Perfomance Division
Evergreen City Ballet's Performance Division (PD) is open to advanced students by invitation only. This rewarding opportunity guides students to further develop their technique and artistry through a rigorous training schedule and performance opportunities year-round. Student placement is required for this pre-professional program.
Performance Division students receive mentorship from the Artistic Director. They are also given the opportunity to study choreography and how to produce a show through ELEVATE, our student choreography showcase.
Many Performance Division dancers and alumni have gone on to successful professional careers dancing with San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, The Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and on Broadway.
Whether they are pursuing a career in dance or not, each student is expected to cultivate excellence, good work ethic, professionalism, and other life skills needed to build a successful life in dance and beyond.
Meet our PDs
TIJANNA DUPONT
Tija has been dancing for 20 years. She danced with ECB from 2017 to 2019 and is thrilled to return for the 2025–2026 season. Throughout her training, Tija has had the opportunity to work with esteemed instructors including Deborah Hadley, Josh Grant, Lindsi Dec, Noelani Pantastico, James Moore, Karel Cruz, Sarah Pasch, Aaron Orza, and many others. Some of her favorite roles she has performed include Clara, the Rat King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, as well as the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. Outside the studio, Tija enjoys spending time outdoors and taking her dog, Winnie, on hikes.
ANNIKA BAUER
Annika has been dancing for 10 years and 9 of those being with ECB, as well as her 1st season as a PD. Her favorite roles so far have been Marzipan Lead and Corps as well as Spanish Corps in Wade Walthall's Nutcracker and Swanhilda’s friends in Coppelia. In recent years she's attended summer intensives at John Cranko School, Orlando Ballet School, Joffrey New York and ECB. Some of her favorite ballet’s are John Cranko’s Onegin and The Bolshoi Ballet’s La Esmeralda which she performed excerpts from at John Cranko’s summer intensive performance. In her free time she loves to bake, draw and practice piano. She plans to graduate with an Associates Degree at Green River College along with her high school diploma. After high school, Annika hopes to move to New York to either earn a degree in journalism or pursue dancing professionally.
NATALIE DESHAYES
Natalie DeShayes is a senior in high school, and has been dancing for 13 years, this being her first season with ECB! Some of her favorite roles have been Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy in Plateau Ballet Repertory Theatre’s “The Nutcracker,” as well as Nala in “Lion King the Ballet” and Cogsworth in “Belle.” Natalie also loves to choreograph and has had the opportunity to showcase 6 pieces onstage. Outside of dance, Natalie enjoys playing the cello, singing, and hanging out with friends. She is so excited to be with ECB this year, and is so thankful for the opportunities she’s been given!
SOFIA SANFORD
This is Sofia Sanford’s 1st year as a PD, 2nd year at Evergreen City Ballet, and 8th year dancing. Her favorite role she’s performed has been Marzipan lead in The Nutcracker. Over the most recent summers, she has spent time at ECB, Ballet Austin, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. The ballets that captivate her the most are Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Romeo & Juliet and George Balanchine’s Square Dance, along with nearly anything choreographed by David Dawson. Outside of the studio, she loves paddleboarding, skiing, being a plant parent, and coffee. After graduating high school, she plans to either dance professionally or pursue a path that focuses on child development.
LEELU WYBORNY
Leelu has been dancing for 13 years, continuing her 14th this season. This is her 5th season with ECB and she's excited to start her first year as a PD. Some of her favorite roles have been Arabian Coffee lead, Flower Corps, and Head Maid in Wade Walthall's Nutcracker as well as Forest Fairy in Hansel and Gretel. While she enjoys dancing, Leelu is interested in all types of activity and wants to pursue a career in sports psychology. She attends Green River College as a full time running start student, working towards not only a high school diploma but an AA in Arts with a concentration in Psychology. She's also a varsity athlete, playing on the girls golf team at her high school. Leelu loves to bake and indulge in a good read.