Principal Dancers

Joy Voelker - Sugar Plum Fairy

Joy Voelker

Joy Voelker

Joy Voelker spent most of her childhood living in Ames, Iowa where her parents grew up and her grandparents still reside. Locally she studied dance at the Robert Thomas Dancenter, Beth Clarke Studio, and Lind Dance School in Des Moines, IA. In Michigan, she studied at The Rochester School of Dance, as well as, performed with the Michigan Ballet Theatre. During the summers she trained with The Juliiard School, The Joffrey Ballet and Paul Taylor Programs.

Graduating high school from the acclaimed Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, Joy received the highest honor given, a Young Artist Achievement Award. That spring she was invited to perform for the Governor of Michigan. She earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the Purchase Conservatory of Dance.

While living in Amsterdam, Joy worked with Dutch choreographer Anouk van Dijk. Joy currently resides in New York City performing with companies such as CorbinDances, Lane & Co, Artichoke Dance, 360º and performing at venues such as Jacob’s Pillow, The Metropolitan Playhouse, Dance Theater Workshop, The Alvin Ailey CitiGroup Theater and others. Joy is also a faculty member at the Mark Morris Dance Group and has traveled to Africa doing arts outreach. She is currently working on choreography for a new international project. Joy performed the role of Clara in The Nutcracker at CY Stephens in 1995 and is thrilled to return for the 31st Anniversary as the Sugar Plum Fairy!

Hanan C. Misko - Cavalier

Hanan Misko

Hanan C. Misko, grew up in Centerview, Missouri, where at a young age he trained in dance and acrobats at Jo Noth’s White Oak Dance Academy and competed nationally winning numerous awards and scholarships. In pursuit of concert dance, he later trained at The Kansas City Ballet School and spent summer at American Theatre Ballet, Kansas City Ballet School, and The Juilliard School.

In 2006, he left for NYC to earn his BFA from The Juilliard School under the directorship of Lawrence Rhodes. While there, he was invited to Perry Mansfield to perform the works of Peter Chu; Dance International of New York in Burgos, Spain; and Springboard Danse Montréal where he performed a segment of James Kudelka’s 15 Heterosexual Duets. He spent 6 years dancing as a NYC freelancer and performed with the Mark Morris Dance Group, Jessica Lang Dance, Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theatre, and The Metropolitan Opera.

Currently, he and his wife await the birth of their 2nd child and live in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the artistic director of the Fine Arts Summer Academy’s Dance Ensemble and continues his freelance career in KC as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer.