Michigan’s Premier Pre-Professional Ballet Company

MBC ACHIEVEMENTS

Celebrating the success of our dancers—past and present.


At Macomb Ballet Company, we are proud to support and shape the journeys of dedicated young artists—both those currently training with us and those who have carried the discipline of ballet into the next chapters of their lives.

Our current dancers continually impress us with their commitment, growth, and success—whether through acceptance into elite summer intensives, scholarships, or outstanding performances onstage. At the same time, our alumni have gone on to achieve remarkable things in dance and beyond, pursuing professional careers, earning degrees, teaching the next generation, and applying the lessons of ballet to all areas of life.

This page is a tribute to the artistry, perseverance, and spirit of the MBC community. We proudly celebrate the achievements of our dancers—past and present—and the lasting impact of their time with Macomb Ballet Company.

CURRENT MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS

  • A female ballet dancer in a white dress performing a high leg extension on pointe against a dark background.

    JULIET CRINER-HICKS

    Awards & Recognition

    1st Place – Junior Classical, Cecchetti Council of America (CCA) (2023, 2024)
    1st Place – Junior Contemporary, Cecchetti Council of America (2024)

    Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) (2024)
    Partial Scholarship, John Cranko School Summer Intensive (Ballet) Partial Scholarship, John Cranko School Contemporary Program
    Partial Scholarship, European School of Ballet Summer Intensive

    Cecchetti International Classical Ballet (CICB) (2023)
    Full Scholarship, Boston Ballet Summer Intensive
    Scholarship, Florida Ballet School Summer Intensive

  • A young woman practicing ballet, seated on the floor, wearing a red leotard and beige ballet slippers, performing a split with one arm curved over her head and eyes closed.

    MYA DZIERZAWSKI

    Awards & Recognition

    Top 12 – World Ballet Competition (2025)
    Top 12 – Contemporary, Youth America Grand Prix (2024)
    Top 12 – Classical, Youth America Grand Prix (2020)
    Top 24 – Classical, Youth America Grand Prix (2022, 2023)
    2nd Place – Cecchetti Council of America (CCA) (2023, 2025)

    Scholarships

    BalletMet Summer Intensive (2022)
    Colorado Ballet Summer Intensive (2025)
    Louisville Ballet Summer Intensive (2025)
    Grand Rapids Ballet Summer Intensive (2022, 2023)

  • A ballerina performing a dance pose in front of a black background, wearing a green leotard and ballet slippers.

    KYLIE HARDY

    Scholarships
    Full Tuition Scholarship – Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Intensive (2023, 2024)

  • A ballet dancer in a burgundy leotard and black tutu, standing on one leg with the other leg extended and pointed, wearing pink ballet slippers, against a dark background.

    GIANNA LIGOCKI

    Scholarships

    Hope College CCA Summer Intensive – Award (2023)
    Hope College CCA Summer Intensive – Full Scholarship, First Runner-Up (2023)
    Colorado Ballet Summer Intensive – Tuition Scholarship & Year-Round Program Acceptance (2025)
    Louisville Ballet Summer Intensive –Tuition Scholarship (2025)
    Nashville Ballet Summer Intensive – Tuition Scholarship (2025)
    The Rock School for Dance Education – Tuition Scholarship (2025)

  • A young woman performing a yoga pose called Natarajasana or Lord of the Dance Pose, on a dark background.

    MADELYN MUSKAN

    Scholarships

    CCA Hope Scholarship – Full Tuition
    CCA Louisville Ballet Summer Intensive Scholarship – Full Tuition
    Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Oklahoma City Ballet Scholarship – Full Tuition

  • A female dancer performing a contemporary dance move against a black background, wearing a maroon leotard, with her body arched and arms extended gracefully.

    BIANCA SORRENTINO

    Scholarships

    Hope Intensive Scholarship – (2024)
    Hope Intensive Scholarship – (2025)
    Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Scholarship
    Blue Lake Summer Camp Scholarship
    Louisville Ballet Summer Intensive Scholarship – (2025)

  • A female ballet dancer in black dancewear performing an extended pose on a dark background.

