Ballet Arizona’s 2023-2024 Season
Faculty and Staff
![Daniel Baudendistel headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/daniel-baudendistel.jpg)
Daniel Baudendistel
Daniel trained with Jonathan Watts, Larry Long at the Ruth Page Foundation, Roger Tully in London, and David Howard in New York. During his career, he danced with the American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, and the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company and was noted for his partnering skills and dramatic roles.
During his career, he had several notable accolades and accomplishments, such as being featured in films, television, and winning First Place at the Saint Sauveur International Choreographic Competition. He was televised in Russia dancing with Ekaterina Maximova at the Kremlin Palace, appeared with Gala Des Etoiles in Montreal, was featured with the BBC of London, and appeared in the documentary film “Ballet Russes.”
In addition to his long dance career, he has choreographed ballets for the ABT Studio Company, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and ABT Summer Intensive Programs. He has also directed and choreographed for the Hiroshima Opera Company.
As a teacher, he has worked with students at the ABT Summer Intensive in New York and The Joffrey Ballet. He was a Professor of Dance at the New School University Eugene Lang College in New York City. He continues to coach dancers privately around the world and is noted for his knowledge of kinetic principles, music theory, and understanding of the classical form as it relates to the dance.
This is Mr. Baudendistel’s tenth year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona. In addition to teaching, he performs with the Ballet Arizona and has been featured in Don Quixote, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sleeping Beauty and Romeo & Juliet.
![Daniel Baudendistel headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/daniel-baudendistel.jpg)
Daniel Baudendistel
Daniel trained with Jonathan Watts, Larry Long at the Ruth Page Foundation, Roger Tully in London, and David Howard in New York. During his career, he danced with the American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, and the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company and was noted for his partnering skills and dramatic roles.
During his career, he had several notable accolades and accomplishments, such as being featured in films, television, and winning First Place at the Saint Sauveur International Choreographic Competition. He was televised in Russia dancing with Ekaterina Maximova at the Kremlin Palace, appeared with Gala Des Etoiles in Montreal, was featured with the BBC of London, and appeared in the documentary film “Ballet Russes.”
In addition to his long dance career, he has choreographed ballets for the ABT Studio Company, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and ABT Summer Intensive Programs. He has also directed and choreographed for the Hiroshima Opera Company.
As a teacher, he has worked with students at the ABT Summer Intensive in New York and The Joffrey Ballet. He was a Professor of Dance at the New School University Eugene Lang College in New York City. He continues to coach dancers privately around the world and is noted for his knowledge of kinetic principles, music theory, and understanding of the classical form as it relates to the dance.
This is Mr. Baudendistel’s tenth year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona. In addition to teaching, he performs with the Ballet Arizona and has been featured in Don Quixote, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sleeping Beauty and Romeo & Juliet.
![Daniel Baudendistel headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/daniel-baudendistel.jpg)
Daniel Baudendistel
Daniel trained with Jonathan Watts, Larry Long at the Ruth Page Foundation, Roger Tully in London, and David Howard in New York. During his career, he danced with the American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, and the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company and was noted for his partnering skills and dramatic roles.
During his career, he had several notable accolades and accomplishments, such as being featured in films, television, and winning First Place at the Saint Sauveur International Choreographic Competition. He was televised in Russia dancing with Ekaterina Maximova at the Kremlin Palace, appeared with Gala Des Etoiles in Montreal, was featured with the BBC of London, and appeared in the documentary film “Ballet Russes.”
In addition to his long dance career, he has choreographed ballets for the ABT Studio Company, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and ABT Summer Intensive Programs. He has also directed and choreographed for the Hiroshima Opera Company.
As a teacher, he has worked with students at the ABT Summer Intensive in New York and The Joffrey Ballet. He was a Professor of Dance at the New School University Eugene Lang College in New York City. He continues to coach dancers privately around the world and is noted for his knowledge of kinetic principles, music theory, and understanding of the classical form as it relates to the dance.
This is Mr. Baudendistel’s tenth year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona. In addition to teaching, he performs with the Ballet Arizona and has been featured in Don Quixote, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sleeping Beauty and Romeo & Juliet.
![Talia-boresow headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/talia-boresow.jpg)
Talia Boresow
Talia Boresow began her ballet training at the Kansas City Ballet School from the age of 6 to the age of 10. During those years, she also attended the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) summer program. By 2011 she had convinced her parents to move across the country to continue her training full-time at CPYB under the direction of founder, Marcia Dale Weary. Marcia took her under her wing at the age of 14 and she began assisting the primary division levels.
Over the years, she gained immeasurable knowledge and experience and has been teaching part-time, working with levels ranging from primary to pre-professional. Along with countless hours of teaching, she has spent time backstage working with the hair, make-up, and wardrobe team at CPYB. This past summer, Talia was contracted as a guest faculty for the 5-week summer intensive program at CPYB. In addition to teaching group classes, she is also a private lesson coach, both in person and on Zoom. Talia is currently a senior attending Arizona State University as a full-time student. Besides her love for teaching, Talia is passionate about all things horse. She has owned, ridden, and shown several horses over the last 5 years.
![Talia-boresow headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/talia-boresow.jpg)
Talia Boresow
Talia Boresow began her ballet training at the Kansas City Ballet School from the age of 6 to the age of 10. During those years, she also attended the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) summer program. By 2011 she had convinced her parents to move across the country to continue her training full-time at CPYB under the direction of founder, Marcia Dale Weary. Marcia took her under her wing at the age of 14 and she began assisting the primary division levels.
Over the years, she gained immeasurable knowledge and experience and has been teaching part-time, working with levels ranging from primary to pre-professional. Along with countless hours of teaching, she has spent time backstage working with the hair, make-up, and wardrobe team at CPYB. This past summer, Talia was contracted as a guest faculty for the 5-week summer intensive program at CPYB. In addition to teaching group classes, she is also a private lesson coach, both in person and on Zoom. Talia is currently a senior attending Arizona State University as a full-time student. Besides her love for teaching, Talia is passionate about all things horse. She has owned, ridden, and shown several horses over the last 5 years.
![Talia-boresow headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/talia-boresow.jpg)
Talia Boresow
Talia Boresow began her ballet training at the Kansas City Ballet School from the age of 6 to the age of 10. During those years, she also attended the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) summer program. By 2011 she had convinced her parents to move across the country to continue her training full-time at CPYB under the direction of founder, Marcia Dale Weary. Marcia took her under her wing at the age of 14 and she began assisting the primary division levels.
Over the years, she gained immeasurable knowledge and experience and has been teaching part-time, working with levels ranging from primary to pre-professional. Along with countless hours of teaching, she has spent time backstage working with the hair, make-up, and wardrobe team at CPYB. This past summer, Talia was contracted as a guest faculty for the 5-week summer intensive program at CPYB. In addition to teaching group classes, she is also a private lesson coach, both in person and on Zoom. Talia is currently a senior attending Arizona State University as a full-time student. Besides her love for teaching, Talia is passionate about all things horse. She has owned, ridden, and shown several horses over the last 5 years.
![lisbet-companioni](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lisbet-companioni.jpg)
Lisbet Companioni
Ballet Mistress
From: Camagüey, Cuba
A native of Camagüey, Cuba, Lisbet Companioni began her career in ballet as a member of Ballet de Camagüey under the direction of its cofounder, Fernando Alonso. Her repertoire as a dancer includes Don Quixote, Dracula, La Bayadère, La Fille mal gardée, Napoli, and The Three Musketeers. In 2001, Lisbet joined Ballet Arizona as a dancer and originated featured roles in Ib Andersen’s 2B, Elevations, Mosaik and Play. Her modern repertoire includes soloist roles in Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Suite, The Golden Section and Company B. Her interest in Balanchine ballets grew as she added George Balanchine’s Agon, Apollo, Allegro Brillante, Serenade, and Theme and Variations to her repertory. Lisbet has always had a passion for teaching and coaching dancers and is also a faculty member at The School of Ballet Arizona. Ms. Companioni retired from the stage in 2008 to become Ballet Arizona’s Ballet Mistress.
![lisbet-companioni](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lisbet-companioni.jpg)
Lisbet Companioni
Ballet Mistress
From: Camagüey, Cuba
A native of Camagüey, Cuba, Lisbet Companioni began her career in ballet as a member of Ballet de Camagüey under the direction of its cofounder, Fernando Alonso. Her repertoire as a dancer includes Don Quixote, Dracula, La Bayadère, La Fille mal gardée, Napoli, and The Three Musketeers. In 2001, Lisbet joined Ballet Arizona as a dancer and originated featured roles in Ib Andersen’s 2B, Elevations, Mosaik and Play. Her modern repertoire includes soloist roles in Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Suite, The Golden Section and Company B. Her interest in Balanchine ballets grew as she added George Balanchine’s Agon, Apollo, Allegro Brillante, Serenade, and Theme and Variations to her repertory. Lisbet has always had a passion for teaching and coaching dancers and is also a faculty member at The School of Ballet Arizona. Ms. Companioni retired from the stage in 2008 to become Ballet Arizona’s Ballet Mistress.
![lisbet-companioni](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lisbet-companioni.jpg)
Lisbet Companioni
Ballet Mistress
From: Camagüey, Cuba
A native of Camagüey, Cuba, Lisbet Companioni began her career in ballet as a member of Ballet de Camagüey under the direction of its cofounder, Fernando Alonso. Her repertoire as a dancer includes Don Quixote, Dracula, La Bayadère, La Fille mal gardée, Napoli, and The Three Musketeers. In 2001, Lisbet joined Ballet Arizona as a dancer and originated featured roles in Ib Andersen’s 2B, Elevations, Mosaik and Play. Her modern repertoire includes soloist roles in Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Suite, The Golden Section and Company B. Her interest in Balanchine ballets grew as she added George Balanchine’s Agon, Apollo, Allegro Brillante, Serenade, and Theme and Variations to her repertory. Lisbet has always had a passion for teaching and coaching dancers and is also a faculty member at The School of Ballet Arizona. Ms. Companioni retired from the stage in 2008 to become Ballet Arizona’s Ballet Mistress.
