5-Week Summer Ballet Program Faculty

Recognized as one of the nation’s most respected instructors of classical ballet, Marcia Dale Weary chairs an exceptional summer faculty dedicated to providing unparalleled technical training. CPYB’s diverse and talented staff includes many CPYB alumni themselves, as well as current and former dancers from American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, among many others.

2013 5-WEEK SUMMER BALLET PROGRAM FACULTY:

Marcia Dale Weary, Founding Artistic Director, began her teaching career in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1955 after her own studies with Thalia Mara and Arthur Mahoney at the School of Ballet Repertory in New York City. Her unequaled dedication to her school, students, and instructors, and her unique teaching style have brought the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet to the top of the dance field. The New York Times stated in 1989 that Weary is “considered one of the country’s foremost ballet teachers.” Ms. Weary is the 2007 recipient of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for the Arts for her Outstanding Leadership and Service to Youth. Ms. Weary is also the 1992 recipient of the Distinguished Service to the Arts Award for Central Pennsylvania. In February 2000, Ms. Weary became the first recipient of the Carlisle Regional Arts Award. And in 2010, Ms. Weary received an honorary degree in performing arts from Dickinson College, and was named as one of Central Pennsylvania’s 25 Women of Influence, for which she received a Pennsylvania Senate citation, sponsored by Senator Patricia H. Vance. She and the CPYB have been featured in leading newspapers and magazines, television news and features, and in the award-winning documentary film presented on national public television, Children with a Dream.
 

Nicholas Ade is School Principal at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Originally from Los Angeles, Ca., he trained at San Francisco Ballet School and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He danced with the Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) from 1996-2006 under Francia Russell, Kent Stowell and Peter Boal. While with PNB, Ade performed leading roles in George Balanchine's The Four Temperaments and A Midsummer Night's Dream; Ronald Hynd's The Merry Widow; and Kent Stowell's The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. He has also been featured in Balanchine's La Valse, Prodigal Son, Symphony in C, Symphony in Three Movements, and Who Cares?; and Peter Martins' Fearful Symmetries. He originated featured roles in Val Caniparoli's Torque and Nicolo Fonte's Almost Tangoand Within/Without.  Prior to joining Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet as school principal, Ade served as principal of the Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s Francia Russell Center, PNB’s Eastside School, under Artistic Director Peter Boal from 2006 through 2012. Ade also serves as permanent guest faculty at Ballet Academy East in New York City under Darla Hoover and Julia Dubno. He has taught throughout Europe and North America, including the Iliev Foundation in Bulgaria. Ade has also taught at Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet, Utah Regional Ballet, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He also has been on faculty at several national and regional festivals for Regional Dance America (RDA). Ade’s relationship with RDA has also extended into adjudicating in 2010; as well as serving as host to the Craft of Choreography Conference (CCC) and Summer Intensive from 2007-2009 and has been on the faculty of the CCC from 2004 through 2009. He has served as host of PNB's Eyes on Dance and Discover Dance outreach performances and has been Project Coordinator for PNB's NEXT STEP (formerly Choreographers' Showcase) since 2005.

Cynthia Bernshausen, Artistic Director East Tennessee Ballet Academy, is originally from Elizabethton. Cynthia studied with the American Ballet Theatre School, with David Howard in NYC and North Carolina School of the Arts.  Cynthia has worked professionally with the Milwaukee Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Tampa Ballet, Maryland Ballet and Ballet Met.  As the Director of the Dance Department with the Performing Arts School of Worcester, MA, and artistic director of the Worcester Youth Ballet,  the company participated in the Regional Dance America Association Northeast and in exchange programs with Russia.  Cynthia's experience staging original choreography, full length ballets, contemporary, neoclassical and modern choreography, has reenforced her dedication to the fine art of teaching classical ballet, understanding the range of performing possibilities available to a dancer with a solid ballet technique.  In 1999 Ms Bernshausen joined the faculty of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, known internationally for the outstanding training of young students and continues to teach during CPYB's five week summer program.