    AUDREY TERRY

    Scholarships

    Interlochen Arts Camp – Half Tuition Scholarship (2024, 2025)
    John Cranko School NYC Summer Intensive – Half Tuition (2024)
    Next Generation Ballet Intensive – Half Tuition (2024)
    Grand Rapids Ballet Summer Intensive – Half Tuition (2023)
    Louisville Ballet Summer Intensive – Half Tuition (2025)
    CCA Hope Intensive Scholarship

  • A ballet dancer posed on her toes with one leg extended sideways, wearing a black leotard and ballet shoes, against a dark background.

    DELANEY YURENKA

    Scholarships
    CCA Hope Scholarship – Full Tuition

MBC ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Scenic view of a mountain lake surrounded by rolling hills and mountains under a cloudy sky.

    CLAIRE BARNETT

    Education & Training
    Butler University (2017–2021): B.S. in Arts Administration with a focus in Dance
    CCA Summer Intensive (2014, 2015, 2017)
    Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive (2016)
    Complexions Contemporary Ballet Intensive (2018)

    Professional Experience
    Apprentice, Alabama Ballet (2021–2022)

    Awards & Recognition
    YAGP Top 12 – Classical (2015, 2016, 2017)
    YAGP Top 12 – Contemporary (2017)
    Competitor, CICB Florence (2017)

  • A ballet dancer in a red costume performing a pose on stage with a blue background.

    AVA BORNGESSER

    Education & Training
    University of Arizona, Dance Major (2024–2025)
    Houston Ballet Summer Intensive (2022)

    Awards & Recognition
    CICB Gold Medalist (2024)
    YAGP Small Ensemble – 1st Place, Tampa (2023)
    YAGP Nervi Festival – Guest Artist
    CCA Open Competition (2024) – 1st Place, Ballet and Contemporary
    CCA Open Competition (2023) – 1st Place, Classical and Contemporary
    YAGP Top 24 (2020)

  • ELISE BORNGESSER

    ELISE BORNGESSER

    Education & Training
    Grand Valley State University: B.A. in Communications with minors in Dance and Business
    Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive (2018, 2019)
    Cincinnati Ballet Summer Intensive (2017)
    Cecchetti Council of America International Summer School (2014, 2016)
    Full Tuition Scholarship – Eisenhower Dance Detroit (2019)

    Awards & Recognition
    CCA Open Competition – 1st Place, Contemporary (2019)
    CCA Open Competition – 3rd Place, Classical

    Scholarships
    Eisenhower Dance (2019)
    Cecchetti International Summer School (2014, 2016, 2017)
    BalletMet (2017)
    Grand Rapids Ballet (2017)

  • A remote mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks and a modern house on rolling green hills.

    HANNAH BUDNY CARDEN

    Awards & Recognition
    CICB Candidate – Richmond
    Sylvia Hamer Scholarship, Cecchetti Council of America

  • Ballet dancer in pink tutu performing an arabesque pose, standing on one foot with arms curved overhead.

    HAILEE KARAM

    Education & Training
    Joffrey Ballet – Trainee Program
    Louisville Ballet – Trainee (2014)

    Awards & Recognition
    CICB Candidate (2014)

  • Ballet dancer in black leotard and white tights performing an arabesque pose on pointe

    ATHENA KING

    Education & Training
    University of Oklahoma: Ballet Training and Performer with Oklahoma Festival Ballet (2023–2024)

    Professional Experience
    Studio Company Artist, Louisville Ballet

    Awards & Recognition
    YAGP Senior Contemporary Soloist – 3rd Place, Tampa (2023)
    YAGP Senior Classical Soloist – Top 24, Tampa (2023)
    YAGP Small Ensemble – 1st Place, Tampa (2023)
    YAGP Finals Small Ensemble – Top 12, Tampa (International, 2023)
    YAGP Nervi Festival – Guest Artist
    ADC|IBC Solo Finalist – St. Petersburg (2023)
    ADC|IBC Senior Classical Soloist – Top 15, Pittsburgh
    ADC|IBC Senior Contemporary Soloist – Top 20, Pittsburgh
    CCA Classical Soloist – 1st Place
    CCA Contemporary Soloist – 1st Place
    CCA Small Group – 1st Place

