JOFFREY BALLET SCHOOL - Key Persons
Aminah Alvarez is a native of Dallas, Texas. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a Specialization in Athletic Health Care at The University of Texas at Austin. She is an alumnus of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She performed as a company member with DBDT: Encore!, and has performed multiple summers with
Andrea Basile is a dance educator, director, and choreographer, originally from Albuquerque, NM. Ms. Basile began her dance training under the direction of Karen Alwin and Lynn Cox, continuing at the San Francisco Ballet School prior to her professional career. Over her eighteen-year career in the Bay Area, Ms. Basile performed with dance companies including San Francisco Ballet, ODC Dance, Alonzo King's LINES Ballet, Kate Weare Company, Amy Seiwert's Imagery, Smuin Ballet, The Lawrence Pech Dance Company, and The Foundry.
Founder and Artistic Director of LINES Contemporary Ballet, Alonzo King, choreographed "Pas" for Ms. Basile and Homer Avila, which premiered with Axis Dance Company, toured to the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage and was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine. Ms. Basile's teaching career spans 27 years. She has been an instructor at many dance schools including LINES Ballet School, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Cincinnati Ballet Academy, Marin Dance Theater, the ODC School, and Magnify Dance Center. Ms. Basile moved back to New Mexico in 2015 and became a co-owner of Magnify Dance Center and the Artistic Director of Magnify Dance Ensemble. In 2016 Ms. Basile founded The Five Point Dancer Method. This method cultivates wellness and prioritizes the mental and physical health of dancers in the studio with a track record of creating positive changes for dancers, faculty, and parents. Ms. Basile is thrilled to bring her knowledge and passion for dance education to Boulder Ballet.
Andrew Brader was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his training with Karen Hebert and at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts with Jan Miller and Miguel Lopez. He attended The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, FL, on full scholarship and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre, also studying privately with Susan Jaffe. He was invited to join American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as an apprentice, dancing with the company at The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, and then joined the Houston Ballet performing in ballets by Stanton Welch, Ben Stevenson, John Cranko, Kenneth MacMillan and George Balanchine. He danced with the Los Angeles Ballet for four seasons performing principal roles in George Balanchine's Agon, The Four Temperaments, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Serenade, Kammermuzik No.2, Lar Lubovich's The Evangelist, Bournonville's Napoli Pas de Six and original works by Josie Walsh, Sonya Tayeh, Olivier Wevers, and Melissa Barak's Scrying presented as the first dance installation performed at NYC's Modern Museum of Art. Andrew was a Lester Horton Award nominee for Outstanding Achievement in Performance and winner of the Habich Corey Award for Emerging Choreographer. He spent two seasons with BalletMet Columbus before joining Stadt Theater Chemnitz as a Soloist in Chemnitz, Germany. Andrew joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet in 2014 under the direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson and is an instructor for Complexions' intensives, as well as Joffrey Ballet School summer intensives. Andrew has performed on the stages of The Metropolitan Opera House NYC, The Kennedy Center DC, The Music Center Los Angeles, The Tel-Aviv Opera House Israel, and The Kremlin Palace Moscow, Russia. He's danced alongside international dance stars in the galas of Laguna Dance Festival, World Ballet Competition, City Dance Gala DC, The Golden Swan Gala, and The Monterrey International Ballet Gala Mexico. Andrew has appeared in music videos for Jill Scott and music legend Nile Rodgers and has also worked as a model for Los Angeles Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and New York Men's Fashion Week.
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director
- Director of Audition Tour
Anh Dillon embarked on her dance journey with a classical ballet foundation at the Conservatoire Niedermeyer in Paris, France. Her pursuit of excellence led her to Brussels, Belgium, where she trained under the tutelage of Nicole Karys, a former dancer with Bejart's Ballet du XXe Siècle, and Menia Martinez, of the Cuban National Ballet and the Ballet du XXe Siècle. Expanding her horizons, Anh later delved into contemporary dance forms.