Stacey Calvert was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina and began her ballet training at the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance, studying with her mother and godmother. In 1980, Ms. Calvert entered the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet—and remained there for three years. She joined New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet in 1983. In 1992, Ms. Calvert joined William Forsythe’s Frankfurt Ballet. She returned to New York City Ballet in the winter of 1993. Ms. Calvert was promoted to the rank of soloist in 1994. Since joining the company, she has danced numerous featured roles including George Balanchine’s Apollo, Ballo della Regina, The Four Temperaments, The Nutcracker (Hot Chocolate), Stars and Stripes, Symphony in C, Tschaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2, Western Symphony, and Who Cares?, as well as Jerome Robbins’ The Four Seasons (Winter) and Interplay. In addition, she has been featured in Peter Martins’ Ash and Barber Violin Concerto as well as William Forsythe’s Herman Schmerman. During the inaugural season of NYCB’s Diamond Project in 1992, Ms. Calvert originated a principal role in John Alleyne’s Bet Ann’s Dance. During the Company’s 1994 Diamond Project, she originated principal roles in Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Chiaroscuro, John Alleyne’s The New Blondes, Trey McIntyre’s Steel and Rain, and Kevin O’Day’s Viola Alone...(with One Exception). For The Diamond Project in 1997, Ms. Calvert originated principal roles in O’Day’s Open Strings and Angelin Preljocaj’s La Stravaganza. In addition, she originated principal roles in Mr. O’Day’s Huoah, Dvorak Bagatelles and Badchonim. Ms. Calvert has danced in Europe with a touring group, and has travelled extensively in the United States and abroad with New York City Ballet. In the spring of 2006, 2007 and 2008, she presented, for USC, Ballet Stars of New York, with principal dancers from the New York City Ballet including Wendy Whelan, Albert Evans, Nilas Martins, Tom Gold, Nikolaj Hubbe, and Yvonne Borree and the USC Dance Company. The 2006 star-studded evening included Apollo, Agon, and Tarantella, all works by the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. This gala evening has become an annual event for the USC Board of Dance. 

Tanya Doporcyk, a Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet faculty member, began her formal training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under the direction of Marcia Dale Weary. She went on to teach at the School of Music and Dance in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Shortly after Ms. Doporcyk founded The Walnut Bottom School of Dance, which she owned and operated for 19 years before returning to CPYB to teach young children and adults for Marcia.

Karen Eriksson-Lee, a Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet faculty member, received her Bachelor of Science for dance from Shenandoah University in 1987. Shortly after she founded The Northern Virginia Academy of Ballet in Front Royal, Virginia, which she has directed for the past 21 years. Ms. Eriksson-Lee has modeled for sculptor Frederick Hart for the Vietnam War Memorial and Ex Nihilo at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. in his pieces Celebration and Awakening. She has been with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet for 24 years, first as a student and now as a teacher.

Ann Fields, a Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet faculty member and alumna, has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ballet from the University of Utah. She has danced with Lake Erie Ballet in conjunction with Mercyhurst College and with the Utah Ballet. Ms. Fields has attended the Governor's School for the Arts on full scholarship, Ballet Iowa's summer program on full scholarship, and the School of the Washington Ballet. She has certifications in New York City Ballet Workout and Pilates Mat. Ms. Fields is an adjunct professor at Messiah College where she teaches ballet.

Sara Gelbaugh, a Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet faculty member and alumna, is originally from Buffalo, New York. She first studied the Cecchetti Method of Ballet, and is I.S.T.D. certified for levels 1 through 4 and elementary work. Mrs. Gelbaugh has performed with the Buffalo Ballet Theater, the 1000 Islands Festival Ballet Company and the Lake Erie Ballet. She has also participated as a dancer in the Carlisle Project Choreography Workshops. She is certified by the New York City Ballet to teach the New York City Ballet Workout. In addition to teaching for CPYB, Mrs. Gelbaugh was formerly on the faculty of the Cincinnati Ballet and Tanze Performing Arts Center while living in Ohio.

