Nutcracker Artistic Team

Kaitlyn Gilliland

Kaitlyn trained with Loyce and Lise Houlton in Minneapolis and at the School of American Ballet (SAB) in New York City, where she earned the Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise in 2004. She danced with the New York City Ballet (NYCB) from 2006 to 2011 and was named the company’s 2010 Janice Levin Dancer. After leaving NYCB, Kaitlyn became a sought-after freelance artist and began working with Twyla Tharp Dance in 2014. She has since created and performed leading roles in numerous Tharp works, appearing most recently in the 2022 Bessie Award-winning revival of In The Upper Room at New York City Center. Upon returning to Minneapolis, Kaitlyn founded A Dancer’s Place Productions in 2024 to create meaningful performing opportunities for local dancers. She also continues to stage Tharp repertory around the world and leads the ballet programming at Summit Dance Shoppe in Plymouth, MN. Kaitlyn has previously served on the faculty of the School of American Ballet and as New York City Ballet’s Assistant Children’s Rehearsal Director. She holds a BA from Columbia University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

Lise Houlton

Best known for her effortless, fluid style and dramatic sensibility, Lise began her dance career with Minnesota Dance Theatre, then moved at the age of 19 to the world renowned Stuttgart Ballet under the leadership of Glen Tetley. After two years in Germany, she joined American Ballet Theatre where she danced principal roles and worked closely with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Natalia Makarova, Rudolf Nureyev, Gelsey Kirkland, Kevin McKenzie and others. She has danced principal roles for some of the greatest ballet choreographers of the last half-century, among them George Balanchine, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Antony Tudor, Glen Tetley, Paul Taylor and Jerome Robbins. Lise served as Minnesota Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director from 1995 to 2023 and choreographed several works including Sidetracks, House on Fire, Bred in the Bone, Alchemical Wedding, A Piece A Chord, Rumblings, The Enchantment, Edifice Wrecks, Point of Departure, Point of Reference, and Fallings.

Katie Johnson

Katie received her BFA in Dance from the University of Iowa, where she was the recipient of the Iowa Center for the Arts scholarship.  She trained at Butterfield’s school of Dance, Mark Morris Dance Center, STEPS, River North Dance Chicago, and Beijing Dance Academy in China.  Katie has worked with Tania Perez-Salas, The Joffrey Ballet, Duarte Dance Works, Ballet America, and was a company member with Minnesota Dance Theatre from 2008-2018.  She has performed works by Jiri Kylian, Jose Limon, Dwight Rhoden, Louis Falco, Elisa Monte, Hope Boykin, Emery LeCrone, Jeffery Bullock, George De la Pena, Wynn Fricke, Mariusz Olszewski, Loyce Houlton, and Lise Houlton, amongst others.  Katie is a 2011 SAGE Award nominee and a 2012 SAGE Award winner for Outstanding Performer. In addition to her performing career, Katie was a Capezio Dancewear model and was highlighted in Lee Lynch’s book, Amazing MN (2017). She served as a repetiteur and rehearsal director for Minnesota Dance Theatre’s 2023-2024 season. Katie currently teaches and choreographs for numerous dance schools throughout the metro area.

Pavielle Versalles

Pavielle Versalles is a Minnesota Native who trained with Minnesota Dance Theatre & School (MDT) under Lise Houlton and later performed with the company at MDT. She has studied at Miami City Ballet and under the fellowship program at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Pavielle has had the honor of performing works by Loyce Houlton, Lise Houlton, Jean Emile, Dwight Rhoden and Hope Boykin. After teaching in several dance schools in Minnesota, Pavielle recognized a need for technical training and mentorship for dancers looking to pursue their passion beyond the studio, founding Concept Pavielle in 2019. Under her training, Pavielle's students have gone on to receive scholarships to premiere ballet academies and have received national recognition at Youth America Grand Prix. Pavielle was trained by internationally acclaimed dance figures. Now, through a nurturing and motivational approach, she elevates her students by empowering them to access their fullest potential.