Jade Payette, of Huntington Beach, California, is in her first season as a company member with The Washington Ballet after one season as a studio company member and one as an apprentice. She first began training at Southland Ballet Academy under direction of teacher Salwa Rizkalla and later attended and graduated from The Royal Ballet School in London. In years 2001-2004, Ms Payette received the National Training Scholarship from American Ballet Theater and in 2003 and 2004 was awarded the silver medal at the Youth American Grand Prix.