Home > KCB School > Faculty & Staff
Emily Simpson, School Director
 |
|
Emily Simpson is a native Kansas Citian. As a young child she enjoyed attending Kansas City Ballet Company performances and taking ballet classes in the school with her siblings and cousins. After being inspired by them she began dancing at Somerset Ballet with Jane Pierce and was accepted at the University of Missouri at Kansas City where she continued her studies with Mary Pat Henry and Paula Weber. Emily completed her B.A. in Dance at the University of Kansas under the direction of Jerel Hilding. Upon graduation she returned to teach for Somerset Ballet. Shortly following her return Emily assisted during the transitional period in which the Kansas City Ballet School absorbed the Somerset School, and was invited to teach under the direction of Karen Brown. Simultaneously she began full time work in School Administration at Blue Valley Montessori School in Overland Park, KS. In 2010 Emily became the School Administrator for the Kansas City Ballet School’s Johnson County Campus and enjoyed the experience of working closely with a wider range of students and their parents. She looks forward to continuing to be part of the organization and its incredible growth.
Hyuk-Ku Kwon, KCYB Ballet Master
Pam Pease, School Administrator
Leslie Kelly, School Administrator
Skyler Taylor, School Registrar
Taryn Todd, School Monitor
Ann Dubois, Administrative Assistant
Kansas City Ballet Guest Staff
William Whitener, Artistic Director
James Jordan, Ballet Master
Karen P. Brown, Ballet Mistress
Teachers:
• Leslie Kelly |
• Tamara Sanders |
Studio Specific Teachers:
• Amara Afuvai (Zumba©) |
• Nicole English (Belly Dance) |
• Amy Ryan (Nia) |
Accompanists:
• Brian Bates (Pianist) |
• Jennifer Edmondson (Pianist)
|
• William Puckett (Pianist) |
 |
|
Amara Afuvai is a San Francisco native, who has happily called the Kansas City area her home for the past 14 years. No stranger to the stage, Amara has performed professionally as a Polynesian dancer (her first love since the age of three), and has also appeared in many local community musical theatre productions. Now she brings to the “stage” a new passion – Zumba! Her certifications include Zumba Basics I & II, Zumba Gold, Zumbatomics, & Zumba Toning. Amara is thrilled & humbled at the opportunity to teach Zumba at The Kansas City Ballet School. So come & join the party!
Louis Bar
Louis began his career as an ice dancer for 15 years and was an alternate in the Olympics. He then took his skills to the ballroom as an instructor and exceptional performer with his wife and dance partner, Laura Cantu. Together they are 6-time French National Champions and 4th in the world in Argentine Tango. In 2010, Louis accomplished a long-time goal by becoming a World Champion in Rhythm with partner Tamara Sanders at the WDC World Championship held in the Bahamas. Since then he has received 2 additional World Champion titles including a 2011 Pro/Am Showdance World Championship title. Aside from owning a successful dance studio in Kansas City for 12 years, Louis feels so blessed to be able to do what he loves every day and with his wonderful family!
Josh Biles
Josh Biles is NSCA-CPT, CPR-AED certified, also fully insured. He has a vast knowledge of experience from working with clients and professionals. All of his clients have a 100% success rate! He’s also worked with and learned from professionals, including Mark Philippi, Six-Time WORLD'S STRONGEST MAN competitor. Josh personally specialize in adult/senior/child weight loss and wellness programs as well as a variety of neuro-muscular aliments, back pain elimination, spinal injuries, knee/shoulder injuries and lead the Shawnee boot camps on Tuesday and Ab Blaster on Thursday as well as the all the Lawrence Camps and Parkinson Exercise and Boxing Classes. "I love people and helping others overcome impossibilities!" Josh’s awards include professional Fitness Institute Most Motivated Award! P.F.I Boot Camp Graduate. Honor Roll at Pinnacle Career Institute. Front page of the Topeka Capital Journal in 2009 for innovated fitness designs in Parkinson’s disease.
 |
|
Sharon Bowman
Black Belt Certified Nia Instructor
Heartland Nia
Nia has been moving my life since I stepped into my first class as a student in early 2001. In August of that year, I received my White Belt certification and began my teaching journey with Nia. In July, 2009, I became Black Belt certified. I am passionate about sharing the many joys and benefits of Nia with my students and love bringing Nia to new groups. Within Nia’s limitless possibilities, I have found other passions: working with women in cancer recovery and with patients at the Midwest Center for Eating Disorders at Research Medical Center.
I currently teach eight classes a week in the greater Kansas City area. For the past three years, I have presented movement sessions at retreats produced by Spirit Path at Unity World Headquarters in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, as well as women’s retreats and even a family reunion! Bringing Nia to the Todd Bolender Center is another highlight of my Nia journey. My claim to fame as a native Kansas Citian may be my experience as a member of the very first cheerleading squad for the Kansas City Chiefs. My family life includes my husband, two sons and daughters-in-law, three grandchildren and Molly, the dog.
 |
|
Angie Braesch originally from Carrollton, MO, Angie Braesch completed her B.S. in Biology/Health Education from Northwest Missouri State University, where she was also a member of The Northwest Dance Company. In 2002, she began her career in the fitness industry and became certified to teach a wide variety of classes including Strength Endurance Training, Yoga, Aqua, & Boot Camp. As a Group Fitness Instructor, Angie has been recognized two-times as a Nike Rockstar Instructor, and most recently, as the recipient of 24 Hour Fitness's 2011 Annual ACHIEVE Award.
Certified in Zumba since 2007, Angie has been teaching classes regularly at 24 Hour Fitness, Notre Dame de Sion High School, and The College Basketball Experience. She has also been a guest instructor at several Zumba events such as Zumbathons, church fairs, and The National Day of Dance. Angie is very excited for the opportunity to teach at the Kansas City Ballet School.
 |
|
Christina Burton is a graduate of the University of Missouri in Kansas City with a BFA in Dance with an emphasis in Musical Theatre. Along with teaching, Christina continues to choreograph and perform professionally. She is member of Actors Equity Association. Some of her musical theatre credits include: Cinderella - Ensemble, 1776 – Hewes/Dickinson, Kiss Me Kate – Hattie, The Man of La Mancha – Aldonza, The Most Happy Fella- Ensemble, Pippin – Player, Footloose – Urleen/Dance Captain, Working – Ensemble, Grease – Cha Cha, Cats – Exotica, Jekyll and Hyde – Lady of the Night. Christina has been a Guest Artist for Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company and has performed in Carnegie Hall in NYC. She has done numerous industrial works with EPIC Entertainment Inc. and is the choreographer for Starlight Theatre’s Starlight STARS of Tomorrow. She has also worked with KCB’s ROAD program. Her choreography credits include: A Christmas Cabaret, Jekyll and Hyde, Blood Brothers, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Working, The Most Happy Fella, Grease, and Starlight Theatre’s Blue Star Awards. Christina is also a certified ZUMBA® fitness instructor and is currently a back up dancer for local hip hop artist Nate Evans.
