Artistic Staff
Jonathan Tabbert
Artistic Director/Resident Choreographer
Mr. Tabbert began his dance training at the Dayton Ballet School and then received a scholarship to study at The Harid Conservatory, where he was awarded a number of dance honors. In 1999 Jonathan completed his training at the School of the Hartford Ballet with supplemental training from the Houston Ballet Academy and American Ballet Theatre.
Jonathan had an illustrious performance career as a principal dancer with the Charleston Ballet Theatre as well as being a guest artist for the North Carolina State Ballet and the Greenville Ballet. After twelve years of being a valued staff member of the Charleston Ballet School he became the director of the Palmetto City Youth Ballet. He also held the title of company teacher for the Charleston Ballet Theatre, with his choreography being a staple in the repertoire as well as receiving a performance grant from the Harkness Foundation for his ballet “Jubilee”. Other credits include Guest Teacher and/or Choreographer for the Gem City Ballet, Victoria Ballet Theatre, Burklyn Ballet Theatre and The Charleston County School of the Arts. Jonathan is also currently the Co-Founder/Director of the Palmetto City Ballet School.
Stephen Gabriel
Ballet Master/Artistic Associate
Mr. Gabriel trained extensively with master teachers Michael Simms of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Elizabeth Hard of the Kansas City Ballet and was awarded full scholarships from both Duke University and Stephens College where he earned his B.F.A degree in dance. His professional performing credits include seasons with the Richmond Ballet, Ballet Omaha, and as principal dancer for Orlando’s Southern Ballet Theatre and the Charleston Ballet Theatre. Throughout his career he danced lead roles in many of the classics as well as works by Lambros Lambrou, Mauricio Wainrot, Lew Christensen and NYCB’s Christopher Fleming. Stephen has also performed for renowned modern choreographers Doug Varone, Peter Pucci, Mark Taylor and the Humphrey-Weidman Repertory Company. During his time with the Charleston Ballet Theatre he served as the company’s Ballet Master. Also during his tenure, he had the honor of working closely with Repetiteurs of the George Balanchine Trust in the staging and coaching of the company’s Balanchine Repertory.
Claire Ahlin
Lighting Designer
Claire is a native of the Charleston area, and has been proud to serve as resident lighting designer for Palmetto City
Ballet since the company’s inception. Her foray into lighting design began while a dance major at Charleston County
School of the Arts. She graduated Cum Laude from College of Charleston in 2016 with majors in Arts Management
and Theatre: concentrating in Lighting Design. During her senior year, she completed a 120 hour internship in arts
administration with Ballet Evolution. While at the College, her lighting design of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” earned
her a nomination in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival’s Design Competition for Region IV. She
also presented “Lighting for Dance: A Collaborative Process” at the 2016 American College Dance Festival at Emory
University. She returned to College of Charleston for the 2019-2020 academic year as a teaching assistant to Jason
Lyons and served as the Electrics Department supervisor. In Spring of 2025, Claire was invited to act as the
Conference Lighting Coordinator for the American College Dance Association’s Southeastern Conference. In addition
to her lighting design residency with Palmetto City Ballet, she has also designed for the Palmetto City Ballet School,
College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre & Dance, Mt. Pleasant Performing Arts Company, Coastal Ballet USA,
Charleston Southern University, Annex Dance Company, and PURE Theatre. Outside of her design work, Claire serves
as the Center Support Specialist for the nine Select Physical Therapy clinics in the Charleston/Lowcountry area.
Victoria Bevil
Marketing and Social Media
As Head of Marketing and Social Media, Victoria uses her experience as a professional Company Dancer and communicator to position Palmetto City Ballet as a leading arts organization in Charleston. Inspired by her love for writing, advertising design and visual storytelling, she entered this role in 2023 while concurrently dancing in the professional company and teaching at Palmetto City Ballet School. Victoria is also pursuing a degree in Public Relations at University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, one of the top communications schools in the nation. She received the Outstanding New Member Award from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Victoria manages Palmetto City Ballet’s marketing campaigns for performances, events and season launches. She serves as a public relations representative and is responsible for regional television coverage of PCB events on ABC News 4, Live 5 News and FOX24 and has appeared in many segments. Victoria is landing feature stories in local magazines and newspapers including The Post and Courier. She manages and creates content for the company’s social media accounts and ensures a cohesive company brand image. She plans sales and designs physical content for events. As a Charlestonian and a Company Dancer, Victoria is eager to continue contributing to the company’s growing success through outstanding social media and marketing communications.
Anna Brandner
Special Events and Fundraising Coordinator
In addition to dancing as a Company Artist, Anna Brandner serves as the Special Events and Fundraising Coordinator for Palmetto City Ballet, leveraging her unique perspective to expand support and build bridges into the Charleston community. She graduated magna cum laude with High Distinction from Butler University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Dance Arts Administration. Anna’s passion for the arts is backed by extensive experience in donor relations, community initiatives, and event planning—honed through her work with celebrated arts organizations including Spoleto Festival USA, The Aspen Music Festival and School, and Kids Dance Outreach.