As Kansas City Ballet prepares for a new season, seven exceptional dancers are stepping into the Main Company, each bringing fresh energy, distinctive talent, and a shared commitment to artistic excellence. Their arrival is part of Artistic Director Devon Carney’s careful selection of 20 new dancers across multiple levels of the organization, with this article shining a spotlight on the seven joining the Main Company. It’s a moment of natural transition as the Company evolves and new artists take on meaningful roles.
These dancers aren’t just new names on the roster. They represent the next voices in the Ballet’s creative conversation. And thanks to supporters like you, they’ll have the foundation they need to grow, both on stage and behind the scenes.
How Dancers Are Selected
Each year, Devon leads a nationwide search for new talent. It’s a highly considered, ongoing process that extends far beyond a single audition.
Devon travels to major dance hubs like Chicago, Miami, New York, and Seattle, while also hosting auditions in Kansas City. Along the way, he visits professional companies, schools, and summer festivals; teaches classes; watches performances; and connects with faculty and artistic leaders. These trips go beyond recruitment – they help raise Kansas City Ballet’s profile and strengthen ties across the dance world.
As part of his process, Devon looks beyond technique. He studies how dancers engage with their work, how they learn, collaborate, and respond to coaching. “It’s never just one moment,” he explains. “It’s how someone takes class, how they respond to direction, how they work with others. I’m always watching for generosity, spirit, and grit.”
Throughout the year, he tracks standout dancers using digital tools to organize notes, review audition videos, and assess each artist within the context of the Company’s evolving needs.
“The goal isn’t just to cast a production,” he says. “It’s to bring in artists who will thrive in our culture, grow over time, and help shape the Company’s future.”
Meet the New Main Company Dancers
This season’s new cohort brings a compelling mix of professional experience, emerging talent, and artistic potential.
Experienced Female Artists
- Celeste Lopez-Keranen joins after standout performances with Ballet Arkansas and Grand Rapids Ballet, along with training experience at BalletX. Devon first saw her perform at Jacob’s Pillow, the world-renowned international dance festival, and was struck by her classical strength and openness to contemporary movement.
- Maura Moody, formerly with Oklahoma City Ballet and Richmond Ballet, thrives in learning new choreography, exploring diverse styles, and transforming into characters on the stage.
- Noura Sander comes from The Washington Ballet, where she performed featured roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, and Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco. With early training at American Ballet Theatre, she brings poise and classical depth to the Company.
Emerging Male Dancers
- Liam ColClough, a graduate of The Joffrey Ballet Conservatory and former member of Charlotte Ballet, offers grounded energy and a strong classical foundation.
- Landen Walker, the youngest of the group at 18, joins directly from school. Devon calls him “full of raw potential” and ready to grow in a professional setting.
- Derek Wippel, from The Joffrey Ballet Studio Company, is known for his curiosity, adaptability, and collaborative spirit.
A Kansas City Ballet Success Story
- Mei McArtor has progressed through every level of Kansas City Ballet’s pipeline – from Trainee to Second Company to Main Company – all within just two seasons. “Her promotion is a testament to both her talent and our investment in developing artists from within,” says Devon.
Together, these dancers bring balance, fresh perspective, and promise. Several, Devon notes, are in their mid-20s and “poised to step into leadership roles” as the Company transitions generationally. Others “bring emerging talent and enthusiasm” that will flourish in the Company’s nurturing environment.
Dancers and Supporters: A Shared Commitment
While the dancers bring their artistry to the stage, your support makes their work possible. From daily rehearsals and costuming to physical therapy and live accompaniment, your generosity is present in every step.
Devon regularly reminds the dancers of this connection: “I tell them: ‘Be generous with your spirit. You’re not just dancing for yourself. You’re dancing for the people who believe in you.’”
Over time, this relationship deepens. Through events, conversations, and shared experiences, dancers and supporters come to know one another. “It’s not a one-way relationship,” Devon says. “It’s a beautiful exchange of passion and purpose.”
What Moves You?
With Kansas City Ballet entering a new season, your support continues to shape what happens behind the scenes. Chief Philanthropy Officer Kristin Castle poses a meaningful question:
“When you watch a ballet, what inspires you – the costumes, the live music, the dancers themselves? Maybe it’s the school that nurtured their talent, or the community program that sparked a love of dance in a young child. Each is a chance to support what you care about most.”
These new dancers represent a new opportunity to align your passion with the future of ballet. When inspiration becomes action, your support resonates through every performance and every dancer’s journey.
To learn more about how your support can reflect what moves you, please contact Chief Philanthropy Officer Kristin Castle directly at 816.216.5585 or kcastle@kcballet.org.
Header image: Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney and Rehearsal Director Kristi Capps with The Joffrey Ballet Studio Company Dancers and Granger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet Trainees and Contemporary Ballet Trainees. This photo was taken following a class Devon taught as part of his dancer audition tour. Photo courtesy of Devon Carney.