Tess Butterfield
A native of Kansas City, Ms. Butterfield received a dance scholarship at the University of Missouri-Kansas city with the honors of receiving the UMKC Conservatory Chancellor’s Scholarship and graduated with a BFA in Dance. She has also received scholarships to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Gus Giordano and was accepted into the MidAmerica Dance Company. Ms. Butterfield has dance in ballets such as Swan Lake, Nutcracker and Carmina Burana. She has performed and competed nationally earning awards for her dancing and choreography. She has also appeared in the theatrical productions of Guys and Dolls and the Wizard of Oz. She has studied with Tatiana Dukoudovska, Mary Pat Henry, Paula Weber, Laura Reinschmidt, Gus Giordano and the late Leni Wylliams.
 |
|
Tamara Carson
A graduate with distinction from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dance Division & L’Academia del Arte-Barcelona, Spain, Tamara has been an Artist-in-Residence for the University of Kansas and the Leavenworth public school system, as well as a faculty member of the American Dance Center from 1980-96, Saint Mary University 1988-90, the Conservatory of Music UMKC 1994-2007 and began workshops at City In Motion since 1988. Because of her experience as an educator and working artist, she was appointed to the Missouri Arts Council from 1994 to 1999 and served on the Alumni Board of the Conservatory of Music at UMKC from 2004-2009.
Her performance resume includes work with the Frankfurt Opera of Germany, the Kansas City Lyric Opera, Salina Symphony and Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City & St Louis Guitar Societies and numerous festivals. She’s worked for over a decade throughout the area and region as a presenter of flamenco and the Spanish culture through the auspices of Young Audiences, Inc. of KC and later the Spanish Cultural Kaleidoscope. Her choreographic works include time spent with the Kansas City Lyric Opera and the Chamber Ballet of Williamsburg, Virginia, the Universities of Kansas and Missouri. Tamara is currently on the Missouri Arts Council Touring Artist Roster and performs as a guest artist with Viva Flamenco! This is her fourth year teaching flamenco at both campuses of the Kansas City Ballet School.
 |
|
Kimberly Cowen
Ms. Cowen, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, received most of her ballet training from Nathalie LeVine. She has also studied at St.Louis Ballet under Ludmila Dokoudovsky and Antoni Zalewski, at Pacific Northwest Ballet with Fleming Halby and Nina Danilova and at The Joffrey Ballet with Francesca Corkle and Winthrop Corey. She studied at the Kansas City Ballet School with Una Kai and Lisa Dillinger before joining the company in 1991, where she still dances today. Ms. Cowen has danced as Swanilda in Coppélia, Odette in Swan Lake, Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, the title role in Giselle, Carmen and Romeo & Juliet. She has had the pleasure of dancing a wide variety of styles by famous choreographers such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Anthony Tudor, Todd Bolender, David Parsons, Paul Taylor, Merce Cunningham, Twyla Tharp, Vincente Nebrada, Nacho Duato, Margo Sappington, Trey McIntyre, Jessica Lang, Val Caniparoli, Mary Wigman and William Whitener. Ms. Cowen began teaching at the Somerset Ballet in 1998 and joined the KCB staff in 2002.
Kelly Dacey-Miles
Miss Kelly is a native of Florida. She received her BFA degree in dance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Kelly currently owns and operates, Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds, LC, a dance program offered to pre-school aged students in the Kansas City area. Kelly has performed as a member of The Brockus Project Dance Company, in Los Angeles as well as a member of City in Motion, in Kansas City. Kelly has studied at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City, and apprenticed with The Williams Henry Danse Theatre, Kansas City. Kelly worked with choreographer Mia Michaels, of “So You Think You Can Dance”, on the dance piece “Life”. Kelly’s other credits include performing in “The Spectrum Light Parade” at Disney World. Kelly also loves teaching at the Kansas City Ballet School.
Noelle Dowma
Noelle originally received her dance training in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, and danced with the Oklahoma Festival Ballet. Knowing she had an innate interest in dance medicine, Noelle received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami School of Medicine. Pilates has been a part of life since Noelle experienced a dance injury in 1992. This interest has blossomed into being Nationally Pilates CertifiedTM and today Noelle works as a Polestar Pilates principal educator, teaching courses in Kansas City and across the country. Her dance medicine experience spans from Broadway shows to being on the Miami City Ballet therapy staff before moving to Kansas City in 2006.
 |
|
Bridgid Driscoll began her Irish Dance training at age six in upstate New York. She continued her training in Kansas City with Christine O'Riada. She enjoys both the competitive and performance aspects of Irish Dance and has had the opportunity to perform with artists such as The Chieftains, Eileen Ivers, and local favorites, The Elders. She advanced to Open Championship level in competition status and competed throughout North America. She was awarded her TCRG certification in 2009 by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, Dublin, Ireland. She currently is the director of the Driscoll School of Irish Dance and Rincé Revolution, a contemporary Irish dance performance company.
 |
|
Sean Duus
Sean Duus, a native of Mesquite Texas, began teaching in the Kansas City Ballet School in 1987. Sean received his early dance training from George Skibine, Marjorie Tallchief and Kevin Brown, and received scholarship offers from The School of American Ballet, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Sean was a principal dancer in the Kansas City Ballet from 1986- 2001.He danced the principal male role in numerous ballets including: The Nutcracker, Coppelia, A Midsummer's Night Dream, Apollo, Con Amore, Combat, Sleeping Beauty, Serenade, The Still Point, An American in Paris and Firebird. He had the great opportunity to work with many great choreographers such as Todd Bolender, Alvin Ailey, Margo Sappington and Ann Reinking. Sean was certified as a teacher in Jacques D'Amboise's National Dance Institute teacher training program in Santa Fe in 2000, and teaches the Kansas City Ballet's "Reach Out and Dance" program which brings dance education to public schools in the Kansas City Area. He is a frequent teacher of master classes and Ballet workshops throughout the United States.
Nicole English
A second generation dancer, teacher, and performer, Nicole English grew up immersed in the dance world. She has been performing since age 5, choreographing since age 12, teaching since age 15, dancing professionally since age 16, and writing dance reviews since her early teens. At age 17, one of her early choreographic projects, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", a 17-minute Rock Ballet, placed first in a regional academic competition for dance.
