Karen Burns and LaMont Ross appeared as Guest Artists in Memphis Dance Theatre's Sweetheart Gala on February 15 for two shows. They performed the Man and Woman in White for The Skaters, and also performed the balcony pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet. The Sweetheart Gala performance was held at the William Rose Theater in the Mertie W. Buckman Performing Arts Centre for two shows, one at 2:30pm and again at 7:00pm.

Mrs. Burns, former principal for Nashville Ballet, danced the role of Woman in White for The Skaters and Juliet from Romeo and Juliet for the Sweetheart Gala performance. She has danced with Colorado Ballet, Tampa Ballet, Scapino Ballet, Empire State Ballet, and Washington Ballet before joining Nashville Ballet. She has performed principal roles in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, LaBayadere, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Don Quixote, Valse Fantaisie, Emerson Concerto, Menage a Quatre as well as many contemporary ballets including works by Choo-San Goh, Hans van Manen and others. As a teacher and choreographer, Karen's career has taken her across the country and to Europe and Mexico. In addition, she has modeled and performed in plays and films. She recently finished her last season with Nashville Ballet.

LaMont Ross, who danced the roles of Man in White in The Skaters and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, is originally from Los Angeles and is a former Nashville Ballet dancer. He has previously performed with Pasadena Dance Theatre, Sacramento Ballet Company, Oakland Ballet Company and Palm Springs Civic Light Orchestra. He is an award winning choreographer and also writes poetry and short stories.