![sybelle dadey headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/sybelle-dadey.jpg)
Sibylle Dadey
Ms. Acatos-Dadey began her formal ballet training in her native Switzerland. She furthered her studies at the Academie de Danse Rosella Hightower in Cannes, France and the John Cranko Schule in Stuttgart, Germany. Ms. Acatos was a prize winner of the prestigious competition, the Prix de Lausanne, and enjoyed a career that spanned over 22 years.
Chosen by George Balanchine, she began her professional career at the Grand Theatre de Genéve under the Artistic Direction of George Balanchine, with Director, Patricia Neary. With that company and later the Zurich Ballet, Ms. Acatos worked directly with Mr. Balanchine and as a soloist she danced roles in over 20 ballets by him. She also danced in the works of Jerome Robbins, Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe, Hans van Manen, Robert North and in classical ballets such as Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Le Coq D‘or and Cinderella.
She remained with Zurich Ballet under the direction of Uwe Scholz until her departure in 1988. Notable in her career were not only working with Balanchine but also performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. where she danced with Rudolf Nureyev. Upon joining Ballet Arizona as a Principal Dancer, she danced in leading roles in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Raymonda, and Cinderella and in many world premieres as well. She also had many roles created for her while under the direction of Jean Paul Comelin and Michael Uthoff, and performed in ballets created by her husband Donald Dadey.
Since her retirement from the stage, Ms. Acatos has dedicated her time to the teaching and training of future dancers. As a faculty member of The School of Ballet Arizona, she will be teaching all Upper Division Levels. She also taught and coached David Hallberg who is an alumnus of The School of Ballet Arizona and is currently Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director.
She and her husband currently live in Scottsdale with their 2 sons Killian and Darius.
![sybelle dadey headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/sybelle-dadey.jpg)
Sibylle Dadey
Ms. Acatos-Dadey began her formal ballet training in her native Switzerland. She furthered her studies at the Academie de Danse Rosella Hightower in Cannes, France and the John Cranko Schule in Stuttgart, Germany. Ms. Acatos was a prize winner of the prestigious competition, the Prix de Lausanne, and enjoyed a career that spanned over 22 years.
Chosen by George Balanchine, she began her professional career at the Grand Theatre de Genéve under the Artistic Direction of George Balanchine, with Director, Patricia Neary. With that company and later the Zurich Ballet, Ms. Acatos worked directly with Mr. Balanchine and as a soloist she danced roles in over 20 ballets by him. She also danced in the works of Jerome Robbins, Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe, Hans van Manen, Robert North and in classical ballets such as Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Le Coq D‘or and Cinderella.
She remained with Zurich Ballet under the direction of Uwe Scholz until her departure in 1988. Notable in her career were not only working with Balanchine but also performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. where she danced with Rudolf Nureyev. Upon joining Ballet Arizona as a Principal Dancer, she danced in leading roles in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Raymonda, and Cinderella and in many world premieres as well. She also had many roles created for her while under the direction of Jean Paul Comelin and Michael Uthoff, and performed in ballets created by her husband Donald Dadey.
Since her retirement from the stage, Ms. Acatos has dedicated her time to the teaching and training of future dancers. As a faculty member of The School of Ballet Arizona, she will be teaching all Upper Division Levels. She also taught and coached David Hallberg who is an alumnus of The School of Ballet Arizona and is currently Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director.
She and her husband currently live in Scottsdale with their 2 sons Killian and Darius.
![sybelle dadey headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/sybelle-dadey.jpg)
Sibylle Dadey
Ms. Acatos-Dadey began her formal ballet training in her native Switzerland. She furthered her studies at the Academie de Danse Rosella Hightower in Cannes, France and the John Cranko Schule in Stuttgart, Germany. Ms. Acatos was a prize winner of the prestigious competition, the Prix de Lausanne, and enjoyed a career that spanned over 22 years.
Chosen by George Balanchine, she began her professional career at the Grand Theatre de Genéve under the Artistic Direction of George Balanchine, with Director, Patricia Neary. With that company and later the Zurich Ballet, Ms. Acatos worked directly with Mr. Balanchine and as a soloist she danced roles in over 20 ballets by him. She also danced in the works of Jerome Robbins, Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe, Hans van Manen, Robert North and in classical ballets such as Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Le Coq D‘or and Cinderella.
She remained with Zurich Ballet under the direction of Uwe Scholz until her departure in 1988. Notable in her career were not only working with Balanchine but also performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. where she danced with Rudolf Nureyev. Upon joining Ballet Arizona as a Principal Dancer, she danced in leading roles in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Raymonda, and Cinderella and in many world premieres as well. She also had many roles created for her while under the direction of Jean Paul Comelin and Michael Uthoff, and performed in ballets created by her husband Donald Dadey.
Since her retirement from the stage, Ms. Acatos has dedicated her time to the teaching and training of future dancers. As a faculty member of The School of Ballet Arizona, she will be teaching all Upper Division Levels. She also taught and coached David Hallberg who is an alumnus of The School of Ballet Arizona and is currently Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director.
She and her husband currently live in Scottsdale with their 2 sons Killian and Darius.
![Sarah-Diniz](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sarah-Diniz.jpg)
Sarah Diniz
From: Maracay, Venezuela
Sarah Diniz started dancing at a young age but only seriously started training at the age of 11, following her family’s move to Arizona. Sarah was accepted at the Orlando Ballet School’s Academy program at the age of 15 and moved away from home for the year to train full-time. In 2017, she joined the School of Ballet Arizona. Sarah attended summer programs and short-term stays at Houston Ballet Academy, American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.
Sarah joined Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company in 2018 and the company in 2020. She has performed a number of roles with the studio company and company including George Balanchine’s Symphony in Three, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, and Ib Andersen’s Firebird, The Nutcracker, Napoli, and A Midsummer’s Night Dream.
![Sarah-Diniz](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sarah-Diniz.jpg)
Sarah Diniz
From: Maracay, Venezuela
Sarah Diniz started dancing at a young age but only seriously started training at the age of 11, following her family’s move to Arizona. Sarah was accepted at the Orlando Ballet School’s Academy program at the age of 15 and moved away from home for the year to train full-time. In 2017, she joined the School of Ballet Arizona. Sarah attended summer programs and short-term stays at Houston Ballet Academy, American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.
Sarah joined Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company in 2018 and the company in 2020. She has performed a number of roles with the studio company and company including George Balanchine’s Symphony in Three, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, and Ib Andersen’s Firebird, The Nutcracker, Napoli, and A Midsummer’s Night Dream.
![Sarah-Diniz](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sarah-Diniz.jpg)
Sarah Diniz
From: Maracay, Venezuela
Sarah Diniz started dancing at a young age but only seriously started training at the age of 11, following her family’s move to Arizona. Sarah was accepted at the Orlando Ballet School’s Academy program at the age of 15 and moved away from home for the year to train full-time. In 2017, she joined the School of Ballet Arizona. Sarah attended summer programs and short-term stays at Houston Ballet Academy, American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.
Sarah joined Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company in 2018 and the company in 2020. She has performed a number of roles with the studio company and company including George Balanchine’s Symphony in Three, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, and Ib Andersen’s Firebird, The Nutcracker, Napoli, and A Midsummer’s Night Dream.
![Gillmer duran headshot.](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Gillmer-Duran-1.jpg)
Gillmer Duran
Upper Division Student Liaison
From: Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Originally from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Gillmer Duran began dancing Venezuelan folk dances and continued his formal ballet training at age 21 at the Fundación Arte Nuevo. He danced professionally with Ballet Metropolitano, Ballet Nuevo Mundo, National Ballet of Caracas, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, and eight consecutive seasons with Eugene Ballet Company. He worked with choreographers such as Vicente Nebrada, Nicolo Fonte, Robert Battle, Mauricio Wainrott, Edwaard Liang, Jessica Lang and Toni Pimble, among others.
His versatility and intuition allowed him to perform a variety of classical, neoclassical and contemporary roles. In June of 2010, he began teaching ballet as a way to inspire the new generations of dancers and to share his passion for dance. In October of 2010, he was appointed as Alaska Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer. In 2011, Duran received the Fermin Toro University Award for his career and continued to teach ballet in the east coast. He has taught master classes for several schools and has created choreography for Eugene Ballet, Alaska Dance Theatre, Ballet Des Moines, and Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre.
In July of 2023 he obtained his Bachelor in Fine Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California. He is currently a full-time faculty at the School of Ballet Arizona and this is his fifth-year teaching at the Arizona School for the Arts.
![Gillmer duran headshot.](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Gillmer-Duran-1.jpg)
Gillmer Duran
Upper Division Student Liaison
From: Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Originally from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Gillmer Duran began dancing Venezuelan folk dances and continued his formal ballet training at age 21 at the Fundación Arte Nuevo. He danced professionally with Ballet Metropolitano, Ballet Nuevo Mundo, National Ballet of Caracas, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, and eight consecutive seasons with Eugene Ballet Company. He worked with choreographers such as Vicente Nebrada, Nicolo Fonte, Robert Battle, Mauricio Wainrott, Edwaard Liang, Jessica Lang and Toni Pimble, among others.
His versatility and intuition allowed him to perform a variety of classical, neoclassical and contemporary roles. In June of 2010, he began teaching ballet as a way to inspire the new generations of dancers and to share his passion for dance. In October of 2010, he was appointed as Alaska Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer. In 2011, Duran received the Fermin Toro University Award for his career and continued to teach ballet in the east coast. He has taught master classes for several schools and has created choreography for Eugene Ballet, Alaska Dance Theatre, Ballet Des Moines, and Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre.
In July of 2023 he obtained his Bachelor in Fine Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California. He is currently a full-time faculty at the School of Ballet Arizona and this is his fifth-year teaching at the Arizona School for the Arts.
![Gillmer duran headshot.](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Gillmer-Duran-1.jpg)
Gillmer Duran
Upper Division Student Liaison
From: Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Originally from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Gillmer Duran began dancing Venezuelan folk dances and continued his formal ballet training at age 21 at the Fundación Arte Nuevo. He danced professionally with Ballet Metropolitano, Ballet Nuevo Mundo, National Ballet of Caracas, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, and eight consecutive seasons with Eugene Ballet Company. He worked with choreographers such as Vicente Nebrada, Nicolo Fonte, Robert Battle, Mauricio Wainrott, Edwaard Liang, Jessica Lang and Toni Pimble, among others.
