Cindy Free
Executive and Artistic Director
Cindy is the Executive and Artistic Director of the Birmingham Ballet. In a short time, she has built Birmingham Ballet from a small Academy with a performing outlet into a well established semi-professional community ballet company with a newly forming professional repertory ensemble.
Cindy began her dance training in Canton, Ohio under teacher and mother Susanne Ferguson. She first appeared with the Canton Civic Ballet under direction of John Begg. Upon moving to Birmingham, she performed professionally as the youngest member of The Birmingham Ballet directed by Alfonso Figueroa. Throughout her career she studied with many notable teachers including Robert Joffrey, Robert Barnett, Hilda Butsova, and Gus Giordono. She has performed a variety of classical ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Les Sylphides, as well as numerous contemporary ballets. Her talent has been recognized with various awards including a Birmingham Obelisk nomination, Special Talent Awards in two Miss Alabama preliminary Pageants, and Who's Who - Most Talented" among her 1979 graduating class.
She studied Musical Theatre at the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Birmingham-Southern College in 1983. From 1983-1984 Mrs. Free toured internationally with Up With People as a featured dancer. She returned once again to the Birmingham stage in 1988 where audiences saw her as Cleopatra with the Alabama Ballet Theatre. As artistic and executive director of Birmingham Ballet, she has choreographed numerous ballets to feature the talent of young dancers. Several of her students have received acceptance and scholarships to study at esteemed schools such as American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, The Boston Ballet School, and the Rock School of the Pennsylvania. She has also choreographed four full length ballets during her time as director.
Executive and Artistic Director
Cindy is the Executive and Artistic Director of the Birmingham Ballet. In a short time, she has built Birmingham Ballet from a small Academy with a performing outlet into a well established semi-professional community ballet company with a newly forming professional repertory ensemble.
Cindy began her dance training in Canton, Ohio under teacher and mother Susanne Ferguson. She first appeared with the Canton Civic Ballet under direction of John Begg. Upon moving to Birmingham, she performed professionally as the youngest member of The Birmingham Ballet directed by Alfonso Figueroa. Throughout her career she studied with many notable teachers including Robert Joffrey, Robert Barnett, Hilda Butsova, and Gus Giordono. She has performed a variety of classical ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Les Sylphides, as well as numerous contemporary ballets. Her talent has been recognized with various awards including a Birmingham Obelisk nomination, Special Talent Awards in two Miss Alabama preliminary Pageants, and Who's Who - Most Talented" among her 1979 graduating class.
She studied Musical Theatre at the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Birmingham-Southern College in 1983. From 1983-1984 Mrs. Free toured internationally with Up With People as a featured dancer. She returned once again to the Birmingham stage in 1988 where audiences saw her as Cleopatra with the Alabama Ballet Theatre. As artistic and executive director of Birmingham Ballet, she has choreographed numerous ballets to feature the talent of young dancers. Several of her students have received acceptance and scholarships to study at esteemed schools such as American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, The Boston Ballet School, and the Rock School of the Pennsylvania. She has also choreographed four full length ballets during her time as director.
Alfonso Figueroa
Director Emeritus
Alfonso is a veteran of over 30 highly successful years in the field of professional dance. He has been a featured principal dancer, teacher, choreographer, and director with several of the major American Dance Companies.
A native New Yorker, he began his formal dance training through a scholarship at the Boston Conservatory of Music at the age of 18 with no previous dance training. Upon his graduation less than four years later, he was accepted into The Boston Ballet. During his tenure with the Boston Ballet, he worked with many choreographers of major stature.
Alfonso Figueroa's dance career raced forward when Pearl Lang extended an invitation to join her Pearl Lang Dance Company in New York City as a soloist. Later the same year Mr. Figueroa was accepted as soloist by Eliot Feld into the newly formed American Ballet. Mr. Figueroa accepted an invitation from Alvin Ailey to join the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater later the same year.
Following a world tour with Alvin Ailey, at Virginia William's request, Alfonso Figueroa returned to The Boston Ballet as a principal dancer and resident Choreographer. He was also appointed Artistic Director of The Birmingham Ballet Company, fulfilled all three positions simultaneously for 4 years.