Professionally, Anh soared as a principal dancer in both contemporary ballet and contemporary jazz companies, and her versatility enabled her to extensively work in the commercial scene (Usher, Redken, Aveda, and PBS). Notably, she earned a Lester Horton Award for Best Performance and seized the remarkable opportunity to choreograph for the iconic music artist Prince.
Anh's teaching experience spans over two decades. She currently teaches at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Gillespie School in California, has been a regular instructor for the Joffrey Ballet School summer intensives and audition tours since 2013, and travels worldwide for master classes. Her experience and career also led her to co-create and co-direct the online dance hub DancePlug.com.
Anh is an American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 of the ABT National Training Curriculum.
Anthony Wade Jr was born in Wilmington, Delaware, where he began training at the Anna
Marie Dance Studio at 7. Wade elevated his training at 16 when he moved to Fort Worth,
Job Titles:
- Customer Support Specialist
Ben Needham-Wood is an EMMY Award-winning choreographer, filmmaker, and dance educator. He currently serves as the Artistic Director of Boulder Ballet in Colorado, and also leads his own non-profit company, Redirecting Dance, which was established in order to amplify critical social issues through dance-based productions. Ben was the first appointed Artistic Fellow of Amy Seiwert's Imagery in San Francisco, CA. Ben's leadership career follows 12-years of professional performance dancing primarily with the Louisville and Smuin Contemporary Ballets. As a performer he was honored to receive two Isadora Duncan Dance Award nominations. Ben is excited to join the Joffrey team in partnership with Boulder Ballet to support the growth of the next generation of dance artists.
Job Titles:
- Customer Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director / Joffrey Ballet Concert Group
Brian is also expanding his artist based project and is currently recording new music for an upcoming EP release.
Brigid Silva-Lohoff (she/her) was born and raised in Central California. She has been passionate about inspiring and empowering others to become the most authentic version of themselves all her life. Growing up on the West Coast, Brigid experienced several scholarship training opportunities, including the Performing Arts Center in Van Nuys, CA, under the direction of Joey Malone and Jackie Sleight and the Summer Dance with the Force at Edge Performing Arts Center. Crowned Miss Kings County, Brigid also won the Talent Award at Miss California in 2003. Shortly after, Brigid relocated to Los Angeles, CA, to continue her training. At the same time, she danced Commercially as a Professional under McDonald's & Selznick Agency's representation and later Go 2 Talent Agency. Brigid did all this while attaining a Degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Brigid juggled her time between many creative talents designing, styling, choreographing, performing, and pitching TV Shows. Brigid was seen dancing for Pop Stars Jessie Malay, Angel, Girlicious, and Haddaway. She helped co-pitch and launch J.L.O.'s DanceLife MTV Show. She was seen on the C.B.S. Gameshow "Baby One More Time," Robin Antin's "Blow Out," in Sensa Commercials, and performed in the Tyra Bank's Next Top Model finale show. Brigid continued teaching all over Southern California and across the U.S. She became the Artistic Director of Simi Dance Center in Simi Valley, CA. Brigid met her soon-to-be husband and Master Tap Educator, Ryan Lohoff. The two combined their talents to purchase, rebrand, and restructure a youth-focused dance studio, Simi Dance Center, which later became a HOPE studio under the Dancers Against Cancer Foundation. While owning and operating a dance studio for almost two decades, Brigid continued to expand her outreach by teaching, traveling, choreographing, designing, and adjudicating for many companies such as: Spokane Dance Intensive, Pacific Dance Intensive, Gregg Russell's 3D Dance Intensives, Tap Into The Network, Global Dance Convention in Australia, V.I.P. Dance, Move Dance Competition and Hollywood Vibe. Brigid was a guest speaker on behalf of the Dance Ideas Seminar in Los Angeles and the Caribbean and several panels for Liz Imperio's Success. Dance Studio Owner Circle Program and as a consultant with the ever-famous Discount Dance Supply. Brigid relocated to Northern Colorado with her family and has worked as the Director of Client Relations for Hollywood Dance Jamz and Hollywood Vibe. In this position, she has helped promote as well as Rebrand H.D.J., worked as an adjudicator, Guest Educator, helped create Event Safety Protocols for both events, facilitated scholarship donations to DanceOn Chicago as well as the Texas Make-A-Wish Foundation, and launched a Better and Safer training initiative with both companies under Y.P.A.D. Brigid is most proud of her work as the Executive Director of The Gregg Russell Legacy Show in Honor of the Late Gregg Russell, where funds were raised to employ fellow artists in the production while also donating funds to the Charity DanceOn Chicago. Brigid still finds so much joy in expanding her personal dance education. She is a certified Sugar Foot Therapy and the Building Blocks of a Dance Educator. She continues to enjoy her time guest teaching across the U.S. and in her new home state of CO.
