Meet Amanda Castellanos – Ballet Instructor at Rising Star
Amanda Castellanos is an accomplished ballet dancer, choreographer, and instructor with a lifelong passion for the performing arts. With a professional background in ballet, musical theatre, and dance education, Amanda brings decades of experience to the Rising Star Tumbling & Dance Studio in Casper, Wyoming.
A Passion for Ballet from an Early Age
Amanda grew up in Southern California, where she began training in dance and musical theatre at a young age. Her love for ballet began after seeing a professional production of The Nutcracker at age nine. The following year, at just 10 years old, she was cast as a party guest in the San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Segerstrom Center, followed by another appearance with the Joffrey Ballet the next year.
By 13, Amanda was training at the prestigious Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. and went on tour with the Burklyn Youth Ballet to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.
Balancing Academics and Ballet
Determined to pursue both academics and a ballet career, Amanda made the bold decision to graduate from public high school as Valedictorian at age 14. She began college that same year, enrolling in the University of Utah’s ballet program on scholarship.
After a serious knee injury led her to leave the university, Amanda returned home to focus on rehabilitation. She later traveled through Europe, training in Paris, Nice, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart, gaining international experience and deepening her ballet foundation.
Professional Ballet Career & Higher Education
At 16, Amanda was offered her first professional ballet contract with Inland Pacific Ballet (IPB) in California. She deferred her college enrollment for one year to dance full-time, but soon helped pioneer a program allowing company dancers to attend California State University while performing professionally.
By age 19, Amanda had earned her Bachelor’s degree with honors in History, Anthropology, and Political Science, with a concentration in Middle Eastern Studies, all while dancing full-time with IPB.
Diverse Performance & Teaching Experience
Amanda has performed as a guest artist with Paradise Ballet Theater in Key West, Florida, and served as Miss Los Angeles Galaxy while continuing to perform five ballets per season. She also held the position of Principal Dancer and Ballet Mistress with Sandos Ballet in Mexico.
After returning to the U.S., Amanda expanded into musical theatre, performing with various professional companies as dance captain and guest artist. She also spent a year in Italy, where she trained with Balletto di Milano and further developed her teaching approach.
Back in California, Amanda served as Artistic Director of the region’s largest dance studio, where she built a nationally respected pre-professional ballet program. Many of her students have gone on to professional careers with ballet companies, Broadway productions, Disney, cruise lines, and other prestigious performance opportunities.
Bringing Ballet to Casper, Wyoming
In 2022, Amanda and her family relocated to Casper, WY, and she is thrilled to bring her passion and expertise to Rising Star Tumbling & Dance Studio. Her teaching focuses on developing strong classical technique, artistry, and confidence in young dancers, preparing them for both professional and academic success.