As choreographer Alfonso Figueroa was resident choreographer for the Boston Ballet as well as choreographer for the Boston Opera/Sarah Caldwell-Director, The Alvin Ailey Dance Repertory Theater, Scottish American Ballet Company and several regional dance companies including The Indianapolis Ballet, The Montgomery Ballet, Ballet Metropolitan of San Antonio and has staged several full length productions of The Nutcracker for several companies. He is the recipient of National Endowment Choreographic fellowships, an Emmy Nomination, and his work was featured in the Vestris National Choreographic competition performances in Boston.
Mr. Figueroa's work was performed featured in an Emmy nominated segment of the WGBH Series "La Plaza", and he was the subject of the nationally televised WGBH Boston PBS 60 minute special featuring his works titled "Jubilos". He was selected by WTVP PBS Ch 47 Illinois, for a 60 minute special titled "Dance Like You Have Never Seen It". Mr. Figueroa received an invitation from the Scottish American Ballet to present his works in the Edinburgh International Performing Arts Festival in Scotland, which received critical acclaim in the London Press.
Alfonso. Figueroa has held the position of Artistic Director with the Birmingham Ballet, founding Director of the New York Dance Conservatory in New York City, founding Director of the Alfonso Figueroa Ballet and the Latin American Dance Theater in Residence at Rutgers University, and Artistic/Executive Director of the Peoria Ballet Company. He has served on the New Jersey Arts Council, Illinois Arts Council and the Indiana Arts Council Dance Panels.
Among his teaching credits, Mr. Figueroa has served as Ballet Master for Southern Ballet Theatre and Montgomery Ballet, taught on the faculty of Boston Ballet, The Alvin Ailey Dance Center in New York, Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, Trinity College, Birmingham Southern College, Rutgers University, Boston Conservatory of Music and Illinois Central College.
Director Emeritus
Alfonso is a veteran of over 30 highly successful years in the field of professional dance. He has been a featured principal dancer, teacher, choreographer, and director with several of the major American Dance Companies.
A native New Yorker, he began his formal dance training through a scholarship at the Boston Conservatory of Music at the age of 18 with no previous dance training. Upon his graduation less than four years later, he was accepted into The Boston Ballet. During his tenure with the Boston Ballet, he worked with many choreographers of major stature.
Alfonso Figueroa's dance career raced forward when Pearl Lang extended an invitation to join her Pearl Lang Dance Company in New York City as a soloist. Later the same year Mr. Figueroa was accepted as soloist by Eliot Feld into the newly formed American Ballet. Mr. Figueroa accepted an invitation from Alvin Ailey to join the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater later the same year.
Following a world tour with Alvin Ailey, at Virginia William's request, Alfonso Figueroa returned to The Boston Ballet as a principal dancer and resident Choreographer. He was also appointed Artistic Director of The Birmingham Ballet Company, fulfilled all three positions simultaneously for 4 years.
As choreographer Alfonso Figueroa was resident choreographer for the Boston Ballet as well as choreographer for the Boston Opera/Sarah Caldwell-Director, The Alvin Ailey Dance Repertory Theater, Scottish American Ballet Company and several regional dance companies including The Indianapolis Ballet, The Montgomery Ballet, Ballet Metropolitan of San Antonio and has staged several full length productions of The Nutcracker for several companies. He is the recipient of National Endowment Choreographic fellowships, an Emmy Nomination, and his work was featured in the Vestris National Choreographic competition performances in Boston.
Mr. Figueroa's work was performed featured in an Emmy nominated segment of the WGBH Series "La Plaza", and he was the subject of the nationally televised WGBH Boston PBS 60 minute special featuring his works titled "Jubilos". He was selected by WTVP PBS Ch 47 Illinois, for a 60 minute special titled "Dance Like You Have Never Seen It". Mr. Figueroa received an invitation from the Scottish American Ballet to present his works in the Edinburgh International Performing Arts Festival in Scotland, which received critical acclaim in the London Press.
Alfonso. Figueroa has held the position of Artistic Director with the Birmingham Ballet, founding Director of the New York Dance Conservatory in New York City, founding Director of the Alfonso Figueroa Ballet and the Latin American Dance Theater in Residence at Rutgers University, and Artistic/Executive Director of the Peoria Ballet Company. He has served on the New Jersey Arts Council, Illinois Arts Council and the Indiana Arts Council Dance Panels.
