Zalika Adjei (she/her), was born and raised in Syracuse NY, decided to take a gap year off school she is a trainee with SCB and is a recent high school graduate from the Institute of Technology. She started her first dance classes with Dance Theater of Syracuse, now a student at CFAC and SCB. She has been performing with SCB for 5 years now. She is ready for more opportunities to come her way!goes here

Azusa Okamoto (She/Her) was born in Kyoto, Japan, and began her training at the age of three with the Fukutani Yoko Ballet Studio. At the age of 16, she was offered a full scholarship to attend the Victoria Academy of Ballet, where she graduated from the Post-Secondary Bridge Program, earning a diploma in Classical Ballet. Since moving to the U.S. in 2017, Azusa has performed numerous principal roles, including Sugar Plum, Snow Queen, and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Snow White in Snow White, Cinderella and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, and Michaela in Carmen, among others. She has danced professionally for Roxey Ballet, Utah Metropolitan Ballet, and currently for Syracuse City Ballet. Additionally, she had the opportunity to perform with the Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance this summer.

Kenneth Winfrey (He/Him) is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Ballet. He has trained with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Steps on Broadway NYC, and92nd Street Y. Kenneth has danced professionally with Kennedy Dancers, Hanna Q Dance Company, and Ballet Verite. This will be his first season as a company member with Syracuse City Ballet.

Rowan Young (She/Her), originally from Connecticut, embarked on her artistic journey at the age of 6 in classical ballet. For over 15 years, her dedication to ballet and pointe work was nurtured through rigorous training from various schools and private coaching. Rowan's passion for dance led her to trainee and apprenticeship programs, including enriching experiences with The Washington Ballet (Julie Kent) and The United Ballet Theatre (Joseph Gatti), where she was supported by scholarships. Early in her professional career, Rowan showcased her talent with the Connecticut Ballet Company, working under the guidance of director Brett Raphael for two seasons. Seeking artistic growth and new horizons, Rowan decided to go back to school. She was accepted at LINES Ballet in San Francisco as a trainee, delving into contemporary and modern techniques, as well as immersing herself in the LINES Ballet repertoire. During her time there, she had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with esteemed teachers and choreographers such as Brett Conway, Kara Wilkes, Maurya Kerr, Babatunji Johnson, Victor Talledos, and Mike Tyus.

Diego McKenna Borrero (Geneva, Switzerland) (She/They/He) began his dance training in Lima, Peru, under Pierre Echevarria before continuing with Chadwick Peters at Johnston Middle School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX. At Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, under Janie Carothers and Courtney Jones, he performed works by Roderick George, Attila Csiki, Elizabeth Gillaspy, Rebecca Stenn, and Michelle Manzanales. Additional credits include Chicago: The Musical, Fela!, and Mary Poppins. Diego graduated from Butler University in May 2024 with a B.A. in Dance – Pedagogy, focusing on ballet and jazz dance, supported by a full-tuition scholarship. At Butler, he performed in works by Jennifer Archibald, Maria Konrad, Derek Reid, and David Ingram, with featured roles including Nutcracker Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Rothbart in Swan Lake, Peasant Pas in Giselle, and Stepsister Clorinda in Cinderella. He has spent summers training with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispánico, Teatro Teresa Carreño, and in Los Angeles, CA, refining his skills in modern dance, ballet, and hip hop. Now in his first season with Syracuse City Ballet, Diego is grateful to Jayson Douglas and Fallon Gannon for this professional opportunity. He aims to contribute to the Syracuse community by fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts. Diego’s artistic interests include exploring the fusion of dance genres through improvisation and choreography. Outside the studio, he enjoys immersing himself in hip hop culture, practicing mindfulness meditation, and connecting with nature. He extends heartfelt thanks to his parents, Elbey and Tim, and his younger brother, Victor, for their unwavering support throughout his journey.

Sophia Shahani (She/Her ), is originally from Southern California and grew up training in many dance styles other than ballet, such as contemporary, jazz, tap, and ballroom. She most recently finished her second season with Milwaukee Ballet II. While dancing there, she was honored to dance alongside the Corps de Ballet of Michael Pink’s Swan Lake, Peter Pan, Dracula, and The Nutcracker. Sophia also danced with the Texas Ballet Theater for two years before joining Joffrey Ballet in Chicago as a Trainee. While at Joffrey, she had wonderful opportunities to dance in the Corps of Snow and Waltz (Fair Visitors) in their Nutcracker, Seguidillas, and Dryads in Don Quixote, and also join the cast of the world premiere of Rita Finds Home!

Sarah Klok (she/they) is a dance artist and choreographer originally from Minnesota. She spent eight years as a competitive dancer before transitioning to ballet full-time, joining Ballet Co.Laboratory as a trainee at the age of sixteen. They were honored to originate the roles of Max’s Mother in Hannah Mackenzie-Margulies’ ‘The Wild Rumpus’ and The Cow Jumping Over the Moon in Genevieve Waterbury’s ‘Lunar Lullaby’ with BCL, as well as choreograph for the Performance Ensemble as their inaugural Choreographic Mentorship Student. After graduation, Sarah relocated to New York City to join the Alvin Ailey/Fordham University BFA Program and began working as a freelance artist. She became a Company Artist with Pangea Dance Collective and choreographed and performed for multiple projects independently, including the Spring For Spring Dance Festival and Finding Compassion Film Showcase. Sarah is excited to be joining Syracuse City Ballet for her first season!

Liberty Saccaro (She/Her) began her training at 2 years old at Studio 5678 in Poinciana, Florida. At the age of 14, she was offered a position in the Orlando Ballet School Academy where she would perform in Orlando Ballet’s productions of Beauty and the Beast choreographed by ArcadianBroad, Same Old Fear choreographed by Telmo Moreira, and Pas De Trois in Pequita. In 2018, she performed the lead role of Eve in Dawn Branch Works production of Eden and also performed Le Corsairer Pas D’esclave at the American Dance Competition. She has been awarded full scholarships to the New York City Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive. In 2023, she was offered a position as a company member in Florida Dance Theater where she performed the roles of Dolls, Spanish, Flowers, and Snow in The Nutcracker.