Meet the Artists: Yanis Eric Pikieris

Get to know Yanis!

We sat down with choreographer Yanis Eric Pikieris to ask him about his journey with dance, his new work for Chicago Repertory Ballet and more.

CRB: Tell us about your pathway to dance? How did you start dancing?

Yanis: I’ve been surrounded by dance my entire life! My parents were both Principal Dancers with Miami City Ballet and my dad had his own company, Maximum Dance Company, while I was growing up. My parents also have a school, Miami Youth Ballet, that is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this upcoming season!  Even with all of this, I didn’t start taking dance seriously until I was in high school - briefly at my parents’ studio and then for a few years at Miami City Ballet School. I then danced with Charlotte Ballet as an apprentice for two years before moving back to Miami in 2016 to join Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami as a founding member of the company. 

CRB: What about choreography? When did you become aware that you're interested in making dance?

Yanis: When I was at Miami City Ballet School we had the opportunity to choreograph on our peers as part of a composition class. It was my first experience choreographing anything and, while the result wasn’t great, it sparked my curiosity and encouraged me to continue exploring choreography. I had similar opportunities at Charlotte Ballet, but it wasn’t until I moved back to Miami that I really started to find my footing as a choreographer - first choreographing on the students at Miami Youth Ballet and, eventually with Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami.

CRB: What are some of your favorite works that you've made before?

Yanis: Some of my recent favorites have been Voyager (2023) and Arcadia (2024), both at Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami with music by Oliver Davis.  Voyager actually premiered while on tour in Charlotte, which made the experience especially meaningful for me. Another favorite ballet is Before Sunrise (2025), which was the first time I got to work with my friends at Ballet Vero Beach, and with a commissioned score by my very talented friend Gabriel Aguilar. 

CRB: What are some of your inspirations as a choreographer?

Yanis: My main motivation is always the music! I have to really love it. Whenever I listen to music, I try to visualize colors and shapes which then help inform every other detail of the work - from the movement quality to the design of the costumes. 

CRB: What can you tell us about your upcoming work at CRB?

Yanis: I’m calling the piece ‘Beyond the Blue Line.’ While it’s unfortunately not inspired by the CTA Blue Line, the title draws from the idea that our blue line represents the horizon - the place where sky and sea appear to meet - which appears to be both a boundary and an invitation. ‘Beyond’ suggests stepping past what is visible, crossing into the unknown, and venturing toward new opportunities and new possibilities.

CRB: What do you like to do outside of dance?

Yanis: Unfortunately, I’m a pretty busy guy! Splitting my time between being Resident Choreographer and Company Manager at Dimensions Dance Theatre and serving as Associate Director of Miami Youth Ballet. When I do get a chance to escape, I love to travel! I’m happiest exploring new and exciting places - or just revisiting and enjoying my favorite cities, like Chicago! I also love immersing myself in all the arts - musicals, opera, live music, museums, all of it! I try to see and experience as much as I can while I have the chance. At home, I also love to cook (big Food Network fan) and read (big murder mystery fan) and sleep.. though unfortunately never enough!

2026 CRB Dancers: Jessica Larbig

Jessica Larbig, originally from Germany, graduated with a Bachelor of the Arts from the Theatreschool in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

In the early years of her career she focused on Cunningham-based contemporary works, dancing with Ton Simons’ Danceworks Rotterdam, touring to Russia, Indonesia, Romania and Cyprus in Simons' works as well as other choreographers' works like Sjoerd Vreugdehil and Lucy Guerin.

Larbig then moved on to join the Singapore Ballet, performing in Goh Choo San's Romeo & Juliet, Janek Schergen's Nutcracker and Swan Lake and George Balanchine's Serenade.

In Singapore she met Soren Niewelt, who she followed back to Germany and co-founded JSLN Dance Company with in Berlin.

