Sandro Rajic is an accomplished strength and conditioning coach with over 14 years of experience, specializing in the intersection of dance and sports science. 

He has dedicated a decade to working with ballet dancers, combining his expertise to enhance their performance and reduce injury risks. 

Sandro holds a Master of Science degree, with his thesis focusing on dancers, which was published and acclaimed in the field.

Currently pursuing a PhD, Sandro's research delves into the foundational movements and biomechanics of ballet, contributing valuable insights to dance science. 

Sandro has presented at the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) four times in Ireland, Houston, Montreal, and Finland, and his extensive research and practical appliations with dancers have been recognized internationally. 

Scotto Hamed-Ramos is an accomplished ballet artist and former soloist with Alberta Ballet.

Originally from the United States, Scotto began his dance training at the age of 4, quickly demonstrating a remarkable talent and passion for the art form. In 2014, he was accepted into the prestigious Houston Ballet Academy’s professional division, where he advanced to Houston Ballet II, the company’s second company, refining his technique and artistry under world-class mentorship.

Furthering his development, Scotto attended the Royal Ballet School’s summer intensive program in Covent Garden for 3 consecutive years, earning the Royal Ballet Achievement Award in two of those summers.

Scotto joined Alberta Ballet as an apprentice, steadily rising through the ranks to be promoted to soloist in 2024.

Since retiring from the stage in May 2025, Scotto has continued to teach and mentor the next generation of dancers alongside his career as a realtor.

Catherine Hayward embodies contemporary dance. She has studied throughly, performed extensively, choreographed, produced and taught this deeply moving modern art form.  

She graduated from the Toronto Metropolitan University dance program, earning a BFA with Honours (2005). She went on to train for 2 years in the Decidedly Jazz Danceworks's (DJD) Professional Training Program before joining the company as a professional dancer.

Catherine is currently returning for her 19th season with the DJD Company (2007 - present) in Calgary, AB. 

She has also been the Artistic Director of DJD’s dancer choreographed shows:

• Velocity (2017)

• Borderland (2015) 

Catherine works independently as a producer, choreographer, and dance artist. She is co-creator and current Artistic Director of Bodied Indivisible. Bodied Indivisible has produced the live productions:

• Generations (2023) 

• Bodied Indivisible (2020)

And also created and produced the contemporary dance film:

• Everybody’s Heading for the Exit (2023) with filmmakers Eric Pauls and Michael Janke.

Catherine has a primary interest in developing the relationship between the dancer and musician onstage. Her choreographed pieces, in collaboration with composers, featuring live musical performances include:

• The Depths of Radiance, composed by Jon McCaslin (2024) -DJD

• The Suit, composed by Jon McCaslin (2023) - Bodied Indivisible

• Don’t Wake the Lions, composed by Tom Richards (2024), (2021) - Rooted Dance

• form, act, cease, ensue collaboration with Jeremy Gignoux (2017) - Dancers Studio West

• Tethered, musical composition by Rubim de Toledo (2016) -Dancers Studio West

• The light that Devours her, for Rooted Dance Projects (Halifax), composed by Gabriella Ciurcovich (2025)

She has danced in works by:

• Helen Husak, Shayne Johnson, Davida Monk, Linnea Swan, Deanne Walsh 

Taking active interest in engaging with the community, Catherine's outreach projects are as a:

• Founding member of Dancers’ Studio West Dance Action Group (2014-2018), a small ensemble of aesthetically diverse performers/choreographers who co-operated to fulfill opportunities for community animation and invest in new opportunities for artistic development.

• 5 seasons as a choreographer with Alberta Dance Theatre for Young People

• Founder of Jazz Club, offering choreographic process and performance opportunities to emerging artists (2024-Present).

• Outside Eye Mentorship for artists, focusing on choreography, beginning in 2014.

Catherine is excited to join the Ballet Lumina Organization as a faculty member, choreographer and instuctor for our 2025/26 season!

Hayna Gutierrez was born in Havana, Cuba and trained at the Cuban National Ballet School (ENA).

In 1998 she to joined the Ballet Nacional de Cuba and was promoted to Soloist in 2000 and Principal Dancer in 2004. 

Hayna danced as a Principal Dancer with the Alberta Ballet Company from 2010-2019.

In 2013, she won the Miami Life Award for Best Hispanic Female Dancer and has been invited three times to the Incolballet Ballet Festival in Cali-Colombia. 

Hayna brings a lifetime of passion, expertise, and exceptional performance to the art of ballet. She has shared this depth with her students through teaching ballet around the world for over 20 years.

Hayna is a skilled leader, communicator, and teacher of ballet with exceptional leadership and mentorship abilities, coupled with a comprehensive knowledge of classical and contemporary ballet repertoire.

As a Principal Dancer, Hayna danced both featured and principal roles in: 

• Balanchine’s Serenade (Waltz), Ballo della Regina, 

• Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Divertimento No .15 (Ballerina/Easy girl),

• Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room, Jiri Kylian's Forgotten Land (Black couple).

Other major roles include dancing in:

• Giselle and Myrtha (Giselle), 

• Kitri (Don Quixote), 

• Aurora and Bluebird pas (Sleeping Beauty), 

• Odette/Odile (Swan Lake), 

• Swanhilda (Coppélia), 

• Lisette (La Fille Mal Garde), 

• Cio Cio San (Madame Butterfly),

• Juliet (Romeo and Juliet),

• Constance (The Three Musketeers).

Hayna has also created roles in:

• Jean Grand Maitre's Ballet Lujah! (She), 

• Yukichi Hattori's Carmen (Carmen),

• Christopher Anderson's Cinderella (Cinderella/Fairy God Mother), 

• Wen Wei Wang’s Futureland.