AJ Garcia-Rameau
Executive Artistic Director & Founder

AJ Garcia-Rameau is a professional dancer, director of Ventana Ballet, partner of First Street Studio, and semiconductor engineer in Austin, Texas.

In 2018, AJ founded Ventana Ballet, a professional contemporary ballet company based in Austin, TX that utilizes local professional talent and brings accessible performances, events, and classes to the community.

AJ is also a partner owner of First Street Studio, an accessible performance, rehearsal, and education venue that is home to more than 75 Austin-based performing arts companies and individual professional artists.

AJ’s formal training is in classical and contemporary ballet and also modern dance. AJ was born in Houston, TX where she received her extensive dance training at the Houston Academy of Dance under the direction of Evelyn Ireton and the mentorship of Ginger Herrera, Naomi Glass, Damian Schwiethale, Jose Herrera, Sally Rojas, Joe Celej, Eddy Ocampo, and Troy Powell. AJ performed as a company member and soloist with the Exclamation Dance Company under the artistic direction of Kenneth Epting. She performed works by Ken Epting, Troy Powell, Gina Lewis, and Tyrone Walker.

AJ earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas. She also earned her minor in dance from UT under the coaching of David Justin and Grace Holmes. AJ trained under the coaching of Jennifer Felkner at the Austin School of Classical Ballet. AJ also performed as a company member of BHumn Dance Company under the artistic direction of Cheryl Copeland and as a company member of the Austin Classical Ballet under the artistic direction of Jennifer Felkner.

AJ completed additional dance training under scholarship/fellowiship with the Alvin Ailey School, performing works by Cornelius Carter, Troy Powell, and Sonia Dawkins. AJ also trained under scholarship with Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Northwest Dance Project. In 2017 at NW Dance Project's LAUNCH11, AJ performed original works by Anton Rudakov & Luca Signoretti and workshopped several works by Banning Bouldin, Ishan Rustem, and Nacho Duato (led by Lucas Crandall).

AJ's choreography and solo works have been featured at Dallas DanceFest, Austin Dance Festival, Philadelphia’s Come Together Dance Festival, Waco’s 254 Dance Festival, and Houston’s Barnstorm Dance Festival. AJ's guest work has afforded her the opportunities to perform several roles in the following ballets: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, Le Corsaire, Stars & Stripes, Romeo & Juliet, A Christmas Carol Ballet. AJ has also performed as a Resident Artist of the Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Melanie Kregel. 

AJ has choreographed for Ventana Ballet many smaller pieces of work as well as eight evening-length ballets, Night Birds, Variations on a Love Theme, ZAZZY!, BEAUTIFUL WORLD, Together, LEAP!, Hidden Strings, and UNDEAD.

AJ is grateful for the love and support she receives from her community of family, friends, and colleagues.

AJDances.com

Navaji David Nava
Assistant Director

Navaji David Nava is a founding member of Ventana Ballet, and he has been with the company since 2018.

A multifaceted artist from the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, Navaji's journey as an artist began in 2008 after representing the USA at the Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest, Hungary. He then joined the Sarasota Ballet as a company member at age 16. Navaji's dance career is a mosaic of diverse performances and leading roles, enriched by training under esteemed figures such as Gilbert Mayer of the Paris Opera Ballet, Margaret Barbieri of The Royal Ballet, Dominic Walsh with DWDC, and Desmond Richardson of Complexions. Navaji’s repertoire includes works by renowned contemporary and classical choreographers, and he is particularly celebrated for his leading performances in pieces such as Matthew Bourne’s Boutique and George Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15.

Now residing in Austin, Navaji has pursued a degree in Art and Education from the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 2021. He has established himself as a visual artist and has since worked as an educator with Austin ISD, continuing to bridge public school education with the growing art and dance movements in Austin.

Most recently, Navaji published "A Soul's Life," a poetic and philosophical children’s book series designed to provide reassurance and inspiration to young readers and audiences of all generations.

In 2023, Navaji became a resident choreographer with Ventana Ballet. Navaji choreographed and produced KOMOREBI, his first full-length ballet for the company, and it was a sold-out success that showcased his multifaceted talents as a producer, set-builder, costume designer, and choreographer.

Navaji was appointed the role of Assistant Director of Ventana Ballet in 2024.

Navaji.com

Priscilla Perales
Ventana Ballet Stage Manager

Priscilla Perales, originally from Florida, got her BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Texas Rio-Grande Valley in South Texas. After receiving her degree, Priscilla spent time performing for the most magical place on Earth, The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. There, she performed in numerous shows and parades making magic for guests everyday. Since then, Priscilla has moved to Austin and has been extremely lucky to continue working in the arts. Priscilla has worked with multiple entertainment companies supervising concerts and ballets, working operations at major concert venues, working closely with talent in artist hospitality, and assisting in teaching kids theatre with a well known Austin theater. Priscilla is so very happy to be working with Ventana Ballet!

Justin Thurman
Ventana Ballet Food & Beverage Manager

Justin Thurman. I am one of the unicorns, it seems these days, that was actually born and raised here in Austin. I studied Sports Management/Medicine at Texas A&M and Stephen F. Austin State University. I have always been a very extroverted socialite and quickly found my perfect fit and passion in the service industry. I've been working towards my dream of starting my own mobile bartending business. I was lucky enough to have met AJ a few years ago as a hired bartender, and it didn't take long for me to fall in love with and become part of the Ventana family. Through this business, I get to constantly do some of my favorite things, including meeting new people, building relationships, putting smiles on others' faces & helping provide a fun, happy atmosphere for others to enjoy. I am beyond blessed and grateful to be able to pursue my passion with this amazing family, and so happy to see how far Ventana Ballet has come and grown. And I am even more excited about what the future holds!