Company Member
Name: João Vitor Alves
Joined Ballet RI: 2022
Hometown: Suzano, São Paulo, Brazil
Accomplishment you are most proud of: I’ve earned a medal for three consecutive years at the Brasília International Dance Festival.
Fun fact about yourself: I’m passionate about building connections and have a strong interest in social media.
Follow Joao on Instagram @Joao.savann
Name: Heather Nichols
Company Position: Company Artist
Joined Ballet RI: Joined Ballet RI in 2022 as a company member
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Training/Education: West End Academy of Dance, School of Richmond Ballet, Richmond Ballet Trainee, B.S in Dance Pedagogy from Butler University
Favorite Quote: “Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together” Anaïs Nin
Favorite Role or Ballet & Why:
I was absolutely thrilled to explore and perform ‘Stairway to Paradise’ and ‘The Who Care’s Pas De Deux’ in George Balanchine’s “Who Cares”. This role tested me mentally, my perseverance, technicality, maturity, stylistically, and my stamina in so many ways. It allowed me to explore dynamic, expansive dancing to my end range, while being extremely specific and clear with the musicality. It was challenging and fun!
Accomplishment you are most proud of: Since I began dancing with professional companies in 2009, I have had four ankle surgeries. I am most proud of my perseverance in returning to the studio and the stage each time, stronger, more vibrant, and with a renewed understanding, not only for my love of dance, but also the incredible things that my body can overcome. Injury though my career has taught me a lot, and persevering through them both physically and mentally has been something that I am proud of inside and outside of the dance realm.
Fun Fact about yourself:
As an emerging choreographer, I have created works including “Meraki” for Kansas City Ballet (2022), “Eau D’Effervescence” (2023) and “Genesis” (2024) for BalletRI, and “Versipellis” (2024) for Moving Arts Co. My work “Meraki” was restaged for Pointe Works’ inaugural season in San Diego, CA in the summer of 2024, and will be performed again in New York, NY in March of 2025!
Follow Heather on Instagram @heathercnichols AND @h.nichols.choreography
Name: Emma Guertin
Company Position: Company Dancer
Joined Ballet RI: 2022
Hometown: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Training/Education: Oakville school of ballet, Orlando Ballet, Atlanta Ballet
Favorite Quote: “You didn’t come this far, just to come this far”
Favorite Role or Ballet & Why: “ When Love” by Helen picket because I discovered a new confidence in my dancing I hadn’t felt before.
Accomplishment you are most proud of: Got over my fear of choreographing/improv & choreographed my first piece for Up Close on Hope last season.
Fun Fact about yourself: I speak French Canadien, ride horses, play golf, model, sing, take heel classes!
Follow Emma on Instagram @Emmaguertin