Artistic Leadership
Erica Chipp-Adams
Co-Artistic Director
Though originally from Gardnerville, Erica left at the age of 14 to attend the prestigious ballet school,The Harid Conservatory, where she received her formal Vaganova training. In 2004 she began her professional career with Festival Ballet Providence, where some of the notable roles she danced were in Cinderella, Rodeo, Scheherazade, Carmen, Don Quixote and various Anthony Tudor and George Balanchine ballets. In 2010 she moved to San Francisco to join Smuin Contemporary Ballet where she has been featured in works by Jiri Kylian, Val Caniparoli, Ma Cong, Trey McIntyre, Helen Pickett, Amy Seiwert and many ballets by Micheal Smuin. Throughout her professional career, Erica has worked with world-renowned choreographers, toured to various countries and performed at The Joyce Theater in NYC. As a guest artist, Erica has danced the principal roles in Giselle, Coppélia, Romeo & Juliet, and Cinderella with Sierra Nevada Ballet. She has also performed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Pinkerton Ballet Theater's, The Nutcracker, recently seen performing with her husband, Oliver-Paul Adams. Erica's vast career has also led her to be a part of an Audi campaign and a featured performer and Emmy winner on NBC’s BaseBallet, Into the Game.
Oliver-Paul Adams
Co-Artistic Director
Originally from Stoke-On-Trent, England, Oliver trained at the Birmingham Royal Ballet School. During this time Oliver performed with the Paris Opera Ballet, English National Ballet and the Birmingham Royal Ballet at venues including the Royal Opera House, The London Coliseum and the Royal Albert Hall. During his graduation year Oliver danced in Japan and the USA as well as dancing for the Royal Family. At age 17, Oliver started his professional career with the Birmingham Royal Ballet where he danced in many of the major classical ballets. Adams joined the Slovak National Ballet in 2007 as a Soloist before going on to perform leading roles with the Sacramento Ballet, Diablo Ballet and Smuin Ballet, San Francisco, dancing principal and soloist roles in Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and works by Jiří Kylián and George Balanchine to name just a few. Oliver has performed at the World Ballet All Stars Gala in both Prague and Bratislava. He has also danced in contemporary works from some of the most important choreographers from around the world. Adams has choreographed for Sacramento Ballet, Sierra Nevada Ballet, Smuin Ballet and the San Francisco Symphony.
Production Team
Ashley Smith – Producer & Stage Manager
Pamela Stahl – Wardrobe Manager
Larae Lamb - Rehearsal Assistant