Eileen McKee, Adult Ballet & Yoga
At an early age, Eileen received a prestigious Ford Foundation Scholarship to the School of
American Ballet, followed by a full scholarship to SMU. At SMU, she became an assistant to Nikita Talin and also performed
with numerous national companies including: Harkness Ballet of New York, Berkeley Ballet, Miami Ballet, Ballet Pacifica of
Laguna Beach, and Los Angeles Choreographers and Dancers (a modern dance company). Mrs. McKee has directed small performing
companies locally, nationally, and internationally. Eileen has studied with such notables as George Balanchine and his staff
at SAB, including, Alexandra Danilova and Madame Pereyeslavic; Antony Tudor at American Ballet Theatre; David Howard, Maggie
Black and Vladimir Doukodovsky in NYC. Eileen has taught locally for the SMU Dance Department, BTWHSPVA, and Buster Cooper.
She was the former Ballet Mistress for the Krassovska Ballet Jeunesse prior to Madame Krassovska’s death. Eileen serves
on the Board of Dance Council and is a long time participant in the Dallas Dance Community. Mrs. McKee has a degree in Communications/
Public Relations from SMU and is also a fundraising and development consultant for Dallas arts organizations, assisting organizations
such as Texas Ballet Theatre, Arts District Friends, the Dallas Bach Society, and Voices of Change.
Kate Walker, Adult Beg/ Int Ballet & Contemporary
Dance
Originally from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, began her dance training
under Darrell and Sally Notara. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Cornish College of
the Arts in Seattle, Washington in 2004. Kate has performed works by Deborah Wolf, Mark Haim, Pat Graney, David Parsons, Amii
Legendre and Allyne Gartrell to name a few. She is formerly a member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II, and started her own
company, DekaDance, which completed its first season in 2008-2009. Kate is currently an instructor in the dance division at
Booker T Washington HSPVA.
Keira Leverton, Tap
Keira's dance background includes training at the Buster Cooper School of Dance and the University
of North Texas. Ms. Leverton has had extensive tap training from some of the most well known and talented tap professionals,
such as, Buster Copper, Henry Le Tang, Gregory Hines, Acia Gray, and many more. Keira has performed at such venues as Radio
City Music Hall, The Kodak Theatre, The Sky Dome in Toronto, and Wembley Stadium in London. From 2000 to 2006 she directed
The Drawbacks Tap Company which has performed internationally in Prague and Italy. Keira toured as a dancer with "Barney's
Colorful World" and was given the role of dance captain for three years. She also played Bert in Sesame Street's production
of "When Elmo Grows Up" from 2007-2008. Keira was recently given the lead role in a Lilah Vandenburgh short film
that was selected to play at the Sundance Film Festival. In between tours she teaches and choreographs for studios around
Dallas and has also been invited to choreograph for Barbara Ryan Phillips' youth tap company in San Antonio, RPM. Keira is
back in Dallas and looking forward to choreographing for the Drawbacks Youth Tap Ensemble! Keira is currently on the international
tour with Sesame Street Live, as Grover, and will be returning in the Fall of 2011.
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Frances Ockels McGee, Dance Workout, Combo, Ballet
Frances was raised in Dallas and trained
with Dallas Ballet Academy and the Etgen-Atkinson School of Ballet. As a member of Ballet Arkansas, she performed in Firebird,
Coppelia, Classical Symphony and Wings on Wind. Ms. Ockels has also appeared with the formers Ft. Worth/Dallas Ballet and
Dallas Ballet; and worked with artists Paul Mejia, Frank Vega, Monica Saba and Suzanne Farrell. Ms. Ockels holds a BA in Physics
from the University of Arkansas with minors in Theatre Dance and Biology. She later earned her MS in Environmental Science
from Ohio State University. Frances performed with Contemporary Ballet Dallas for five seasons and welcomed her baby in
May 2010!