At JSLN Larbig danced most of Niewelt's neo-classical creations as well as repertoire pieces such as Petrouchka, La Sylphide and Romeo and Juliet. She was promoted to Soloist in 2014, after performing in Niewelt's rendition of Swan Lake as Odette/Odile and went on to tour with the company to England, Wales, Scotland, Italy, the Netherlands, Malaysia, China and France before finally making her first connection with Chicago, when Niewelt and Larbig performed as Sugar Plum and Cavalier with the North Shore School of Dance.

Having taken Wade Schaaf's open classes in Chicago that time, Larbig greatly enjoyed their style and approach to the artform. She has since had the opportunity to perform with Chicago Repertory Ballet in Wade Schaaf's Il Vespri Siciliani and The Capulets.

2026 CRB Dancers: Roberto Vega Ortiz

Roberto Vega Ortiz (he/they)

Roberto Vega Ortiz is a Puerto Rican ballet artist and director based in Chicago. His work blends classical technique with queer storytelling and a deep connection to his cultural roots.

Born and raised in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Roberto trained at Escuela de Ballets de San Juan, Conservatorio de Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, Escuela Especializada en Ballet Julián E. Blanco, and Miami City Ballet School. He has performed across the United States, the Caribbean, and internationally, including two years with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. His career includes Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, Nashville Ballet, Diablo Ballet, Ballet22, and Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

In 2020, he co-founded Ballet22 and served as Artistic Director through 2023. He now co-directs EnbyBallet and leads ENBY Studios, creating inclusive spaces where dancers can train, perform, and belong as they are.

2026 CRB Dancers: Andreas Bautista

Andreas Bautista is a proud Mexican-American actor, dancer, and singer from Fresno, California. He began his performing journey in local musical theatre productions before relocating to Chicago to attend The Chicago High School for the Arts, where he received pre-professional conservatory training and discovered his passion for ballet.

He continued his studies at the University of Arizona, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts a year early and performing in works including Ravel’s Bolero by Duane Cyrus and Tammy Dyke-Compton. Following graduation, Andreas returned to Chicago to train as a trainee with The Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet under the direction of Suzanne Lopez. During his time there, he performed in pieces such as Sea Change by Keelan Whitmore, Bereshit by Karley Childress, and Imperium by Sofia Tucker.

Andreas is honored to begin his first season with Chicago Repertory Ballet and looks forward to continuing to grow and contribute as an artist.

2026 CRB Dancers: Alberto Andrade

Alberto Andrade is from Queens, New York. He started his training at a small school in Georgia then went to train at the Colburn School, and the Milwaukee Ballet school. He attended a number of summer programs such as the School of American Ballet, The Harid Conservatory, Ellison ballet, and the Milwaukee ballet school. He has previously danced with Milwaukee ballet 2,  Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Zikr Dance ensemble. Alberto is very excited to begin his first season with CRB.

2026 CRB Dancers: Nathaniel Urie

Born and raised in Seattle, Nathaniel fell in love with performing at the age of 10 in a local production of Gone With the Breeze. Inspired by that unabashed feeling of self-expression, he continued performing in musicals, as well as exploring eclectic hobbies from piano to karate. At 16, Nathaniel joined Olympic Ballet School. Under the instruction of Mara Vinson and Oleg Gorbulev, what started as a way to improve his dancing for musical theatre quickly grew into a devotion to ballet itself. 

Nathaniel was accepted in 2021 into the University of Arizona School of Dance. There, he was featured in Light Rain by Gerald Aripino, as well as other works by Sarah Lisette Chiesa and Sam Watson. He also presented two original choreographic pieces at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, igniting his passion for artistic creation in addition to performance. 