Ceyhun Ozsoy was born in Turkey and began his ballet education at the Ankara Government Conservatory. He studied with Molly Lake, Travis Kemp, Angela Bayley and Beatrice Appliard Fenmen and received his bachelor's degree in 1972. Ceyhoun danced with the Turkish National Ballet Company in Ankara for 18 years as a soloist and principal dancer and eventually acted as ballet master as well. Ceyhun also danced with Bayerische Staatsoper Company in Munich, West Germany. During his career, he performed major roles in many of the classics such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, La Fille Mar Gardee, Romeo and Juliet, Paquita, Don Quixote and Coppelia, to name a few. He has worked with great masters of the ballet world, including Dame Ninette de Valois, Anton Dolin, John Gilpin, Alfred Rodrigues, John Neumeier, Sandor Toth, Irina Hudova, Nina Tcholo- va, Sulamith Messerer, Nicolai Haritnov, Aleksander Prokovsky, Vladimir Tsoukanov, and many more. He served as ballet master for Delta Festival Ballet in New Orleans for eight years. In 1990, Ceyhun moved to Dallas and founded Ozsoy School of Ballet. Currently, in addition to being director of his school, he is a part-time faculty member at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts in Dallas, Joffrey Ballet School's eight week summer program, and he is a guest master teacher for The Compañía Nacional de Danza in Mexico City.
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director
- Area Chair and Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Akron 's School of Dance
- Artistic Director Master Faculty
Colleen Barnes is currently the Area Chair and Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Akron's School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration, where she choreographs and teaches a range of dance-related subjects. Since she started working at the University of Akron in fall of 2021, Colleen has co-authored the...
Job Titles:
- Director of Customer Support
Doug Baum began his dance training in Maryland at Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts before graduating from the Baltimore School for the Arts in 2006. In 2010, Doug received his B.F.A. from Fordham University in collaboration with The Ailey School, where he apprenticed with Ailey II. Since graduating, he has performed with Rock the Ballet, Compagnie Flak, Les Ballets Jazz and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Doug has completed three seasons with Zhukov Dance Theater in addition to guesting with Peridance, Ezdanza, Thang Dao, and Company XIV. Most recently Doug finished his last tour with LA Dance Project under the direction of Benjamin Millepied & is now an adjunct instructor at USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.
Elaine Kimble-Peaks received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a minor in Film Studies from The Conservatory of Music and Dance - University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has had the privilege of working with contemporary choreographers Robert Battle (Alvin Ailey), Joshua Beamish (MOVE: the company), Mary Pat Henry (San Francisco Ballet), Gary Abbott (Deeply Rooted), Frank Chavez (River North), Deeanna Hiett (Alvin Ailey), Rodni Williams (DCDC), and Ronald Tice (Zurich Opera-Ballet) to name a few.
As a choreographer, Elaine has been honored with many accolades including the Youth America Grand Prix "Outstanding Choreography Award" for her work "Up to Here". Her piece "Been Here Before" received the "Best Contemporary Performance of the Year" nomination from the Industry Dance Awards. Performance and choreography credits include Joffrey San Francisco, Joffrey WEST, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company, Quixotic Fusion, Kansas City Youth Ballet, Pacific Festival Ballet, DEFY Dance Project, Heartlines Dance Company, and Seamless Dance Theatre.