Michelle Lucci, born in Buffalo, New York, received her dance training at the National Ballet School in Toronto, Canada, The Royal Dance Academy, and American Ballet Theatre, under Valentina Paraslavic. Miss Lucci has danced with the Banff Festival and has toured North America as a demi-soloist with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. In 1969 she joined the Pennsylvania Ballet Company, studying under Lupe Serrano, and in 1972 she became a principal dancer. Ms. Lucci joined the Milwaukee Ballet in 1980 as Ballerina of the company. As Ballerina she has been partnered by Ted Kivitt, Patrick Bissell and Fernando Bejones to name a few. In 1992, Ms. Lucci was hired as Dance Captain and swing dancer of Phantom of the Opera. She toured for seven and a half years to every major city in the United States. As Dance Captain, she put over 300 actors and dancers into the show. Ms. Lucci is a highly regarded teacher, currently teaching at Dance Theatre of Harlem Company and School, Coupé Dance Theatre NY, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Summer Program, JCC Westchester NY, Stage Door Minnesota, and St. Paul City Ballet Minnesota, in addition to the Purchase College Conservatory of Dance.

Jennifer Miller received her training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under Marcia Dale Weary, as well as at summer intensives at Joffrey Ballet and on scholarship with San Francisco Ballet. She was a trainee with the Milwaukee Ballet and has risen through the ranks to become a leading artist. During her career, Ms. Miller has danced a variety of roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Dracula, Romeo & Juiet, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Giselle. She has also performed in works by Trey McIntyre, Choo San Goh, George Balanchine, Michael Pink, Anthony Tudor and Gerald Arpino, among others. Ms. Miller also teaches with the Milwaukee Ballet School, and for the past 13 years with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s summer program. As a choreographer, four of her ballets have adjudicated for the Northeast Regional Dance of America; one of which earned her the Monticello award for emerging female choreographer. In 2005, Ms. Miller danced in the inaugural season of the Trey McIntyre Project, performing in places such as White Oak, Vail International Dance Festival, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.

Hilda Morales was born in New York City, and grew up in Puerto Rico. Her early training was with Ana Garcia of Ballet San Juan. At 14 years of age, Ms. Morales received a Ford Foundation Scholarship to study at George Balanchine's School of American Ballet. She danced as a principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet, soloist with American Ballet Theatre, artist-in-residence with the Colorado Ballet and guest appearances with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Albuquerque Ballet and Jacksonville Ballet. During her dancing career, Ms. Morales performed in full-length classic ballets as well as works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille, Anthony Tudor, John Butler, Alvin Ailey, and Jose Limon. Ms. Morales was featured in the movie The Turning Point, in the role of Sandra, directed by Herbert Ross. She guest teaches and is on faculty with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet summer programs, and joined The Hartt School faculty in 1998.

Kathryn Perrault has been involved in broad dance & theatre education for 15 years. She has choreographed, coached, adjudicated, and overseen classical and multi-disciplinary curriculums for Ontario & lower mainland BC schools since 1999, and has resided as founder and artistic director of VJPD since 2005. She received her foundational training in Toronto, Ontario, under Sean Boutilier, Sheona Bell-Williston, Catherine Glasser and Glenn Gilmour. Upon receiving Honours on the Advanced Cecchetti exam at the age of 16, she continued her studies abroad in the US, France, Switzerland, Chile, and finally through York University’s BFA Dance Program. Ms. Perrault was also extensively involved in Toronto’s entertainment industry and is a two-time GEMINI® nominee for her work in Canadian film and television, which includes leading roles in feature films/television series’ for Paramount Pictures, Alliance Atlantis, Disney Channel, CBC, FOX, ABC, and HBO. Ms. Perrault moved to the west coast to accept an apprenticeship with Ballet BC and went onto perform extensively as a soloist for four years with the Vancouver Goh Ballet Ensemble. She also had the privilege of performing on tour with Colorado Ballet Company and American Ballet Theatre before retiring in 2005 to pursue her long-time goal of founding a specialized junior training institute.