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Darrell Cleveland, Jazz, Lyrical Jazz, Contemporary, Adults
Darrell received a BA in Accounting from
Morehouse College and received his early dance training from Harrison Dance Studio of Atlanta, Georgia. His professional dance
experience includes Dallas Black Dance Theatre for nine seasons and the Lula Washington Contemporary Dance Theatre in Los
Angeles. Darrel has also worked with renowned artists such as En Vogue, Toni Braxton & Monica. He has also performed in
stage productions, including Nickelodeon Children's Kids Choice Awards, Soul Train, Showtime at the Apollo, & Centennial
Olympic Park Festival; as well as appeared in commercials for the Texas Lottery. He has also performed in various industrial
events such as Mary Kay Cosmetics. Darrell's choreography credits include work for Dallas Summer Musicals, The Inaugural Brinker
International Lecture Series, Texas Lottery commercials, Lyric Stage productions and Regional Dance America Conference. As
a Master Teacher, Darrell has taught at festivals and conferences, and his outreach work includes going into the DISD school
system and introducing disadvantaged children to the world of dance. Darrell was recently awarded "Best Choreographer"
at the 2010 PULSE Convention Southwest Region and occasionally performs with Contemporary Ballet Dallas.
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Thomas Nicholson, Ballet, Pointe, Partnering
Mr. Nicholson began his ballet training at age 16 at the Buster Cooper School of Dance under the instruction
of Colibri Wegerer. He attended TCU where he received a BFA in Ballet under the mentorship of Fernando Shauffenburg. Mr. Nicholson
has performed with Ballet Repertory Company of American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey II, and the National Ballet of Canada. He
has been a principal dancer with Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Met, National Ballet of Venezuela, and Ballet de Teatro Municipao
de Rio de Janeiro. He has taught at the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, the Summer Intensive workshop for Orlando
Ballet School, and the American Ballet Theatre's Young Children's Workshop in New York. Most recently, Mr. Nicholson was the
co-owner of Ballet Academy of Texas, where he won the Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher Award in 2006. He was also
the Co-Director and ballet master for the Ballet Ensemble of Texas.
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Jennifer
Arellano, Ballet, Jazz, Pointe, Contemporary Ballet and CBD Class
Received her early training while growing up in New York and at the age of sixteen moved to
Texas and joined the Lone Star Ballet under the artistic direction of Neil Hess. She performed for seven seasons
and enjoyed dancing principal roles in "The Nutcracker", The Outdoor Musical Drama "Texas",
and "LSB Premiers". She holds both her BFA and MA from West Texas A&M University and has been teaching,
choreographing and directing for over 20 years. She enjoyed her time out in Missoula, Montana as Artistic Director of 21st
Century Dance Company. Recently, she returned to Dallas after spending six years in Chicago where she established a non-for-profit
performing youth company. She also worked with a a select group of professional dancers and was recognized for her contemporary
work titled "Fractured" in an emerging choreographers showcase and Dance Chicago. She has had the privilege
to work with some of the finest choreographers and directors from New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet,
Ballet West, and the Louis Falco Repertory. Her rich experience led her to cultivate a unique perspective
of the Arts. Jennifer is excited to be part of the School of CBD!
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Whitney Robins Holley, Ballet, Pointe
& Combo
Whitney started dancing with Ballet Lubbock under Suzanne Aker and later Yvonne Racz. She was a member of
the performing company throughout high school and attended various summer programs in New York, Austin, and Kansas City. She
attended the University of Utah with an academic scholarship as a Ballet Major and worked with several renowned teachers.
She returned to Lubbock where she taught for 3 years and began choreographing for the company. In 2006, Whitney moved to Dallas
where she instructed for the Hathaway Academy of Ballet and served as ballet mistress for Collin County Ballet Theater. She
is very proud to be a member of the faculty of CBD.
