Carlee Snyder Chastagner began her training at the age of five years old with Ron Jones Academy of Ballet. At the age of 13, she joined Augusta Dance Theatre as a principal dancer, performing lead roles in Coppelia, Paquita, Nutcracker, and Etudes. Carlee attended prestigious summer programs on scholarship, including those at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, and Burklyn Ballet.

At the age of 14, Carlee joined Augusta Ballet School (Colton Ballet School) as a trainee under the direction of Zanne Colton. She performed in Dracula, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker.

Additionally, Carlee has performed as a guest artist in the role of Sugar Plum Fairy with Columbia County Ballet for several years.

She has danced professionally with Colton Ballet Company under the direction of Zanne Colton for 15 years and took her final bow in the company’s 2024 Spring Show. Carlee has performed in a wide range of productions as a principal dancer, including The Nutcracker, Okara, Pas de Dix, A Place to Dance, Gift to Be Simple, Hearth of Embers, Les Sylphides, and Giselle.

In 2008, Carlee began teaching at Colton Ballet School where she instructed the primary and elementary division. Over the years, she has taught ballet for many dance schools in our Augusta Community as well as the Denver, Colorado area. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Augusta State University in 2013. Upon graduation, Carlee worked in the medical field before choosing to pursue her true passion for teaching full time. In 2016, she expanded her involvement with The Colton Ballet Company, becoming a rehearsal assistant, leading company warm-ups, and directing the summer programs.

Today, Carlee is honored to uphold the legacy of Ron and Zanne Colton by nurturing the next generation of dancers with The Colton Ballet Company, where she serves as Ballet Mistress and Principal Teacher at the Colton Ballet School. She extends her gratitude to her husband and daughter for their love and support—her daughter continuing the family’s connection as a student of the Colton Ballet School.