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 Relations 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.

 

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.

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.

MOLLIE SANSONE


Resident Choreographer

Mollie Sansone joined Nashville Ballet as a member of NB2 in 2004, She was promoted into the main company two years later. During her 18-year tenure, she performed works by choreographers such as Paul Vasterling, Jirí Kylián, George Balanchine, Christopher Bruce, Salvatore Aiello, Val Caniparoli, Sarah Slipper, Jennifer Archibald, Gina Patterson, Stephen Mills, and Christopher Stuart. After her latest Attitude premiere of Fortitudine, Sansone was titled Resident Choreographer for Nashville Ballet.

 

PRODUCTION STAFF

Director of Production
Melinda Dobson

Production Stage Manager
Helen Moreau

Production Technical Director
Packy Bergquist

Resident Assistant Lighting Designer
Kelly Landry

Master Electrician
Kimberly Pukay

Properties Master
Eric Gamez

Costume Shop Director
Mycah Kennedy

Cutter/Draper & Shop Assistant
Alison Taylor

Wardrobe Supervisor
Dani Crosson

Shoe Manager
Christana Jones


artists

Nashville Ballet Company

Nashville Ballet’s company is comprised of dancers from around the nation and world who contribute their unique talents, backgrounds, and experiences to the stage. The diversity of the company can be seen in dancer tenures, ranging from the first season to the seventeenth.

NB2

NB2, the official second company of Nashville Ballet, provides exceptional training to dancers who wish to refine their classical and contemporary technique, develop artistry, build strength, and prepare for a career in a professional environment.