Barbara Sandonato trained in the School of American Ballet under George Balanchine in New York City. When the Pennsylvania Ballet formed in 1962, she left New York and was the first dancer to join Barbara Weisberger in her new company. She remained principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet until 1977 except for a one year stint with the National Ballet of Canada where, as a principal, she performed with Rudolf Nureyev. She has made guest appearances with numerous companies including Wisconsin Ballet, Boston Ballet and the Eglevsky Ballet. She and her late husband Alexei Yudenich won a bronze medal at the Fifth International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria. Ms. Sandonato’s dance roles have ranged from the traditional bravura showpieces to the ballets of the Romantic realm, and from the exquisite but often relentless demands of a Balanchine ballet to the works of modernists like Limon and Butler. Among many roles, Ms. Sandonato has danced the role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and principal roles in Balanchine’s Scotch Symphony, Symphony in C, Concerto Barocco, Allegro Brilliante and Serenade. She also danced Aurora in Nureyev’s production of Sleeping Beauty and in Fokine’s Les Sylphides and William Dollar’s The Duel. Throughout her career, Ms Sandonato has been a nationally esteemed master teacher. She was one of the founding instructors of the former School of the Pennsylvania Ballet. Most recently, she served as guest teacher at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. She has served as artist-in-residence and adjunct professor of ballet at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City, as well as teaching at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Steps on Broadway, Ballet Academy East, University of the Arts, and numerous other university-level and grade-level schools throughout the country. Many of Ms Sandonato’s   former students are now in professional dancing careers, including her daughter Gabriella Yudenich, who is currently a soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet.

Adrienne Schulte is a CPYB alumna, as well as receiving traning at Paris Opera Ballet School. She is a former English National Ballet first artist and is currently a member of American Ballet Theatre's corps de ballet. Asked which role has tested her the most, she replied a leading role in Anthony Tudor's Dark Elegies because she had to portray it without focusing solely on technique.

Bettijane Sills has had an extensive theatrical career. She appeared on the Broadway stage and on television as a child actress, and was invited by George Balanchine in 1961 to join New York City Ballet. She was promoted to the rank of soloist in 1963, dancing principal roles in many works, including Western Symphony Divertimento #15 and The Nutcracker. She also received critical acclaim as the Wife in Jerome Robbins’ 1972 revival of The Concert. Ms. Sills, a tenured professor, has served on the Conservatory of Dance faculty at Purchase College since 1979. She is responsible for staging Balanchine repertory and has choreographed numerous works for the Purchase Dance Corps as well as choreographing for several companies throughout the United States. In 1996, Ms. Sills had the pleasure of staging Balanchine’s Serenade for students at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and in September 2006, was designated by the Balanchine Trust to stage Allegro Brilliante for the Orlando Ballet in Florida. In January 2007, Ms. Sills was back in Asia to stage Serenade for the Taipei National University of the Arts. Since 2003, Ms. Sills has enjoyed being the Artistic Director of the Conservatory of Dance's annual production of The Nutcracker. In addition to co-chairing the Conservatory of Dance for the year 2009-2010, she was also co-artistic director of the 2010 spring concert for which she staged Balanchine’s Serenade. She is currently involved in the filming of a new documentary about George Balanchine called “In Balanchine's Classroom.” Ms. Sills’ summer teaching regularly includes classes for the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She was honored to be asked by Marcia Dale Weary to choreograph a new ballet, Masquerade, in May 2009, which was performed in their June Series at the Whitaker Theatre in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, that same year.

