About Tara Ghassemieh

Tara Ghassemieh began her training in Huntington Beach, California at Orange County Dance Center. There she trained in ballet, contemporary, acting, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop. Through her 10 years of training she achieved many honors, titles and awards. She is most recognized as a finalist at Youth American Grand Prix Nationals in New York City, First place senior classical division at YAGP 2005, Teen Miss Dance of America 2004 for Dance Masters of America, Outstanding Choreography Award at YAGP 2013, National Training Scholar at American Ballet Theatre for 3 years, and full scholarship recipient to Jacqlueine Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre.  

Tara joined the world-renowned American Ballet Theatre at the young age of sixteen. While at ABT Tara trained with Kevin McKenzie, Franco DeVita, Susan Jaffe, Raymond Lukens, Martine Van Hamel, Jessica Lang, Clinton Luckett and Gelsey Kirkland. Soon after moving to New York she was offered the part as a lead ballet dancer in the Walt Disney film “Step Up”. 
She performed Le Corsaire and Sleeping Beauty with ABT at the Metropolitan Opera House along with other performances with the JKO school. Also, while in New York she worked on several Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Tara was a featured actress on Law and Order SVU, CSI, and Gossip Girl.  Tara has also modeled for Discount Dance Supply and other successful photographers throughout the country. Tara started and ran her own dance wear line ‘Tata’s Dancewear’ from 2004-2012, featured at Discount Dance Supply, Capezio NYC, and other popular dance stores. 

Currently Tara is living in Southern California where she is a principal dancer with Golden State Ballet, guest performer for classical ballet and contemporary companies, and a renowned choreographer, actress, film maker, teacher and mentor.

As a choreographer Tara along with many dancers have been honored with various awards and titles. Her most recognized pieces are “Le Petite Artiste” awarded 1st place at YAGP and Outstanding Choreography Award. “Le Petite artiste” was also performed in YAGP’s New York City gala at Lincoln Center and YAGP’s gala in Orlando Florida. “La Vie en Rose” awarded 1st place contemporary at YAGP finals along with Spotlight Awards, and “Good” also awarded 1st place at YAGP. In her 6 years guest performing Tara has danced principle roles in many classical, and contemporary ballets. Recently performing “The Nutcracker” and “The Slave Pas De Duex” as Medora with partner and husband Vitor Luiz, “Myrtha” in the ballet Giselle alongside Gillian Murphy and Cory Stearns, “Lilac Fairy” in Sleeping Beauty with Marcelo Gomes, and the role “Mercedes” in Festival Ballet Theatres production of Don Quixote. Most recently Tara alongside her husband Vitor Luiz debuted their first ballet choreographed together “Scheherazade” at the 30th annual “Gala of the Stars” performed at The Segerstrom Music Hall. Most recently performing a world premiere piece by Andrea Schermoly “The Gatekeepers” , “Black Swan Pas de Duex” and George Balanchines “Valse Fantaisie” with her husband Vitor Luiz. Tara is the first Iranian-American principal dancer in history, it is her greatest accomplishment to honor her Persian heritage and help tell stories that honor her roots. Also, known as the “Persian Swan” Tara is not only known for her extremely strong technique and artistry, but her fierce and commanding way when she is performing. Audiences say “Her fearlessness, beauty and raw love for ballet is captivating and makes it impossible to take your eyes off of her”. 

Tara Ghassemieh