Annastasia Mercedes, graduated with a B.F.A. in Ballet and Dance Pedagogy from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, under the direction of Stephen Pier. She has performed in both classical and contemporary works to include choreography by Pascal Rioult, Charlotte Griffin, Martin Losfnes, Stephen Pier, Jose Limon, Martha Graham, George Balanchine, Anthony Tudor, and August Bournonville. In addition to her experiences in concert dance, Annastasia has performed in a number of regional theatre productions including appearances at Hartford Stage under the direction of Darko Tresnjak, and a featured roles as “Eliza” in The King and I and “Ballet Winnie” in Tuck Everlasting. In addition to being part of The Joffrey Ballet’s Youth Program Faculty year round, she is also a part of the pre-professional Core program faculty at the School at Peridance. Furthermore, Annastasia works with NYC Public School students as a teaching artist for New York City Ballet’s Outreach Programs, Rioult Dance New York’s DanceREACH Program, and Ballet Tech.