GREGORY GLADE HANCOCK
Gregory Hancock is the Executive Artistic Director for the internationally acclaimed Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and now also serves as the director for The Academy of GHDT. Through the Academy of GHDT, Mr. Hancock is able to pass on a legacy of work and training to young aspiring dancers. Mr. Hancock has taught dance for many years at numerous local dance institutions. He has trained numerous students over the years who have continued to dance professionally in companies throughout the world. He has also taught dance at “Daile” the national dance ensemble of Latvia in Riga, Latvia. Most recently, Mr. Hancock has taught modern dance in Mumbai, India, at Expressions Modern Dance Company, the premiere modern dance company of Mumbai. Mr. Hancock’s unique choreography has been lauded internationally. He has received numerous honors for his work, including Individual Artist Fellowships from the Indiana Arts Commission, Creative Renewal Fellowships from the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Lilly Endowment, fellowships from ArtsLink and the Citizen Exchange Council in NYC, and was awarded Outstanding Choreographer at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in NYC. He has created an expansive repertoire of pieces for the professional company and has created choreography for companies throughout the USA and Europe.
HANNAH BROWN
Hannah Brown began her dance training in Charlotte, North Carolina, under the direction of Melissa Hale-Coyle and Lisa Leone at the Charlotte City Ballet Company. She attended the University of South Carolina, where she performed in works by choreographers such as George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Helen Pickett, and Gianni Di Marco. In 2013, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Dance Performance and Choreography. She has been a company dancer with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and a dance teacher at the Academy since 2013.
SOPHIE JONES
Sophie Jones is excited to be a new faculty member at The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre. She recently earned a bachelor’s degree in Dance from Western Kentucky University, where she served as a teaching assistant for Modern, Tap, and Dance Anatomy classes, and led multiple classes in each genre. During the summers between semesters, she taught ballet, tap, jazz, and conditioning at her home studio in Northern Kentucky. She has also led modern and improvisation classes at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Lexington, Kentucky. Sophie is beyond excited to start teaching Tap and Ballet at The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre this year.
ABIGAIL LESSARIS
Abigail Lessaris was born and raised in Greenwood, Indiana. She started taking dance lessons at the age of 3. After falling in love with performing, she joined the pre-professional student company of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre (GHDT) in 2008. She remained a part of this program for 6 years filled with incredible opportunities and intense training. In addition, she was a student at The Academy of GHDT since its opening in 2009 where she received her most valued dance training under the instruction of Mr. Hancock and the wonderful AGHDT staff. Upon graduating in 2014, Abigail was hired as a full time company dancer with GHDT. She has danced withthe company for 10 amazing seasons. Her time with GHDT has brought many unique experiences such touring to India, performing with The Carmel Symphony, and collaborating with Michael Feinstein. In addition, she has performed many memorable roles including, La Muerte in LA CASA AZUL, Octavia in ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, and The Cross in SUPERHERO: THE STORY OF A MAN CALLED JESUS. In 2017, she stepped into the role of Rehearsal Director taking on a leadership role with the dancers. In August of 2021, she became the Assistant Director where she continues to help the company thrive and grow. She is honored to work alongside so many talented artists and is excited to see what her 11th season with GHDT brings.
THOMAS MASON
Thomas James Mason, from Denver, Colorado, began dancing at Premier School of Dance and is alumni to the pre-professional program at Sweatshop Dance. Thomas is trained in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Commercial and Aerial, and continues to expand into other styles of dance. He graduated in 2015 from the Dance and Movement program at Denver School of the Arts and then moved to the United Kingdom. Thomas graduated in 2018 from Falmouth University with a BA(Hons) in Dance and
Choreography. After graduating in 2015, Thomas worked professionally as a freelance dancer traveling around the world performing, teaching, and choreographing in different projects. Also, while at Falmouth University, Thomas was a company member at Yskynna Vertical Dance Company where he dived into the aerial arts. In 2019 he moved back to the United States to join Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre. Since joining GHDT Thomas has originated iconic roles such as The Boy in THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME and Cleopatra in ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. He has also had the wonderful opportunity to choreograph work for the company most notably, The Alley of the Kiss, which premiered in October of 2023. He is always thankful to be involved in arts community and looks forward to what’s to come.