The passion for expression and creativity she instills has led her students to regional and national recognition, as well as exclusive international programs such as Nederlands Dans Theater, Ballet BC, Joffrey Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Marymount Manhattan College, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Westside Dance Project and Arts Umbrella.
Job Titles:
- International Student Visa Coordinator
Giovanni Allen is originally from New York City, where he received his early training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and American Ballet Theater. He did his undergraduate work at California Institute for the Arts in LA. In 2008, he was invited to choreograph at the Barcelona International Course of Dance in Spain, as well as the Greece Dance Festival. He has worked with artists such as; Rodolfo Castellanos, Jean Emile, Juan Borona and Roger Jeffrey. After Spain, he was chosen to represent Cal Arts at the American College Dance Festival in 2009. That same year he was cast in the NYC broadway holiday show ‘'Radio City Christmas Spectacular". In the summer of 2010, he made Texas home, where he has been teaching modern, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and ballet and choreographing for numerous studios in the Metroplex. Giovanni has made a name for himself in the Dallas area. He has choreographed numerous award winning dances. He brings that certain "spark" to every class and piece of work. He draws from a large range of influences such as musical, literary, social and even nature. His goal is to simply spread his vision and teachings all over the world. Giovanni has also judged for numerous pro dance teams and dance competitions. He is very pleased and honored to be a part of the SoulDeSoul Dance Convention as well as the Assistant Director of the Pedestrian Dance Movement. Giovanni was recently invited to be a Guest Instructor in Portugal in the Dance World Cup.
Job Titles:
- Director of Health & Wellness
Job Titles:
- Administrative & Residence Life Coordinator
Job Titles:
- NYC Office & Production Manager
Jaclyn Sartore is a native of Frisco, Texas and earned a BFA in Dance and a minor in Psychology and Sports Management from Texas A&M University. Sartore most recently completed her Reformer Pilates certification with AllPilates. She began classical ballet under the direction of Kirt and Linda Hathaway at the Hathaway Academy of Ballet in Plano, Texas, with whom she trained for the following decade. Sartore began her dance career with Collin County Ballet Theatre, and was a teacher at the Illinois Youth Dance Theatre, under the direction of Alyce Brinkmann. Her performing career has provided her with numerous opportunities to perform in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas. In 2013, Sartore was honored to receive the Emerging Choreographer Award from Regional Dance America Southwest Festival in Little Rock, Arkansas, for her work The Nest. This award provided her with a full scholarship to the National Choreography Intensive in Orem, Utah, where she worked with Nelly van Bommel (NØA DANCE). Sartore also teaches ballet and has created choreographic works for Legacy Dance Center, winning multiple awards for her choreography, and the competing company. Sartore has also received training at 5 through Breathe Into Awareness and received her Yoga Alliance certification. This is Sartore's third season teaching at Joffrey Ballet School-Texas.
Job Titles:
- Senior Bookkeeper / Bursar
Jessica Walker is a passionate performer, teacher and choreographer. She received her early dance training in her native Los Angeles where she began working in the business at a young age. Jessica earned her BFA from Fordham University/The Ailey School and shortly after graduation, joined the broadway company of Twyla Tharp's Movin Out. Her strong technical foundation and versatile style has enabled her multifaceted performing career. Jessica has been seen on Broadway, in Film and Television, Commercials, National Tours and more. Highlights include Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Cirque du Soleil's Paramour, Radio City's Christmas Spectacular, Carnegie Hall's West Side Story and The Metropolitan Opera. Favorite Film and Television credits include Dirty Dancing (Andy Blankenbueler), NBC's SMASH and more. Select choreography includes co-choreographer of Mamma Mia at Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Migguel Anggelo's sold out show at Joe's Pub in NYC and contributing choreographer and director of the opening number for Showstopper's Live Broadcast of their National Finals Championship in 2019. Jessica is known for her fervent, full out performance quality and she brings that same level of energy and dedication to her students. As a master teacher for Showstopper National Dance Conventions and guest teacher for studios across the country, Jessica creates a nurturing and supportive environment in which classes emphasize the importance of technique, musicality and artistry. Jessica encourages dancers of all levels to reach their maximum potential.
