​Dedication To Excellence

The Nutcracker returns to the Canton Palace Theatre stage December 5–7, featuring professional guests artists, live music by the Canton Symphony Orchestra, and choral performance by the Summit Choral Society.

Tommie is a multifaceted performer whose impressive career spans the worlds of dance, theater, television, film, and voiceover. He began his journey as a classical ballet dancer, training as a young performer and gaining experience with Canton Ballet, The Duluth Ballet of Minnesota, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in NYC.

His career has since taken him around the globe, from London's West End and the bright lights of Broadway to Hollywood. On stage, Tommie is celebrated for his notable musical roles, including Barry Belson in Jersey Boys (Broadway at the August Wilson Theater and the original London Company), Michael in the London premiere of Jonathan Larson's Tick, Tick...Boom! opposite Neil Patrick Harris, and Rum Tum Tugger in Cats at the New London Theatre, among other notable roles.

In Hollywood, Tommie is a familiar face on screen, having appeared in numerous network shows for NBC, ABC, CBS, USA, and The CW. He notably played Professor Ellison Pevney in the TV series Pandora and recently starred as Mayor Noble Walker in Tim Burton’s hit Netflix series, Wednesday. He will also be joining the cast of the upcoming USA Network drama series The Rainmaker, based on the John Grisham novel.

As a highly sought-after voiceover artist, Tommie lends his distinctive voice to interactive video games, commercials, audiobooks, and animated television series. He is widely recognized for his critically acclaimed and award-nominated role of Die Hardman from Hideo Kojima's hugely successful video game, Death Stranding, for which he was named Best Voice Actor of the Year 2019 by Shacknews.

"Every day is a chance to keep moving forward, to follow our dreams, and achieve what others deem impossible. Dream the impossible dream and let your achievements shine, and what better place to start than at the Canton Ballet. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. Remember: Dreams only expire if you let them." –Tommie Earl Jenkins

Ballet

Madison Campbell grew up in Des Moines, Iowa where she first started her ballet training with Emery and Melissa Uyehara and performed in numerous productions with Iowa Dance Theatre. She supplemented her training at summer intensives such as; Joffrey Midwest, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, School of American Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, and Nashville Ballet.

After graduating early from high school, Madison studied with Miami City Ballet School, The School of Philadelphia Ballet, and Nashville Ballet where she performed in various company performances, toured locally and to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and participated in several community outreach events. Madison started her professional career with Cleveland Ballet in 2016, and within the same year began teaching. She has worked with all levels of students from 2-22 yrs and loves the challenge each age brings. She has helped children learn roles in the beloved Nutcracker, aided in several school productions, organized outreach performances and programs, and been a guest instructor at various summer intensives. In addition to starting her teaching career; Ms. Campbell is continuing her education in Social Work and Family and Human Development.

Madison loves watching all of her wonderful students grow to become young professionals in all aspects of their lives and believes dance creates a community unlike any other artform.

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Since 1978, Canton Ballet has offered Peter and the Wolf annually to area schools as one of its community outreach programs. A traveling production of Peter and the Wolf and lecture demonstrations for all ages are available for schools along with in-school dance residencies focusing on Preschool age children.

Canton Ballet’s The Nutcracker has enchanted families across Northeast Ohio for generations, becoming a beloved holiday tradition. Bring the magic of this season to your school this year.

Principal Pianist

Sharon Walsh is a pianist and composer with over fourteen years of professional experience playing for the Tulsa Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Canton Ballet, Marymount Manhattan College, Ballet Hispanico & the Juilliard School. She has been a guest pianist for the Aspen Sante Fe Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Kansas City Ballet, Ballet Arts, American Ballet Theater, Ballet Tech, The French Academie of Ballet and The Nederlands Dans Theater 2. Guest artists she has played for include Jeff Edwards, Francois Perron, Caridad Martinez, Carol Roderick, Jacques Beltrame, William Whitener, Richard Marsden, Dawn Hillen, Kenny Larson and Viviana Durante. Sharon loves to instinctively incorporate jazz, broadway, opera, modern and personal compositions into her repertoire on request.

Ballet

Born in Noci, Italy, Luca Sportelli started his dance education at a local dance studio before moving to Naples, Italy, at the age of eleven to study at the San Carlo Ballet School. He then transferred his studies to Romanian ballet teacher, Sylvia Humaila, where he danced until 2014.

