Faculty • Leadership • Legacy Artists
At Celestial Stars, we believe that great dancers are shaped by great mentors. Our team is made up of dedicated educators, visionary artists, and inspiring leaders—each one a guiding light in the lives of our students. From current faculty to our cherished legacy artists and administrative team, these are the people who bring our mission to life every day with excellence, grace, and heart.
At Celestial Stars, we believe that great dancers are shaped by great mentors. Our team is made up of dedicated educators, visionary artists, and inspiring leaders—each one a guiding light in the lives of our students. From current faculty to our cherished legacy artists and administrative team, these are the people who bring our mission to life every day with excellence, grace, and heart.
Owner & Founder
Gabrielle Celeste
Ballet, Contemporary, Creator of The Christmas Angel Ballet and Artistic Director of Nova Ballet Theatre
Mrs. Gabrielle, a Columbia native, has an extensive local and international training background. From a very young age, she discovered her calling in choreography, and at fifteen she established her studio and company, Celestial Stars. Her innovative ballets are both moving and powerful—most notably her original full-length work, The Christmas Angel©, which premiered in 2001 and now celebrates its 25th anniversary. Guided by her Catholic faith, Gabrielle has always been committed to creating an environment that blends professionalism with strong ethical values, reverence, and a genuine love of beauty. She believes deeply in treating all students with equal dignity and strives to help each dancer grow not only in technique, but also in virtue and character.
At age four, Gabrielle performed for Rasia Struckova, Principal Ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet, who remarked, “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 & Friends at age three. That same year she began ballet classes with William Starrett and Marie-Claire Miranda of Columbia City Ballet. At age six, she continued her studies intensively under Ann Brodie, remaining with her for seven years until Ms. Brodie’s passing. During her time at Calvert-Brodie, she also trained under Debbie Spivey (Ballet), Maura Gable Moore (Tap), and Linda Busby (Jazz). Her advanced training includes work with Donna Lewis of Eboni Dance Theatre and later with Stanislav Issaev and Kris Cangelosi (Contemporary) at USC. Gabrielle has performed in countless productions while dancing with Columbia City Ballet, The Carolina Ballet, Footnotes, Eboni Dance Theatre, and the USC Dance Company. Shehas also trained at numerous prestigious summer programs, including 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 now husband, Gene Reed, in 2006 while studying Argentine Tango. Together they are blessed with four children: Genevieve Starr, Seraphina Lang-tai, Gabriel Justus, and Noble Blaise.
Artistic Staff
Nicole Hamm
Contemporary, Creative Movement A & B, Lyrical
started dancing at the age of 3. She danced for 11 years at Miss Amy's Competitive Edge Company in Dickson, Tennessee and recently was invited back home to choreograph a contemporary piece for their competitive team. During college, Nicole took improv, Ballet, jazz, and contemporary at the University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance. She graduated from U of SC in 2020 with an Education Specialist Degree in Counselor Education. Nicole is a mental health therapist and currently in private practice. She has a passion for creating choreography centered on mental health awareness. Nicole is in her 9th year teaching at Celestial Stars and shares her passion for creating choreography centered on mental health awareness to the studio and company performances each year. This is Nicole’s 8th year dancing in The Christmas Angel. During 2020, she expanded her creative horizons creating a made for film short dance titled “Awake” which inspired and encouraged Nicole and Gabrielle to make the 20th anniversary edition of “The Christmas Angel” a film—an incredible experience that Nicole will always treasure.
Contemporary, Creative Movement A & B, Lyrical
started dancing at the age of 3. She danced for 11 years at Miss Amy's Competitive Edge Company in Dickson, Tennessee and recently was invited back home to choreograph a contemporary piece for their competitive team. During college, Nicole took improv, Ballet, jazz, and contemporary at the University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance. She graduated from U of SC in 2020 with an Education Specialist Degree in Counselor Education. Nicole is a mental health therapist and currently in private practice. She has a passion for creating choreography centered on mental health awareness. Nicole is in her 9th year teaching at Celestial Stars and shares her passion for creating choreography centered on mental health awareness to the studio and company performances each year. This is Nicole’s 8th year dancing in The Christmas Angel. During 2020, she expanded her creative horizons creating a made for film short dance titled “Awake” which inspired and encouraged Nicole and Gabrielle to make the 20th anniversary edition of “The Christmas Angel” a film—an incredible experience that Nicole will always treasure.
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Jessica Asel
Tap, Ballet, Jazz has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She attended various studios in Las Vegas and Houston training in Ballet, jazz and tap. Jessica attended Texas State University were she earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Education. While at TXST, she studied Ballet and modern dance. Jessica was awarded a scholarship for her original student choreography IIluvia from her professors. Jessica is originally from Houston, Texas but moved to South Carolina in 2021 where she now lives with her husband Michael and their daughter Olivia. |
Genevieve Starr
Stretch, Conditioning, Beginner Ballet
Genevieve loves to dance and trains with great focus and determination. She is studying Ballet, Pointe, and Contemporary with Mrs. Gabrielle; Ballet with Miss Katelyn; and Tap and Jazz with Mrs. Jessica. Genevieve also teaches Stretch, Conditioning and Beginner Ballet. She has attended summer programs with Carolina Ballet, South Carolina Christian Dance Theatre, and the USC Summer Ballet Intensive. A dedicated homeschool student, Genevieve is an avid reader with a creative passion for drawing and journaling. She works at Well-Heeled in Lexington and hopes to become a pointe-shoe fitter. Genevieve sings in the St. Cecilia Choir for the Traditional Latin Mass at Our Lady of the Lake and is grateful to be part of a strong faith community, as her Catholic faith is the most important part of her life.
