Staff

Ballet 5:8's staff members are a diverse group of artists and business people who are passionate about honest, relevant, breathtaking dance.

Julianna Rubio Slager

Artistic Director & Resident Choreographer

Julianna Rubio Slager is a visionary Mexican-American choreographer, artistic director, and co-founder of Ballet 5:8, a Chicago-based company acclaimed for its innovative and socially relevant performances. Renowned for blending classical ballet with contemporary narratives, she explores themes of faith, justice, and cultural identity, making her a prominent figure in the modern ballet world.

Julianna began her training in Spring Arbor, Michigan, and studied under renowned mentors from the New York City Ballet, the Vaganova Academy, and the Puerto Rican National Ballet. Her career includes more than 20 years of teaching experience, during which she has guest taught at over 100 ballet schools nationwide.

As a choreographer, Julianna has created over 55 original works, including critically acclaimed ballets such as La Llorona, Reckless, Día de Los Vivos, Lost Women of Juarez, Butterfly, The Space in Between, and BareFace. These works, praised for their narrative depth and technical artistry, have toured to 17 cities across the United States, captivating audiences with their thought-provoking storytelling.

In 2023, Julianna was honored as a National Visiting Fellow at the prestigious School of American Ballet, recognizing her contributions to the field. She has also received multiple accolades, including grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the DCASE Individual Artist Grant, and was a finalist for the Chicago DanceMakers Forum.

As one of the few Latina artistic directors of a professional ballet company, Julianna is a groundbreaking leader committed to increasing diversity and representation in the arts. Her dedication to holistic dance education and mentorship has expanded Ballet 5:8’s reach, inspiring a new generation of dancers to explore both technical excellence and meaningful artistry.

Under Julianna’s leadership, Ballet 5:8 continues to push the boundaries of ballet, bringing relevant and transformative works to stages nationwide while fostering a vibrant community of artists and audiences.

Jeremy Slager

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Jeremy is committed to securing grant funding, implementing cutting-edge technology, and building transparent systems to enhance Ballet 5:8’s fundraising and operational efficiency. His leadership is marked by a passion for making high-quality arts experiences accessible to the community, fostering the next generation of artists, and amplifying the company’s ability to create thought-provoking, transformative works.

Jeremy believes in the power of beauty to inspire and transform, and his efforts are driven by a conviction that Ballet 5:8 plays a vital role in training young men and women holistically—physically, emotionally, vocationally, and spiritually. His strategic vision ensures that Ballet 5:8 continues to grow as a national leader in innovative and mission-driven ballet.

Jeremy Slager brings a visionary approach to his role as Executive Director of Ballet 5:8, driving the organization forward with a focus on innovation, strategic growth, and community impact. Originally from Spring Arbor, Michigan, Jeremy holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Before stepping into nonprofit leadership, he served as Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s Bible Church in Beverly, Chicago, for six years and later honed his expertise as Digital Marketing Manager at Moody Publishers.

With a deep connection to Ballet 5:8’s mission, Jeremy has been an integral part of the organization’s journey since its inception. From building sprung floors and crafting set pieces to developing marketing strategies and running Front of House during performances, his dedication was recognized in 2022 when he received the Nehemiah Award for his exceptional volunteer service.

Amy Kozol Sanderson

Executive Director Emeritus & Co-Founder

Ballet 5:8 Executive Director Emeritus Amy Kozol Sanderson received her classical ballet training at Ballet Quad Cities School of Dance in Rock Island, IL under former Ballet Quad Cities Artistic Director Johanne Jakhelln Constant. She performed with the Ballet Quad Cities professional company, with Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, MS, and later with Ballet 5:8 until stepping back from the stage in 2015. During her performing career, Sanderson danced several soloist roles created for her including Miep in Johanne Jakhelln's The Story of a Young Girl’s Life, an original ballet based on the Diary of Anne Frank, and The Accuser in Julianna Slager's The Story of Job. She has BA in Professional Writing and Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, and worked in the administrative offices at the Joffrey Academy of Dance prior to becoming one of the co-founders of Ballet 5:8 in 2012. Sanderson is honored to help make honest, relevant, breathtaking dance possible through her role as Ballet 5:8 Executive Director.