His versatility and intuition allowed him to perform a variety of classical, neoclassical and contemporary roles. In June of 2010, he began teaching ballet as a way to inspire the new generations of dancers and to share his passion for dance. In October of 2010, he was appointed as Alaska Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer. In 2011, Duran received the Fermin Toro University Award for his career and continued to teach ballet in the east coast. He has taught master classes for several schools and has created choreography for Eugene Ballet, Alaska Dance Theatre, Ballet Des Moines, and Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre.
In July of 2023 he obtained his Bachelor in Fine Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California. He is currently a full-time faculty at the School of Ballet Arizona and this is his fifth-year teaching at the Arizona School for the Arts.
![Gia_Firicano headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Gia_Firicano.jpg)
Gia Firicano
Ms. Firicano received her formal ballet training at the Boston School of Ballet under a full scholarship. She began her professional career in 1984 with the Tennessee Festival Ballet, under the directorship of Anne-Marie Holmes. She went on to become a principal dancer with The Berkshire Ballet, the Southwest Ballet, and Ballet Arizona. Her repertoire includes the leading roles of Giselle, Juliet, Cinderella, Swanhilda, and the Sugarplum Fairy. In addition, her repertoire includes a wide range of contemporary and Balanchine pieces.
Gia retired in 2003 after 13 years of performing with Ballet Arizona. She has been an instructor with Phoenix Dance Academy and The Plumb Performing Arts Academy. In 2004, she joined the Arts faculty at Arizona School for the Arts. In the summer of 2010, she attended and achieved certification for levels primary through level three in American Ballet Theatre’s Teacher Training Intensive.
She is currently in her fifteenth year as the Program Manager of the Ballet Program at Arizona School for the Arts. This is Ms. Firicanos’s eighteenth year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![Gia_Firicano headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Gia_Firicano.jpg)
Gia Firicano
Ms. Firicano received her formal ballet training at the Boston School of Ballet under a full scholarship. She began her professional career in 1984 with the Tennessee Festival Ballet, under the directorship of Anne-Marie Holmes. She went on to become a principal dancer with The Berkshire Ballet, the Southwest Ballet, and Ballet Arizona. Her repertoire includes the leading roles of Giselle, Juliet, Cinderella, Swanhilda, and the Sugarplum Fairy. In addition, her repertoire includes a wide range of contemporary and Balanchine pieces.
Gia retired in 2003 after 13 years of performing with Ballet Arizona. She has been an instructor with Phoenix Dance Academy and The Plumb Performing Arts Academy. In 2004, she joined the Arts faculty at Arizona School for the Arts. In the summer of 2010, she attended and achieved certification for levels primary through level three in American Ballet Theatre’s Teacher Training Intensive.
She is currently in her fifteenth year as the Program Manager of the Ballet Program at Arizona School for the Arts. This is Ms. Firicanos’s eighteenth year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![Gia_Firicano headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Gia_Firicano.jpg)
Gia Firicano
Ms. Firicano received her formal ballet training at the Boston School of Ballet under a full scholarship. She began her professional career in 1984 with the Tennessee Festival Ballet, under the directorship of Anne-Marie Holmes. She went on to become a principal dancer with The Berkshire Ballet, the Southwest Ballet, and Ballet Arizona. Her repertoire includes the leading roles of Giselle, Juliet, Cinderella, Swanhilda, and the Sugarplum Fairy. In addition, her repertoire includes a wide range of contemporary and Balanchine pieces.
Gia retired in 2003 after 13 years of performing with Ballet Arizona. She has been an instructor with Phoenix Dance Academy and The Plumb Performing Arts Academy. In 2004, she joined the Arts faculty at Arizona School for the Arts. In the summer of 2010, she attended and achieved certification for levels primary through level three in American Ballet Theatre’s Teacher Training Intensive.
She is currently in her fifteenth year as the Program Manager of the Ballet Program at Arizona School for the Arts. This is Ms. Firicanos’s eighteenth year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![Rachel-Gehr](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Rachel-Gehr.jpg)
Rachel Gehr
From: Westfield, Indiana
Rachel began her ballet training at Central Indiana Academy of Dance under the direction of Suzann DeLay. She spent her summers attending summer programs at Ballet West, School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Rachel attended Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. There, she was awarded the Premier Young Artist Scholarship Award. She graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet and an Outside Field in Arts Management. Among her instructors were Kyra Nichols, Carla Körbes, Michael Vernon, Sarah Wroth, and Sasha Janes. During her time at IU, she performed in George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, Valse Fantaisie and La Source, as well as Jerome Robbins’ Antique Epigraphs and The Concert, and Michael Vernon’s The Nutcracker.
With Ballet Arizona, she has performed in Bournonville’s Pas de Sept and Ib Andersen’s The Nutcracker.
![Rachel-Gehr](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Rachel-Gehr.jpg)
Rachel Gehr
From: Westfield, Indiana
Rachel began her ballet training at Central Indiana Academy of Dance under the direction of Suzann DeLay. She spent her summers attending summer programs at Ballet West, School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Rachel attended Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. There, she was awarded the Premier Young Artist Scholarship Award. She graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet and an Outside Field in Arts Management. Among her instructors were Kyra Nichols, Carla Körbes, Michael Vernon, Sarah Wroth, and Sasha Janes. During her time at IU, she performed in George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, Valse Fantaisie and La Source, as well as Jerome Robbins’ Antique Epigraphs and The Concert, and Michael Vernon’s The Nutcracker.
With Ballet Arizona, she has performed in Bournonville’s Pas de Sept and Ib Andersen’s The Nutcracker.
![Rachel-Gehr](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Rachel-Gehr.jpg)
Rachel Gehr
From: Westfield, Indiana
Rachel began her ballet training at Central Indiana Academy of Dance under the direction of Suzann DeLay. She spent her summers attending summer programs at Ballet West, School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Rachel attended Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. There, she was awarded the Premier Young Artist Scholarship Award. She graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet and an Outside Field in Arts Management. Among her instructors were Kyra Nichols, Carla Körbes, Michael Vernon, Sarah Wroth, and Sasha Janes. During her time at IU, she performed in George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, Valse Fantaisie and La Source, as well as Jerome Robbins’ Antique Epigraphs and The Concert, and Michael Vernon’s The Nutcracker.
With Ballet Arizona, she has performed in Bournonville’s Pas de Sept and Ib Andersen’s The Nutcracker.
![Alecia-Good-Boresow headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Alecia-Good-Boresow.jpg)
Alecia Good-Boresow
Upper Division Coordinator and Studio Company Manager
Alecia Good-Boresow is the Upper Division Coordinator and Studio Company Manager of The School of Ballet Arizona. Alecia began her ballet training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) at the age of five under the direction of Marcia Dale Weary. From there, she went on to study at the School of American Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet and the Pennsylvania Ballet.
Good-Boresow danced professionally with the Kansas City Ballet under the directorship of renowned ballet dancer, teacher and choreographer Todd Bolender from 1983-1996. While with the company, she danced in many principal roles, including “Sugar Plum Fairy,” “Dew Drop” and “Mirlitons” in The Nutcracker, “Aurora” and “Bluebird” in George Balanchine’s Aurora’s Wedding, “Sanguinic” in Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments and “Swanilda” in Coppelia. In addition, Good-Boresow also danced principal roles in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Apollo, Allegro Brilliante, The Firebird, Raymonda Variations, and Western Symphony.
From 1985 until 1996, Good-Boresow also served as a rehearsal assistant for the Kansas City Ballet. After retiring from the professional stage, she founded and directed the Kansas City Youth Ballet (KCYB), formerly known as the MidWest Youth Ballet in 1997. She held that post for more than 10 years. During that time, Good-Boresow took the KCYB to perform in the Young Tanzsommer Festival in Austria and Germany in 2005 and 2008.
As an educator, Good-Boresow has taught ballet for over 35 years, eleven of those years as a full-time faculty member at CPYB. In 2014, Good-Boresow was appointed to the School Principal of CPYB. Prior to her faculty position at CPYB, Good-Boresow was on faculty at the Kansas City Ballet School and Miller Marley School of Dance in Overland Park, Kansas. She has been a guest teacher at Ballet Arizona, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, Shari Shell-True Dance Academy in Lincoln, Nebraska, Greater York Dance in York, Pennsylvania and Dance St. Louis Summer Intensive. Most recently, Good-Boresow was on the faculty of the 2019 Mid-States Regional Dance Festival in Indianapolis. Alecia joined The School of Ballet Arizona as the Upper Division Coordinator and Studio Company Manager in 2022.
![Alecia-Good-Boresow headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Alecia-Good-Boresow.jpg)
Alecia Good-Boresow
Upper Division Coordinator and Studio Company Manager
Alecia Good-Boresow is the Upper Division Coordinator and Studio Company Manager of The School of Ballet Arizona. Alecia began her ballet training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) at the age of five under the direction of Marcia Dale Weary. From there, she went on to study at the School of American Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet and the Pennsylvania Ballet.
Good-Boresow danced professionally with the Kansas City Ballet under the directorship of renowned ballet dancer, teacher and choreographer Todd Bolender from 1983-1996. While with the company, she danced in many principal roles, including “Sugar Plum Fairy,” “Dew Drop” and “Mirlitons” in The Nutcracker, “Aurora” and “Bluebird” in George Balanchine’s Aurora’s Wedding, “Sanguinic” in Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments and “Swanilda” in Coppelia. In addition, Good-Boresow also danced principal roles in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Apollo, Allegro Brilliante, The Firebird, Raymonda Variations, and Western Symphony.
From 1985 until 1996, Good-Boresow also served as a rehearsal assistant for the Kansas City Ballet. After retiring from the professional stage, she founded and directed the Kansas City Youth Ballet (KCYB), formerly known as the MidWest Youth Ballet in 1997. She held that post for more than 10 years. During that time, Good-Boresow took the KCYB to perform in the Young Tanzsommer Festival in Austria and Germany in 2005 and 2008.
