Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre and School
Artistic Director, David Herriott
David Herriott received his early dance training with Loyd Tygett at the Huntsville Civic Ballet. He danced professionally as a principal soloist with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theatre, touring internationally, and working with noted choreographers including Agnes de Mille, John Neumier, Norbert Vesak, and Elliot Feld. Mr. Herriott has held the positions of Artistic/Executive Director of Huntsville Ballet Company and Columbus Ballet, and Artistic Director of AYB since its inception in 2006. He has choreographed for Fantasy Playhouse, Ars Nova, and Huntsville Community Chorus, and won the contemporary division of the 1992 Panoply Choreography Competition. He has been an instructor at Santa Monica College and at The University of the South. Mr. Herriott’s former students have been invited to study and perform with Alvin Ailey, ABT, Joffrey, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Alabama Ballet, and Harrid Conservatory to name a few.
Associate Director, Caitlynn Quintella
Caitlynn Quintela, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, is a professional dancer, choreographer, and instructor. She embarked on her dance journey at Alabama Youth Ballet where she trained in the company extensively during her school years. Caitlynn's passion for ballet led her to study under the instruction of Dominique Angel, a former dancer at Joffrey Ballet School. Additionally, she delved into the contemporary art form, honing her skills through collaborations with esteemed professionals like Dante Puleio, the artistic director of Limón Dance Company.
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Caitlynn's dedication and talent have been recognized through numerous performing arts scholarships, which have opened doors for her to participate in festivals, intensives, and masterclasses both in the United States and abroad. In 2018, she had the honor of representing Troy University at the prestigious Danza in Arte a Pietrasanta in Italy, immersing herself in training alongside accomplished dancers and choreographers from around the globe. Her exceptional abilities were further acknowledged when she received the "Wings Award" in 2019, recognizing her as the "Best Dancer in a Dance Piece."
In 2020, Caitlynn graduated with honors, earning a BFA in Dance from the University of Troy. She currently resides in Huntsville, where she has established herself as a respected professional choreographer and dance instructor.
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With a versatile repertoire encompassing jazz, ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop, Caitlynn Quintela's driving purpose is to leave a lasting impact on others through the transformative power of art. With her extraordinary talent, unwavering dedication to teaching, and profound contributions to the dance community, she strives to inspire and touch the lives of individuals through the expressive medium of dance.
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Liturgical Director, Alicia Wright
Alicia Wright is the director of AYBT's Liturgical Company and has been dancing since age 3 and under the direction of David Herriott and Keren Gibb Hilliard since 2000. She has performed leading roles with Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre as Dew Drop, Orchid, Snow Queen, and Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, Cinderella, Aurora and Blue Bird in Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Odette and Odile in Swan Lake. In 2014 she was awarded Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre's Dancer of the Year Award of Excellence. Alicia also holds several nominations for Wing's Awards and her choreography was a finalist in the Panoply Choreography Competition. Alicia graduated from the University of Alabama with a master’s and bachelor's of science in nursing. She is employed as a RN with Hospice Family Care.