A classically-trained ethnic dancer, her early dance training began with her mother, Gloria English, (also a professional dancer and teacher, and a former member of the Kansas City Civic Ballet). Later formal training included ballet with Ms. Tatiana Dokoudovska and Ms. Shirley Weaver, modern dance with Cliff Kirwen and Paul Chambers, and character dance with Tom Keeler, (all at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance). As a teen, she was also a member of Irmgard Altvater's Baroque Modern Dance Company. She has also studied a variety of ethnic dance forms, including Hindu, Polynesian, Afro-Caribbean, Mexican Folkloric, Flamenco, Gypsy, Balkan, and Middle-Eastern dance.
As a Middle-Eastern dancer, she did additional study with Ibrahim Farrar of NYC and has taught a number of seminars across the USA, featured with other well-known teachers, such as Electra of Chicago, Morocco of NYC, Ozel Turkbas of Turkey and NYC, Serena Wilson of NYC, Jamila Omar of NYC, Aida Ali of San Francisco (protege of Jamila Salimpour).
As a professional dancer, she performed with other well-known artists in the field, including the late Bert Baladine (San Francisco), the late Eddie Kochak (NYC), and Raja Zahr (Los Angeles). Locally, she performed in most of the Middle-Eastern venues in the area, and with many local musical groups, such as the Don Lipovac and Tony DiPardo orchestras.
As co-founder of the Nikoria Dance Academy, she partnered with her mother to create the first publically-offered series of Middle-Eastern dance classes in the Kansas City area, and created the first structured curriculum and teacher-training core for the dance in the area. Together, they taught at a variety of local studios, prominent at the time, including Westport Ballet (for Elizabeth Hard), Flamingo Studios, Ranchmart Dance School, and TC International Dance Studios.
Nicole English has been writing and doing research on dance for various academic publications in the Kansas City area for the last 20 years, including for the Kansas City Star, and has published some of her personal stories in a book about ethnic dancers. Often featured in radio and television interviews early in her career, she started a local, public access cable TV show teaching Middle-Eastern dance in the 1980s. Although short-lived, it was one of the first projects of its kind at the time, attempting to teach the general public and highlight various practitioners of the craft in the dance community.
Specializing in ethnic, folkloric, social, and Modern dance forms, she has performed and taught from coast to coast, (NYC to San Francisco), in live performance, workshops, radio, television, and film/video.
In 2010, she founded the KC Dance Coalition and Raqsi Awards, to create an association of various folkloric dancers in the area, for recognition, professionalism, community, education, and research.
Currently, she teaches as adjunct faculty for the Dance Division of the University of Missouri--Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance (for Dance Technology and World Dance), and in the Social Sciences for South University, Avila University, and Park University. She is also finishing a PhD researching dance, culture, and community, using dance as embodied, sociological data.
Co-founder of the Nikoria Dancers, she continues to perform in a variety of venues (festivals, weddings, concerts, conventions, restaurants, museums, etc.) and teaches dance with several studios in the KC area (City in Motion, Amore Dance, and others), and works with local non-profit organizations doing research and promoting dance and the arts for children, in education, and for the community at large.
 |
|
Kim Gatchell
Kim trained as a company dancer with Somerset Ballet under the direction of Jane Pierce through high school, and under the direction of Dianne Maroney at Louisiana Tech University in musical theater while earning her degree in Early Childhood Education. She has choreographed for Shawnee Mission’s Theatre in the Park, local children’s productions of “Oliver!” and “Cinderella”, and Funky Mama’s “Moo Juice: The Musical”. In addition to KCBS, Kim enjoys working as a Pilates instructor, personal trainer, and performing liturgical dance.
 |
|
Patricia Gray is a 500 RYT and has taught yoga for 20 years. She began yoga in her teens studying with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. She co-directed one of Kansas City’s first yoga studios, The Yoga Center, and in 1999 co-founded the Yoga Gallery. She spent six weeks in India with Rotary International allowing her a chance to study the roots of yoga. Patricia is certified to teach the Bikram Yoga system, she studied Ashtanga extensively and flowing, Vinyasa styles. Working for a chiropractor for 6 years afforded her skills to assist specific physical limitations and injuries. Her classes are a blend of styles (flow/vinyasa) emphasizing patient breathing. This allows for an accessible, meditative practice designed to heal. Patricia’s love of yoga, breathing, and meditation stems from experiencing and witnessing what a dedicated practice can create; full spectrum health benefits, inside out. (For information on her Meditation and breathing workshops, visit Beingontosomething.org)
 |
|
Nadia Iozzo, originally from Toronto, Ontario, received the RAD Solo Seal Award before moving on to spend four years at Alberta Ballet. Now in her fifth season with Kansas City Ballet, Ms. Iozzo has performed leading roles in George Balanchine's Who Cares?, Trey McIntyre’s The Naughty Boy, and Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird; along with soloist roles in Balanchine's Divertimento #15, Paul Taylor's Company B, and Arabian in The Nutcracker. She can also be found on Bravo TV in the Joni Mitchell/Jean Grand Maître production The Fiddle and the Drum and in the CBC TV special The Secret of the Nutcracker. In 2008, she hosted the first Creating Dance for a Cure fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
 |
|
Lorna Jarrett LPTA, NSCA specializes in Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation programming for orthopedic clients. As a Polestar Pilates Practitioner, Lorna is passionate about teaching the beneficial principles of Pilates and is committed to its benefit for restoring the total body to its optimal functioning capacity through Pilates neuromuscular re-education.
Lorna shares Polestar’s Vision in impacting the world through intelligent movement. Lorna received her Polestar Pilates for Rehabilitation (Mat and Equipment) Training and apprenticeship from Educator and Doctor of Physical Therapy Noelle Dowma, (Miami and Kansas City Ballet), Polestar Education Mentor/Pilates Performance & Rehab Owner Desima Dawdy, Polestar Educator/New Day Celene Dion Productions Tracey Weibel-Barrows, Doctor of Physical Therapy Tamara Depew-Neff, and has also apprenticed under Pilates Performance & Rehab Lawrence Studio Director Sara Felt, Centerworks Comprehensively Certified Instructor. Lorna is a certified personal trainer through the National Strengthening and Conditioning Association and holds an additional certification in Pilates Mat through Personal Best Pilates in Overland Park.
