Anita Pacylowski-Justo, a native of Columbia, MD, received her formal ballet training at the Washington School of Ballet under Mary Day and Patricia Berrend. She joined The Washington Ballet as a professional dancer and ascended to Principal Dancer for five years, performing under Ballet Masters Kevin McKenzie, Simon Dow, Janek Schergen, and Rex Bickmore. Her repertoire included works by George Balanchine, Choo San Goh, Nils Christie, Alonzo King, Ray Barra, Paul Taylor, Septime Weber, Martine Van Hamel, and Judith Jamison. She performed internationally in St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia, Thailand, Singapore, France, England, and Spain. Highlights include performing The Nutcracker’s Grand Pas de Deux at the Kennedy Center for President Clinton and at the White House Holiday Tea Party.
Anita Pacylowski
Anita credits her exposure to top teachers and choreographers during her summers at the Chautauqua Institution in Dance, where she trained with Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, Violette Verdy, Michael Vernon, Virginia Johnson, Mark Diamond, Allegra Kent, John Clifford, and Jerri Kumery. She later joined Charlotte Ballet (formerly North Carolina Dance Theatre) as a Principal Dancer, working under Artistic Directors Salvatore Aiello, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, and Patricia McBride. Notable performances include Aiello’s Rite of Spring, King’s Chants and Map, and Balanchine’s Serenade, Rubies, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, and Who Cares?. It was in Charlotte where she met her husband, Hernan Justo, with whom she has shared many professional milestones, including her onstage proposal.
Anita became Associate Artistic Director of Carolina Ballet Theatre (CBT) and later the Director of the School of Carolina Ballet Theatre (now called DanceArts Greenville). She played a pivotal role in developing CBT’s arts integration programs and created several original choreographic works. Although she retired as Principal Dancer in 2011, she continues to influence the dance community as co-artistic director of DanceArts Greenville for the past 20 years, focusing on high-level training in a family-friendly environment. She also guest teaches and choreographs at various institutions across the Northeast and Southeast.
Anita
In 2017, Anita joined the Charlotte Ballet Academy as Associate Director, reconnecting with her roots at the company where she and Hernan danced together for seven years. While she stepped back from the role during the 2020/21 season due to COVID-19, she remains involved as a consultant. Anita also serves on the steering committee for the Presidential Scholar Alumni Association, working to build a network for PSA dance alumni.
Anita w/ her husband Hernan in DAG Intensive 2018
In 2022, Anita joined the Fine Arts Center Dance, directed by Gina Buntz, as the main ballet instructor, teaching all levels and coordinating YoungArts. In 2023, she launched the Alonzo King Immersion Project for Fine Arts Center Dance, honoring King’s legacy and inspiring future generations.
Anita, Matt Harvey & Alonzo King
Anita is immensely proud of her adult children: Martin, Sofia, and Nicolas. In her free time, she enjoys Pure Barre on Augusta Road, walking her Havashu pup, Ellie, and dining out with Hernan and their children at Local Restaurant 05. She is incredibly grateful to be a Greenville resident and loves the vibrant arts scene that continues to flourish. Anita also acknowledges the unwavering support of her family in Columbia, MD, especially her parents, John and Sun Pacylowski, who instilled in her a love for hard work, dedication, and the arts.