Josephine Lee is an industry leading entrepreneur, internet personality, and an international award winning speaker.
She is the founder and CEO of The Pointe Shop - one of the most recognizable dance retailers in the country and one of Orange County's fastest growing private companies according to the Orange County Business Journal. The Pointe Shop operates five locations across Southern and Northern California.
In 2019, she launched DanseMedica, a network of dance specialists committed to the safety of dancers.
In 2023, Josephine became the first official pointe shoe fitter of the prestigious San Francisco Ballet.
Over the years, she has leveraged social media to market her businesses accumulating over 140 million views on YouTube.
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director
- Director
- Founder
- Artistic Director Master Faculty
Josie Walsh is the Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer of BalletRED Contemporary Ballet Company based in Los Angeles. She is the Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet School summer intensives in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Josie created the JoffreyRED apprentice program in Los Angeles and is the Director of Ballet at the...
Julia Armour attended The University of Alabama where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. She has a passion for dance and believes that everyone is capable of dancing. Julia has trained with faculty from Houston Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Ballet Austin, Joffrey, The Rockettes, and Gus Giordano summer intensives. She has over 4 years of experience teaching dance in private studios and adaptive dance classes. She has taught at numerous dance studios in her hometown in Northeast Houston. She currently teaches with Notes in Motion in NYC and performs for The Ride, an interactive tour and show in Manhattan.
Job Titles:
- Associate Artistic Director
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director of Karmagraphy
- Member of the Relativity School
Kavita Rao, Artistic Director of Karmagraphy, produces distinctive contemporary dance styles. Internationally and regionally renowned for her choreography and teaching abilities, she conjures out of her world travels characteristics of eastern and western dance. Signed with one of LA's top dance agencies, MSA, Rao has been featured in numerous lives shows, music videos, films, commercials and television shows as a dancer. Her choreographic work can recently be seen on episodes of "Got Talent Israel," "Angie Tribeca" on TBS, Youtube Red's "Buddy System," "Tengo Talento Mucho Talento," and the past few Vidya Vox music videos including "Tamil Born Killa," "Diamonds," "Minnale" and "Home". She recently worked with Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammar for an upcoming Netflix movie and on a new NBC pilot slotted to air this fall. Some recent live credits include Vidya Vox's 2017-2018 World Tour, Christian Louboutin and Sabyasachi fashion launch of their collaboration line, Ford Amphitheater and Randy Jackson's studio launch party.
Rao is a current faculty member of The Relativity School in LA and Joffrey West. A 7 year faculty member of Dupree Dance Convention, Rao was the first master instructor to bring Bollywood dance to the national convention circuit. She has judged many national Bollywood competitions, including Just Dance (India's SYTYCD), Jhoomti Sham, Bollywood America, Nachale Deewane. She created artistic works in Guam, Israel, Los Angeles and across the US. Choreographing for multiple artists, Rao has a list of music videos to her credit as well being the choreographer for Vidya Vox and the current artistic director for DJ duo Atmsphre and violinist Esther Anaya. She is also the resident choreographer for the commercial production company Contagious and some studio residencies include Millennium Dance Complex, Dance Dimensions and International Dance Academy Hollywood - and master classes across the country. Along with teaching multiple dance styles, Rao uses her public relations and entrepreneurial background to teach a business for dancers class to help prepare young dancers for the industry.
As the Artistic Director of Karmagraphy, she recently choreographed and danced for clients such as IFFA (International Fashion Film Awards), International Indian Film Academy (IIFA), IFFLA (Indian Film Festival LA), Disney/Pixar, Dreamworks, Kaiser Permanente, Intuit, Gitanjali Diamonds, GO Campaign, Pratham, INDUS, TIE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), South Asian Bar Association, Arpen Global Charities, and SDM Cancer Relief Fund, Chopra Foundation, Red Roof Inn, Morongo Casino. She recently directed and produced a full length Bollycirque production "AAJA - A tale of Karmic Destiny." Co-creator of Bollywood Rise, a full-length dance spectacular featuring interdisciplinary performance arts and high scale production, Rao pushes the envelope when creating live stage shows. Rao also obtained rave reviews for her work in "Beyond," a cabaret show that had a residency in Los Angeles."