Lorna is licensed in physical therapy as a PTA by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Friends University, in Wichita, KS and her PTA certification from Kansas City, Kansas Community College and also is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, and the Pilates Method Alliance. She has experience with developing and/or leading many grant funded Wellness and Fitness programs in Kansas and MO including Senior Fitness, funded through the Neighborhood Community and Services Department, “Go Girl Go; Mentorship Program for girls aged 5-12 funded through the Women’s Sports Foundation and “Fitness at Work” Programs” funded through the Kansas Parks and Recreations. Lorna can be reached at jarrett.lorna@gmail.com.
Carmen Johnson
Licensed Zumba Instructor
Currently a resident of Independence MO, originally from Marshall MO. Carmen holds a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and works full time as a Social Service Worker II at Jackson County Children's Division. Being involved in cheerleading, gymnastic, fitness and dance has been a major part of her life. In addition to being a Zumba Instructor in various places in the KCMO area, Carmen is also a member of the Greater Glory Dance Ministry, at Canaan Worship Center and participates in Zumbathons throughout Missouri. "I am excited about this new opportunity with the KCB organization and look forward to meeting and bringing the Zumba experience this diverse group of people". "The body says things through movement that words cannot begin define"
Greg Justice, MA
“Training veteran Greg Justice didn’t just get in on the leading edge of an emerging industry 20-some years ago, he helped create it. Opening the first personal training studio in Kansas City, Justice has, over the years, laid the groundwork for countless others to follow.
Being a trailblazer, however, takes a willingness to plow into the thicket of uncertainty. It means forging ahead with nothing but faith. As one of the true leaders of the personal training industry, Justice now has the benefit of hindsight and the insight of experience, both of which he eagerly offers up to the hundreds of trainers he has mentored.”
- Shelby Murphy, Editor, Personal Fitness Professional magazine
Greg Justice, MA opened AYC Health & Fitness, Kansas City’s Original Personal Training Center, in May 1986. He has personally trained more than 40,000 one-on-one sessions. Today, AYC specializes in corporate wellness and personal training.
Greg holds a master’s degree in HPER (exercise science) (1986) from Morehead State University, Morehead, KY and a bachelor’s degree in Health & Physical Education (1983) from Morehead State University, Morehead, KY. Greg is also an AFAA certified personal trainer (CPT).
He has worked with athletes and non-athletes of all ages and physical abilities and served as a conditioning coach at the collegiate level. He also worked with the Kansas City Chiefs, during the offseason, in the early 1980’s. He has been actively involved in the fitness industry for more than a quarter of a century as a club manager, owner, personal fitness trainer, and corporate wellness supervisor where he worked with more than 60 corporations. Greg writes articles for many international publications and websites including Exercise & Health, IDEA Fitness Journal, American Fitness Magazine, Protraineronline.com, Fitcommerce.com, Personal Trainer University, and has a monthly column called “Treadmill Talks” in Personal Fitness Professional (PFP) magazine. He has authored a book titled “Lies & Myths about Corporate Wellness” and has been a contributing author for two other books. He currently serves at the President of the Association of Professional Personal Trainers (APPT).
Greg was an adjunct professor of exercise science at Avila University and currently serves on the faculty of Personal Trainer University. He mentors and instructs trainers interested in Corporate Wellness through his Corporate Boot Camp System class. He developed this course because of the need of CEOs and HR Professionals for achieving a means of positive, effective, and lasting change toward more healthy and productive employees. His system is tested and proven and combines the three major areas that business needs to address if they are to see a return on their employee benefits investment
 |
|
Leslie Kelly
Leslie Kelly studied ballet at the Somerset Ballet Centre in Prairie Village until graduating from high school. She continued her training in Topeka, KS at the June Landrith School of Ballet while completing her Bachelor's degree at Washburn University. She has attended the Joffrey Midwest Workshop summer program as well as dance workshops taught by David Howard and Rebecca Wright. She has danced with the Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka, Evansville Dance Theatre and Louisville Ballet. Leslie has been teaching ballet in Kansas City since 2000 and Prairie Village Campus Manager since 2004. Previously she was on the staff at Evansville Dance Theatre teaching Pre-Ballet through Advanced ballet students.
Flo Klenklen
Flo Klenklen began her association with the Kansas City Ballet as a dancer under the direction of Tatiana Dokoudovska while earning a B.F.A. in dance and pedagogy at the Conservatory of Music, UMKC. In 1981 when Todd Bolender took over as artistic director and opened a school, Flo gladly hung up her pointe shoes when asked to teach and work as administrator for the school. Fueled by the great artists who helped Mr. Bolender organize the school: Diana Adams, Una Kai, Jonathan Watts, along with many guest teachers, Flo enjoyed teaching a full schedule, assisted in Nutcracker rehearsals,
in Kansas City and St Louis, and organized summer courses in both cities. In 2000 Flo retired from the school and for the next five years organized a summer course in Crested Butte Colorado in conjunction with the company performing at the Crested Butte Music Festival under the direction of William Whitener.
 |
|
Hyuk-Ku Kwon studied ballet at Sejong University in Korea. He took a Silver Medal in 1991, and a Gold Medal in 1993 in the Korean Dance Association Competition, and a Gold Medal in the First Kirov-Universal Ballet Competition. He joined Universal Ballet in 1992, was promoted to soloist in 1994 and to principal in 1996 dancing principal roles. In 2001, he participated as a guest in the World Stars at Opera International Ballet Gala in Budapest. Hyuk-Ku danced principal roles with Ballet Arizona before joining Eugene Ballet. With the company, he has danced many principal roles including Prince Desiré in The Sleeping Beauty, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Oberon in Toni Pimble’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the title role in Bruce Steivel’s Peter Pan and the Golden Slave in Dennis Spaight’s Scheherazade. He performed at the company’s Alaska Dance Theatre residency and White Bird’s 4X4 Project. In 2009 Hyuk-Ku took on the role of ballet master, teaching and coaching younger dancers in the classics with Eugene Ballet.
 |
|
Susan Lewis
Susan Lewis began her ballet training in Massachusetts under the direction of Jaqueline Cronsberg of The Ballet Workshop. She spent four summers studying at the School Of American Ballet before attending full time at age sixteen. Susan was hired by Todd Bolender to join the Kansas City Ballet in 1985 where she spent her entire career dancing various roles as a principal with the company. Susan began teaching for the Kansas City Ballet School in 1991, and continued teaching upon retirement with the company in 1996.