As an educator, Good-Boresow has taught ballet for over 35 years, eleven of those years as a full-time faculty member at CPYB. In 2014, Good-Boresow was appointed to the School Principal of CPYB. Prior to her faculty position at CPYB, Good-Boresow was on faculty at the Kansas City Ballet School and Miller Marley School of Dance in Overland Park, Kansas. She has been a guest teacher at Ballet Arizona, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, Shari Shell-True Dance Academy in Lincoln, Nebraska, Greater York Dance in York, Pennsylvania and Dance St. Louis Summer Intensive. Most recently, Good-Boresow was on the faculty of the 2019 Mid-States Regional Dance Festival in Indianapolis. Alecia joined The School of Ballet Arizona as the Upper Division Coordinator and Studio Company Manager in 2022.
![Alecia-Good-Boresow headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Alecia-Good-Boresow.jpg)
Alecia Good-Boresow
Upper Division Coordinator and Studio Company Manager
Alecia Good-Boresow is the Upper Division Coordinator and Studio Company Manager of The School of Ballet Arizona. Alecia began her ballet training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) at the age of five under the direction of Marcia Dale Weary. From there, she went on to study at the School of American Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet and the Pennsylvania Ballet.
Good-Boresow danced professionally with the Kansas City Ballet under the directorship of renowned ballet dancer, teacher and choreographer Todd Bolender from 1983-1996. While with the company, she danced in many principal roles, including “Sugar Plum Fairy,” “Dew Drop” and “Mirlitons” in The Nutcracker, “Aurora” and “Bluebird” in George Balanchine’s Aurora’s Wedding, “Sanguinic” in Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments and “Swanilda” in Coppelia. In addition, Good-Boresow also danced principal roles in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Apollo, Allegro Brilliante, The Firebird, Raymonda Variations, and Western Symphony.
From 1985 until 1996, Good-Boresow also served as a rehearsal assistant for the Kansas City Ballet. After retiring from the professional stage, she founded and directed the Kansas City Youth Ballet (KCYB), formerly known as the MidWest Youth Ballet in 1997. She held that post for more than 10 years. During that time, Good-Boresow took the KCYB to perform in the Young Tanzsommer Festival in Austria and Germany in 2005 and 2008.
As an educator, Good-Boresow has taught ballet for over 35 years, eleven of those years as a full-time faculty member at CPYB. In 2014, Good-Boresow was appointed to the School Principal of CPYB. Prior to her faculty position at CPYB, Good-Boresow was on faculty at the Kansas City Ballet School and Miller Marley School of Dance in Overland Park, Kansas. She has been a guest teacher at Ballet Arizona, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, Shari Shell-True Dance Academy in Lincoln, Nebraska, Greater York Dance in York, Pennsylvania and Dance St. Louis Summer Intensive. Most recently, Good-Boresow was on the faculty of the 2019 Mid-States Regional Dance Festival in Indianapolis. Alecia joined The School of Ballet Arizona as the Upper Division Coordinator and Studio Company Manager in 2022.
![Lisa Hammond Faculty Headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lisa-Hammond-Faculty-Headshot.jpg)
Lisa Hammond
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Lisa grew up dancing in Phoenix at Tempe Dance Academy under the direction of Tammy Manville Booth, Wanda Manville and Lauri Silvestri. She received her BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona. There, she trained with Susan Quinn, Michael Williams, Amy Ernst, Melissa Lowe, Sherry Zunker and Sam Watson. She has danced for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. In addition to performing across the United States, she has also performed in Scotland and England with Scorpius Dance Theatre.
Lisa has taught at several studios around the valley such as Tempe Dance Academy, Yen Li Chen Ballet School, Bridget McCarter Dance Academy, Centerpointe Dance Academy as well as Highland High School, Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Mesa Community College. Currently, she is a featured dancer with Scorpius Dance Theatre, the Dance Department director at New School for the Arts and Academics as well as the Co-Artistic Director for Desert Star Dance Academy.
Lisa joined the School as the Jazz instructor for the 2020-21 School Year.
![Lisa Hammond Faculty Headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lisa-Hammond-Faculty-Headshot.jpg)
Lisa Hammond
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Lisa grew up dancing in Phoenix at Tempe Dance Academy under the direction of Tammy Manville Booth, Wanda Manville and Lauri Silvestri. She received her BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona. There, she trained with Susan Quinn, Michael Williams, Amy Ernst, Melissa Lowe, Sherry Zunker and Sam Watson. She has danced for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. In addition to performing across the United States, she has also performed in Scotland and England with Scorpius Dance Theatre.
Lisa has taught at several studios around the valley such as Tempe Dance Academy, Yen Li Chen Ballet School, Bridget McCarter Dance Academy, Centerpointe Dance Academy as well as Highland High School, Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Mesa Community College. Currently, she is a featured dancer with Scorpius Dance Theatre, the Dance Department director at New School for the Arts and Academics as well as the Co-Artistic Director for Desert Star Dance Academy.
Lisa joined the School as the Jazz instructor for the 2020-21 School Year.
![Lisa Hammond Faculty Headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lisa-Hammond-Faculty-Headshot.jpg)
Lisa Hammond
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Lisa grew up dancing in Phoenix at Tempe Dance Academy under the direction of Tammy Manville Booth, Wanda Manville and Lauri Silvestri. She received her BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona. There, she trained with Susan Quinn, Michael Williams, Amy Ernst, Melissa Lowe, Sherry Zunker and Sam Watson. She has danced for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. In addition to performing across the United States, she has also performed in Scotland and England with Scorpius Dance Theatre.
Lisa has taught at several studios around the valley such as Tempe Dance Academy, Yen Li Chen Ballet School, Bridget McCarter Dance Academy, Centerpointe Dance Academy as well as Highland High School, Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Mesa Community College. Currently, she is a featured dancer with Scorpius Dance Theatre, the Dance Department director at New School for the Arts and Academics as well as the Co-Artistic Director for Desert Star Dance Academy.
Lisa joined the School as the Jazz instructor for the 2020-21 School Year.
![Nayon-Iovino](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Nayon-Iovino.jpg)
Nayon Iovino
From: Goiania, Brazil
Nayon began dancing at age 10 under the instruction of Gisela Vaz at Studio Dancarte Brazil. At age 17, he was awarded a full scholarship to begin training with The Washington School of Ballet with Kee Juan Han and Carlos Valcárcel. In 2009 he joined Houston Ballet II and was featured in Stanton Welch’s Fingerprints, Blue, Long and Winding Road, Red Earth and Tales of Texas. In 2010 Nayon joined The Washington Ballet where he performed soloist roles in Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker, The Great Gatsby, and in Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Songs, Push Comes to Shove and Surfer at the River Rocks. His accomplishments include finalist at the 2008 Youth America Grand Prix, the bronze medal at the 2009 Youth America Grand Prix and in 2012 he was awarded the gold medal at the World Ballet Competition in Orlando. As a guest artist, he has performed with Terra Brazil touring throughout Germany and France. Nayon joined Ballet Arizona in 2012. Since joining Ballet Arizona in 2012 Nayon has performed in George Balanchine’s “Rubies” (from Jewels) at The Chicago Dancing Festival and Balanchine’s Serenade and Stravinsky Violin Concerto at Ballet Under the Stars.
![Nayon-Iovino](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Nayon-Iovino.jpg)
Nayon Iovino
From: Goiania, Brazil
Nayon began dancing at age 10 under the instruction of Gisela Vaz at Studio Dancarte Brazil. At age 17, he was awarded a full scholarship to begin training with The Washington School of Ballet with Kee Juan Han and Carlos Valcárcel. In 2009 he joined Houston Ballet II and was featured in Stanton Welch’s Fingerprints, Blue, Long and Winding Road, Red Earth and Tales of Texas. In 2010 Nayon joined The Washington Ballet where he performed soloist roles in Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker, The Great Gatsby, and in Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Songs, Push Comes to Shove and Surfer at the River Rocks. His accomplishments include finalist at the 2008 Youth America Grand Prix, the bronze medal at the 2009 Youth America Grand Prix and in 2012 he was awarded the gold medal at the World Ballet Competition in Orlando. As a guest artist, he has performed with Terra Brazil touring throughout Germany and France. Nayon joined Ballet Arizona in 2012. Since joining Ballet Arizona in 2012 Nayon has performed in George Balanchine’s “Rubies” (from Jewels) at The Chicago Dancing Festival and Balanchine’s Serenade and Stravinsky Violin Concerto at Ballet Under the Stars.
![Nayon-Iovino](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Nayon-Iovino.jpg)
Nayon Iovino
From: Goiania, Brazil
Nayon began dancing at age 10 under the instruction of Gisela Vaz at Studio Dancarte Brazil. At age 17, he was awarded a full scholarship to begin training with The Washington School of Ballet with Kee Juan Han and Carlos Valcárcel. In 2009 he joined Houston Ballet II and was featured in Stanton Welch’s Fingerprints, Blue, Long and Winding Road, Red Earth and Tales of Texas. In 2010 Nayon joined The Washington Ballet where he performed soloist roles in Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker, The Great Gatsby, and in Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Songs, Push Comes to Shove and Surfer at the River Rocks. His accomplishments include finalist at the 2008 Youth America Grand Prix, the bronze medal at the 2009 Youth America Grand Prix and in 2012 he was awarded the gold medal at the World Ballet Competition in Orlando. As a guest artist, he has performed with Terra Brazil touring throughout Germany and France. Nayon joined Ballet Arizona in 2012. Since joining Ballet Arizona in 2012 Nayon has performed in George Balanchine’s “Rubies” (from Jewels) at The Chicago Dancing Festival and Balanchine’s Serenade and Stravinsky Violin Concerto at Ballet Under the Stars.
![David Kremsing headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/David-Kremsing.jpg)
David Krensing
Ballet Master, Summer Intensive Coordinator
A Minnesota native and former Principal Dancer with Philadelphia Ballet, then known as Pennsylvania Ballet, David performed numerous leading classical, contemporary and modern dance roles by renowned choreographers, such as Alvin Ailey, Sir Fredrick Ashton, George Balanchine, John Butler, John Cranko, Agnes DeMille, William Forsythe, Jose Limon, Lar Lubovitch, Peter Martins, Jerome Robbins, Ben Stevenson, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Hans Van Manen. Additional performance credits include world premieres by Ib Andersen, Jorma Elo, Trey McIntyre, Kevin O’ Day, David Parsons, Antony Rizzi, Dwight Rhoden and Christopher Wheeldon.
