Janel Amsallem

Artistic Director

As a native Galvestonian and an alumnus of Galveston Ballet, Janel is a natural choice for the role of artistic director. She is honored and passionate about working with such young, talented, and inspiring students. Her career in dance has transformed from alumnus to instructing, choreographing, and staging productions.

Janel received her early dance training under the direction of Jillian Pinsker, Mary Fullen, Carl Siberon, Richard Munro, Sherry Hiott, Cathy H. Girvin, Ian Lufler, Gladysue Hovis, and Susan Carpenter-Porter. 

As a company dancer, Janel performed in many productions at The Grand 1894. Some of these performances were Les Sylphides, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, La Bayadere, La Boutique Fantastique, Raymonda, Cinderella, La Fille Mal Gardee, and Romeo and Juliet.

Janel has recreated many of the productions she once performed. She has enjoyed choreographing and directing her own renditions of full length ballets. These include Giselle, Peter and the Wolf, Carnival of the Animals, Don Quixote, The Magic Toyshop, Sleeping Beauty, La Fille Mal Gardee, Cinderella, Wizard of Oz, and Coppelia. Most recently, she directed her originals Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. Other classical and contemporary variations she has directed include repertoires like The Nutcracker Suites, Collage, Kaleidoscope, Soulstice, and Remix. 

Janel has represented Galveston Ballet since 2008 as a leader in the youth cultural exchange program along with the committee of the Houston-Galveston/Stavanger Sister City Society (HGSSCS). She has traveled to Norway three times where her company students participated in the Norwegian dance festivals, "Texas Days in Stavanger" and "Summer Dance Fest."

Janel has dedicated herself to the art of ballet in our community for more than 25 years.

Whether you’re joining Galveston Ballet as a student or a patron of the arts, Janel is honored to welcome you into the Galveston Ballet community!