 |
|
Caitlin (Cooney) Mack, a native of Seattle, trained at Pacific Northwest Ballet School for 11 years on full scholarship. She performed with the company in a variety of ballets includingThe Nutcracker, Cinderella and Don Quixote. Ms. Mack spent summers at the School of American Ballet and the Rock School of Pennsylvania. Since joining Kansas City Ballet, some of Ms. Mack's most memorable performances have been in Lambarena, Nine Sinatra Songs, As Time Goes By, The Moor's Pavane, Company B, Brahms Paganini, The Catherine Wheel Suite, Who Cares?,and the Cowgirl in Rodeo. Ms. Mack has also been a guest artist and guest teacher with Ballet Bellevue. In In 2007, she founded a Youth Theatre Camp in Seattle, Washington, where she enjoys creating performing opportunities, and educating youth on the importance of the arts. This will be Ms. Mack's tenth season with Kansas City Ballet, and 8th year teaching at Kansas City Ballet. She has found great joy performing as a professional ballet dancer, and loves teaching dancers of all ages at Kansas City Ballet.
 |
|
Billie Mahoney, native of Kansas City, spent nearly forty years in New York City, where she had a successful performing career on the variety stage and in film and television. Performing high lights: theater tour and night clubs as featured act with Lionel Hampton and his band including New York’s Apollo Theater; personal appearance tours of colleges and theaters with Bob Hope; musical theater with Bob Fosse; featured as champion baton twirler center ring with Ringling Bros, Barnum and Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden for four years; USO in Korea and Japan. Major television shows include the Tonight Show, Ed Sullivan Show, Jackie Gleason, Arthur Godfrey and Friends, Caesar’s Hour, more. She danced with Gregory Hines at the Folly Theater, 2001, where he called her a “Legend in tap dance”. Featured in the Palm Springs Follies, California, 2002-03.
After being assistant to Jazz dance legend, Luigi, she conducted her own school of Modern Jazz and tap dance in NYC Broadway studios for more than twenty-five years. Other teaching highlights during that time include the dance faculty of The Juilliard School for fifteen years. where she assisted modern dance choreographer José Limon, and after his death, was rehearsal director for the Limon Dance Company, accompanying them on the 1973 State Department tour of the Soviet Union. Teaching at Universities world wide include: Stanford University, Hebrew University, Universities of Wisconsin, of Texas, of New York, New Mexico, more. Assistant professor: Queens College, CUNY (1973-76); associate professor and Coordinator of Dance, Northern Illinois University (1989-92). Currently adjunct professor: UMKC Conservatory of Music & Dance, and on faculty at City In Motion.
As professional Labanotation specialist, she has notated works of George Balanchine, Agnes De Mille, José Greco, the Jazz/Tap Ensemble, and for the American Dance Machine works of Bob Fosse and Jack Cole.
Earned Master’s Degree in Media Studies, The New School, NYC, 1982. Produced and hosted cable access television show, DANCE ON: with Billie Mahoney, in New York City for fifteen years, and around the world interviewing more than 250 guests. These are housed in the Jerome Robbins Archive of The Dance Collection of the New York City Public Library at Lincoln Center, and in many university libraries throughout the US.
The series is now continuing, being produced on the premises of the Kansas City Ballet with dance personalities in the Kansas City area, which will be aired on the UMKC and JCCC cable channels in the fall of 2011. In December 2009, the NYC organization “Dancers Over Forty” awarded her the Legacy Award for her contribution to the world of dance. Other awards: Dancing Ambassador of Friendship in Boston; UMKC Alumni Achievement Award (1973); and on the university's 50th anniversary in 1983, the UMKC Women's Council designated her as one of five outstanding women graduates; designated “An Elder Statesman of Jazz” by the KC jazz community; “Wonderful Older Woman” (WOW) award by the Older Women's League of Kansas City; and in 1997-98, she was often seen on KMBC-TV Channel 9, in a 30 second spot recognizing "Billie Mahoney as one of Kansas City's Amazing People".
Stephanie McKinney-Eppler
Stephanie received her early dance training at Somerset Ballet Centre in Prairie Village, Kansas under the direction of Jane Pierce. Her studies continued at Milwaukee Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, and as a scholarship recipient at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Science in Arts Administration with a concentration in Dance Performance on scholarship at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. While attending Butler, Stephanie danced with the Butler Ballet Company, Ballet Internationale, the Indianapolis Opera, and Dance New Amsterdam (formally Dance Space Center) in New York City. Upon the completion of her undergraduate degree, Stephanie returned to Kansas City to work and teach with Kansas City Ballet during the original acquisition of Somerset Ballet, now the Johnson County Campus. Stephanie continued teaching dance throughout Oklahoma and Tennessee before completing her Masters in Business Administration at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is thrilled to be back home in Kansas City and once again teaching at the Kansas City Ballet School.
 |
|
Samantha Nardella MSN is a Nurse Practitioner who has lived in the Kansas City area for nearly a decade. As a Certified Nurse Midwife, Samantha dedicated her focus to women's health, maternal role attainment and the art of living a balanced life. Currently, Samantha works with patients suffering from chronic pain and also see's patients in a medically supervised weight loss clinic. This has inspired Samantha to create asana (yoga postures) sequences that target a wide range of healthcare needs. She obtained her first yoga teacher certificate in 2009 by completing Deepak Chopra's 200 hour RYT program in addition to becoming an Ayurvedic Consultant and Primordial Sound Meditation instructor through The Chopra Center for Wellbeing. Having practiced Ashtanga style yoga since 2005, she later completed Ashtanga teacher training and began blending the two styles together for a unique yoga experience. In addition to practicing and teaching yoga, Samantha enjoys spending time with her 3 children, traveling and advancing her knowledge of complementary healing techniques.
 |
|
Marcus Oatis, a native of Kansas City, began his training with the summer program Ailey Camp and subsequently began studying at the Center Dance and Kansas City Ballet. Additionally, Mr. Oatis performed with Ailey Camp The Group and Paseo Academy of the Fine and Performing Arts. While completing his B.M. in music performance, he began working with Omaha Dance Project under the direction of Sara Mau and Jonathan Fagan. With Kansas City Ballet, Mr. Oatis has been featured in Jessica Lang's Splendid Isolation III and Jose Limon's The Moor's Pavane. This is his fourth season with Kansas City Ballet.