That summer Luca received a full scholarship to study at the San Francisco Ballet School. One year later he started his professional career, dancing with such companies as Columbia Classical Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Moscow Ballet, and Kharkov Ballet, touring in the USA, Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, China, and the Ukraine.

Luca is passionate about sharing his knowledge of dance with the next generation. He has taught at several dance studios, including Milele Academy in Nashville, TN, and Ohio Ballet Theatre, locally.

Master Guest Teacher/Advisor

Zachary Catazaro was born in Canton, Ohio, and began his dance training at Canton Ballet under Cassandra Crowley, Angelo Lemmo and his mother Jennifer Catazaro Hayward, where he also received instruction from Laura Alonso. After graduation, Mr. Catazaro studied at the School of American Ballet the official school of the New York City Ballet in 2006. While at SAB, he was mentored by Jock Soto and Sean Lavery and also received instruction from Andrei Kramarevsky. In October 2007, Peter Martins invited him to become an apprentice with New York City Ballet, and then the Company’s corps de ballet in October 2008. He was promoted to soloist in February 2014 and elevated to Principal dancer in 2017. Notable featured roles at New York City Ballet include the title role in George Balanchine’s Apollo, Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux, Serenade, Diamonds from the full length ballet “Jewels”, La Sonnambula, La Valse, Romeo in Peter Martins’ production of Romeo + Juliet as well as Prince Siegfried in Martins’ full length production Swan Lake, among many others. Mr. Catazaro has also been featured in Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story Suite as Tony and Bernardo and performed in Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering and NY Export: Opus Jazz. In 2018, he was featured in Walt Disney’s film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” dancing with American Ballet Theater’s Misty Copeland and appeared as himself in the Hulu documentary film “Ballet Now.” In 2019, Mr. Catazaro was invited to join the Bayerisches Staatsballett as a Principal Guest dancer by then director Igor Zelensky. There he danced featured roles in John Neumeier’s Lady of the Camellias, Spartacus by Yuri Grigorovich, and John Cranko’s Onegin, among others. Additionally, he appeared as an international guest artist in various galas around the world including YAGP. In 2020, most of his work consisted of principal guest appearances for Rome Opera Ballet in Italy and the Los Angeles Ballet of California. After the Covid pandemic of, Mr. Catazaro danced with the Cleveland Ballet from 2021 until his retirement in April of 2023. In retirement, Mr. Catazaro has been teaching at Canton Ballet while currently an instrument rated, multi-engine, commercial pilot. In 2025, Mr. Catazaro graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation. 

Strength & Conditioning Specialist

Jason Exposito is a Physical Therapy Doctor specializing in Differential Diagnosis and Manipulation Therapy at Aultman Massillon Physical Therapy. His journey into dance began as an adult starring in Don Quixote alongside his wife, Kristen, igniting his passion. Since 2019, he’s been a regular adult guest artist at Canton Ballet, performing roles in The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, and The Wizard of Oz.

Assistant to the Director

Allison Campbell Brewer began her ballet training at Canton Ballet in 1989 and joined the Canton Ballet Company in 1996. She trained with the esteemed Laura Alonso in both the U.S. and Cuba, working with notable instructors including Ivan Monreal Alonso, Hector F. Abrantes, Lourdes Alvarez Trigueiro, and Fernando Alonso.

Allison competed in the Paris International Ballet Competition and the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), winning the classical division at the Chicago Regionals and placing 3rd at the Nationals in New York. She earned scholarships to summer intensives at the School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, and other prestigious programs.

Her professional dance career includes performances with the San Francisco Ballet and Virginia Ballet Theatre. Since 2020, Allison has also been a 200-hour Certified Yoga Teacher.

Ballet/Rehearsal Assistant

Anna Spinelli began her ballet studies at Canton Ballet. She has trained with renowned teacher Laura Alonso, as well as studied at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and North Carolina Ballet. Anna went on to study dance at Slippery Rock University where she was selected to perform in multiple pieces. Upon returning to Canton, she joined Canton Ballet as an instructor while attending Kent State University. Anna has performed lead roles for Canton Ballet, including Dewdrop and Marzipan in The Nutcracker and Glinda the Good Witch in Wizard of Oz. Anna obtained a degree in Middle Childhood Education and is currently teaching Mathematics at St. Joan of Arc School. She was married to her partner Erik in November 2023.

