Gianna Morette grew up in South Carolina, training at Center Stage Dance Academy under the direction of Maegan Kittrell and Rebecca Lee. In 2019, she left competitive dance to pursue ballet full-time. Gianna then trained at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC. While attending Kirov, she placed first in contemporary at YAGP in NYC under the direction of Adrienne Canterna. Gianna spent her summers training at Charlotte Ballet, the International City School of Ballet, and Chautauqua Institution. In 2021, Gianna joined Charlotte Ballet as a trainee, studying under the direction of Patricia McBride, Katie Mayo, and Laszlo Berdo. She performed Balanchine works such as Union Jack, Faust, and Raymonda, John Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker, Matthew Hart’s Sleeping Beauty, and Christopher Stuart’s Peter Pan as well as contemporary works. Growing up as a teacher’s assistant, Gianna developed a passion for teaching. Recognizing the anxieties young dancers face in expressing themselves, she created a program offering mentoring and interview coaching to inspire and nurture the next generation of dancers and ensure the longevity of their art. She continues to teach at her home studio in South Carolina virtually as well as teaching at a local Alabama studio. Gianna is excited about the opportunity to dance under the direction of the new artistic director, Christopher Stuart.