Jennifer Owen
Jennifer Owen's ballet career has taken her around the globe. After training with Pacific Northwest Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School, School of American Ballet, and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, she went on to dance with the Russian State Ballet, Moscow Renaissance Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, BalletMet, and had the unique experience of appearing as a guest artist with the National Ballet of Turkmenistan. Notable roles Owen has danced include the title role in Giselle, Kitri in Don Quixote, principal roles in George Balanchine's Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux and Donizetti Variations, and the central pas de deux in Todd Bolender's Arena. Owen is artistic director, dancer, and choreographer for the Owen/Cox Dance Group. She has choreographed over twenty-five new works for the Owen/Cox Dance Group, as well as nine works for Kansas City Ballet's "In the Wings"choreographic workshop, and a winning entry for the 2006 Columbus Choreography Project. Owen is the recipient of a 2000 Princess Grace Honorarium.
 |
|
Pamela Pease started her career as stewardess for Eastern Airlines working with the public and handling situations out of the ordinary for 21 years. When Eastern Airlines went out of business, she worked as the office manager for a Tea Importer for 10 years. During this time, her daughter was taking ballet and becoming more involved and infatuated with the art form. She auditioned and was accepted into Baltimore, Maryland’s High School for the Performing Arts in the highest level. After two years, they moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania where she began to take classes at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Pamela joined Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet as a school registrar and administrator shortly after. After working with CPYB for seven years, she joined Kansas City Ballet School as school administrator in December of 2007. Pamela enjoys working with students and parents. She understands every step of the journey from young student in creative movement to a young woman in the professional dance world.
Mary Pinizzotto holds numerous professional competitive ballroom titles including Ohio Star Ball Rising Star Smooth and 9 dance Champion. She has been teaching ballroom and performance for over 20 years. Somatic movement practices, yoga, and a life coaching inform her teaching. Mary is the creator of the Freebox Everyday Dance Project - where she produced a dance video everyday for 365 days to get people to Sit Less and Dance More.
 |
|
Tina Ray has fond memories of her first ballet class at the age of 3 with Gardner Schneider-Cole in Slidell, LA. As a young student she danced with the Picayune Ballet Company and performed throughout Mississippi and Louisiana, including the1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans. She studied dance at the University of Southern Mississippi before opening her own school of dance where she directed the Picayune Youth Ballet Company for 10 years. She received her teacher’s training from the International Ballet School in Jackson, MS and enjoyed spending several summers studying ballet in New York with various teachers. She danced with the New Orleans Ballet, under the direction of Allison Gonzales from 1994 to 1999. Tina enjoyed dancing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Alice in Wonderland, Billy the Kid, and Sleeping Beauty as The Lilac Fairy. Tina’s students were often featured in the New Orleans Ballet’s performances. While with the New Orleans Ballet, she enjoyed teaching and performing with the outreach program for the Orleans Parish Public Schools which brought dance education and appreciation to elementary school students who would not otherwise have the opportunity. Tina loves sharing her lifelong passion of ballet with her students. She is thrilled and honored to be teaching for The Kansas City Ballet School.
 |
|
Amy Ryan
It was in 2006, during my quest for an exercise regime that I would stick to for more than a month, when I took my first Nia class. I had never heard of Nia, nor even seen anyone demonstrate it, but the flier on the bulletin intrigued me with such words as, “total body workout, fun, energize, stress reducer, come home to your body, and move the way your body’s intended to move”. I thought, “Wow, I’ve got to try this!” By the end of the joyful, exhilarating, and most energizing first class, I was completely taken. After a few short weeks, I felt a difference in my daily life. I felt more grounded and felt so alive with a new zest for life! And here I am, five years later, still loving every minute of it!
I achieved my Nia White Belt training in August 2009, and I currently teach twice a week at a Prairie Life Fitness Center in Olathe. I love sharing with my students the fun and creatively energizing yet meditative, rooted and mood-enhancing kind of movements that Nia can give. I’ve come to believe that fitness is very personal, and I encourage my students to concentrate on increasing their own self-awareness in class, so they too may receive the most joy by the movement.
Being a busy Mommy of two young boys, I know how precious and needed this “me” time is for ourselves. We give ourselves 99% of the day and now Nia offers the balance needed to offset this hectic roller-coaster called “life”. Come experience this special treat of Nia!
 |
|
Suzanne Ryan Strati
M. Suzanne Ryan Strati studied under Todd Bolender, Flo Klenklen, and Una Kai at the Kansas City Ballet. At the age of 19 she had her first professional dance job under Neil Hess in Texas. At 21 she studied contemporary dance (Limon and Evans) and toured with the Bill Evans Dance Company. Suzanne studied with Armando Duarte, George de la Pena, Alan Sener, David Dorfman, Tyrone Aiken, and Bella Lewitsky. Suzanne holds a Master’s of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography from the University of Iowa, where she taught modern dance for 3 years. Her choreography has been performed in eight states and internationally.
 |
|
Tamara Sanders
Former Principal Instructor, Tamara Sanders, has been part of the Kansas City Ballet for over thirty years, first as a student and performer and later as an instructor, all of which was under the direction of Mr. Todd Bolender. Ms. Sanders carries with her the voices of many ballet legends such as Diana Adams, Violette Verdy, Jacques D’Amboise, Judith Jamison and Una Kai, and brings the wisdom gained from these great teachers to her students today.
Favorite ballets in which Ms. Sanders performed are Les Sylphides, Firebird, Coppelia, and Serenade. Hand-picked by Mr. Ailey, Ms. Sanders attended the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York, with a full scholarship and had the memorable experience of performing in their workshop.
A graduate of Loyola University of Chicago, Ms. Sanders was a pre-med student and earned Degrees in both Foreign Language and Business Administration. She began teaching in the school in 1989 and upon graduation from college was asked to return to teach full-time in the Fall of 1993. She has taught every level in the school and assisted with numerous School Performances as well as teaching second act student portions of The Nutcracker for over twelve years. In 2009, she began studying Ballroom Dance and joined forces with Ballroom Expert, Louis Bar and competed and won a World Pro-Am Ballroom Dance Championship in March 2010.
The most rewarding aspect of her teaching career is the personal connection with her students and being witness to their development each year.
 |
|
Erin Sexton
Erin Sexton fell in love with dance at age 3, realizing she could make her Mom laugh to the point of tears just by shaking her hips. Sidetracked when her studio closed at age 11, Erin fell in love with dance once again as a Theatre Major in College. She began studying with Natalie Rast and at Joel Hall in Chicago while performing with the Piven Theatre Workshop and at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Since then, Erin has taught dance and yoga and led dance theatre workshops for students of all ages. Erin feels blessed to be teaching at KCBS.
Emily Simpson
Emily Simpson is a native Kansas Citian and a product of the University of Kansas Fine Arts Department, with a major in Dance. While studying at KU she performed with the University Dance Company and choreographed student works. She has taught and choreographed for KCBS, Camellot Academy Performing Arts Camp and the former Somerset Ballet under Jane Pierce. She designed and implemented a dance education program at Blue Valley Montessori and is happy to be returning to teach at KCBS this fall.
