Students

Elizabeth (Ella) Carmicheal is excited to return to the stage with the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy. Elizabeth began her dance education at age 2 with Gallery of Dance. She has appeared in the Axelrod productions One Sweet Dream, Winter Wonderland, The Polar Express, and The Jungle Book. Additionally, Elizabeth has previously performed in the American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the Princeton Ballet School’s Puss n’ Boots, and the Performing Arts Ensemble's The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and other performances. Elizabeth performed as Clara during the Performing Arts Ensemble’s 2025 Nutcracker productions. She also studies dance at Axelrod Performing Arts Academy, and takes ballet lessons with Evelyn Gardell. She plays soccer, baseball, and takes gymnastics lessons when she isn’t dancing. 

Keira Harlan is excited to be performing in Hearts in Motion and sharing her love for dance on stage.  She has been dancing since the age of three and is a competitive dancer who brings passion, commitment, and energy to every performance. She is especially grateful for the opportunity to perform with Ballet Revé. Dance has always been a huge part of her life, helping her build confidence, and a strong connection to movement and music. She loves challenging herself and these rehearsals allowed her to continue growing as a dancer. Keira hopes you enjoy Hearts in Motion and feels honored to share this special experience with the audience. 

Gabriella Kelly is a 7th grader at Wall Intermediate School and is excited about making her debut at Bell Theater! A dedicated dancer since age two, Gabriella spent years as a competitive dancer across multiple styles, developing a particular flair for tap. Beyond the stage, she is a member of the Junior Arts Honor Society and enjoys expressing her creativity through visual art. Gabriella is grateful for the rehearsals and preparation leading up to this show. She would like to thank Miss Olivia for her leadership and training, and her family for their endless love, support, and many car rides! 

Nadia Nonozenko has proudly been an active participant at APAA for two years now. It all started with the musical theatre production of Moana Jr. and has continued mostly throughout many dance classes and the Academy Show Choir. Our friends joke and say that we live at Bell Works :) This academy has truly opened Nadia’s eyes to the realization that her true love and passion is dance/movement (and singing)! We are extremely lucky to have gained such an amazing family and support network. Olivia has helped her fall in love with ballet! Nadia would like to thank her mom for doing everything possible to give her every opportunity to follow her dreams, and a very special thanks to MaryKate, Olivia, Justin, Kathy, Susan, Nicole, Liv, everyone else involved with APAA and Jess! She would not be where she is today without any of you! 

Emma Lightbody-McAllan   is excited and honored to return as an Axelrod Academy Dancer for the Ballet Reve production Hearts in Motion: Love in Three Acts. With training in dance, musical theater, concert choir, singing, and acting, she is no stranger to stage performance. Her APAA credits include: One Sweet Dream: Abbey Road and Beyond-Ballet Reve(Axelrod Academy Dancer), A Very Bell Works Christmas(Academy Performer), Dare to Dream (Player 1), Beetlejuice Jr.(Understudy-Barbara/Miss Argentina), The Polar Express (Hero Girl), The Jungle Book(Grey Wolf), Alice in Wonderland Jr.(Ensemble), The Nutcracker Rocks(Academy Dancer). Emma thanks Miss Olivia and Ballet Reve for this amazing experience. She sends a special thanks to her family and dance instructors (Miss Kathy, Miss Nicole, Miss Susan) for supporting her dance goals.  

Lily Pugliesi is already a force to be reckoned with. This pint-sized powerhouse has been dancing since the tender age of 5 at the prestigious Axelrod Performing Arts Academy, where she's dazzled audiences in productions like Nutcracker Rocks and The Polar Express. But Lily's talents don't stop there - she's also lent her vocals to the school's Winter Wonderland show. Lily has also danced in Ballet Reve’s show One Sweet Dream. She continues to grow with her love for ballet and dance. When she's not captivating crowds, you can find Lily horseback riding and cooking up a storm. And through it all, Lily bravely battles scoliosis, proving that there's no obstacle this young warrior can’t overcome.