Kenedy Kallas joined Nederlands Dans Theater 2 (NDT2). During her time with NDT2 she originated roles in new creations by: Marco Goecke, Paul Lightfoot, Sol Leon, Dimo Milev, Tom Weinberger, Marcos Morau, Nadav Zelner, Emilie Leriche, David Raymond & Tiffany Tregarthen. She also performed pre-existing works by Ohad Naharin, Sharon Eyal, Alexander Ekman, Johan Inger, Edward Clug and Hans Van Manen. She is currently dancing with Hessisches Staatsballett Wiesbaden in Germany where she has originated roles in new creations by Marne and Imre Van Opstal and David Raymond and Tiffany Tregarthen thus far.
Kenedy's dance trajectory went from competitive dance to focusing on classical ballet at Ballet West in her hometown of Utah to training year round on full scholarship at San Francisco Ballet. Kenedy was awarded The Prestigious Natalia Makarova award at YAGP, and was invited to perform a new creation at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg Russia. She has performed works created by Josie Walsh at the international Gala De Danza, as well as YAGP Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow gala in New York City, and Yellow Stone International Arts Festival in Montana.
Kenedy has spent many summers at the Joffrey SF program growing up and is excited for this special moment to give back and share all of her knowledge.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Marketing Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator
- Registrar
Job Titles:
- Associate Artistic Director
Job Titles:
- Creative Director and Information Technology
Michael Waldrop was born in Los Angeles, California. He has toured the world, performing with Ballett des Theater Koblenz, State Street Ballet, and Pasadena Dance Theatre, as well as guest performances with Odyssey Dance Theatre, Seamless Dance Theater and the Covent Garden Dance Company's international gala, Ballet in the Park. During this time, he performed in the classical and contemporary works of Peter Chu, Andreas Heise, Daniel Ezralow, Steffen Fuchs, Bella Lewitzky, Cathy Marston, Ihsan Rustem, Tom Ruud, William Soleau, Uwe Scholz, and Josie Walsh.
From the world of concert dance to the commercial industry, Michael has also appeared in the feature film Underground Comedy, ABC's Bunheads, Nickelodeon's Fresh Beat Band, and the Emmy Award winning opening routine of the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Other credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, industrials for Disney and MAC Cosmetics, performances at Los Angeles' Music Center and the Getty Museum for the Dance Camera West Film Festival, the American Choreography Awards, and a feature in an edition of Life Magazine.
Michael has choreographed original works for Theater Koblenz, Marymount Manhattan College, and the Joffrey Ballet School, as well as commissioned presentations for the Joffrey Ballet School Summer Intensives, and the School of State Street Ballet. Michael has served as Associate Artistic Director of the NYC Jazz & Contemporary Trainee Program, and is currently the Artistic Director of the NYC Pre-Professional Jazz & Contemporary Summer Intensive at the Joffrey Ballet School.
Job Titles:
- International Coordinator
Myles Lavallee was born and raised in sunny Phoenix, AZ, where he trained at various dance studios. He grew up competing in dance competitions and won many awards including JUMP's Teen National Title and NUVO's Teen 1st Runner Up. In high school he attended Arizona School for the Art before moving away to NYC to study at the School of American Ballet. In 2011 Myles joined Ballet Arizona where he danced for four seasons. In 2014, he moved to Canada to join Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and in 2016, Myles joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago for two seasons. Some of the choreographers he had the pleasure of working with and performing their works include, Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe, Jiri Kylian, and George Balanchine. He was commissioned twice to choreograph for Ballet Arizona's Innovations program, and created pieces in both LGBC and HSDC choreographic workshops. Myles now lives in Los Angeles as a freelance artist and choreographer and travels frequently to teach and work with dancers around the country. He has recently been seen dancing with Body Traffic, Post Ballet, Ishida Dance, Heidi Duckler Dance, & Para Mar Dance as well as in several music videos and on Netflix and YouTube. Myles was awarded the outstanding choreography award in various cities for YAGP semifinals the past two years. He is extremely passionate about teaching, choreographing and sharing his love for dance!
