Carrie Petrak is originally from Augusta, Georgia and began her formal dance training under Ron and Kathleen Jones. Throughout her childhood, she was invited to attend many summer intensives including, The Atlanta Ballet, The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Kaatsbaan, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. When Carrie was fifteen she decided to leave home to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts as a full time high school ballet student. While at UNCSA, she had the privilege of studying under Ethan Stiefel, Nigel Burley, and Warren Conover. Upon graduation, Carrie became a trainee for Nashville Ballet, but found herself wanting to pursue a college education. In May of 2015, she graduated summa cum laude from Kennesaw State University with a B.A degree in Dance with a concentration in ballet. While in school, Carrie also danced professionally with The Georgia Ballet and other Atlanta area dance companies and collectives. She joined Bodiography Contemporary Ballet in 2015. During her time there, Carrie danced several leading roles, including the lead in Maria Caruso’s Parabola.  She also has a huge passion for teaching dance. She has been teaching dance at a professional level since 2013. Carrie is very excited to be joining Ballet Spartanburg this season.