He has toured the United States and Europe, with Pennsylvania Ballet and as an independent artist, and has been featured domestically and internationally in both company-produced and independent productions with artists from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Frankfort Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Dance Theater of Harlem, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and Martha Graham Dance Company, among others. He has taught for professional dance companies, colleges and universities including The University of Arizona, The University of the Arts, Stephens College, The Washington Ballet, Ballet BC, BalletX, Ballet Idaho, and Trey McIntyre Projects.
Mr. Krensing holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and a Master of Fine Arts from The University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. In addition to his Ballet Master duties, he is a faculty member at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![David Kremsing headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/David-Kremsing.jpg)
David Krensing
Ballet Master, Summer Intensive Coordinator
A Minnesota native and former Principal Dancer with Philadelphia Ballet, then known as Pennsylvania Ballet, David performed numerous leading classical, contemporary and modern dance roles by renowned choreographers, such as Alvin Ailey, Sir Fredrick Ashton, George Balanchine, John Butler, John Cranko, Agnes DeMille, William Forsythe, Jose Limon, Lar Lubovitch, Peter Martins, Jerome Robbins, Ben Stevenson, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Hans Van Manen. Additional performance credits include world premieres by Ib Andersen, Jorma Elo, Trey McIntyre, Kevin O’ Day, David Parsons, Antony Rizzi, Dwight Rhoden and Christopher Wheeldon.
He has toured the United States and Europe, with Pennsylvania Ballet and as an independent artist, and has been featured domestically and internationally in both company-produced and independent productions with artists from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Frankfort Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Dance Theater of Harlem, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and Martha Graham Dance Company, among others. He has taught for professional dance companies, colleges and universities including The University of Arizona, The University of the Arts, Stephens College, The Washington Ballet, Ballet BC, BalletX, Ballet Idaho, and Trey McIntyre Projects.
Mr. Krensing holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and a Master of Fine Arts from The University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. In addition to his Ballet Master duties, he is a faculty member at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![David Kremsing headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/David-Kremsing.jpg)
David Krensing
Ballet Master, Summer Intensive Coordinator
A Minnesota native and former Principal Dancer with Philadelphia Ballet, then known as Pennsylvania Ballet, David performed numerous leading classical, contemporary and modern dance roles by renowned choreographers, such as Alvin Ailey, Sir Fredrick Ashton, George Balanchine, John Butler, John Cranko, Agnes DeMille, William Forsythe, Jose Limon, Lar Lubovitch, Peter Martins, Jerome Robbins, Ben Stevenson, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Hans Van Manen. Additional performance credits include world premieres by Ib Andersen, Jorma Elo, Trey McIntyre, Kevin O’ Day, David Parsons, Antony Rizzi, Dwight Rhoden and Christopher Wheeldon.
He has toured the United States and Europe, with Pennsylvania Ballet and as an independent artist, and has been featured domestically and internationally in both company-produced and independent productions with artists from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Frankfort Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Dance Theater of Harlem, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and Martha Graham Dance Company, among others. He has taught for professional dance companies, colleges and universities including The University of Arizona, The University of the Arts, Stephens College, The Washington Ballet, Ballet BC, BalletX, Ballet Idaho, and Trey McIntyre Projects.
Mr. Krensing holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and a Master of Fine Arts from The University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. In addition to his Ballet Master duties, he is a faculty member at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Female-General-No-Background.png)
Mishelle Mackle
![Luis-Martinez](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Luis-Martinez.jpg)
Luis Martinez
Two years into architecture school in his native Monterrey, Mexico, Luis Martinez transferred to the Superior School of Music and Dance of Monterrey to pursue his true love, ballet. He studied with Roberto Machado and Rosario Murillo. At the Cordoba Dance Festival, Luis studied under Vladimir Malakhov, Adria Velasquez, Tadeusz Matacz, and Claudio Muñoz. He also completed the Character Dances Intensive with Rafael Ibatullin and Horton Technique Intensive with Victor Talledos.
Upon graduating in 2010, Luis joined Ballet de Monterrey (BdM) under the direction of Luis Serrano. His repertoire as a dancer includes Giselle, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, La Bayadere, and Graduation Ball. He also performed in major productions such as Luis Serrano’s Celebration, Sinergia, Cantus, Jorge Amarante’s Uma Batida Diferente, Zendas, and Clark Tippet’s Brunch Violin Concerto. In 2014, Jorge Amarante became the director of BdM, and Luis performed in Raymonda, Romeo and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty, Jorge Amarante’s Mexico en el Ombligo de la Luna, Carmen and Cinderella, where he played one of the stepsisters in pointe shoes. He was also chosen by Patrick Delcroix as the first cast in Mexico of Jirí Kylián’s Sechs Tanze. In 2016, under BdM’s new director Jose Manuel Carreño, Luis played Dr. Coppelius and Franz’s friends in Coppelia. In 2017, he danced in Alberto Mendez’s The Phantom of the Opera and also Luis Serrano’s Huapango. Luis was coached by renowned Ballet Masters and Mistresses Ileana Lopez, Phillip Balmain Beamish, Galina Alvarez, Analia Sosa Guerrero, Lazaro Carreño, and many more.
Drawing inspiration from his own teachers, Luis enjoyed working as a ballet instructor while he was a member of BdM, and after eight seasons with BdM, Luis chose to pursue a teaching career in earnest. In 2017, Luis and Serafin Castro founded and directed SL-Dancenter in Mexico. In 2019, Luis moved to the Phoenix Metro area, where Luis has become a sought-after instructor and choreographer. In 2020, he choreographed and danced a duet with Serafin Castro in the Downtown Chamber Series. In 2021, he won the Outstanding Teacher Award at YAGP. As a coach and choreographer, Luis was delighted that three of his students made the final round at the YAGP Finals in Tampa Florida. In 2022, Luis performed in Lauren Flower’s Fragments, a dance film commissioned by the Phoenix Art Museum.
Luis taught Ballet Arizona students in the 2022 Summer Intensive and has now joined the faculty. He seeks to instill in his students the importance of both technique and expressiveness to convey the feelings and emotions of dance.
![Luis-Martinez](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Luis-Martinez.jpg)
Luis Martinez
Two years into architecture school in his native Monterrey, Mexico, Luis Martinez transferred to the Superior School of Music and Dance of Monterrey to pursue his true love, ballet. He studied with Roberto Machado and Rosario Murillo. At the Cordoba Dance Festival, Luis studied under Vladimir Malakhov, Adria Velasquez, Tadeusz Matacz, and Claudio Muñoz. He also completed the Character Dances Intensive with Rafael Ibatullin and Horton Technique Intensive with Victor Talledos.
Upon graduating in 2010, Luis joined Ballet de Monterrey (BdM) under the direction of Luis Serrano. His repertoire as a dancer includes Giselle, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, La Bayadere, and Graduation Ball. He also performed in major productions such as Luis Serrano’s Celebration, Sinergia, Cantus, Jorge Amarante’s Uma Batida Diferente, Zendas, and Clark Tippet’s Brunch Violin Concerto. In 2014, Jorge Amarante became the director of BdM, and Luis performed in Raymonda, Romeo and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty, Jorge Amarante’s Mexico en el Ombligo de la Luna, Carmen and Cinderella, where he played one of the stepsisters in pointe shoes. He was also chosen by Patrick Delcroix as the first cast in Mexico of Jirí Kylián’s Sechs Tanze. In 2016, under BdM’s new director Jose Manuel Carreño, Luis played Dr. Coppelius and Franz’s friends in Coppelia. In 2017, he danced in Alberto Mendez’s The Phantom of the Opera and also Luis Serrano’s Huapango. Luis was coached by renowned Ballet Masters and Mistresses Ileana Lopez, Phillip Balmain Beamish, Galina Alvarez, Analia Sosa Guerrero, Lazaro Carreño, and many more.
Drawing inspiration from his own teachers, Luis enjoyed working as a ballet instructor while he was a member of BdM, and after eight seasons with BdM, Luis chose to pursue a teaching career in earnest. In 2017, Luis and Serafin Castro founded and directed SL-Dancenter in Mexico. In 2019, Luis moved to the Phoenix Metro area, where Luis has become a sought-after instructor and choreographer. In 2020, he choreographed and danced a duet with Serafin Castro in the Downtown Chamber Series. In 2021, he won the Outstanding Teacher Award at YAGP. As a coach and choreographer, Luis was delighted that three of his students made the final round at the YAGP Finals in Tampa Florida. In 2022, Luis performed in Lauren Flower’s Fragments, a dance film commissioned by the Phoenix Art Museum.
Luis taught Ballet Arizona students in the 2022 Summer Intensive and has now joined the faculty. He seeks to instill in his students the importance of both technique and expressiveness to convey the feelings and emotions of dance.
![Luis-Martinez](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Luis-Martinez.jpg)
Luis Martinez
Two years into architecture school in his native Monterrey, Mexico, Luis Martinez transferred to the Superior School of Music and Dance of Monterrey to pursue his true love, ballet. He studied with Roberto Machado and Rosario Murillo. At the Cordoba Dance Festival, Luis studied under Vladimir Malakhov, Adria Velasquez, Tadeusz Matacz, and Claudio Muñoz. He also completed the Character Dances Intensive with Rafael Ibatullin and Horton Technique Intensive with Victor Talledos.
Upon graduating in 2010, Luis joined Ballet de Monterrey (BdM) under the direction of Luis Serrano. His repertoire as a dancer includes Giselle, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, La Bayadere, and Graduation Ball. He also performed in major productions such as Luis Serrano’s Celebration, Sinergia, Cantus, Jorge Amarante’s Uma Batida Diferente, Zendas, and Clark Tippet’s Brunch Violin Concerto. In 2014, Jorge Amarante became the director of BdM, and Luis performed in Raymonda, Romeo and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty, Jorge Amarante’s Mexico en el Ombligo de la Luna, Carmen and Cinderella, where he played one of the stepsisters in pointe shoes. He was also chosen by Patrick Delcroix as the first cast in Mexico of Jirí Kylián’s Sechs Tanze. In 2016, under BdM’s new director Jose Manuel Carreño, Luis played Dr. Coppelius and Franz’s friends in Coppelia. In 2017, he danced in Alberto Mendez’s The Phantom of the Opera and also Luis Serrano’s Huapango. Luis was coached by renowned Ballet Masters and Mistresses Ileana Lopez, Phillip Balmain Beamish, Galina Alvarez, Analia Sosa Guerrero, Lazaro Carreño, and many more.
