or Serenade. Romeo and Juliet, because of the story and I got to use a sword.

An accomplishment you’re most proud of: Performing Elegy in Serenade. Doing that role helped see a new light in not only my dancing but how I am as a person.

Fun fact about yourself: This is my first time ever moving out of my hometown.

coming soon…

Name:  Styles Dykes

Company Position:  Company Artist

Joined Ballet RI:  2024

Hometown: Rochester,NY

Training/Education: Odasz Dance Theatre 2018-2021, Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education 2021-2022

Favorite Role or Ballet & Why: Colas in La Fille Mal Gardee, it’s a role I’ve always wanted to dance and loved, I think it’s mostly for his charming and jaunty personality.

Accomplishment you are most proud of:  Dancing on stage in a Gala in Italy or getting my first professional contract after having only studied ballet for 3 years.

Fun Fact about yourself: I am left-handed!

Follow Styles on Instagram @styles_davine1

Name: Jayden Towers

Company Position: Apprentice

Joined Ballet RI: Joined Ballet RI in 2023 as a Junior Apprentice. Promoted to Apprentice in 2024.

Hometown: Coral Springs, FL

Training/Education: Fort Lauderdale Youth Ballet, The Harid Conservatory, Alberta Ballet School, and Ellison Ballet

Favorite Quote: “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” ~H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Favorite Role or Ballet & Why: My favorite, currently, is Swan Lake. Dancing in the corps was a challenge, but so fulfilling! I also loved performing  “Ode”; I felt fully immersed in the intensity of the piece every time.

Accomplishment you are most proud of: Graduating from Ellison Ballet at 18 and receiving my first professional contract with Ballet RI straight out of high school!

Fun Fact about yourself: My parents were professional ice skating partners and represented Great Britain in the World Championships!

Follow Jayden on Instagram @jayden.towers