Among his teaching credits, Mr. Figueroa has served as Ballet Master for Southern Ballet Theatre and Montgomery Ballet, taught on the faculty of Boston Ballet, The Alvin Ailey Dance Center in New York, Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, Trinity College, Birmingham Southern College, Rutgers University, Boston Conservatory of Music and Illinois Central College.
Faculty
Katherine McDorman, Administrative Assistant
Beth Hughes, ballet teacher and Administrative Assistant
Leigh Burns, ballet and tap teacher
Julie Cobb, tap teacher
Heather Morris, adult ballet teacher
Beth Hughes, ballet teacher and Administrative Assistant
Leigh Burns, ballet and tap teacher
Julie Cobb, tap teacher
Heather Morris, adult ballet teacher
Resident Company
Whitney Mayfield
Whitney Mayfield received her early training from Monica Barnett Smith and Pamela Merkel Sayle. While in school she attended several summer intensives, including the prestigious American Ballet Theatre's program. Ms. Mayfield holds a degree in Dance from Birmingham-Southern College where she attended on a merit awarded scholarship. While at B-SC Ms. Mayfield had the honor of studying under Mira Popovich, Ruth Henry, and Teri Weksler.
During her time at the college, she performed in several shows and presented many of her own pieces in pointe, modern, jazz, and contemporary styles. Her senior year she was awarded the Fine Arts Society Award for Excellence in Dance, as well as the Edward Chase Tolman Award for Integrating Psychology into Another Field. After graduating with honors Ms. Mayfield began her professional career as a company member of Atlanta Festival Ballet, under the direction of Nicolas Pacana. She had the pleasure of performing soloist and demi-soloist roles in Pacana's Nutcracker during her first season with the company.
After becoming engaged she returned to Alabama and joined Birmingham Ballet, where she has most notably been seen in the role of Aurora in the premiere performance of The Sleeping Beauty. In addition to performing, Whitney has been teaching dance for five years. During this time she has instructed ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, contemporary, and tap to students of all ages. She is delighted to be a faculty member of Birmingham Ballet Academy and holds the position of Ballet Mistress.
Whitney Mayfield received her early training from Monica Barnett Smith and Pamela Merkel Sayle. While in school she attended several summer intensives, including the prestigious American Ballet Theatre's program. Ms. Mayfield holds a degree in Dance from Birmingham-Southern College where she attended on a merit awarded scholarship. While at B-SC Ms. Mayfield had the honor of studying under Mira Popovich, Ruth Henry, and Teri Weksler.
During her time at the college, she performed in several shows and presented many of her own pieces in pointe, modern, jazz, and contemporary styles. Her senior year she was awarded the Fine Arts Society Award for Excellence in Dance, as well as the Edward Chase Tolman Award for Integrating Psychology into Another Field. After graduating with honors Ms. Mayfield began her professional career as a company member of Atlanta Festival Ballet, under the direction of Nicolas Pacana. She had the pleasure of performing soloist and demi-soloist roles in Pacana's Nutcracker during her first season with the company.
After becoming engaged she returned to Alabama and joined Birmingham Ballet, where she has most notably been seen in the role of Aurora in the premiere performance of The Sleeping Beauty. In addition to performing, Whitney has been teaching dance for five years. During this time she has instructed ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, contemporary, and tap to students of all ages. She is delighted to be a faculty member of Birmingham Ballet Academy and holds the position of Ballet Mistress.
Cole Companion
Cole is a graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts. He received merit based scholarships to attend the University of Alabama, Butler University, and Birmingham-Southern College. He performed with Alabama Ballet for two seasons prior to joining Birmingham Ballet in 2009.
Cole is a graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts. He received merit based scholarships to attend the University of Alabama, Butler University, and Birmingham-Southern College. He performed with Alabama Ballet for two seasons prior to joining Birmingham Ballet in 2009.