Drawing inspiration from his own teachers, Luis enjoyed working as a ballet instructor while he was a member of BdM, and after eight seasons with BdM, Luis chose to pursue a teaching career in earnest. In 2017, Luis and Serafin Castro founded and directed SL-Dancenter in Mexico. In 2019, Luis moved to the Phoenix Metro area, where Luis has become a sought-after instructor and choreographer. In 2020, he choreographed and danced a duet with Serafin Castro in the Downtown Chamber Series. In 2021, he won the Outstanding Teacher Award at YAGP. As a coach and choreographer, Luis was delighted that three of his students made the final round at the YAGP Finals in Tampa Florida. In 2022, Luis performed in Lauren Flower’s Fragments, a dance film commissioned by the Phoenix Art Museum.
Luis taught Ballet Arizona students in the 2022 Summer Intensive and has now joined the faculty. He seeks to instill in his students the importance of both technique and expressiveness to convey the feelings and emotions of dance.
![roberto-m](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/roberto-m.jpg)
Roberto Muñoz
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Mr. Muñoz taught our students during the Summer Intensive and will be returning as a guest faculty member for the 2019-2020 school year. Originally from Chile, he was recently the Executive Director of The Gulfshore Ballet in Florida and guest teaches in the Denver, CO area. Mr. Munoz was a faculty member at Point Park College for 13 years and was a Ballet Master for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for several years.
In addition, he and Melinda Roy, former Principal Dancer of NYC Ballet, were the Founders and Directors of Saratoga Springs Dance Intensive and Vail Valley Dance Intensive in New York and in Colorado, respectively.
His dancing career began at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater in 1972, where he worked with Ballet Masters such as Nicholas Petrov, Leonid Massine, Edward Caton, Vitale Fokine, and Ruth Page. He later danced with Ballet Internacional de Caracas under the direction of the late Vicente Nebrada, as well as with Hartford Ballet under the direction of Michael Uthoff.
![roberto-m](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/roberto-m.jpg)
Roberto Muñoz
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Mr. Muñoz taught our students during the Summer Intensive and will be returning as a guest faculty member for the 2019-2020 school year. Originally from Chile, he was recently the Executive Director of The Gulfshore Ballet in Florida and guest teaches in the Denver, CO area. Mr. Munoz was a faculty member at Point Park College for 13 years and was a Ballet Master for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for several years.
In addition, he and Melinda Roy, former Principal Dancer of NYC Ballet, were the Founders and Directors of Saratoga Springs Dance Intensive and Vail Valley Dance Intensive in New York and in Colorado, respectively.
His dancing career began at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater in 1972, where he worked with Ballet Masters such as Nicholas Petrov, Leonid Massine, Edward Caton, Vitale Fokine, and Ruth Page. He later danced with Ballet Internacional de Caracas under the direction of the late Vicente Nebrada, as well as with Hartford Ballet under the direction of Michael Uthoff.
![roberto-m](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/roberto-m.jpg)
Roberto Muñoz
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Mr. Muñoz taught our students during the Summer Intensive and will be returning as a guest faculty member for the 2019-2020 school year. Originally from Chile, he was recently the Executive Director of The Gulfshore Ballet in Florida and guest teaches in the Denver, CO area. Mr. Munoz was a faculty member at Point Park College for 13 years and was a Ballet Master for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for several years.
In addition, he and Melinda Roy, former Principal Dancer of NYC Ballet, were the Founders and Directors of Saratoga Springs Dance Intensive and Vail Valley Dance Intensive in New York and in Colorado, respectively.
His dancing career began at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater in 1972, where he worked with Ballet Masters such as Nicholas Petrov, Leonid Massine, Edward Caton, Vitale Fokine, and Ruth Page. He later danced with Ballet Internacional de Caracas under the direction of the late Vicente Nebrada, as well as with Hartford Ballet under the direction of Michael Uthoff.
![Jasmine-Nunn-headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Jasmine-Nunn-headshot-683x1024.jpg)
Jasmine Nunn
School Manager
Jasmine Nunn is the School Manager of The School of Ballet Arizona and oversees the administrative management of School programs relating to staff, teachers, parents, and students.
She previously danced at The School of Ballet Arizona during her last three years of high school and graduated from the Arizona School for the Arts. She went on to study dance at Arizona State University’s School of Film, Dance and Theatre. After graduating from ASU in 2013, Jasmine studied, performed, and choreographed post-modern contemporary dance and worked with [nueBOX], then joined the School in 2018.
![Jasmine-Nunn-headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Jasmine-Nunn-headshot-683x1024.jpg)
Jasmine Nunn
School Manager
Jasmine Nunn is the School Manager of The School of Ballet Arizona and oversees the administrative management of School programs relating to staff, teachers, parents, and students.
She previously danced at The School of Ballet Arizona during her last three years of high school and graduated from the Arizona School for the Arts. She went on to study dance at Arizona State University’s School of Film, Dance and Theatre. After graduating from ASU in 2013, Jasmine studied, performed, and choreographed post-modern contemporary dance and worked with [nueBOX], then joined the School in 2018.
![Jasmine-Nunn-headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Jasmine-Nunn-headshot-683x1024.jpg)
Jasmine Nunn
School Manager
Jasmine Nunn is the School Manager of The School of Ballet Arizona and oversees the administrative management of School programs relating to staff, teachers, parents, and students.
She previously danced at The School of Ballet Arizona during her last three years of high school and graduated from the Arizona School for the Arts. She went on to study dance at Arizona State University’s School of Film, Dance and Theatre. After graduating from ASU in 2013, Jasmine studied, performed, and choreographed post-modern contemporary dance and worked with [nueBOX], then joined the School in 2018.
![Gail_Passey-Reed headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Gail_Passey-Reed.jpg)
Gail Passey-Reed
Gail Passey Reed trained in Northern California with Contra Costa Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School, and Marin Ballet before dancing professionally with Baltimore Ballet. Gail joined Ballet Arizona in 1985 and danced with the company for 12 years. She received critical acclaim for portraying Swanhilda in Michael Uthoff’s Coppelia. Other favorite roles include the title role in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and John Paul Comelin’s Mozart’s Requiem.
Gail is the backstage coordinator for SBAZ performances and enjoys making headpieces for the School and Company.
This is Ms. Passey-Reed’s thirtieth year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![Gail_Passey-Reed headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Gail_Passey-Reed.jpg)
Gail Passey-Reed
Gail Passey Reed trained in Northern California with Contra Costa Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School, and Marin Ballet before dancing professionally with Baltimore Ballet. Gail joined Ballet Arizona in 1985 and danced with the company for 12 years. She received critical acclaim for portraying Swanhilda in Michael Uthoff’s Coppelia. Other favorite roles include the title role in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and John Paul Comelin’s Mozart’s Requiem.
Gail is the backstage coordinator for SBAZ performances and enjoys making headpieces for the School and Company.
This is Ms. Passey-Reed’s thirtieth year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![Gail_Passey-Reed headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Gail_Passey-Reed.jpg)
Gail Passey-Reed
Gail Passey Reed trained in Northern California with Contra Costa Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School, and Marin Ballet before dancing professionally with Baltimore Ballet. Gail joined Ballet Arizona in 1985 and danced with the company for 12 years. She received critical acclaim for portraying Swanhilda in Michael Uthoff’s Coppelia. Other favorite roles include the title role in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and John Paul Comelin’s Mozart’s Requiem.
Gail is the backstage coordinator for SBAZ performances and enjoys making headpieces for the School and Company.
This is Ms. Passey-Reed’s thirtieth year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/fabiana-headshot.jpg)
Fabiana Poulis
Children’s and Lower Division Coordinator
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Born in Paraguay and raised in Argentina, Fabiana Fadlala-Poulis has been teaching ballet for over 20 years. She received her training at Estudio Coreografico Bonnin, the Teatro Colon and received her Masters in Ballet Pedagogy from the School of the National Ballet of Cuba. She studied under Olga Ferri, Miguel Bonnin, Ileana Balmori and Raul Candal. Fabiana danced professionally with the Teatro Municipal de Asuncion, Teatro General San Martin, Ballet Arlington and Ballet Concerto. Fabiana has taught at the Margo Dean School of Ballet in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and Ballet Conservatory in Lewisville, TX where she also served as the assistant director of Lake Cities Ballet Theatre II. Her choreography for YAGP, “It’s a Good Day”, placed 2nd in the regionals and performed in the finals in New York. She also served as the Outreach Coordinator for the Desert Youth Ballet Foundation, taught for the Arizona School of Classical Ballet, Tempe Dance Academy, The Louisville Ballet and served as the ballet mistress for the Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble, Sacred Heart School for the Arts in Louisville, KY and Wynn Twins School of Dance in Kansas City, MO. She has been a sought-after guest teacher throughout the United States and South America.
![](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/fabiana-headshot.jpg)
Fabiana Poulis
Children’s and Lower Division Coordinator
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Born in Paraguay and raised in Argentina, Fabiana Fadlala-Poulis has been teaching ballet for over 20 years. She received her training at Estudio Coreografico Bonnin, the Teatro Colon and received her Masters in Ballet Pedagogy from the School of the National Ballet of Cuba. She studied under Olga Ferri, Miguel Bonnin, Ileana Balmori and Raul Candal. Fabiana danced professionally with the Teatro Municipal de Asuncion, Teatro General San Martin, Ballet Arlington and Ballet Concerto. Fabiana has taught at the Margo Dean School of Ballet in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and Ballet Conservatory in Lewisville, TX where she also served as the assistant director of Lake Cities Ballet Theatre II. Her choreography for YAGP, “It’s a Good Day”, placed 2nd in the regionals and performed in the finals in New York. She also served as the Outreach Coordinator for the Desert Youth Ballet Foundation, taught for the Arizona School of Classical Ballet, Tempe Dance Academy, The Louisville Ballet and served as the ballet mistress for the Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble, Sacred Heart School for the Arts in Louisville, KY and Wynn Twins School of Dance in Kansas City, MO. She has been a sought-after guest teacher throughout the United States and South America.
