Inside the Heart of a Dancer
What drives someone to spend countless hours in the studio?
To chase perfection through repetition, discipline, and the vulnerability of live performance?
For Golden State Ballet’s artists, the answer is deeply personal—yet their passion moves in unison.
Some, like Miranda Giles dance to express love. While others, like Haley Desjarlais and Haley Mauldin, dance to honor the dreams of their younger selves. Some, you’ll see, are driven by curiosity, artistry, or the thrill of progress.
But all are united by the desire to move you, the audience.
Support the Artists Who Inspire You
That’s the magic behind our Sponsor a Dancer campaign—a meaningful way to support the lifeblood of our company: the dancers.
Your gift directly supports the artists featured here and throughout our company, helping ensure they have what they need to continue inspiring audiences with every rehearsal, every performance, every moment of magic.
Featured Dancers: Passion in Motion
Miranda Giles in rehearsal for The Calm and the Storm | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Miranda Giles
Her favorite role? Sugar Plum Fairy — “The music is in a league of its own, and it's such a beautiful feeling to dance to.”
Her dream role? Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. “It’s a masterpiece of emotion and movement.”
What drives her? “The energy of love I try to share through my dancing. It’s like giving the audience a piece of my soul.”
Chantelle Pianetta
Favorite performance? For Your Eyes Only, a pas de deux created just for her—performed without music and with improvisational timing.
Dream roles: Juliet in MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet, and the Principal in Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante.
Her why: “I’m driven to refine the physical and artistic expression of dance—to explore its full potential and deliver it with intention.”
Miranda Giles in rehearsal for Shapes of Blue | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Mackenzie Davis in rehearsal for The Nutcracker | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Mackenzie Davis
Memorable works: Sechs Tänze and corps in Serenade.
Dream role: Waltz Girl in Serenade.
Her motivation: “My love for dance and the thrill of growth. Seeing my progress keeps me moving forward.”
Haley Mauldin
A favorite experience: Jorma Elo’s One/End/One.
Dream roles (because she can’t pick just one): Juliet in MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet, Wheeldon’s Cinderella, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Her drive: “Becoming the dancer little Haley imagined I could be. When I feel lost, I remember her.”
Haley Mauldin in rehearsal for Shapes of Blue | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Samantha Schmidt in Thoughtscape | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Samantha Schmidt
Beloved past roles: Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and Woman 2 in Justin Peck’s In Creases.
Dream parts: Tall Girl in Rubies, Diamonds pas de deux from Jewels, or anything from Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort.
Her spark: “The endless strive for excellence. There’s always something more to work toward—it’s relentless, but so satisfying.”
Haley Desjarlais
Favorite ballet: Serenade. “The music, the costumes, the movement—it’s all perfection. I performed it two years in a row and each time felt just as magical.”
Dream work: Balanchine’s Jewels, which first made her fall in love with ballet.
What inspires her: “Performing is a dream come true for my younger self. I dance for her.”
Haley Desjarlais in rehearsal for Stages | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Annabelle Eurich in rehearsal for The Nutcracker | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Annabelle Eurich
Favorite ballet: Serenade.
Dream role: Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.
What keeps her going: “The joy of performing—knowing I accomplished something difficult and get to share it with others.”
Stephen Hallburn
His most cherished role: Albrecht in Giselle.
Dream role? Albrecht again—but with a professional company.
Why he keeps dancing: “There’s still so much within me to give. Growth itself is a beautiful pursuit.”
Stephen Hallburn in rehearsal for The Nutcracker | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Every Step Matters—And So Can You
When you sponsor a dancer, you help bring more artistry, more magic, and more movement to our stage. While gifts support the ensemble as a whole, your impact is deeply personal—uplifting the very artists whose passion makes our performances unforgettable.
Ready to help a dancer take the stage?