Our Mission
Our purpose is to enhance the quality of life through the art of dance because we believe that dancing is one of the greatest expressions of one self. Our primary service is to provide a professional atmosphere within a Christian environment to train students through creativity and individuality to aspire to their greatest potential as a dancer, and as a member of society.
Founder & Artistic Director
Gabrielle Celeste
Gabrielle Celeste, a Columbia native, has an extensive local and international training background. At a very young age she found her calling in choreography and at fifteen she established her company, Celestial Stars. Her innovative Ballet’s are accentuated by other various dance styles creating moving and powerful works; such as her original, full length Ballet, “The Christmas Angel"©, which debuted in 2001. Gabrielle was very determined to break the mold of most studios and create an atmosphere of professionalism that is balanced with ethical guidelines. All of her students are taught equally the Vaganova Ballet technique, and she also means to bring out the best of each individual as a person.
At age 4 Gabrielle performed for Rasia Struckova, Principal Ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet. Rasia said of Gabrielle - "I have only seen one other child more talented than her, and that was me."
Gabrielle began her training with Wrenn Cook of Wrenn Cook and friends at age 3. The same year she started ballet with William Starett and Marie-Claire Miranda of Columbia City Ballet. At age six she studied intensively under Ann Brodie until Ms. Brodie's passing seven years later. While she was at Calvert-Brodie she also was taught by Debbie Spivey (Ballet), Maura Gable Moore (tap), and Linda Busby (jazz). The next few years she trained with Donna Lewis Director of the Eboni Dance Theater, Stanislav Issaev, as well as Kris Cangelosi (contemporary) at USC. Gabrielle performed in countless productions while dancing with Columbia City Ballet, The Carolina Ballet, Footnotes, Eboni Dance Theater, and the USC Dance Company. Gabrielle has also had the opportunity of training at different summer programs including: classes with the Queensland Ballet Company, Australia; Jazz Dance World Congress, Chicago; The Princeton Ballet, NJ; and multiple summers at the USC Summer Intensive. Gabrielle met her dance partner and husband, Gene Reed in 2006, while studying Argentine Tango. Together they have two beautiful daughters, Genevieve Starr, 8; and Seraphina Lang-tai, 5 and their newest addition, Gabriel Jusuts, 2.
Artistic Staff
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Gabrielle Celeste
Ballet, Contemporary, Creator & Director of The Christmas Angel Ballet |
Nyna Dalbec
Ballet Nyna has been teaching and choreographing throughout South Carolina for 20 years. Her training includes Columbia Ballet School, Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet, South Carolina Governor School for the Arts (first a student and later returning as an assistant to the dance department), Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, David Howard Dance Center in New York City, Steps on Broadway in NYC, and the USC Dance Department of Theatre and Dance in Columbia, SC. She has performed regionally as a dancer and actress. She has been on the boards of, and consulting artist to, fledgling dance and live-arts performance groups. Nyna's greatest love is her children: Ian and Simon. In her spare time, she writes and sketches (though rarely published), and does volunteer work for Carolina Peace Resource Center. |
William Moore, Jr.
Ballet William Moore , Jr. of Columbia South Carolina began his dance training with Debbie Spivey of Footnotes, The School for Classical Dance at the age of fourteen. Over the next four summers Willie particpated in summer intensive programs with the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities and Washington Ballet. In 2003, he joined Columbia Classical Ballet performing in Jekyll & Hyde, Snow White, Beauty & the Beast, Nutcracker, Lifechance, Diana and Acteon, Flames of Paris and the Jester in Cinderella. In 2005, Willie particpated in the Youth American Grand Prix regional's and was awarded a silver medal in the Classical Category and a Bronze Medal in the Contemporary Category. In 2006 he received a Gold and Bronze medal. In 2006, he attended the American Ballet Competition and was awarded an overall Bronze in the Senior Division. He competed in the renowned international Ballet Competition in Jackson, MI. He joined Columbia City Ballet in 2006. The Free Times noted that he was a "Powerhouse" and that "he positively sparkled as Ptolemy, Cleopatra's younger brother. His amazing skill and technique - most notably his great heights in jumps and his ability to spin like a top- were enchanting". He has danced with the Columbia Classical Ballet, Rochester City Ballet and is currently a professional freelance artist. |
Nicole Hamm
Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Creative Movement, & Pre-Ballet Nicole Hamm started dancing at the age of 3. She danced for 11 years at Miss Amy's Competitive Edge Company in Dickson, Tennessee with a focus in Hip-Hop and Jazz. In high school, she competed for 2 years and went to nationals with her team. During college, Nicole took improv, ballet, jazz, and contemporary at the University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance. She just recently graduated from U of SC with an Education Specialist Degree in Counselor Education. Outside of dance, she is a school counselor at a local elementary school. Nicole is entering her 5th year teaching at Celestial Stars. |
Nora Mader
Ballet Bio Coming Soon |
Tiffany Lee
Conditioning Tiffany Lee has been dancing under Mrs. Gabrielle for 4 years. She aspires to become a dance teacher and to be able to inspire creativity in young minds. Tiffany has dance in the Christmas Ballet in roles of Imp, reindeer, element, elf and poodle. Even though Tiffany has been dancing for a short time, she works hard and is doing her best to prepare for the coming year. |
Assistants
Anastasia Gambarian
Anastasia Gambarian is a senior dancer at Celestial Stars and has been dancing for 13 years. This past year, she danced the role of the Christmas Angel in the Christmas Angel Ballet. Anastasia continues her training in Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, and Company at Celestial Stars. |
Dimitra (Dimi) Seremetis
Dimi Seremetis is a junior dancer at Celestial Stars and has been dancing for 12 years. She does not let her Type One Diabetes get in her way and has danced in many performances, including the Christmas Angel Ballet. Dimi continues her training in Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Tap, and Company at Celestial Stars. Dimi is a dancer determined to show the world her skills. Dance is a large part of her life but she stays grounded for her family and friends. |
Local Resident Mentors
Debbie Spivey
Debbie Spivey was born in Richmond, VA where she began her dance studies at the young age of six. Over the years she performed various soloist and principle roles in the Richmond Ballet and The Concert Ballet of Virginia. She moved to Columbia in 1984 and began teaching ballet at Calvert-Brodie and eventually opened her own studio, Footnotes, The School for Classical Dance. In 2000 she received a calling from God to use her gifts and talents to glorify and honor Him, so she began The Moving For Christ Dance Ministry, a Christian dance ensemble. Debbie and Moving for Christ. Perform throughout Columbia uplifting and praising the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Debbie is a member of the Bible Way Church of Atlas Road where she is a dancer and the choreographer for Divine Praise, the worship and arts dance ministry. She teaches arts dance ministry, she teaches the Arts in Motion youth dance team at Bibleway and also the Moving for Christ youth team at Covenant Christian School. Dance has been a lifelong passion for Debbie and when the Lord Jesus came into her life He became her passion and Psalm 149:3 became her life , “Let them praise His name with dancing”. |
Blade Boulware
Blade Boulware, a native of Columbia, SC, is a professional pianist and composer. He studied ballet, contemporary, and tap at Celestial Stars for 10 years and now that he has returned to Columbia, he is dancing again. Together with Gabrielle, his sister, they have created two Ballets, "The Jewel Heart" and "Lights and Shadows". Although he is trained classically, Blade enjoys jamming and improvising with other musicians and friends. Blade is a graduate of Coker College. |