Company

Jackson Calhoun

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

 

 

Styles Dykes

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

Jayden Towers

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:

I love roles where I can embody elegance and beauty, however I also enjoy portraying uncharacteristic roles. One of my favorites to perform last year was Doll in “The Nutcracker.” This character is comedic and has an engaging personality with boundless energy. I also loved performing in the cast of “Ode.” With the piece being contemporary based, I really enjoyed exploring different dynamics. The intense and rhythm-filled music was thrilling to dance to as well!

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: I love going to the beach early in the morning to watch the sunrise. There is something so relaxing and beautiful about it and it instantly makes my day better!

Follow Jayden on Instagram @jayden.towers

Anjali Hern

Name:  Anjali Hern

Company Position:  Apprentice

Joined Ballet RI:  Joined Ballet RI in 2023 as a trainee. Promoted to Junior Apprentice in 2024. Promoted to Apprentice in 2025.

Hometown: Valencia, CA

Training/Education: Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Graduate Program

Favorite Quote:  “There is always a light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” – Amanda Gorman

Favorite Role or Ballet & Why:  I loved dancing Godmother Maidens in Yury Yanowsky’s Cinderella. The quick footwork and playful energy of the role challenged me to become a more dynamic dancer. I also enjoyed learning the Act 3 pas de deux from Don Quixote. I love any role that involves a bit of acting, so embodying Kitri’s spunk and sass was a lot of fun.

Accomplishment you are most proud of:  Signing my first contract with Ballet RI!

Fun Fact about yourself: I am half Cuban and speak some Spanish!

Follow Anjali on Instagram @anjalihern