From the Stage to the Classroom: Q&A with Anita Pacylowski-Justo

When did you join the ballet?

Anita Pacylowski-Justo: 1994

What was your first role you performed with the company?

APJ: In my first show with North Carolina Dance Theatre, I danced the 2nd Violin in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Adela in Alvin Ailey’s Feast of Ashes and Sal Aiello’s Rite of Spring.

Photo: Anita’s performances of Nutcracker’s Coffee as a teenager and a professional.

What was your last role you performed with the company?

APJ: Kitri in Don Quixote

Did you take a break after your dance career ?

APJ: Not really. I went to work as Director of DanceArts Greenville in Greenville, South Carolina and Ballet Mistress of Carolina Ballet Theatre.

Photo: Anita dancing in George Balanchine’s Rubies.

How did your dance career influence your family life?

APJ: I met my husband, Hernan Justo at North Carolina Dance Theatre. We both joined the company the same year in 1994 and danced together for 7 years. In addition to the amazing choreographers that we worked with at NCDT, Hernan and I brought our prior relations, Hernan’s background in South America and my training and professional career of 5 years at Washington Ballet. We have a beautiful family of three children: Martin, 27, Sofia, 17 and Nicolas, 14.

Photo: Anita pictured with her now husband, Hernan, in 1997 with North Carolina Dance Theater.

When did you join the academy faculty?

APJ: In August of 2017, I rejoined Charlotte Ballet as Charlotte Ballet’s Academy Associate Director.

Photo: Advertisment from the 2001-2002 North Carolina Dance Theater Season featuring Anita.