In addition to performance and choreography, Nathaniel expanded his training at intensives with the José Limón Dance Company and American Ballet Theatre, and in 2024 became a trainee with Ballet de Barcelona. Nathaniel recently graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona in 2025 with dual degrees in Marketing and Dance. Now in Chicago, he is thrilled to make his professional debut with Chicago Repertory Ballet and to start this new chapter in his artistic journey

2026 CRB Dancers: P.J. Spagnoletti

PJ began ballet training at the age of 16, following a background as a competitive gymnast. He studied primarily at Princeton Dance and Theater in New Jersey, under the direction of Risa Kaplowitz, and affiliated with the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. After 3 years of training, he joined The Sarasota Ballet as a trainee, where he performed excerpts from “Magnificat” at the Sarasota Opera House in 2021.

Following some injuries, he shifted his focus to academics, earning a degree in Marketing from The College of New Jersey’s School of Business. During his time in college, he explored choreography, presenting work at Flair Dance Festival and Roxey Ballet Company’s River Dance Festival in 2024. His piece “Extraterrestrial” was awarded Best Choreography at Flair Dance Company’s 5th Anniversary Festival this past summer. He has also performed as a featured guest artist, performing principal roles with Princeton Youth Ballet in 2023 and 2024.

Career highlights include performing works choreographed by Ricardo Graziano, Arcadian Broad, Martin Douglas, Matt Williams, Risa Kaplowitz & Joey Vélas. He is thrilled to return to professional dance and to fulfill his dream of performing at a professional level. He looks forward to exploring the city of Chicago and performing on stage once again.

2026 CRB Dancer: Rachel Schmidt

Rachel Schmidt was born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA and received her early dance training from Robert Kelley and Diane Cypher of Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre. After graduating from Butler University with a degree in Dance she joined the Alonzo King LINES Ballet training program and danced as a company member of dawsondanceSF in San Francisco, CA. She later joined Brooklyn Ballet and Visions Contemporary Ballet in New York, NY and performed at the Guggenheim Museum during Dance Lab NY’s Alchemy Lab Cycle. She has performed in works by Alonzo King, Maurya Kerr, Sidra Bell, Gregory Dawson, Wade Schaaf, Brian Enos, Mike Tyus and Kia Smith. She is currently in her fourth season with Chicago Repertory Ballet.

2026 CRB Dancers: Sarah Price

Originally from Elgin, Illinois, Sarah began her artistic journey in theater, where she spent much of her youth. She initially took ballet classes to improve her stage presence and secure better roles but soon fell in love with the elegance and discipline of ballet, which quickly became her passion. Sarah received extensive training under Kaleigh Schock Tyton, who played a pivotal role in her development as a dancer. She further honed her skills by attending the prestigious Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive on a partial scholarship in 2021 and 2022. Following her training, Sarah was offered a position in Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Second Company. During her time in Las Vegas, Sarah performed in numerous Corps de Ballet roles, including Dracula’s Brides Corps in Dracula, Snow and Flowers Corps in James Canfield’s The Nutcracker (2022 and 2023), Corps and Aspirin Ladies in George Balanchine’s Serenade, and Peasant, Czardas, and Swan Corps in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake. Among all the ballets she has participated in, her favorite experience was performing as a Munchkin in Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz. She is excited to be back in Chicago and excited to begin her first season with CRB!

2026 CRB Dancers: Miriam-Rose LeDuc

​​Miriam-Rose is a multi-passionate creative focused on ballet, music, and business. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts and Business from Indiana University, she launched her dance career in Chicago. Ms. LeDuc has performed numerous featured roles with Chicago Repertory Ballet, including Lady Macbeth in Wade Schaaf’s Macbeth, The Chieftess in The Rite of Spring, and Winter from The Four Seasons.  She’s grateful to have danced in additional works by Shannon Alvis, Taylor Mitchell, Mariana Oliviera, and Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye.
Ms. LeDuc made her choreographic debut with the creation of Morning Song in 2017 and has since produced works for Chicago Repertory Ballet and Project 606. When she's not pursuing art, she supports purpose-driven entrepreneurs through marketing and operations services and enjoys time with her husband and busy toddler.