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Jamie Thompson, Adult Beg/Int Ballet
& Int/Adv Modern/ Contemporary
From Belize, Central America, Mr. Thompson is a recent graduate of Belhaven University where
he received his B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography. He received additional training from Belize National Dance Company
and Dramatic Forces School of Dance. His previous dance experience includes serving as dancer, choreographer and teacher for
Belize National Dance Company and dancing with Talk Dance Company of Jacksonville, Mississippi. His special community interests
include working with organizations that work for the betterment and development of youth.
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Keith Clark,
Hip-Hop
Keith has been instructing, performing and choreographing for
over 25 years. His love for teaching and choreographing has led him to work with and inspire many individuals. From small
children and adults, to amateurs and those wanting to pursue dance professionally, many have experienced his love and passion
for dance. As an instructor and choreographer, Keith continues to stay current with the trends and flow of the dance industry. His unique choreography has been performed in a variety of events
such as; talent shows, fashion shows, dance showcases, citywide festivals, hair shows, professional sporting events and a
host of other events. His blend of Old and New School Hip Hop, African, Jazz and Modern dance styles always leaves people
guessing as to what he will do next. Not
only is he a diverse choreographer, but his varied dance training has led him to a variety of performance opportunities. Keith
has been cast in local commercials, local theatre companies, sporting event half-time shows, national tours, fashion shows
and local dance companies in various regions such as; Happy Nia, phoenixdancetheatre, Jahari Dance Troupe, Culture Shock Chicago
and La’Hunter’s In Flight Dance Theatre.
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Michael Mayes, Adult Contemporary Lyrical Jazz
Originally from Dallas, TX Michael began his professional career in 1988. He has performed
professionally for Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet / AKLDC, Texas Ballet Theater, Company Mayes, Ballet Dallas, Dallas Metropolitan
Ballet, Collin County Ballet Theatre, BCSA School of the Arts and Ballet Metrocrest. He has trained under the direction of
Alonzo King, Soili & Leo Ahonen, Thom Clower, Ben Houke, Joyce Seaborne Bader and Kirk Hathaway. His credits include principal
spots in “Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Snow Queen,” “Giselle,”
“Dracula” and many others. Michael received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Journalism at the University
of North Texas. He has made appearances in feature films such as “Dakota,” “Born on the 4th of
July” and danced in a public awareness commercial. He has also choreographed for television and commercial work. His artistic
ability has resulted in award winning performances and professional
productions nationally. Michael also developed a professional performing Company, Company Mayes. Company Mayes is a contemporary
Jazz/Lyrical based company formed in 2005 at Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet / AKLDC, in San Francisco. Mr. Mayes' unique,
clean, interpretive Lyrical and Jazz fusion, combined with a strong technical ballet background quickly attracts ‘cutting
edge’ dancers. Company Mayes now resides in the Dallas area. _ k
Jill Rucci, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary Jazz, Combo, Just Barre
Jill S Rucci is proud to call Texas her new home! Relocated here from NYC, she was a principal dancer
and guest choreographer for Vissi Dance Theater for over 10 years. Jill has trained, taught, performed and presented her choreography
in many cities including Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas and New York. Ms. Rucci has also produced shows and
continues to concentrate on her works in progress, the dance drama & new endeavor, "Life’s Canvas.” Jill
received her dance degree from Dean College in Franklin, MA, where she studied all forms of dance, musical theater, dance
education, and voice. While in NY, Jill also performed with New Jersey Squires, Bare Bones Dance Co. and was a principal West
African-stylized dancer with Magna BA Drum and Dance Co. Jill also studied at Alvin Ailey and, while attending two of their
intensive certificate programs, earned certifications in modern and contemporary. Jill was a guest choreographer for CBD’s
Wild & Free Concert, Sidewalk Stories and Danse Macabre, as well as performing with CBD.
