Golden State Ballet Welcomes New Dancers for the 2025–26 Season
With the 2025/2026 season ahead, Golden State Ballet expands its roster with an extraordinary group of new artists joining the company. Representing a range of training backgrounds and international experience, these artists bring fresh perspectives and dynamic talent to our studios and stages.
You won’t want to miss your first opportunity to see many dancers in our in-house production of Crafted II, followed by the return of our beloved The Nutcracker at the Civic Theatre this December.
New Corps de Ballet Dancers
Corah Abbott
Originally from San Clemente, California, Corah Abbott trained at Orange County School of the Arts, performing lead roles in classical ballets such as Swan Lake and La Bayadère. She has attended top summer programs with Alonzo King LINES Ballet, The Washington Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Corah recently earned her BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School, where she performed works by renowned choreographers including William Forsythe and Justin Peck. She has also danced in projects with Isabella Boylston and ISHIDA Dance Company. Corah’s versatility, musicality, and grounded artistry have already made an impression, and we’re excited to see her thrive in our repertoire.
Ahmad Joudeh
Originally from Syria, Ahmad Joudeh’s powerful journey as a refugee-turned-international dancer has inspired audiences around the world. He trained in Damascus under challenging circumstances and rose to prominence after joining Dutch National Ballet. He is also a choreographer, author, UNHCR supporter, and founder of the Dance or Die Foundation. His story and strength bring a rare depth to his dancing; a guest artist with Golden State Ballet for the 2024-2025 season, we are honored to officially welcome him to our ensemble.
Daniel Kubr
Originally from Switzerland, Daniel Kubr began his ballet training at Theater Basel and moved to the U.S. in 2015 to study at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. He has danced with Cincinnati Ballet’s second company, Texas Ballet Theater, and Sacramento Ballet, where he was promoted to the main company in 2023. In 2024, he performed as a guest artist in Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet. His vast repertoire includes works by Ihsan Rustem, Penny Saunders, George Balanchine, Ma Cong, and Gregory Dawson. A passionate and dynamic performer, Daniel Kubr’s technical skill and commitment to artistic growth make him a strong addition to our ranks.
Alexandria Martini
Well known to many in our community, Alexandria Martini returns to Golden State Ballet as a Corps de Ballet member after previously contributing as a guest artist and staff member at Golden State Ballet Academy. Alexandria trained at Santa Clarita Ballet Academy, completing all Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) exams with Distinction. She holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UC Berkeley, where she also performed principal roles with Berkeley Ballet Theater (2015-2017). After a break to begin a career in aerospace engineering, she danced with City Ballet of San Diego (2021–2023), performing in works by Balanchine and classical repertoire. We are thrilled to welcome Alexandria to our company, where her emotional and passionate presence on stage, combined with her thoughtful and methodical approach in the studio, will bring a powerful depth and artistry to our corps de ballet.
Luc Simpson
Luc Simpson, a San Diego native, began his dance training at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and graduated with honors from Golden State Ballet Academy in 2021. A recent graduate of The Juilliard School, Luc has performed works by acclaimed choreographers such as Desmond Richardson, Sidra Bell, and Paul Taylor, and has trained at prestigious programs including Jacob’s Pillow and LINES Ballet. His accolades include being a 2021 YoungArts Finalist in Modern/Contemporary and winning 1st place in the Senior Contemporary Solo category at YAGP San Diego. We are delighted to see Luc return to Golden State Ballet, bringing his thoughtful artistry and contemporary fluency to the company. With a strong foundation in both classical ballet and modern technique, Luc’s creative spirit and physical expressiveness will be an exciting asset in our growing repertoire.
New Apprentice
Antonio Zamora
Antonio Zamora joins Golden State Ballet as an Apprentice for the 2025–26 season. As a rising talent with strong classical training and a natural stage presence, Antonio is poised for an exciting debut year with the company.
New Trainees
Daria Leontev and Eden Reese
Both graduates of Golden State Ballet Academy, Daria Leotnev and Eden Reese join the company as Trainees. Their rigorous training in classical ballet, contemporary technique, character, and conditioning has prepared them for this next stage of their development. We are proud to see them continue their journey within our professional company.
Golden State Ballet is deeply committed to fostering diverse voices and cultivating the next generation of artists. This distinguished group of new dancers will play an integral role in shaping our 2025/2026 season and advancing the artistic vision of the company.