Suzanne Smith joined the San Angelo Civic Ballet as artist in residence in January 2010 and became the associate artistic director for the 2010-2011 season.  A native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, she began her studies at the Harrisburg Academy of Dance.  At the age of 15, she began to train at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under the direction of Marcia Dale Weary. Upon graduation in 2000, Mrs. Smith performed professionally with the International Ballet Theatre in Philadelphia. At the International Ballet Theatre, under Alexander Boitsov's coaching, Mrs. Smith performed classical variations from Le Corsaire,Don Quixote,The Nutcracker,Esmerelda, and Paquita. She joined the Peoria Ballet in Illinois for their 2003 winter season, then became a part of the Rafael Grigorian Ballet Theatre in New York from 2005-2008. She has performed the principal roles in Mr. Grigorian's original full length ballets Baba Yaga, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella,and The Nutcracker.  Mrs. Smith has taught for the Rafael Grigorian School of Classical Ballet in Elmira, New York and for CPYB as a full-time faculty member and continues to instruct at CPYB summer programs. She has guest taught throughout the Pennsylvania and New York regions and is grateful to God for the opportunity to teach in San Angelo.

Robert Steele, originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, began his training at the Erie Civic Ballet, and studied on scholarship at the Boston Conservatory of Music and the Boston School of Ballet. As a professional dancer, Robert performed with the Boston Ballet, dancing many soloist and principal roles, and with the Royal Danish Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and the Washington Ballet. Robert has taught at many of the finest schools in the country. Many of his students have received critical acclaim as professional dancers, and several have won medals at international ballet competitions. Robert founded the Lake Erie Ballet Company in 1988. Mr. Steele's talents have been recognized by the PA Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, and he has created ballets for dozens of regional dance companies.

Tatiana Tchernova began her dance training in Uzbekistan at the National Ballet College and the Tashkent Institute of Dramatic & Fine Arts. In 1997, she attended the Paris Opera Ballet School at New York University to further her teaching techniques. She has taught at ballet schools and companies throughout Canada and around the world, including the National Company of Korea, Ontario Ballet Theatre, Desrosiers Dance Theatre and Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. She has also had the opportunity to guest teach extensively throughout the United States.

Karl von Rabenau, raised in Duluth, Minnesota,  had passion for dance that grew out of the need to move during the long winter months. He began his dance training at the age of 13 with the Duluth Ballet (now known as Minnesota Ballet). He continued his training at Minnesota Dance Theatre, the Boston Ballet School, and the San Francisco Ballet School. Mr. von Rabenau began his career as a member of Boston Ballet II and apprentice to Boston Ballet. After a short stint with Omaha Ballet, he danced for five seasons with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. While dancing with PBT, he toured to Taipei, Taiwan, and fulfilled the dream to dance Balanchine’s Tarantella pas de deux. Mr. von Rabenau also danced works by George Balanchine, John Cranko, Bruce Wells, Agnes De Milles, and Alvin Ailey. Throughout his tenure in Pittsburgh, Mr. von Rabenau also was a frequent guest artist with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, where among the roles he performed were Harlequin pas de deux and the lead in Divertomento No. 13. Mr. von Rabenau danced the final 10 seasons of his career as a soloist for the Milwaukee Ballet Company. Some of the highlights from his tenure with MBC were dancing such roles as Iago in José Limón’s The Moor’s Pavane, and the Blue Bird Pas de Deux from Sleeping Beauty. Mr. von Rabenau has also performed the lead roles in Choo San Goh’s In The Glow of the Night and Unknown Territory as well as George Balanchine’s “Rubies,” The Four Temperaments, Tchaikovsky Pas Deux, Serenade, and Allegro Brilliante. Mr. von Rabenau’s second passion in life is teaching ballet. He has had the true pleasure to do this for the past 17 years throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States. He is currently on staff at the Milwaukee Ballet School and Danceworks Studio 1661 of Milwaukee. Each summer, Mr. von Rabenau returns to Pennsylvania where he has been invited to teach at Point Park University’s International Summer Dance Program for the past 11 years, and the world renowned Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet for the past 16 years. As a choreographer, Mr. von Rabenau has created works for Point Park University’s International Summer Dance program for the past 11 years and has had works performed in the Regional Dance of America Festivals in both the Northeast Region by CPYB and Lake Erie Ballet School, and Southeast Region by Classical Ballet of Memphis. In 2002, Mr. von Rabenau was invited to choreograph a pas de deux, Speranza, which was presented by the Milwaukee Ballet at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Gennadi Vosrikov was born in Siberia, Russia and received his early training in Perm. Vostrikov studied with the renowned ballet teachers Plaht and Asaular. He was awarded the first degree diploma in the Leningrad Ballet Competition. Upon graduation, he was asked to join the Moiseyev Classical Ballet Company. With the the Moiseyev Company he was coached by the legendary ballet masters Igor Moiseyev, Asaff Messerer and Sulamif Messerer. The Moiseyev Classical Ballet Company traveled worldwide. it was during one of their many tours that Vostrikov saw the possibility for freedom and defected while in Mexico. The Mexico Ballet Company prompted him to join their company as a principal and teacher. Nicholas Petrov, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) director, heard about Vostrikov's defection and requested that he join PBT. While with PBT, he performed numerous principal roles in such ballets as The Nutcracker, Prince Igor, Rite of Spring, Swan Lake, Les Sylphide, Romeo and Juliet, Corsaire Pas de Deux, La Bayadere, and Don Quixote, as well as having performed with the Pittsburgh Opera. Vostrikov was also a principal with Chicago Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet. He was an associate professor of dance with the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Shenandoah University, as well as Director of Ballet Zulia in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Currently, Vostrikov is director of the Virginia Youth Ballet and Vostrikov's Academy of Ballet. He is also a guest teacher and choreographer with Cumberland Ballet, New Castle Ballet, Williamsburg Chamber Ballet, Louisiana Dance Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and master teacher with National and Regional Ballet festivals.