Lisa Sirridge
Lisa is a former ballet and modern dancer who performed professionally with local dance
companies starting with the Kansas City Civic Ballet (now known as the Kansas City
Ballet). During this time she received her dance education through UMKC’s
Conservatory of Dance under the leadership of Tatianna Dokoudovska, the founder of
the Kansas City Civic Ballet. In later years, her dance experience continued with
Westport Ballet and City in Motion. She has also performed with the Lyric Opera,Missouri Repertory Theater, as well as in Starlight Theater productions. After many
years of performing, she turned her passion for dance towards choreography and
staging of various local productions, most recently The American Girl Fashion Show. Lisa
is a Stott’s Pilates instructor, trained in Mat, Reformer, and Cadillac.
Andrew Stimson
Andrew Stimson graduated Northwestern College (Orange City, IA) with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. This past year, Mr. Stimson and his wife in the country of Macedonia as sports missionaries. He was the strength and conditioning coach and a player on a professional basketball team. He was also a nutrition/wellness consultant for the team. Before that Mr. Stimson was a personal trainer at a club. As a professional, he has three years of experience as a fitness trainer. Prior to that, he committed seven years to his personal weight training through sports. Mr. Stimson played basketball for four years at the collegiate level and played professionally for a total of two seasons in Israel and Macedonia. He has experience training in fitness clubs as well as in-home settings. His training has included: boot camps, Olympic style training, kettle bell training and sport specific training. Mr. Stimson trains people of all ages and abilities.
One of the biggest encouragements for Mr. Stimson in this profession is that his training goes beyond the physical. He is about life transformation in the spiritual and emotional as well. As a follower of Jesus, Mr. Stimson strives to treat those he trains as He would. He will listen, encourage and challenge along the way.
 |
|
Skyler Taylor
Skyler is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, where she earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance. Skyler received her early dance training from her mother and instructor, Marica Kolich-Taylor; Joffrey principal dancers, Robert and Miyoko Thomas; The American Dance Center; and Kansas City Ballet School. As a Student Apprentice with Kansas City Ballet she performed in Todd Bolender’s The Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardee, and Voyager. Skyler has toured in The Nutcracker with the Albany Berkshire Ballet Company in Albany, NY and performed with the Wylliams Henry Contemporary Dance Theater in Kansas City, MO. Her most memorable roles have been in Paula Weber’s White, Garry Abbot’s Desire, and Salvador Aiello’s Afternoon of a Faun. Skyler has been on full scholarship at The Ailey School in New York, Kansas City Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School in New York, and the RDA Craft of Choreography Conference in Carlisle, PA. In 2010-11, Skyler danced as an Apprentice with the Sarasota Ballet Company in Sarasota, Fl. She also was the assistant to the Education Director and an instructor with the Sarasota Ballet School. With over 10 years of experience, Skyler has taught at numerous schools including: Paseo High School for the Performing Arts, The American Dance Center, and the Dance Studio of Iowa. Skyler truly enjoys teaching all ages and dance styles and is dedicated to education in the arts. She feels privileged to be on staff at Kansas City Ballet.
 |
|
Rose Taylor-Spann
Rose Taylor-Spann is returning to Kansas City after dancing with Houston Ballet Academy. While teaching at Houston Ballet, Rose trained under and developed several early childhood programs with Priscilla Nathan-Murphy and Cheryne Busch. Rose also served as Associate Artistic Director for Claire School of Dance in addition to developing several after school programs in the Houston area. Originally from Kansas City, Mrs. Taylor-Spann trained with Jane Pierce at Somerset Ballet School, School of American Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and served as a Student Apprentice for Kansas City Ballet. Rose continues to dance professionally and is eager to share her experience and love for the art form with the students of Kansas City Ballet School.
 |
|
Tracy Terstriep-Herber
Ms. Terstriep comes to Kansas City via New York City with a 15 year career working on Broadway, National tour and internationally in concert. Her training includes foundations in the Royal Ballet, extensive work with Hama, Finis Jhung, Christine Wright, and master classes with Edward Villella. Ms. Terstriep got her professional start working for Disney, as a Radio City “Rockette” and in the first national tour of The Will Rogers Follies. On Broadway she was in the original Tony award winning companies of Fosse, A Christmas Carol, and The Producers (understudied and performed the Tony award winning lead “Ulla”). She has worked extensively with the current Broadway choreographers Jerry Mitchell, Susan Stroman, Andy Blankenbeuhler and Sergio Trujillo, as well as with the legends Tommy Tune, Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking, and Donald Sadler. In addition to a Broadway dance career, Ms. Terstriep is a classically trained actress and has worked at the Public Theatre/NY Shakespeare Festival, with Wynn Handman of the American Place Theatre, in film, television and national commercials. She has choreographed for film, television and stage, including the PBS Emmy nominated Winter Dreams: The F.Scott Fitzgerald Story. At the college and university level she has taught master classes in theater and dance. She has served as an adjudicator for aspiring dancers nation wide. She now resides in KC with husband Pete Herber and their two young children.
Elizabeth Thorn
Bio Coming Soon
 |
|
Lisa Thorn Vinzant
Originally from Dryden, New York, Lisa received the majority of her training as a scholarship student at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Lisa danced for the Kansas City Ballet from 1988-2005, performing a wide variety of principal roles and revered for her artistry and musicality. In 2004, she became the Associate Ballet Mistress for the Kansas City Ballet and served in that position until 2008, when her son was born. Lisa has also danced professionally with the Albany/Berkshire Ballet, Owen/Cox Dance Group, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, The Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Starlight Theatre , Wylliams/Henry Danse Theatre and Quixotic Fusion. She serves as an adjunct professor at the Conservatory for Music and Dance at the University of Missouri Kansas City. In addition to her dancing and teaching career, Lisa has choreographed for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City's 2010 production of Rigoletto, Kansas City Ballet’s “Ballet In the Park” and "In the Wings" series, the Lee’s Summit Symphony “Holiday Magic”, and the Kansas City Ballet School. In 2005 Lisa was invited to attend the Craft of Choreography Conference as an emerging choreographer.
 |
|
Leanna (Doughty) Uniak
Leanna Uniak is a graduate from the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music where she was a dance major and received her BFA (bachelor degree of fine arts). At the University of Cincinnati Leanna studied classical ballet and modern dance, under the instruction of Carol Iwasaki, Oleg Sabline and James Truitte. Leanna has been teaching in Kansas City since 1996 years. She began teaching with Jane Pierce at Somerset Ballet School which was later acquired by the Kansas City Ballet School. She greatly enjoys teaching ballet, modern and choreographing.