Job Titles:
- Associate Executive Director
Job Titles:
- Program Manager
- Audition Tour Coordinator
Natalie Newman is a native of Dallas, Texas where she graduated from the esteemed Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Newman is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from The Ohio State University, where she received her BFA in Dance. In 2017, she had the pleasure of traveling to Denmark where she performed works by Sofie Clemmensen and Joshua Manculich at several large festivals and showcases. Newman was a founding company member of B MOORE DANCE, under the artistic direction of Bridget L. Moore from 2018 to 2020. During her time as a company member, she performed at the TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND festival in Dallas, the Association of Performing Arts Professionals in New York City, and at The International Association of Blacks in Dance in Pittsburgh, PA. Natalie Newman began working with Joffrey Ballet School in 2018. Since her start, she has acted as faculty, Program Coordinator of the year round Trainee program in Texas, and most recently as Joffrey Ballet School's Audition Tour Coordinator. Working in these various roles, she is able to combine her passions for dance, pedagogy, performance, and choreography.
Job Titles:
- Customer Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director and Choreographer
Noah Tratree is a Director and Choreographer born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He has over 20 years of training in multiple dance styles including Hip-hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, and more. He has traveled the world with artists such as Justin Bieber, Zendaya, and Becky G. He has also worked on live shows such as Pitchfork and Lalapalooza with Chance the Rapper and Selena Gomez. His television credits include The B.E.T. Awards with Janet Jackson, Ciara, Tinashé, and Jason Derulo and The Emmy Awards. Noah has been seen in advertising campaigns with Moncler and Hollister, as well as movies and shows like Step Up 6 and Hart Of Dixie. He has since then devoted his efforts to teaching and choreographing.
Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino founded the Joffrey Ballet School in 1953. In more than sixty years of existence, the Joffrey Ballet School has remained on the forefront of American dance education. Graduates of the School have gone on to dance for major ballet companies, as well as for numerous modern and contemporary companies, both in the United States and abroad. The Joffrey Ballet School programming includes intensive pre-professional training, after-school programs, summer intensives in a variety of genre's and open classes for enthusiast and professionals.
The Joffrey Ballet School's renowned Trainee program offers a well-rounded pre-professional curriculum consisting of two tracks (Ballet and Jazz & Contemporary Dance) for dancers ages 13 to 25. Depending on the track, genres of study include: classical ballet (technique, pointe, variations, adagio, men's classes) contemporary ballet (technique, improvisation, partnering), contemporary dance, modern, character, choreography, dance history, music, hip-hop Pilates, street jazz, contact improv and more. Special workshops are taught by guest faculty to augment the curriculum and performance opportunities abound throughout the year. Dance classes come to life with live musical accompaniment including piano, percussion, cello, African drum, and a variety of other instruments depending on the genre taught.
Throughout the summer, the Joffrey Ballet School offers challenging and immersive dance intensives in a variety of genre's throughout the United States and abroad. Students audition for entry into our summer intensive at official audition sites in the United States, Canada, South and Central America, western Europe, Australia, Japan and Singapore. Genre's include classical ballet, contemporary ballet, jazz & contemporary dance, hip-hop, tap, and musical theater as well as multi-genre intensives fusing ballet, contemporary and commercial dance. We currently offer summer programs in New York City, California,Texas, Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Nevada, Mexico, and Italy.