    Scholarships
    Sarasota Ballet Summer Intensive – Awarded via YAGP Tampa (2023)
    Washington Ballet Summer Intensive – Invitation via ADC|IBC Finals (2023)

  • A female ballet dancer practicing in a large indoor amphitheater with a domed, illuminated ceiling.

    SABRINA SIERENS

    Education & Training
    The Rock School for Dance Education (2021–2022): Performed as Dew Drop (2022), Gulnara (2022), Sugar Plum/Dew Drop (2021)
    Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive – Ambassador (2022, 2023)
    Joffrey Ballet Chicago Summer Intensive (2019)

    Professional Experience
    Company Member, Orlando Ballet (2023–2024): Performed in the corps of Serenade, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty

    Awards & Recognition
    ADC|IBC (2023) – 5th Place Classical, Outstanding Achievement Contemporary, Invitation to Finals
    YAGP Senior Division (2022) – 2nd Place Classical, Top 12 Contemporary, Invitation to Finals
    YAGP Senior Division (2022) – Top 12 Classical & Contemporary
    YAGP Senior Division (2021) – Top 12 Classical
    CCA Open Competition Junior Division (2020) – 1st Place Classical, Invitation to CICB Australia
    YAGP Junior Division (2020) – 3rd Place Classical, Invitation to Finals
    YAGP Junior Division (2019) – Top 12 Classical, Invitation to Finals

  • A female ballet dancer in a black top and a flowing pink skirt performing a leap on pointe in front of a colorful, abstract mural wall.

    CARLY SISOY

    Education & Training
    University of Michigan–Flint: Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
    Grand Valley State University: B.S. in Dance and Allied Health Sciences with a Physical Therapy Emphasis
    CCA Summer Intensive
    Complexions Contemporary Ballet Summer Intensive
    Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive

    Awards & Recognition
    GVSU Dance Scholarship Recipient
    CICB Florence – Competitor (2017)
    YAGP – Top 12 (2016)

  • DENNY TEOLIS

    Education & Training
    Ballet West – Professional Training Division 2 (PTD2), Year-Round Program (2023–2024, on scholarship)
    Louisville Ballet Summer Intensive (2022)
    Grand Rapids Ballet Summer Intensive
    Ballet West Summer Intensive

    Awards & Recognition
    YAGP 2023 – Top 24, Classical Category

  • A ballet dancer in a white costume performing an arabesque with a turquoise background and industrial wall with small white objects mounted on it.

    GRACE VALENTIC

    Professional Experience
    Certified Holistic Health Coach (CHN/CPT)
    Personal Trainer

    Awards & Recognition
    YAGP Top 12 – Classical Category (2018)

    Education & Training
    Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive (2018)
    Cincinnati Ballet Summer Intensive (2017)

  • Geothermal area with steaming vents, colorful rocks, snow patches, and a glacier in the mountainous landscape

    ANDALEE WHITE

    Education & Training
    Joffrey Ballet School – New York City & Dallas: Trainee Program and BFA Program (on scholarship)
    Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive
    Cecchetti Council of America Summer School

    Awards & Recognition
    YAGP Small Ensemble – 1st Place, Tampa (2023)
    YAGP Nervi Festival – Guest Artist

  • Ballet dancer in black leotard performing a pose on a light blue background.

    MOLLY WITTWER

    Education & Training
    University of Michigan – Dance Minor
    Boston Ballet Summer Intensive (2022)

    Awards & Recognition
    CICB Candidate (2024)
    YAGP Small Ensemble – 1st Place, Tampa (2023)
    YAGP Nervi Festival – Guest Artist