MEET THE DIRECTORS

MICHAEL & OLIVIA VIATOR

MR.VIATOR

FOUNDER | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER

Originally from Augusta, Georgia, Michael Viator began his dance training with the Columbia County Ballet at the age of 9 under the instruction of Ron Jones. He became a trainee in the Instructor’s Program and upon successfully completing the course joined the CCB Instructional Staff. At age 16 Michael choreographed a full-length ballet for the entire company. Over the Next several years he choreographed full length story ballets for the Columbia County Ballet including Alice, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella.

Though accepted into the Ballet Magnificat Trainee Program when he graduated high school, Michael decided to attend three years of ministry school at the Georgia School of Ministry. During the next few years he founded a dance ministry at his home church to allow students from any background to have affordable and quality dance instruction. After finishing with GSM, Michael moved to Jackson, MS, to join the Ballet Magnificat Trainee Program. He was soon promoted to Company Artist and for three years had the opportunity to travel all over the United States, Europe, and Asia,

performing and guest teaching. Michael then moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he took on the role of Artistic Director of the Pre-professional ballet company, Encounter Performing Arts Company. After two years, Michael and his wife, Olivia, moved back to Michael’s hometown where he was an instructor, rehearsal director, and choreographer for the Augusta Ballet. Michael has also had the opportunity to guest perform around the country in productions with the Wilmington Conservatory, Doxa Dance Ministries, Encounter Grace Ministries, the Augusta Ballet, and In His Image Dance Studio. In 2022, Michael and his wife founded Renovate Ballet Company, a Christian professional ballet company located in Augusta, Georgia. In addition to directing and teaching the company and trainee division, Michael continues to perform, guest appear and Teach, both

nationally and

internationally.

MRS.VIATOR

FOUNDER | ASSISTANT DIRECTOR |
TOUR DIRECTOR

Originally from Washington State, Olivia Viator grew up studying ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and modern at Irene's School of Dance under the instruction of Irene Miller and Chela Grey. During her training there, she had the opportunity to perform many lead roles with the studio company, and was also offered a support cast role with the New York Ballet Theatre. Later, Olivia furthered her ballet training with former Pacific Northwest Ballet and Joffrey Ballet principal dancer, Deborah Hadley, and Pacific Northwest Ballet personal trainer, Carol Elsner. After receiving several scholarship awards, Olivia attended summer dance intensives with Cornish College of the Arts, The Evergreen City Ballet, and Ballet Magnificat. Following high school, Olivia was invited to join the Trainee program with Ballet Magnificat. After a year of training, she was promoted to Company Artist where for the next six years she had the opportunity to perform and teach in over 20 countries including: Europe, Russia, Africa, Central America, Canada, and the United States. After meeting her husband, Michael, the Viators moved to Des Moines, Iowa where they assumed the roles of Artistic Directors of Encounter Performing Arts Company.

After two years, Olivia followed her husband to his Georgia hometown where she was an instructor and rehearsal director at the Augusta Ballet. In addition to teaching, she had the opportunity to choreograph and guest perform with the company. Olivia has had the honor to guest perform with Encounter Performing Arts Company, Augusta Ballet, and In His Image Dance Studio. In 2022, Olivia and her husband founded Renovate Ballet

Company, a Christian, professional ballet company located In Augusta, GA. In addition to directing and teaching the company and trainee division, Olivia continues to perform, guest appear and teach, both nationally and internationally. She is also a certified teacher of Progressing Ballet Technique. Olivia has a heart for private coaching and has a passion for people of all ages to meet their fitness, dance, and personal life goals, challenging them to meet their highest potential.

TESTIMONIAL

"Michael and Olivia truly care about each dancer and they put their heart and soul into providing the best quality experience. They use a patient and kind, yet challenging approach to help the dancers learn, grow, and improve their skills. They have a gift for recognizing the individual strengths of their dancers and utilizing them in their original choreography. "

- Gretchen, parent of dancer