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Janicka Arthur, Adult Beginner Ballet, BASICS Ballet,
Ballet/Tap Combo
Janicka Arthur, a choreographer,
instructor, and performing artist, began her dance training at the ETA Cultural Center on the south side of Chicago. After
finding her passion in dance, Janicka continued her education by attending the only independent art high school in Illinois,
The Chicago Academy for the Arts under the direction of Anna Paskevska and Randy Duncan. Over the years, Janicka has become
well versed in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and West African dance receiving additional training from the Ailey School, Ballet
Chicago, Jeraldyne’s School of Dance, and Deeply Rooted Productions. In 2008, Janicka received her Bachelor of Fine
Arts Degree in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University where she performed many works including the restaging
of Martha Graham’s Panorama and Agnes de Mille’s The Four Marys. After a short break from the
dance world, Janicka is back to ignite passion within dancers and create an atmosphere of artistry in the studio.
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Carol J Crook - Adult Tap, Tap, Jazz, Ballet/ Tap combo
Carol's training includes Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Russian Vagonova,
and Royal Ballet. Although a Dallas native, she has studied across the country with dancers and choreographers such as Joe
Tremaine, Joe Lanteri, Susie Taylor, Buster Cooper, Phil Black,Gil Stroming, Lisa Hopkins, Louie Depron, Frank Hatchet, Rhonda
Miller, Michelle Asolf, Doug Caldwell, Carol Connors and Keith Clifton to name a few. Carol's performance credits include
TV work for Universal Studios Hollywood, and shows in Century City. Carol taught for the Ohio Dance Masters Convention Atlanta
Ga. and TATD in Biloxi MS. Carol was called to sub for Dance Master Buster Cooper. Carol is Buster Cooper’s former long-time
assistant. In addition to Carol's dance and choreography talents, she owned and operated the Plano Academy of Dance for twenty-one
years. As the Artistic Director of the school, she set up the curriculum and taught all ages and levels. Carol is very proud
of her dancers whom she has trained. Her dancers have won numerous titles, scholarships and Regional dancer awards at New
York City Dance Alliance, LA Dance Force, Tremaine Conventions, Co Dance, Break the Floor, and several others. Many of Carol's
dancers have pursued professional careers owning their own schools and dancing in LA and NY.
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Deb Jones, Tap
Deb Jones is a dancer, choreographer, professor,
and business woman. As the Artistic Director of DJ's Dance Studio, she owned and operated the business from 1989 through 2009.
During this time she co-founded the Legacy Tap Project whose mission is to preserve historical tap choreography through master
classes, performance, and documentation. Certified by the American Tap Dance Institute, Deb Jones has been a guest teacher
from the Midwest to the West Coast. She has shared the stage with internationally acclaimed artists, has earned her graduate
degree in dance from Texas Woman's University, and is currently teaching both theory and technique courses as dance faculty
for the community college system in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex.-
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Lisa Lagravinese, Combo, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Pointe, Tap
Lisa is originally
from Massapequa, NY on Long Island. She trained at the Marianne Anderson School of Dance, Frank Ohman School of Ballet &
Long Island High School of Arts. After graduating, she attended SMU on an artistic scholarship and earned a BFA in Dance Performance.
Lisa enjoyed performing the works by choreographers such as Martha Graham, Balanchine, Sabrina Madison-Cannon and Max Stone,
as well, working with such renowned instructors as Karen Kriete, Jeremy Blanton, Myra Woodruff and Nathan Montoya. She ventured
back to NY where she continued training at the Graham School and Broadway Dance Center. This past summer, she studied at the
Salzburg International Ballet Academy. She currently teaches at the School of CBD, and dances with DekaDance & Ephiphany
Dance Arts, and is in her fourth season with CBD. Lisa currently teaches at Booker T. Washington HSPVA.
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Emilie Rupp, Adult Beginner/ Intermediate Ballet, Substitute
Emilie Rupp began
her training in classical ballet 20 years ago with Gilbert Rome and Victorian Vittum-deBittencourt in Houston, Texas. She
performed with their company, Houston Repertoire Ballet, for 7 years; cast in various roles in the Nutcracker, Sleeping
Beauty, Gisele, Pas de Trois and other works choreographed by the directors. Growing up she also attended intensive summer
workshops at Joffrey Ballet, Austin Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. While the primary focus of her training
was on classical ballet, she also has experience in modern, jazz and contemporary dance. Since graduating high school, Emilie
has been involved with several dance companies, attained her bachelors in French from University of North Texas and began
teaching at Taylor Dance in 2007. She is in her third season of dancing with CBD.
