ALLIE LENOX DYLESKI
Artistic Director
Allie began her classical dance training at Community Ballet School in Huntsville, Alabama. From there she joined the Huntsville Ballet Company and Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre, both under the direction of David Herriott and Keren Gibb-Hilliard. While a member of AYBT’s Senior Company, Allie performed various principal roles such as the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Snow White in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker.​
Allie then went on to attend Auburn University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English- literature and minored in dance. As a member of the Auburn University Dance Ensemble, Allie performed principal roles in pieces choreographed by Adrienne Wilson, Jeri Dickey, and Karola Luttringhaus. She also choreographed an original modern piece for the annual dance showcase.​While in Auburn, Allie worked on East Alabama Community Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. She performed as the Snow Queen and choreographed several roles.
After graduating from Auburn, Allie moved to New York where she worked as the George Balanchine Trust and New York Choreographic Institute intern at New York City Ballet.
Upon completion of her internship with New York City Ballet, Allie then returned to her alma mater, Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre, to choreograph a new contemporary ballet for their spring production.​Allie then returned to Auburn, where she now serves as the Artistic Director for East Alabama Community Ballet and works closely with the Auburn University Department of Theatre’s Dance Ensemble where she served as the Volunteer Coordinator for the American College Dance Association South Conference; and as a guest choreographer. Allie was also a rehearsal coach for Columbus Youth Dance Conservatory's Youth American Grand Prix and Universal Ballet Competition dancers.
ABBIE HARDIN
Production Manager
Abbie Hardin joined East Alabama Community Ballet in 2005 and danced in The Nutcracker until 2015 before graduating from Auburn High School in 2016. After attending Auburn University and receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Media, she wanted to return to EACB, and has been serving as the company’s production manager since 2021. This is her third year as the production manager and some of her favorite parts of her job include getting to know and spending time with the dancers, being a part of a community arts mission, exercising her theatre production creativity muscles, and being a part of a show and a company that was integral to her time as a dancer. It is a full circle, and she is excited to be a part of this company again in a different capacity. Some of EACB’s dancers, Abbie knew when they were small children, and she has loved watching them continue to grow, here in the company.
One of the driving forces behind Abbie's commitment to the ballet company is their community mission. She believes in the transformative power of the arts, and being part of a company that brings that to diverse audiences is one of her favorite things about her role with EACB.
Abbie works full-time as a filmmaker, videographer, and photographer.
MAGGIE HARDIN
Backstage Manager & Social Media Specialist
Maggie started dancing at the age of 3 in the Auburn-Opelika area. Her dance training includes classical ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, lyrical, and jazz. Additionally, she was able to learn from industry professionals through master classes and dance festivals. She attended a few different studios growing up, but one thing always stayed consistent - EACB's The Nutcracker. Starting at the age of 6 in 2007 as a Baby Mouse and an Angel, Maggie could be seen on stage every December (two years in a row as Fritz as she likes to tell people). She wrapped up her years as a dancer in The Nutcracker in 2018 as the Snow Queen, Spanish Lead, and Flower Demi-Soloist before graduating from Auburn High School in May 2019. For a couple of years, Maggie took a "break" from dance in college before EACB's Artistic Director, Allie Dyleski, asked if she wanted to choreograph for The Nutcracker that year (2021). And the rest is history... Just kidding - there's more!
Maggie has choreographed with EACB since 2021 getting more and more involved each year. Beginning in the 2024 season, she joined EACB's Artistic Staff as Backstage Manager and Social Media Specialist. Because of her involvement with EACB, she met her future employer - Taylor Rogers, owner of Taylor Dance Company in Auburn. Maggie became a teacher at TDC in January 2024, primarily focusing on ballet and tap. She has loved getting to know the dancers and their families at TDC, and can't wait to see how the studio will grow and continue to be involved with EACB. In addition to TDC and EACB, Maggie choreographed for Auburn Area Community Theatre's 2024 kids' production of Disney's 101 Dalmatians Jr. and hopes to continue to work with them in the future.
Since graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies in December 2022, Maggie has been working for Auburn University full-time as a Sponsored Programs Officer. She is so thankful that she has opportunities to dance and teach outside of her full-time position. Her favorite thing about working with EACB is getting to meet dancers from different studios and watching the camaraderie it takes every year to put on the magical tradition of The Nutcracker!
KASEY SHEPHERD
Rehearsal Manager
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Kasey began dancing at the age of two at Kohl Academy of Performing Arts in Guntersville, Alabama under the direction of Jane Kohl and Melissa Blackburn. Her dance training includes classical ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and musical theater. She grew up attending dance conventions and intensives where she was able to further her dance training and gain exposure to different dance styles and teaching techniques. Additionally, Kasey was a member of the award winning KAPA Elite competition team and a junior member of Dance Masters of America Chapter 33. Kasey also participated in her studio’s teacher-training program allowing her to assist in classes and choreograph routines throughout high school. Kasey believes all of these experiences have shaped her into the dance teacher and choreographer she is today.
Kasey then went on to attend Auburn University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and minored in dance. She was a member of the Auburn University Dance Ensemble and performed in a piece choreographed by Jeri Dickey. During college, Kasey also began teaching dance classes at Nix Dance Studios. She learned new teaching methods and formats and truly fell in love with teaching dance. After graduating from Auburn, Kasey became a kindergarten teacher in Auburn City Schools, but continued to teach dance classes during this time as well. Then in 2023 Kasey accepted a new position as Co-Director of Nix Dance Studios alongside Paula Nix. Currently, Kasey teaches all ages in a variety of styles and works closely with the competition teams. She has choreographed several pieces for competition and for the studio’s annual recital. Kasey strives to make every dance class fun and engaging. She is very grateful to call such an amazing studio home. In addition, Kasey also choreographs for Lee County’s Distinguished Young Women program.
Kasey has been with East Alabama Community Ballet since 2018. She has choreographed several pieces for EACB’s production of The Nutcracker including Battle Scene, Arabian, Spanish, Russian, Dawn Fairy, Angels, and Motherginger and the Gingersnaps. In 2024, Kasey joined EACB’s Artistic Staff as Rehearsal Manager. Kasey is looking forward to her new position and is thrilled to be more involved. She loves being a part of such a wonderful organization and is very excited for this year’s production of The Nutcracker.