Meghan Muncher
Meghan is a senior at the University of Alabama majoring in Dance and minoring in Theatre. She received her early training at the Marilyn Sanders Performing Arts Center and Alabama School of Fine Arts where she studied with Dame Sonia Arova. She has been a member of Birmingham Ballet Repertory Company for two seasons.
Meghan is a senior at the University of Alabama majoring in Dance and minoring in Theatre. She received her early training at the Marilyn Sanders Performing Arts Center and Alabama School of Fine Arts where she studied with Dame Sonia Arova. She has been a member of Birmingham Ballet Repertory Company for two seasons.
Stephanie Thompson
Stephanie began her early training in Jacksonville, Florida under Mark Spivak and Beth Marks. While in high school she attended a number of summer programs including American Ballet Theatre's intensive and Briansky Saratoga Ballet Center's intensive under the direction of Oleg Briansky. She joined Jacksonville Ballet Theatre at age 16 under the direction of Dulce Anaya.
She also performed with the Bolles School Repertory Dance Company while still in Florida. Upon moving to Birmingham to attend Samford University, she joined Birmingham Ballet. She has been featured as the roles of Princess Florine, Tiger Lily, Peacock, and Arabian.
Stephanie is very pleased to also hold the position of Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Birmingham Ballet.
Stephanie began her early training in Jacksonville, Florida under Mark Spivak and Beth Marks. While in high school she attended a number of summer programs including American Ballet Theatre's intensive and Briansky Saratoga Ballet Center's intensive under the direction of Oleg Briansky. She joined Jacksonville Ballet Theatre at age 16 under the direction of Dulce Anaya.
She also performed with the Bolles School Repertory Dance Company while still in Florida. Upon moving to Birmingham to attend Samford University, she joined Birmingham Ballet. She has been featured as the roles of Princess Florine, Tiger Lily, Peacock, and Arabian.
Stephanie is very pleased to also hold the position of Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Birmingham Ballet.
Kelly Ray
Production Assistant
Kelly is the Production Assistant for Birmingham Ballet, as well as tap, jazz, ballet, and theatre dance teacher. She began her dance training at First Coast Ballet in Jacksonville Florida, where she studied ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, hip hop, and modern. Her training extends from dance centers across the east coast from Orlando, Florida to New York City, New York. Under the direction of Mindi Mende, she received principal and soloist roles at an early age in both ballet and jazz productions. In 2005 she was accepted into the elite performance ensemble of Dansations Performing Arts Centre, where she was given the opportunity to train and perform all over the south east. She graduated summa cum laude from her high school, and received the Outstanding Dance and French Student awards.
In fall of 2008, Kelly moved to Birmingham, AL to study Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Samford University. During her time in college she was selected to serve as coordinator and choreographer for the Grace Dance Program, as well as captain of the Samford Dance Ensemble. She also studied ballet, jazz, and tap through the Samford Dance program. Her choreography has been featured at many university events, as well as outreach opportunities such as Race for the Cure, Relay for Life, etc.
Production Assistant
Kelly is the Production Assistant for Birmingham Ballet, as well as tap, jazz, ballet, and theatre dance teacher. She began her dance training at First Coast Ballet in Jacksonville Florida, where she studied ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, hip hop, and modern. Her training extends from dance centers across the east coast from Orlando, Florida to New York City, New York. Under the direction of Mindi Mende, she received principal and soloist roles at an early age in both ballet and jazz productions. In 2005 she was accepted into the elite performance ensemble of Dansations Performing Arts Centre, where she was given the opportunity to train and perform all over the south east. She graduated summa cum laude from her high school, and received the Outstanding Dance and French Student awards.
In fall of 2008, Kelly moved to Birmingham, AL to study Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Samford University. During her time in college she was selected to serve as coordinator and choreographer for the Grace Dance Program, as well as captain of the Samford Dance Ensemble. She also studied ballet, jazz, and tap through the Samford Dance program. Her choreography has been featured at many university events, as well as outreach opportunities such as Race for the Cure, Relay for Life, etc.
Apprentices
Grace Baker
Sarah Fleming
Susanna Kaletski
not pictured: Gina Maiola and Zack Bencomo
Grace Baker
Sarah Fleming
Susanna Kaletski
not pictured: Gina Maiola and Zack Bencomo
Sr. Company
Jr. Company