![](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/fabiana-headshot.jpg)
Fabiana Poulis
Children’s and Lower Division Coordinator
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Born in Paraguay and raised in Argentina, Fabiana Fadlala-Poulis has been teaching ballet for over 20 years. She received her training at Estudio Coreografico Bonnin, the Teatro Colon and received her Masters in Ballet Pedagogy from the School of the National Ballet of Cuba. She studied under Olga Ferri, Miguel Bonnin, Ileana Balmori and Raul Candal. Fabiana danced professionally with the Teatro Municipal de Asuncion, Teatro General San Martin, Ballet Arlington and Ballet Concerto. Fabiana has taught at the Margo Dean School of Ballet in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and Ballet Conservatory in Lewisville, TX where she also served as the assistant director of Lake Cities Ballet Theatre II. Her choreography for YAGP, “It’s a Good Day”, placed 2nd in the regionals and performed in the finals in New York. She also served as the Outreach Coordinator for the Desert Youth Ballet Foundation, taught for the Arizona School of Classical Ballet, Tempe Dance Academy, The Louisville Ballet and served as the ballet mistress for the Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble, Sacred Heart School for the Arts in Louisville, KY and Wynn Twins School of Dance in Kansas City, MO. She has been a sought-after guest teacher throughout the United States and South America.
![Natalie-Ramirez](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Natalie-Ramirez.jpg)
Natalie Ramirez
From: Riverside, California
Natalie began dancing at Inland Pacific Ballet Academy in Montclair, California, under the direction of Victoria Koenig and Jill Voznick.
In 2016, Natalie moved to Massachusetts to train as a pre-professional program student at the Boston Ballet School. She then joined the School of Ballet Arizona’s pre-professional program in 2018. In addition, Natalie furthered her training by attending the following summer intensives under scholarship: Pacific Northwest Ballet, School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of Ballet Arizona. In 2019, she was accepted into Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company. Natalie then joined the company in 2020.
![Natalie-Ramirez](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Natalie-Ramirez.jpg)
Natalie Ramirez
From: Riverside, California
Natalie began dancing at Inland Pacific Ballet Academy in Montclair, California, under the direction of Victoria Koenig and Jill Voznick.
In 2016, Natalie moved to Massachusetts to train as a pre-professional program student at the Boston Ballet School. She then joined the School of Ballet Arizona’s pre-professional program in 2018. In addition, Natalie furthered her training by attending the following summer intensives under scholarship: Pacific Northwest Ballet, School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of Ballet Arizona. In 2019, she was accepted into Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company. Natalie then joined the company in 2020.
![Natalie-Ramirez](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Natalie-Ramirez.jpg)
Natalie Ramirez
From: Riverside, California
Natalie began dancing at Inland Pacific Ballet Academy in Montclair, California, under the direction of Victoria Koenig and Jill Voznick.
In 2016, Natalie moved to Massachusetts to train as a pre-professional program student at the Boston Ballet School. She then joined the School of Ballet Arizona’s pre-professional program in 2018. In addition, Natalie furthered her training by attending the following summer intensives under scholarship: Pacific Northwest Ballet, School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of Ballet Arizona. In 2019, she was accepted into Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company. Natalie then joined the company in 2020.
![Michelle-Reissig](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Michelle-Reissig.jpg)
Michelle Reissig
Teaching Artist, Adaptive Dance for Down Syndrome & DanceAZ
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Michelle has experience dancing, choreographing, and working with students from a diverse range of ages and abilities. She has participated in Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Teacher Training and will be working regularly with Miss Kay throughout the year. This is Michelle’s first year teaching in the Adaptive Dance Program.
![Michelle-Reissig](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Michelle-Reissig.jpg)
Michelle Reissig
Teaching Artist, Adaptive Dance for Down Syndrome & DanceAZ
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Michelle has experience dancing, choreographing, and working with students from a diverse range of ages and abilities. She has participated in Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Teacher Training and will be working regularly with Miss Kay throughout the year. This is Michelle’s first year teaching in the Adaptive Dance Program.
![Michelle-Reissig](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Michelle-Reissig.jpg)
Michelle Reissig
Teaching Artist, Adaptive Dance for Down Syndrome & DanceAZ
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Michelle has experience dancing, choreographing, and working with students from a diverse range of ages and abilities. She has participated in Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Teacher Training and will be working regularly with Miss Kay throughout the year. This is Michelle’s first year teaching in the Adaptive Dance Program.
![yumi_la_rosa](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/yumi_la_rosa.jpg)
Yumi La Rosa
Yumi la Rosa studied in Spain with well-known Flamenco artists such as Rafaela Carrasco, Juana Amaya, Belen Maya, Leonor Leal, Isabel Bayón, “La Truco”, and others.
Upon returning to Phoenix, Ms. La Rosa joined Viva Flamenco directed by Lydia Torea as a company dancer and later became a soloist with Mosaico Flamenco at Hyatt Scottsdale Resort. Ms. La Rosa was also selected as a soloist with the prestigious touring group, Calo Flamenco, directed by Martin Gaxiola. She was later invited to Mexico, India and Singapore to teach Flamenco workshops and to perform. Currently, she is performing at Tapas Papa Frita Spanish restaurant in Scottsdale as a featured dancer.
Ms. La Rosa has been teaching flamenco for all ages throughout the valley to introduce the art of Flamenco. In 2009, she founded her own group, Yumi La Rosa Flamenco Dance and presented her very first dance production called Mujeres at Tempe Center for the Arts. The production has been growing each year featuring invited artists from other dance disciplines in addition to her own group. Yumi created Mujeres to give the public an appreciation of other cultures in general and of the richness of Spanish culture in particular.
This is Ms. La Rosa’s second year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![yumi_la_rosa](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/yumi_la_rosa.jpg)
Yumi La Rosa
Yumi la Rosa studied in Spain with well-known Flamenco artists such as Rafaela Carrasco, Juana Amaya, Belen Maya, Leonor Leal, Isabel Bayón, “La Truco”, and others.
Upon returning to Phoenix, Ms. La Rosa joined Viva Flamenco directed by Lydia Torea as a company dancer and later became a soloist with Mosaico Flamenco at Hyatt Scottsdale Resort. Ms. La Rosa was also selected as a soloist with the prestigious touring group, Calo Flamenco, directed by Martin Gaxiola. She was later invited to Mexico, India and Singapore to teach Flamenco workshops and to perform. Currently, she is performing at Tapas Papa Frita Spanish restaurant in Scottsdale as a featured dancer.
Ms. La Rosa has been teaching flamenco for all ages throughout the valley to introduce the art of Flamenco. In 2009, she founded her own group, Yumi La Rosa Flamenco Dance and presented her very first dance production called Mujeres at Tempe Center for the Arts. The production has been growing each year featuring invited artists from other dance disciplines in addition to her own group. Yumi created Mujeres to give the public an appreciation of other cultures in general and of the richness of Spanish culture in particular.
This is Ms. La Rosa’s second year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![yumi_la_rosa](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/yumi_la_rosa.jpg)
Yumi La Rosa
Yumi la Rosa studied in Spain with well-known Flamenco artists such as Rafaela Carrasco, Juana Amaya, Belen Maya, Leonor Leal, Isabel Bayón, “La Truco”, and others.
Upon returning to Phoenix, Ms. La Rosa joined Viva Flamenco directed by Lydia Torea as a company dancer and later became a soloist with Mosaico Flamenco at Hyatt Scottsdale Resort. Ms. La Rosa was also selected as a soloist with the prestigious touring group, Calo Flamenco, directed by Martin Gaxiola. She was later invited to Mexico, India and Singapore to teach Flamenco workshops and to perform. Currently, she is performing at Tapas Papa Frita Spanish restaurant in Scottsdale as a featured dancer.
Ms. La Rosa has been teaching flamenco for all ages throughout the valley to introduce the art of Flamenco. In 2009, she founded her own group, Yumi La Rosa Flamenco Dance and presented her very first dance production called Mujeres at Tempe Center for the Arts. The production has been growing each year featuring invited artists from other dance disciplines in addition to her own group. Yumi created Mujeres to give the public an appreciation of other cultures in general and of the richness of Spanish culture in particular.
This is Ms. La Rosa’s second year teaching at The School of Ballet Arizona.
![maria-simonetti headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/maria-simonetti.jpg)
Maria Simonetti
Rehearsal Director, School Director
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
A native of Buenos Aires, Ms. Simonetti trained as a dancer at Teatro Colon and danced with La Joven Guardia of Ballet Nacional de Cuba before becoming assistant to Laura Alonso and Regisseur (stage director) for Cuballet. She was on the faculties of the Magda Aunon School of Ballet, Pittsburgh’s Point Park College, and the Baltimore School for the Arts before becoming ballet mistress for the esteemed Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in 1995. As assistant to choreographer Daniel Ezralow she helped create the multi-media production Mandala for a South American tour; Torino Notte di Stelle, an arts special for Italian national television (RAI Uno); choreography for Pope John Paul II’s celebration of International Youth Day; and Aeros, an innovative showcase for the Romanian National Gymnastics Team. On her own, Ms. Simonetti staged Lady Lost Found, for the Bratislava Dance Theatre in Slovakia, and the pas de six from Bournonville’s Napoli for the National Ballet of Greece. She became rehearsal director for Ballet Arizona in 1997 but continues her active career as a visiting artist. She returns to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago every summer as a guest teacher and was engaged in 2006 in a similar role by Montreal’s Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.
![maria-simonetti headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/maria-simonetti.jpg)
Maria Simonetti
Rehearsal Director, School Director
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
A native of Buenos Aires, Ms. Simonetti trained as a dancer at Teatro Colon and danced with La Joven Guardia of Ballet Nacional de Cuba before becoming assistant to Laura Alonso and Regisseur (stage director) for Cuballet. She was on the faculties of the Magda Aunon School of Ballet, Pittsburgh’s Point Park College, and the Baltimore School for the Arts before becoming ballet mistress for the esteemed Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in 1995. As assistant to choreographer Daniel Ezralow she helped create the multi-media production Mandala for a South American tour; Torino Notte di Stelle, an arts special for Italian national television (RAI Uno); choreography for Pope John Paul II’s celebration of International Youth Day; and Aeros, an innovative showcase for the Romanian National Gymnastics Team. On her own, Ms. Simonetti staged Lady Lost Found, for the Bratislava Dance Theatre in Slovakia, and the pas de six from Bournonville’s Napoli for the National Ballet of Greece. She became rehearsal director for Ballet Arizona in 1997 but continues her active career as a visiting artist. She returns to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago every summer as a guest teacher and was engaged in 2006 in a similar role by Montreal’s Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.