Rodney Hamilton began his training in his native St. Louis at several schools including Carr Lane V.P.A., the Center of Contemporary Arts, and Alexandra School of Ballet. He also studied with Ms. Katherine Dunham and joined the chorus at the MUNY where he performed for seven years. After arriving in New York City, he graduated with a BFA in Dance from the Juilliard School and joined Ballet Hispánico where he was a principal dancer and assistant rehearsal director for 10 years. During this time, he performed works by José Limon, Paul Taylor, Hans van Manen, Robert Battle, Ohad Naharin, David Parsons, William Whitener, Ann Reinking, Ramón Oller, Sergio Trujillo, Trinette Singleton, Agnes DeMille, Talley Beatty, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Vicente Nebrada, and numerous other well-known choreographers. Mr. Hamilton was part of the national touring cast of Hello Dolly with Carol Channing and worked with the Broadway cast of Tarzan during its workshop process. In 2012, Mr. Hamilton became the Resident Choreographer for the Saint Petersburg City Theater in Florida where he choreographed Hello Dolly, Footloose, and Memphis. In 2019, Mr. Hamilton became the Associate Choreographer for a new version of the musical Evita that will premiere at New York's City Center, Encores! series this fall. Mr. Hamilton holds an MFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He has taught ballet, modern, and Dunham technique all over the world.
Job Titles:
- TX Residence Life Coordinator
Sam McReynolds is an LA-based dance artist originally from St. Louis, MO, where he received his BFA in Dance at Lindenwood University and trained closely under hip hop choreographer/instructor Anthony "REDD" Williams. He expanded greatly through his experience exploring the movement language known as "Gaga" here in the U.S. and in Tel Aviv, Israel. Since moving to LA in 2016, he has danced for several notable choreographers and dance companies, such as Sarah Elgart / Arrogant Elbow, Brian Friedman, Marguerite Derricks, Chris Emile / No)one. Art House, Ate9 Dance Company, LA Contemporary Dance Company, WHYTEBERG, Fabe Dance, The TL Collective, and more.
Sam has presented live works in LA at CONGRESS: Legalize Dance, Club Jete, LAVENDER, and Stage & Screen Show. In May of 2021, he won the Best New Filmmaker Award at the Dare to Dance in Public Film Festival for his dance short film Proclamation, which he conceptualized, directed, co-choreographed, and edited. He occasionally holds "GREYaRea" sessions at Stomping Ground LA, which serve as a space to workshop movement with dancers of all levels and backgrounds. He also hosts occasional improv jams with live accompaniment and lighting installation, also at Stomping Ground LA. Sam finds much of his inspiration and passion for dance through improvisation both as a mover and an observer.
Always a dancer first, in the summer of 2021, Sam had the honor of performing a new work by choreographer Sidra Bell with Owen/Cox Dance Group in Kansas City, MO. He has since developed a close working relationship with the KC company and its artistic director, Jennifer Owen. He rehearsed and performed original works by Jennifer Owen immediately following the performances for Sidra Bell, and he has been asked to return for multiple projects to come in 2022. While Sam continues to dance and make dance in LA as his main focus, he deeply cherishes the privilege to travel and make magic wherever the dance journey takes him.
Job Titles:
- NYC Residence Life Coordinator
Job Titles:
- International Coordinator
Yuka Fukuda, originally from Tokyo, Japan, trained at George Mason University in VA and The Ailey School in New York City. On graduating in 1999, she was invited to join Ailey's second company Ailey II, performing with them from 1999-2002. Yuka went on to be a company member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre for two years. She performed in six productions of The King and I, including the venue, Papermill Playhouse, as well as several national tours. She played the role of Victoria in Cats at West Virginia Public Theater. She served as an assistant choreographer for the production of "Gospel Gospel Gospel" directed and choreographed by Otis Sallid. She has worked with renowned choreographers such as Robert Battle, Jessica Lang, Jacqulyn Buglisi, Donald Byrd, and Ronald K Brown. She was last seen in the production of Aida with Los Angeles Opera in 2022.
As a teacher, she has taught at the Nang Young Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, Dallas Black Dance Academy, Lula Washington Dance Theater, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Orange County School of the Arts, and headed up the Modern department at Champs Charter High School for the Performing Arts.
She is a faculty member at LACHSA (Los Angeles County High School