Katharine Hunter
Katharine Hunter
Principal
KATHARINE “KARA” HUNTER was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and began her ballet training at age five with Pittsburgh Youth Ballet. Following high school, she joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Graduate Program, where she performed alongside the company in productions including Giselle, Beauty and the Beast, George Balanchine’s Diamonds, Susan Jaffe’s Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty.
Kara joined Ballet Spartanburg as a member of the Corps de Ballet in 2023. She was promoted to Soloist in 2024 and to Principal Dancer in 2026.
Most recently, Kara performed the title role in Giselle. Her repertoire with Ballet Spartanburg also includes Odette in Swan Lake, Swanhilda in Coppélia, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and Aura in The Sleeping Beauty.
During her training, Kara performed principal and soloist roles in George Balanchine’s Who Cares?, Serenade, Valse-Fantaisie and Stars and Stripes, as well as the principal role in Walpurgisnacht and a featured role in excerpts from Paquita. In 2021 and 2022, she appeared as a guest artist with Texture Contemporary Ballet, performing works by Alan Obuzor and other company repertoire.
Kara has attended summer programs with Chautauqua Institution, School of American Ballet, BalletMet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Carlos Agudelo, 2023 SC Governor's Award for an Individual
Ballet Spartanburg's Artistic Director, Carlos Agudelo, was awarded the South Carolina Governor's Award from the South Carolina Arts Commission on May 23, 2023, at the Chapman Cultural Center. The award was presented by Mr. David Platt, Executive Director of the South Carolina Arts Commission. "We recognize the unparalleled energy, enthusiasm, devotion and love for dance that Carlos has gifted to our community out of his passion for all to experience the arts for the past 32 years. We are overjoyed that Carlos has been recognized by the South Carolina Arts Commission, " Teresa S. Berline, Executive Director. "The South Carolina Arts Commission is an extraordinary organization in our state which promotes and advocates opportunities in the arts which values equality, access, diversity and inclusion. Ballet Spartanburg is honored by the support of the South Carolina Arts Commission and the recognition of Carlos Agudelo."