A VISION uniquely Nashville

For nearly 40 years, Nashville Ballet has been creating experiences that are inspiring, accessible, and uniquely Nashville. As a proud member of Nashville’s thriving arts scene, we collaborate with a wide array of artists to create a ballet that can only emerge from the rich culture of the city we call home. That’s why we will always invest in the next generations of talent and create spaces for them to express their artistry and thrive as dancers and Nashvillians.

ARTISTIC STAFF

Nick Mullikin

Artistic Director & CEO

Nick Mullikin joined Nashville Ballet in 2015, was promoted to Associate Artistic Director in 2018, and was named Artistic Director and CEO in 2023. Passionate about supporting the creation of new works, Mullikin has been integral to the expansion of repertoire performed by Nashville Ballet’s professional company and has commissioned over 20 new works for NB2, Nashville Ballet’s official second company. Under his leadership, the School of Nashville Ballet and NB2 have flourished, with a stronger connection between the School and professional opportunities. Mullikin was the producer and assistant to the director on the regional Emmy award-winning broadcast of Nashville's Nutcracker in 2020, as well as Black Lucy and The Bard which aired on PBS’s Great Performances series in 2022.

In his performing career, Mullikin danced with the Houston Ballet and Ballet West, performing works by William Forsythe, George Balanchine, Anthony Tudor, and many more. He toured nationally and internationally including at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2004.

Mullikin is a highly sought-after guest teacher and teaches regularly at summer programs, festivals, and schools across the United States. He is a judge on the international panel for the Youth America Grand Prix finals, coaches students for multiple ballet competitions, and acts as a consultant for schools and festivals across the country.

Mullikin is a University of Texas at Austin graduate in Government with a Communications minor and a McCombs Business Foundations Program Certificate.

**KATIE VASILOPOULOS**
Director of Artistic Operations and Strategy

Katie Vasilopoulos developed a love of dance while studying at Maple Avenue Dance in Rockville Centre, NY, then furthered her training at Ballet Academy East in New York City. She joined NB2 in 2008 and progressed to the main company during the 2012 season. Now, as the Director of Artistic Operations and Strategy, Vasilopoulos is responsible for executing the artistic vision of Nashville Ballet through day-to-day and forward-thinking strategic operations.

**KATE LINSLEY**
Rehearsal Director

Kate Crews Linsley is a current Rehearsal Director for Nashville Ballet, formerly School of Nashville Ballet Academy Principal. Linsley enjoyed a successful dance career as a soloist with Ballet West for 10 seasons and danced with Kansas City Ballet from 1995–2000. From her time with Ballet West and Kansas City Ballet, Linsley’s resume contains many works from Tudor, Balanchine, Forsythe, Cranko, Morris, Tharp, and Ashton, to name a few.

**TRAVIS BRADLEY**
Rehearsal Director

Travis Bradley is a current Rehearsal Director for Nashville Ballet. Previously, he was the rehearsal assistant for Nashville Ballet 2, Ballet Memphis, and Julia Adam Dance. He has danced for Ballet Memphis, Houston Ballet, Richmond Ballet, and Julia Adam Dance. He has performed many memorable roles and originated multiple works with choreographers from around the globe such as Trey McIntyre, Stanton Welch, Ben Stevenson, Mark Godden, Mathew Neenan, Julia Adam and many others.

NOEL LI
Company Manager

Noel Li, a company manager and executive producer, has a background in Economics and Arts. With extensive experience in musical theater, animation, film, and television, Li’s career includes producing successful original musicals in China and internationally, along with acclaimed work in animation. Now based in Nashville, Noel Li applies this expertise to support the growth of the Nashville Ballet.

**MARIA KONRAD**
Director of NB2

Maria A. Konrad, a dynamic choreographer and educator, graduated from A.W. Dreyfoos High School of the Arts and holds a BFA in Performing Arts from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Her exceptional work has been showcased worldwide and commissioned for prestigious events. She has a unique Contemporary Ballet syllabus that she is thrilled to bring to Nashville. She has shared her expertise as a guest teacher at esteemed institutions like Colorado Ballet School, Tulsa Ballet, The Joffrey, and more.

ANAÏS CHALENDARD
NB2 Rehearsal Assistant

Originally from Roanne, France, Anaïs Chalendard trained with Carole Bentolila and at the National School of Dance in Marseille under Roland Petit and Dominique Khalfouni. At 17, after earning a baccalaureate in Economics and Political Science, she received her first professional contract with the Deutsch Oper am Rhein under Youri Vamos. Shortly after, she joined the Berlin State Opera under Vladimir Malakov.

MING

LUKE
Music Director and Principal Conductor

Ming Luke is a versatile conductor that has excited audiences around the world. His highlights include conducting the Bolshoi Orchestra in Moscow, performances of Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella at the Kennedy Center, his English debut at Sadler’s Wells with Birmingham Royal, conducting Dvorak’s Requiem in Dvorak Hall in Prague, recording scores for a Coppola film, and over a hundred performances at the San Francisco War Memorial with San Francisco Ballet.

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