JOSIE MOODY
Josie Moody joined Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre during the 2021-2022 season and is honored to continue her dancing career with GHDT. Josie began her training at The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre
during its opening in 2009. She was a member of GHDT’s pre-professional company, G2, for 6 seasons and interned with GHDT for 3 years as a student. Josie was humbled to receive the Florence Marie Hancock Memorial Scholarship in 2018 as a student at the Academy and will forever remember the imprint that Florence
left on AGHDT and GHDT. She has had the privilege to be a part of several original casts in her time at GHDT. Some of her most memorable repertoire pieces including EXODUS, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME,ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, GOLEM, ANGELS & DJINN, and DON’T SIT AT THE CORNER OF THE TABLE. Josie currently teaches dance at AGHDT and Dancers Studio INC in Columbus, Indiana in a variety of styles and loves to share her passion for dance with her students. Josie would like to thank her family for their continuous support, love, and sacrifices. She would also like to thank Mr. Hancock for the countless opportunities he has given her.
CORDELIA NEWTON
Cordelia Newton is excited to be teaching at AGHDT, having begun her journey at the age of 12 by assisting ballet classes at her home studio, Franklin School of Performing Arts. Throughout high school, she continued teaching and substituting ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and tap classes, further developing her skills. While earning her B.A. in dance at Western Kentucky University, she completed a Dance Pedagogy course and served as a teacher’s assistant for both modern dance and choreography. Currently, Cordelia is pursuing an ISSA personal trainer certification with a specialization in youth fitness. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the balance between technique and artistic expression, aiming to build a strong technical foundation that allows students the freedom to convey their emotions and personal stories through movement.
OLIVIA PAYTON
Olivia Wells Payton started training with The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in 2011. In 2014 she joined the pre-professional company, G2, and will forever cherish her 6 seasons spent dancing alongside the
other student dancers. In the summer of 2018 Olivia attended Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s Summer Intensive on a full scholarship. Olivia was the first recipient of the Florence Marie Hancock Memorial Scholarship in 2014 and is grateful to have received the scholarship again in 2019. In 2020 Olivia joined GHDT as a company dancer. She has had the pleasure to perform in the original casts of THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME, ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, GOLEM, and DON’T SIT AT THE CORNER OF THE TABLE. Her most memorable roles include The Chosen in EXODUS and The Showgirl in THE BLACK DAHLIA. Olivia is passionate about fitness and is a coach at [solidcore] in Carmel. She also loves teaching modern and jazz at The Academy of GHDT! Olivia is thrilled to be dancing with the rest of the talented GHDT dancers and thanks Mr.Hancock for all the opportunities she has received. She would like to thank her mother for her endless support.
AUDREY SPRINGER
Audrey Springer began her training at AGHDT in 2018, after performing in their Nutcracker and attending their summer intensives since 2016. Audrey was a member of GHDT’s pre-professional company, G2, for four seasons and a company intern for the 23-24 season. She was privileged to be a part of company productions such as EXODUS, THE BLACK DAHLIA, and THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME. Audrey has also spent summers training outside of the studio at the Butler Ballet Summer Intensive, the Anderson University Summer Dance Intensive, and a week-long intensive at Visceral Dance in Chicago. She is also currently working towards completing a degree in Digital Media and Storytelling through IU Online. Audrey thanks Mr. Hancock for the performance opportunities he has given and her mom for her continuous support, and she can’t wait to continue her journey with GHDT!
If you are a dance teacher looking to be added to our substitute list or inquire about a permanent teaching position, please get in touch with us at theacademyofghdt@gmail.com.