Paula Weber
During her professional career, Ms. Weber performed solo and principal roles in more than 45 major works, which include such classics as Swan Lake, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella and Coppelia and contemporary works such as Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, de Mille’s Fall River Legend, Butler’s Carmina Burana, and Ailey’s The River. She has been a member of the Milwaukee Ballet (principal), the Lyric Opera of Chicago (soloist), Chicago Ballet and the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre.
Her choreography has been performed by the Kansas City Ballet, Albany Berkshire Ballet, Kansas Regional Ballet and Wylliams/Henry Danse Theatre. Ms. Weber received her BA degree in dance from Butler University and her MFA degree from Smith College and has studied ballet with such masters as Maria Tallchief, Jean Paul Comelin, Dermot Burke, Basil Thompson, Marjorie Mussman and Maggie Black.
 |
|
Brian Bates
Mr. Bates is a songwriter/arranger who studied at UMKC with Gerald Kemner (composition) and Ruth Ann Rich (piano.) Mr. Bates brings a unique creative energy to the ballet classroom in that he has composes many of the pieces he uses in class. His standard repertoire is drawn from a large source of influences and styles in order to give students a variety of musical experiences. Mr. Bates also serves as the Assistant Choir Director /Accompanist for the Center School District and is the pianist for the First Baptist Church of Independence. He has played for KCBS since 1999.
 |
|
Sam Beckett
If you’ve ever wondered who sings that “Shawnee Mission Kia!” commercial, Sam does. A graduate of William Jewell College with a Bachelor of Science in Theory/Composition and Piano Performance, he has also written music for numerous TV/Radio spots as well.
As a composer, he has published two instrumental works with several more being prepared for submission. As a pianist, for six years he accompanied the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts’ Ballet Department, with even more time invested into church music from the age of 12. He is an accompanist with the Lyric Opera Education Office and continues to play for various vocal studies, recitals, festivals, contests and concerts. During the summers out at Kauffman Stadium, pay special attention to the house organist! Sam lives in the Brookside area of Kansas City with his wife, Ana, and their four teenage children.
 |
|
Bridget Clonts
Bridget Clonts moved to Kansas City in 2006 and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in piano from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. She received a Bachelor of Music in piano with honors from UMKC in 2010 under the tutelage of Dr. Jane Solose. Having won awards on the state and regional levels, she remains active as a collaborative and solo pianist. Her work as an accompanist for the dance department at the UMKC Conservatory has led to an interest in ballet accompanying, which she continues to pursue through her work at UMKC and KCBS.
 |
|
Inna Daniels
Ms. Inna Daniels was born in the former Soviet Union and earned her Master of Arts in Piano from the Baku Conservatory of Music. Her principal training was in solo piano performance, accompaniment and music instruction, with further studies in music composition. Prior to moving to Kansas City she worked as a musical educator, and an accompanist for the state rhythmic gymnastics team, as well as a ballet company. She also worked as a principal pianist at the National Academic Theatre and College of Ballet in Armenia. Inna has been an employee of the Kansas City Ballet (formerly State Ballet of Missouri) since September of 1993. She is employed as a professional musical accompanist for both the training academy and the ballet company. She has also worked for ballet companies such as Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Company, Salt Creek Ballet in Chicago, Houston Ballet and Miami City Ballet.
 |
|
Jennifer Edmondson
Jennifer Edmondson is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Music Composition at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory (UMKC). A recipient of UMKC’s Graduate Award in Ballet Accompanying, she currently accompanies intermediate and advanced classes for the Dance Division. Beyond this education, Jennifer has benefited richly from studying with Ramona Pansegrau, current music director of the Kansas City Ballet. In addition to her work as a ballet pianist, Jennifer is an active soloist. She has performed with the Des Moines, Fort Dodge, and Iowa State University Symphonies, with performances featured on WOI Radio (an Iowa Public Radio station). She currently studies with Dr. Robert Weirich. Jennifer has also been recognized as a composer, receiving several awards from the Iowa Composers Forum and an honorarium from the Musical Analysis Creative Research Organization in 2008. While at UMKC, she has studied composition with Dr. James Mobberley, Dr. Chen Yi, Dr. Paul Rudy and Dr. Zhou Long.
 |
|
Loretta Pang
Ms. Pang has graduated from the University of Kansas, where she received her Bachelor in Music in piano performance. She is also a Licentiate of Trinity College of Music (LTCL) holder and a member of Mid-America Music Association (M.A.M.A.). She has been the pianist for the Metro Philharmonic Youth Choir in Singapore, Singapore Lyric Opera, Woman’s Chorale in the University of Kansas, Opera Kadopera in Kansas, Avila University and currently Kansas City Ballet School. As a performer, Ms Pang has won numerous awards in music competitions in Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States. She was also the Singapore National Arts Council Bursary Award (Overseas) recipient in 2000 and later obtained a Music and Dance Scholarship from the University of Kansas. Furthermore, Ms Pang teaches piano lessons to all ages and levels..
 |
|
William Puckett
Mr. Puckett has been performer in many musical venues from the Classical Concert stage to the Rock Music Arena, and has worked with several ballet schools in Santa Cruz, CA and the University of California. A working musician for over 30 years, he is also a Studio Owner/Engineer in North Kansas City and a Sound Designer supporting the Electronic Music Industry. A composer as well as a pianist, Will has many original pieces, arrangements, and music for dance and film ranging from whimsical to more serious moods.
Jeffrey Ruckman
Bio Coming Soon
Velma Tyson
Ms. Tyson grew up on a farm in SW Kansas and after graduating from Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS went on to study at the Conservatory of Music at UMKC earning a M.M. degree in Piano Performance, having studied with Dr. Ruth Anne Rich. She has taught private piano for over 40 years and enjoys teaching all ages with various levels of skill. Music/Arts Institute in Independence includes Ms. Tyson as one of their contracted accompanists. In addition to her accompanying and teaching career, she continues to enjoy solo performances at the Independence Music Club and as the accompanist for the Jacomo Chorale. She considers it an honor to have been involved in the well-known Multiple Piano Festival in Independence for four years as a teacher, coach, and parent of students in performance. Her community involvement includes accompanying several classes at the renowned K.C. Ballet School and for the Jacomo Chorale. Besides the joy of musical interaction with gifted and inspiring musicians, Ms. Tyson enjoys being a part of the KC Ballet School because it allows her to observe the developing personalities and progress of the Pre-Ballet and Children’s classes. She is privileged to be the rehearsal accompanist for the Messiah Festival Chorus in Independence for 30 years and will be so excited to perform vocally with the chorale at the Kaufmann Performing Arts Center under the direction of Maestro Steven Jarvi.
Phil Wakefield
Bio Coming Soon