Susan Vostrikov received a scholarship to attend the National Academy of Ballet and Theatre Arts high school in New York City at age 14. Upon graduation, she began her professional career as a dancer with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. In 1974, Susan joined the University of Alabama Ballet in Birmingham as principal dancer and teacher at the school. Further engagements with other companies included Chicago Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Zulia in Venezuela, as well as numerous guest appearances throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo and South America. Her most noted roles as a performer include Juliet, Spectre De La Rose, Red Poppy pas de deux, Clara, Snow Queen, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. Mrs. Vostrikov is currently artistic director of the Virginia Youth Ballet and Vostrikov’s Academy of Ballet. In addition, she serves as guest faculty with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Carlisle.

Elizabeth Walker trained at the School of American Ballet; scholarship recipient, Princess Grace Foundation - USA, 1988; named an apprentice with New York City Ballet, 1990; member, New York City Ballet since 1991; School of American Ballet, permanent faculty member, 2001-2007; Ballet Academy East since 2007.

Kristen Wenrick received her training from the Boston Ballet School, the Chautauqua Dance Festival Company, the Milwaukee Ballet School, and North Carolina School of the Arts. She performed with Eglevsky Ballet in New York City, the Milwaukee Ballet, and as principal dancer with the Louisville Ballet. Enticed by the world class repertoire of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and its artistic director, Patricia Wilde, Kristen took a position with PBT in 1993. Ms. Wenrick danced with the company for nine years, rising to the rank of principal dancer. Throughout her career, she has performed lead roles in the works of world-renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Glen Tetley, Jiri Kylian, Hans van Manen, Paul Taylor, Marius Petipa, Ben Stevenson, Choo-San Goh, Lynn Taylor-Corbett, Kevin O’Day, and Dwight Rhoden. She has also had the opportunity to train with some of the world’s most influential teachers. Upon retiring from the stage in 2002, she turned whole-heartedly to the art of teaching. Sought after as a teacher, coach, and choreographer by many ballet schools in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, she has been a full-time faculty member at Point Park University and is currently a summer program member at the nationally recognized Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Kristen’s most recent tenure was as the full-time faculty member of the Louisville Ballet School. While enjoying her time at LBS, she continually felt the urge to establish the training and performing experience she benefited from as a student at the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet in Northern Ohio.