Melissa Podcasy (Ballet Master, Founding Member) In her 15 seasons as a principal ballerina with Carolina Ballet, her repertoire consisted of over 50 ballets, 40 of which were created on her. She danced as a principal with Pennsylvania Ballet (Robert Weiss, Artistic Director) and Basel Ballet, Switzerland (Heinz Spoerli, Artistic Director). She has appeared as a guest artist with New York City Ballet (Peter Martins’ Barber Violin Concerto); has danced nationally and internationally with Stars of American Ballet; and toured North America with Principal Dancers of New York City Ballet (Colombia Artists Management). She has worked with and created roles for Christopher Wheeldon, William Forsythe, Richard Tanner, Damian Woetzel, and Peter Martins. Ms. Podcasy is honored to have shared the stage and been coached by the great José Limón dancer Clay Taliaferro. She has collaborated with choreographers Lynne Taylor-Corbett and Robert Weiss throughout her career, appearing in a countless number of their creations. She has performed the work of Antony Tudor, August Bournonville and José Limón. Her Balanchine repertoire consists of more than 25 ballets. Ms. Podcasy has danced the ballerina roles in 10 full-length ballets including Giselle, John Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet, Heinz Spoerli’s La Fille Mal Gardee, and Peter Martins’ La Sylphide, which was filmed for PBS Dance in America. Other television credits: Giselle (Romanian national TV), Homage to Switzerland (Swiss television), 7 productions for UNC-TV statewide. Ms. Podcasy received the Raleigh Medal of Arts in 2007.