Holiday Style Meets Community Spirit: Winter Fashion at Yew Dell with the Louisville Ballet

Styled By Cleo Heine Photography By Matt Johnson & Antonio Pantoja

This holiday season, fashion takes center stage, but with a purpose. This winter fashion photoshoot, set against the breathtaking beauty of Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, brings together some of Louisville’s most inspiring creative and philanthropic talents. Who said that style and heart can’t go hand in hand? 

The clothing featured in this spread comes from Sassy Fox Upscale Consignment, which offers chic, sustainable fashion for every occasion. Hair and makeup were provided by J Michaels Spa & Salon, whose work extends far beyond the chair. Their partnership with nonprofit, C.A.R.E., empowers young adults in Nigeria by providing safe employment and professional aesthetics education. 

All of the models are artists of the Louisville Ballet, lending their poise, artistry, and nonprofit spirit to the shoot. Each pose and expression reflects the dedication and passion of an organization that has been enriching the arts in Louisville for many decades. Behind the scenes, stylist Cleo Heine (who also has a reputation for being kind-hearted and helping others) expertly tied every element together. 

This seasonal shoot is a celebration of the generosity, talent, and collaboration that make our community thrive. From local shops to nonprofit efforts, it’s a reminder that every choice we make—whether in style or in giving—can have an impact. As you browse this spread for outfit inspiration, let us also tip our glasses to the incredible people and organizations working to give back, lift up, and create a more beautiful world, both in our city and beyond. 

After all, service to others never goes out of style. 

Sarah Bradley grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she began her training with Cincinnati Ballet. After training in their academy, she joined the company as a Junior Trainee, then was promoted to Trainee. She was later invited and joined Cincinnati Ballet II, where she had the opportunity to work with Val Caniparoli, Septime Webre, and Jennifer Archibald. Sarah then joined City Ballet of San Diego as an Apprentice in 2018. In 2020, she joined Louisville Ballet as a Studio Company member and enjoyed roles such as Guardian Swan in Robert Curran’s Swan Lake and Rose in Val Caniparoli’s The Brown-Forman Nutcracker. Sarah became a Company Artist in 2022 and has enjoyed roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Brown-Forman Nutcracker and the Sylph in George Balanchine’s Scotch Symphony. 

Eva Pregont grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and began her dance journey at Rejoice School of Ballet at the age of five. In 2019, she was asked to join the School of Nashville Ballet, which she attended for five years. This is her first season with Louisville Ballet as a Studio Company dancer. 

Originally from Purcellville, Virginia, Emmaline Fontanilla is in her third year in the Louisville Ballet Studio Company. Before moving to Louisville, she spent two years studying with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School in their Pre-Professional Division. While in the program, she had the opportunity to perform with the company in Terrence S. Orr’s The Nutcracker. She has also had the opportunity to dance internationally, attending The Royal Swedish Ballet’s summer intensive in 2023. Some of her favorite productions she has danced in during her time with Louisville Ballet have been Giselle, Alun Jones’ Romeo & Juliet, and Cinderella, and most recently, Alun Jones’ Dracula. In her free time, she enjoys baking, going on walks with her friends, and watching the sunset. 

Caitlin Kowalski started dancing in Radcliff, Kentucky. She was inspired by the Louisville Ballet alumni she had as teachers and attended The Louisville Ballet School’s summer intensive in 2014. She attended the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts in 2016 as a dance major and then joined De La Dance Center in Cincinnati as a trainee. In 2017, she returned to Kentucky as part of Louisville Ballet’s trainee program, now known as the Studio Company, and was invited to join the Company in 2021. 

Since coming to Louisville, she has had the privilege of performing roles and works such as a demi soloist in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Pas De Trois in Balanchine’s Emeralds, The Sylph in La Sylphide, Marie and divertissements in Val Caniparoli’s The Brown-Forman Nutcracker, and Ching Ching Wong’s Grass is Green. She is excited and grateful to begin a new season with Louisville Ballet! 

Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, Elizabeth (Ellie) Abbick Pemberton began her dance training at Legacy School of the Arts. She continued her education at Butler University on the Presidential Scholarship, performing soloist roles in works such as Gerald Arpino’s Viva Vivaldi, Paul Taylor’s Piazzolla Caldera, and George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, as well as Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. She graduated magna cum laude in 2018 with a BFA in Dance Performance with highest honors, and a minor in Mathematics. She completed the University Honors Program, writing a thesis discussing the importance of K-12 arts funding. Ellie danced as a trainee and in Louisville Ballet’s Studio Company for three seasons before joining as a Company Artist in 2022. Her favorite performances at Louisville Ballet include dancing the Survivor in Stephen Mills’ Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project, Scots Lady in George Balanchine’s Scotch Symphony, Effie in La Sylphide, Dawn in Robert Curran’s Coppélia, the Spring Fairy in Alun Jones’ Cinderella, and roles in Jones’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Liebestraume, Ching Ching Wong’s 502 and Grass is Green, and Val Caniparoli’s The Brown-Forman Nutcracker. Ellie is looking forward to her fourth season as a Company Artist! 

Kayleigh Western is from Lexington, Kentucky, and began her dance training at the Lexington Ballet School. Her studies continued there and at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts before becoming a student of Cary Ballet Conservatory’s Professional Training Program. Kayleigh went on to dance three seasons with Louisville Ballet’s Studio Company and thereafter joined Lexington Ballet Company. There, she danced principal roles in The Nutcracker, The Firebird, excerpts of Romeo and Juliet, and several original works by Eric Trope. Throughout her career, she has attended programs at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre and performed works by George Balanchine, Ronald Hynd, Val Caniparoli, and Juliano Nuñes. Kayleigh has been featured in Pointe Magazine, Dance Teacher Magazine, Ballet Rosa’s Créateur Catalog, as well as the album cover art for Whirr’s Raw Blue. Kayleigh is thrilled to return to Louisville Ballet for the 2025-2026 Season. 

Originally from Stoneham, Massachusetts, Lexa Daniels began her dance training at the Northeast School of Ballet under the direction of Denise Cecere. She continued her education at the University of Utah, graduating magna cum laude with a BFA in ballet performance. She began her professional career with Portland Ballet in Maine before joining Louisville Ballet as a trainee in 2014 and later as a Company Artist in 2016. A few of her favorite roles include Rose and the Sugar Plum Fairy in Val Caniparoli’s The Brown-Forman Nutcracker, Myrtha in Giselle, the Wife in Andrea Schermoly’s Appalachian Spring, the Lilac Fairy in Adam Hougland’s Sleeping Beauty, and Nikiya in an excerpt from Kingdom of the Shades in La Bayadère. In 2025, she was honored to help portray the life story of Naomi Warren by performing as the Survivor in Stephen Mills’ Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project. Lexa is deeply grateful to have had the privilege of performing works by a variety of choreographers over the course of her career, including George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Serge Lifar, Alun Jones, Andrea Schermoly, Adam Hougland, and Ching Ching Wong. She is also a faculty member of The Louisville Ballet School, teaching in the Pre-Professional Program. Lexa would like to thank her family for their endless love and support throughout her career.