Stretch, Conditioning, Beginner Ballet
Genevieve loves to dance and trains with great focus and determination. She is studying Ballet, Pointe, and Contemporary with Mrs. Gabrielle; Ballet with Miss Katelyn; and Tap and Jazz with Mrs. Jessica. Genevieve also teaches Stretch, Conditioning and Beginner Ballet. She has attended summer programs with Carolina Ballet, South Carolina Christian Dance Theatre, and the USC Summer Ballet Intensive. A dedicated homeschool student, Genevieve is an avid reader with a creative passion for drawing and journaling. She works at Well-Heeled in Lexington and hopes to become a pointe-shoe fitter. Genevieve sings in the St. Cecilia Choir for the Traditional Latin Mass at Our Lady of the Lake and is grateful to be part of a strong faith community, as her Catholic faith is the most important part of her life.
Legacy Artists
Blade Boulware
Guest Artist
Blade is a pianist, organist, violinist, and collaborative musician from Columbia, South Carolina. He currently serves as the Music Director and Organist at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Chapin and maintains an active career as a freelance and collaborative pianist throughout the Midlands. Blade is a 2018 graduate of Coker College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in piano performance. He has studied piano with Dr. Ryan F. Smith, voice with Dr. Christi McLain and Dr. Lee Ousley, and organ with Mark Husey and Dr. Don Grice. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. His musical experience spans choral accompaniment for Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, the Dutch Fork Choral Society, Coker College’s Coker Singers, First Baptist Church of Hartsville, and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. He has also collaborated widely with individual vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles of varying sizes.Blade has a long and meaningful history with The Christmas Angel, appearing in 24 productions to date. He reprises his roles this year as Father Christmas and the Faerie King. Blade has also collaborated with his sister, Gabrielle Celeste, in creating original music for several of her original ballets, including The Christmas Angel, Light and Darkness, The Jewel Heart, and more. While training under Gabrielle at Celestial Stars, Blade was accepted into the Bolshoi Ballet Summer Intensive in New York City—though ultimately, he chose to attend the Brevard Music Center, a defining summer that placed him firmly on his musical path. Deeply committed to cultivating his gifts and growing as an artist and individual, Blade approaches his work with openness, creativity, and a keen sense of wonder. He lets the wind shape his journey; wherever it blows, you will find him there--where the birches settle.
Guest Artist
Blade is a pianist, organist, violinist, and collaborative musician from Columbia, South Carolina. He currently serves as the Music Director and Organist at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Chapin and maintains an active career as a freelance and collaborative pianist throughout the Midlands. Blade is a 2018 graduate of Coker College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in piano performance. He has studied piano with Dr. Ryan F. Smith, voice with Dr. Christi McLain and Dr. Lee Ousley, and organ with Mark Husey and Dr. Don Grice. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. His musical experience spans choral accompaniment for Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, the Dutch Fork Choral Society, Coker College’s Coker Singers, First Baptist Church of Hartsville, and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. He has also collaborated widely with individual vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles of varying sizes.Blade has a long and meaningful history with The Christmas Angel, appearing in 24 productions to date. He reprises his roles this year as Father Christmas and the Faerie King. Blade has also collaborated with his sister, Gabrielle Celeste, in creating original music for several of her original ballets, including The Christmas Angel, Light and Darkness, The Jewel Heart, and more. While training under Gabrielle at Celestial Stars, Blade was accepted into the Bolshoi Ballet Summer Intensive in New York City—though ultimately, he chose to attend the Brevard Music Center, a defining summer that placed him firmly on his musical path. Deeply committed to cultivating his gifts and growing as an artist and individual, Blade approaches his work with openness, creativity, and a keen sense of wonder. He lets the wind shape his journey; wherever it blows, you will find him there--where the birches settle.
Headshots by Shutterbug Photography
Nora Mader
Ballet
Nora is in her 22nd year of dance with Celestial Stars. Over the years, Nora has had the opportunity to dance under the instruction of Ms. Gabrielle Celeste, Ms. Debbie Spivey, Mr. William Moore Jr, and many others. She has been a teacher at Celestial Stars for the past 10 years, teaching both ballet and contemporary for a variety of ages and levels. Currently, she is working towards her Master's degree in the University of South Carolina's Master's Entry to Practice Nursing program and is excited to graduate next summer. Nora is driven by her Catholic faith and seeks to glorify God in all that she does and is eager to do so as a future nurse. She would like to thank Ms. Gabrielle for her love and dedication to the Celestial Stars family and for her unwavering friendship throughout the years.
Ballet
Nora is in her 22nd year of dance with Celestial Stars. Over the years, Nora has had the opportunity to dance under the instruction of Ms. Gabrielle Celeste, Ms. Debbie Spivey, Mr. William Moore Jr, and many others. She has been a teacher at Celestial Stars for the past 10 years, teaching both ballet and contemporary for a variety of ages and levels. Currently, she is working towards her Master's degree in the University of South Carolina's Master's Entry to Practice Nursing program and is excited to graduate next summer. Nora is driven by her Catholic faith and seeks to glorify God in all that she does and is eager to do so as a future nurse. She would like to thank Ms. Gabrielle for her love and dedication to the Celestial Stars family and for her unwavering friendship throughout the years.