![maria-simonetti headshot](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/maria-simonetti.jpg)
Maria Simonetti
Rehearsal Director, School Director
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
A native of Buenos Aires, Ms. Simonetti trained as a dancer at Teatro Colon and danced with La Joven Guardia of Ballet Nacional de Cuba before becoming assistant to Laura Alonso and Regisseur (stage director) for Cuballet. She was on the faculties of the Magda Aunon School of Ballet, Pittsburgh’s Point Park College, and the Baltimore School for the Arts before becoming ballet mistress for the esteemed Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in 1995. As assistant to choreographer Daniel Ezralow she helped create the multi-media production Mandala for a South American tour; Torino Notte di Stelle, an arts special for Italian national television (RAI Uno); choreography for Pope John Paul II’s celebration of International Youth Day; and Aeros, an innovative showcase for the Romanian National Gymnastics Team. On her own, Ms. Simonetti staged Lady Lost Found, for the Bratislava Dance Theatre in Slovakia, and the pas de six from Bournonville’s Napoli for the National Ballet of Greece. She became rehearsal director for Ballet Arizona in 1997 but continues her active career as a visiting artist. She returns to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago every summer as a guest teacher and was engaged in 2006 in a similar role by Montreal’s Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.
![kleiton_sisteos](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/kleiton_sistelos.jpg)
Kleiton Sistélos
Kleiton Sistélos was born in Recife, Brazil. He studied Classical Dance in the Royal Method and graduated in 2006. He studied the Technique Cubana from 2005 to 2007. Kleiton has trained in Brazil, the United States, and at the Teatro Carcano in Milan, Italy. He has studied Jazz and Modern, specializing in the Horton Technique in Brazil and at Alvin Ailey in NYC. He has danced in festivals throughout Brazil and Europe, including the Latin American Tour in Milan, the Dell’Art Festival in Genova, the Nice Festival in France, and the Festival of Valencia in Spain. He has performed in major productions on the stage and on television in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Mr. Sistélos has taught the Horton technique at The School of Ballet Arizona since 2015.
![kleiton_sisteos](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/kleiton_sistelos.jpg)
Kleiton Sistélos
Kleiton Sistélos was born in Recife, Brazil. He studied Classical Dance in the Royal Method and graduated in 2006. He studied the Technique Cubana from 2005 to 2007. Kleiton has trained in Brazil, the United States, and at the Teatro Carcano in Milan, Italy. He has studied Jazz and Modern, specializing in the Horton Technique in Brazil and at Alvin Ailey in NYC. He has danced in festivals throughout Brazil and Europe, including the Latin American Tour in Milan, the Dell’Art Festival in Genova, the Nice Festival in France, and the Festival of Valencia in Spain. He has performed in major productions on the stage and on television in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Mr. Sistélos has taught the Horton technique at The School of Ballet Arizona since 2015.
![kleiton_sisteos](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/kleiton_sistelos.jpg)
Kleiton Sistélos
Kleiton Sistélos was born in Recife, Brazil. He studied Classical Dance in the Royal Method and graduated in 2006. He studied the Technique Cubana from 2005 to 2007. Kleiton has trained in Brazil, the United States, and at the Teatro Carcano in Milan, Italy. He has studied Jazz and Modern, specializing in the Horton Technique in Brazil and at Alvin Ailey in NYC. He has danced in festivals throughout Brazil and Europe, including the Latin American Tour in Milan, the Dell’Art Festival in Genova, the Nice Festival in France, and the Festival of Valencia in Spain. He has performed in major productions on the stage and on television in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Mr. Sistélos has taught the Horton technique at The School of Ballet Arizona since 2015.
![](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/robyn_tennyson.jpg)
Robyn Tennyson
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Robyn began her dance training at the age of 9 under Mari Lou Carlson and later Mary Moe Adams, studying the Royal Academy of Dance curricula, for which she received exam honors for each year of study. She went on to major in dance for two years under a scholarship at Arizona State University, studying under Ann Ludwig, Beth Lessard, Daniel Nagrin, Mel Wong, Connie Stine, and Mme. Xenia Chlistowa, among many others. Robyn’s studies at ASU were interrupted by her acceptance as a company member with Ballet Arizona under the directorship of Jean-Paul Comelin. While with the company, Robyn performed in classical ballets such as Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Napoli Tarantella, and well as more contemporary works such as Robert North’s Entre dos Aguas, and Jean Paul Comelin’s Daughters of Mourning and Mozart’s Requiem.
In addition to her work with Ballet Arizona, Robyn had taught young dancers at Eastside Ballet Center, under the direction of Connie Stine. Robyn retired from dance in the early 1990s to pursue a bachelor’s degree in family studies and child development and later a Master’s degree in clinical social work. As a licensed psychotherapist, she has worked in the public and private mental healthcare fields, eventually owning and operating her own counseling practice. Robyn closed her practice in 2013 and has found her way back to dance, one of her deepest passions, and is excited to be teaching at the School of Ballet Arizona.
![](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/robyn_tennyson.jpg)
Robyn Tennyson
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Robyn began her dance training at the age of 9 under Mari Lou Carlson and later Mary Moe Adams, studying the Royal Academy of Dance curricula, for which she received exam honors for each year of study. She went on to major in dance for two years under a scholarship at Arizona State University, studying under Ann Ludwig, Beth Lessard, Daniel Nagrin, Mel Wong, Connie Stine, and Mme. Xenia Chlistowa, among many others. Robyn’s studies at ASU were interrupted by her acceptance as a company member with Ballet Arizona under the directorship of Jean-Paul Comelin. While with the company, Robyn performed in classical ballets such as Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Napoli Tarantella, and well as more contemporary works such as Robert North’s Entre dos Aguas, and Jean Paul Comelin’s Daughters of Mourning and Mozart’s Requiem.
In addition to her work with Ballet Arizona, Robyn had taught young dancers at Eastside Ballet Center, under the direction of Connie Stine. Robyn retired from dance in the early 1990s to pursue a bachelor’s degree in family studies and child development and later a Master’s degree in clinical social work. As a licensed psychotherapist, she has worked in the public and private mental healthcare fields, eventually owning and operating her own counseling practice. Robyn closed her practice in 2013 and has found her way back to dance, one of her deepest passions, and is excited to be teaching at the School of Ballet Arizona.
![](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/robyn_tennyson.jpg)
Robyn Tennyson
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Robyn began her dance training at the age of 9 under Mari Lou Carlson and later Mary Moe Adams, studying the Royal Academy of Dance curricula, for which she received exam honors for each year of study. She went on to major in dance for two years under a scholarship at Arizona State University, studying under Ann Ludwig, Beth Lessard, Daniel Nagrin, Mel Wong, Connie Stine, and Mme. Xenia Chlistowa, among many others. Robyn’s studies at ASU were interrupted by her acceptance as a company member with Ballet Arizona under the directorship of Jean-Paul Comelin. While with the company, Robyn performed in classical ballets such as Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Napoli Tarantella, and well as more contemporary works such as Robert North’s Entre dos Aguas, and Jean Paul Comelin’s Daughters of Mourning and Mozart’s Requiem.
In addition to her work with Ballet Arizona, Robyn had taught young dancers at Eastside Ballet Center, under the direction of Connie Stine. Robyn retired from dance in the early 1990s to pursue a bachelor’s degree in family studies and child development and later a Master’s degree in clinical social work. As a licensed psychotherapist, she has worked in the public and private mental healthcare fields, eventually owning and operating her own counseling practice. Robyn closed her practice in 2013 and has found her way back to dance, one of her deepest passions, and is excited to be teaching at the School of Ballet Arizona.
![Sasha-Vincett](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sasha-Vincett.jpg)
Sasha Vincett
From: Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
Sasha began her training at The Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale-Weary. She performed featured roles in The Nutcracker and George Balanchine’s Serenade. In 2003 Sasha received the bronze medal at the USA National Youth Ballet Competition, and was a finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix in 2003 and 2004. Sasha also trained with Magaly Suarez and attended the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre graduate program where she performed in Terrance Orr’s The Nutcracker, George Balanchine’s Who Cares?, and in Paquita and Etudes. Since joining Ballet Arizona, Sasha has appeared in Balanchine’s Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Allegro Brilliante, Divertimento No. 15, Apollo and The Four Temperaments. Sasha has been featured in Ib Andersen’s Romeo and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty, and she originated roles in Andersen’s Diversions and Cinderella.
![Sasha-Vincett](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sasha-Vincett.jpg)
Sasha Vincett
From: Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
Sasha began her training at The Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale-Weary. She performed featured roles in The Nutcracker and George Balanchine’s Serenade. In 2003 Sasha received the bronze medal at the USA National Youth Ballet Competition, and was a finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix in 2003 and 2004. Sasha also trained with Magaly Suarez and attended the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre graduate program where she performed in Terrance Orr’s The Nutcracker, George Balanchine’s Who Cares?, and in Paquita and Etudes. Since joining Ballet Arizona, Sasha has appeared in Balanchine’s Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Allegro Brilliante, Divertimento No. 15, Apollo and The Four Temperaments. Sasha has been featured in Ib Andersen’s Romeo and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty, and she originated roles in Andersen’s Diversions and Cinderella.
![Sasha-Vincett](https://balletaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sasha-Vincett.jpg)
Sasha Vincett
From: Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
Sasha began her training at The Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale-Weary. She performed featured roles in The Nutcracker and George Balanchine’s Serenade. In 2003 Sasha received the bronze medal at the USA National Youth Ballet Competition, and was a finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix in 2003 and 2004. Sasha also trained with Magaly Suarez and attended the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre graduate program where she performed in Terrance Orr’s The Nutcracker, George Balanchine’s Who Cares?, and in Paquita and Etudes. Since joining Ballet Arizona, Sasha has appeared in Balanchine’s Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Allegro Brilliante, Divertimento No. 15, Apollo and The Four Temperaments. Sasha has been featured in Ib Andersen’s Romeo and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty, and she originated roles in Andersen’s Diversions and Cinderella.