Office Manager

Angela (Natale) Ayotte recently joined Canton Ballet as the new Office Manager, but her roots go back to her days as a student, eventually becoming an alumna in ’94. After graduation, she pursued her love for the arts at Wright State University, focusing on dance. Her connection to Canton Ballet extends to her family – both her daughter and grandson are current students at the school. In addition to her work at the ballet, Angela volunteers throughout the community, currently serving as co-president of the Home & School Association at St. Joan of Arc School, a parish council member of St. Joseph Church, & co-administrator of St. Joseph’s Cupboard.

Resident Costume Designer

Mrs. Kaplan earned her Masters Degree in Fashion Design in Ukraine and created costumes for well known Russian dancers at the Odessa Opera House. She brought her Russian technique of costume and tutu design to the United States in the early 1990’s and began designing and creating for Canton Ballet.  Mrs. Kaplan’s tutus are truly a work of art and reflect her passion for both the dancer and the role. She says, “a beautiful costume puts power into the dancer. When the dancer wears the perfect tutu the transformation into character is complete.” The challenge of creating a tutu that is not only beautiful and true to character but also comfortable for the dancer and sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of dance is a challenge Mrs. Kaplan enjoys.

Jazz and Tap

Chelsea Mae Shump began her dance and theatre training under the late Richard Moore at Theatre 8:15 in Akron, Ohio where she studied musical theatre, ballet, jazz, and singing. When she was 12, Chelsea had the opportunity to choreograph, which later blossomed into choreographing about 40 pieces yearly for Theatre 8:15. After Richard’s passing, Chelsea decided to focus on ballet and modern and train under Brenda and Christopher Stygar at NorthEast Ohio Dance. At NEOD, she was a member of the Ensemble with lead roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and Paquita among others. At age 15, Chelsea danced professionally with MorrisonDance of Cleveland in collaboration with NASA. She also travelled frequently to study under tap greats Lynn Schwabb, Jimmy Tate, Dormeshia Edwards, and Sarah Savelli. In 2010, Chelsea became a professional dancer with RED Company real.edge.dance under Kelli Sanford where she performed as Principal and also a choreographer. From 2009-2013, Chelsea was the Assistant Director of Spotlight Theatre Company.

Chelsea has been an instructor at many schools teaching tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, and musical theatre. Her choreography can be seen across the country and has won many choreography and entertainment awards nationally. Her passion for the performing arts leads her drive to constantly improve her own technique, her students’ technique, and her teaching skills.

Lower School Principal/Early Childhood Specialist

Julie Mizer-Grasse began her dance training at the age of six at Canton Ballet, where she was the youngest member accepted into the Company. She danced in many storybook ballets including the Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel as well as numerous original piece sets on the Company by award winning choreographers. Summer studies include Cleveland Ballet (Now San Jose Ballet) and renowned teachers such as Melissa Hayden and Gus Giordano.

After dancing with the University of   Akron Dance Ensemble, she graduated, taught at several studios, came full circle, returned to Canton Ballet and is now the Early Childhood Specialist. Mrs. Grasse was the lead dance provider for ALL in the CCSD preschool department, having written the original curriculum. She was at Westbrook Park Nursery School for 25 years teaching music, movement, and dance. She is certified as an early childhood educator as well as being Playright, Leap & Learn and Youth Protection Advocates in Dance certified.

Director

Jennifer Catazaro Hayward is a highly accomplished dancer and teacher, whose passion for ballet was ignited during her early years of training at Canton Ballet. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she was awarded scholarships to attend some of the most prestigious ballet schools in the country, including George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Dallas Metropolitan Ballet.

At the School of American Ballet, Jennifer had the privilege of studying under legendary teachers Suki Shorer, Stanley Williams, and Alexandra Danilova, and was the recipient of a full-year scholarship. Her dedication and hard work paid off when she won first place in the Regional National Society of Arts & Letters competition in dance in 1985, which earned her a scholarship from the National Competition.

Jennifer attended the University of Akron and joined the faculty of the School of Canton Ballet in 1990. Her students have danced professionally with prestigious companies, including the New York City Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Dayton Ballet, L.A. Dance Project, and Carolina Ballet. Additionally, some of her students have performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, and Santa Fe Opera. Others have secured starring roles on Broadway and in film and television, including productions that have won Tony and Emmy awards.

Jennifer is married to John C. Hayward, and they are the proud parents of four children. Zachary, the eldest, is an international guest artist and commercial pilot, Cameron is a principal soloist with Miami City Ballet Company, Bella graduated Summa Cum Laude from Capital University and now works for Aultman College, and Max, the youngest, was recently appointed a member of American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in New York City.