Hernan & Anita proposal at Charlotte Ballet October, 1998
Anita & Hernan Chautauqua Dance Company “Black Swan” pas de deux 1997
Hernan and Anita at CBT’s BB&B fundraising event ’23
From Buenos Aires to Greenville: A Dance Journey with Anita and Hernan
August 17, 2024
Hey Friends and Dance Family,
You wouldn’t believe how often people ask, “How did you and Hernan meet and end up in Greenville?” It’s a story that’s near and dear to our hearts, and we thought it was high time we shared it with all of you—our extended dance family. So, grab a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine), and let us take you on a little journey through how we met, fell in love, and built our dream right here in Greenville, SC.
From Buenos Aires to Greenville
Hernan, my wonderful husband, is as Argentine as they come. Seriously, if you Google Argentine stereotypes, you might just find his picture there—passionate, charming, and full of life. He grew up in Buenos Aires, and his love for dance started young. His mom took him to see Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain when he was just 8, and that was it—he was hooked. He spent his childhood at the famous Teatro Colón, soaking up the magic of the opera house and dreaming of the day he’d be on stage himself.
After graduating from Argentina’s national ballet school, Hernan danced all over South America, building an impressive résumé. Then, a Hungarian ballet teacher helped him set up auditions in the U.S., and that’s when our paths first crossed…
A Love Story with a Dance Twist
Meanwhile, I was growing up in Columbia, Maryland. My amazing mom would drive me 30 miles into D.C. to train at the Washington School of Ballet. After years of hard work, I joined the professional company and started touring the world. I was lucky enough to dance in Russia, Spain, France, and beyond. Along the way, I had the privilege of working with some incredible choreographers, including the legendary Alonzo King, who once told me, “The purpose of art is higher than art. What we’re really interested in are masterpieces of humanity.” That one really stuck with me and helped me find my own mission as a dancer.
Then one day, this tall, dark, and handsome Argentine came to audition for the Washington Ballet. That was Hernan. I noticed him right away, but it wasn’t until a little later—when we both ended up at North Carolina Dance Theatre (now Charlotte Ballet)—that we really got to know each other. We danced together for seven amazing years, and along the way, we fell in love. Hernan even proposed to me on stage, in front of a full house during a performance of George Balanchine’s Four Temperaments. Talk about an unforgettable moment!
Finding Home in Greenville
We both have such fond memories of our time at Charlotte Ballet. The company was full of incredible dancers—each one bringing something unique to the table. But eventually, Hernan decided it was time to reduce the physical work-load and take on a new challenge as the Artistic Director of Carolina Ballet Theatre. And that’s how we ended up here in Greenville, SC, in 2001, which has been our home ever since.
After our daughter Sofia was born, I couldn’t stay away from the stage for long. With Hernan coaching me, I came back stronger than ever and danced for another decade. But eventually, I knew it was time to retire and focus on helping the next generation of dancers find their own love for the art.
A Family Affair
A strong point of reference for me are my parents, Sun and John. They were business owners themselves and taught me early on that the key to happiness is finding something you love and figuring out how to make a living doing it. That’s exactly what Hernan and I have done. In 2004, we had the incredible opportunity to purchase DanceArts Greenville from its founder, Barbara Selvy, who had been nurturing the school since 1972. It felt like the perfect way to continue our family’s legacy.
We’re a true family affair at DanceArts Greenville, with everyone in the family, including our lovable dog Ellie, taking part in the magic. Martin and Sofia are our star teachers, Nicolas captures every memorable moment on film, and Ellie? She’s our emotional support dog and studio mascot, bringing joy and wagging tails to all. We’re a house divided—Sofia’s a proud Gamecock from the University of South Carolina, while Nicolas is a Clemson Tiger through and through. How’s that for a Greenville vibe? Our kids have grown up in public schools, immersed in arts programs, and right here at the studio. We couldn’t be prouder of the path we’ve chosen. In many ways, we’re living the American dream—doing what we love, with the people we adore, and sharing that joy with our wonderful community.
Coming Full Circle
One of those amazing arts programs that our daughter graduated from is the Fine Arts Center, where she was fortunate to learn under the direction of Jan Woodward and later, Gina Buntz. The experiences and opportunities she had there during high school were incredible to witness as a parent. And now, in a beautiful full-circle moment, I get to teach on the Fine Arts Center faculty, bringing my ballet technique and experiences to the next generation of dancers. It’s such a privilege to give back to the place that gave our daughter so much.
A New Chapter in My Fifties
This arts school sensibility, mixed with my professional dance background, is super exciting for me in my fifties! I love a good challenge, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than pushing myself, learning new things, and sharing that passion with our students. Every day is a new opportunity to grow, create, and inspire.
Our Vision in Dance
People often ask what our dance school is all about. Well, here it is:
“DanceArts Greenville provides training that nurtures both the potential artist and the dance student who studies for the joy of it. We’re all about building self-discipline, physical fitness, a love for movement and music, and most importantly, confidence.”
But beyond that, we’re here to nurture the heART in dance. Sure, we work hard on technique and stay up-to-date with the latest training methods, but what really matters to us is creating a warm, artistic environment where every student feels inspired to be their best. Dance isn’t just about the body—it’s about the mind and spirit too.
Our incredible staff plays a huge role in bringing this vision to life. Many of them have been with DanceArts Greenville for decades, and they’re not just checking a box—they embody the heart and soul of our school. I’m so grateful for each and every one of them, not only for their dedication to teaching but also for truly embracing and passing on the ideologies that make DAG what it is. They’ve become an essential part of our family, helping us create a place where students don’t just learn to dance but where they also learn to love the art form as much as we do.
A New Chapter for Carolina Ballet Theatre
And speaking of vision, Carolina Ballet Theatre needed an Artistic Director who could take them to the next level—and Hernan was the perfect fit. He would be the first to say that his dancing career was just a stepping stone towards this bigger role. Over the years, Hernan has led the company on international tours and established CBT as the Resident Dance Company at The Peace Center. Just wait until next year when we celebrate Hernan’s 25th anniversary as Artistic Director. It’s going to be a milestone worth celebrating, and we couldn’t be prouder of all he’s accomplished!
Our Story Continues
Our story is still unfolding, and DanceArts Greenville continues to grow and evolve. We’re so grateful to all our students and families—past, present, and future—for being a part of this journey with us.
Thanks for taking a little time to get to know our story. We’re excited to keep dancing through life with all of you!
With warmest regards,
Anita Pacylowski-Justo
DanceArts Greenville