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Sarah Smith, Modern/ Contemporary,
Ballet, Creative Movement & Combo
Sarah
started dancing at the age of four and has not stopped since. Originally from the small town of Canfield, Ohio, Sarah received
a well-rounded dance education by training in both classical ballet and competition jazz and tap. She moved south of the mason-dixon
line to pursue dance, as a major, at Southern Methodist University. Four years later she obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising
and minor in Religious Studies. Sarah is yoga certified and enjoys incorperating her dance and yoga training into her classes.
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Suzy Rossol Matheson, Adaptive Dance, You & Me Baby
(Registered Dance/Movement Therapist through the American Dance Therapy Association)
Dallas native, Suzy Rossol
Matheson, MA, ADTR, received a BFA in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University and an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy
and Minor in Counseling Psychology from Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, NH. Suzy is the new dance/movement therapist
for A.R.T.S. for People combining her work as a dancer, counselor, and therapist to help people experience the healing power
of movement through both verbal and non-verbal expression. Suzy brings with her six years of clinical experience as a dance/movement
therapist and has worked a variety of populations and settings including the elderly, children, developmentally delayed, rehabilitation,
psychiatric and substance abuse. To learn more, visit www.movementexpressions.com for further information. k
Erin Mallar Boone, Adult Beginner Pointe & Ballet, substitute
Erin Mallar completed her MFA in Choreographic Theory and Practice from SMU in May 2007. She earned her BFA
in Ballet at TCU where she performed principal roles in ballets choreographed and/or staged by Fernando Bujones. Ms. Mallar
received her early training at Dallas Ballet and Dallas Metropolitan Ballet and was a scholarship student at The School of
American Ballet for two years. Upon graduating, she performed in George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Rubies,
and Valse Fantaisie in their Spring Workshop. Ms. Mallar received scholarships and grants to participate in numerous
summer programs such as The School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, Pennsylvania Ballet School, Hartford
Ballet School, Bartholin in Copenhagen, Denmark and Impulstanz in Vienna, Austria. She has danced professionally with Fort
Worth-Dallas Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Wichita Ballet Theater, Ballet Concerto, and Collin County Ballet Theater. Ms. Mallar
currently teaches dance classes at Tarrant County College, Richland College, and SMU. In addition, she continues to perform
and choreograph for dance productions around the community. Erin has welcomed two babies in the last three years!-
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Courtne' Shed,
Tap, Jazz/ Hip-Hop, Combo & Guest
From San Antonio, TX, Courtné received her B.S. in Biology and minored in Chemistry
from Prairie View A&M University. She has received training from Northeast School of the Arts in San Antonio, Classic
Dance Ensemble, and Earle Cobb Dance Studio. Ms. Shed was a former member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II. She has studied
under many choreographers such as Nicholas Young, Barbara Phillip, Dena Mabry, Sarah Jo Fazio, Allyne D. Gartrell to name
a few. Courtne’ really enjoys sharing her passion of dance to others.k
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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
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Jennifer Pasion, Administrative Registrar
Jennifer Pasion has been performing as an actress-singer in
the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for over fifteen years. She has worked at several area theatres, including WaterTower Theatre, Theatre
Three, Lyric Stage, Circle Theatre, Contemporary Theatre of Dallas, Lyric Stage, Uptown Players, Echo Theatre, Nouveau 47
Theatre and many others. She has acted in everything from classic musicals to bold new works. She particularly enjoys staged
readings of new plays and original storytelling. An accomplished painter, some of her work was recently shown at Nouveau 47
New Works Festival. She is passionate about her theatre and visual art interests and especially proud
of her three amazing kids!
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Rachael Herrmann, Evening Administrative Associate
As a recent cum laude graduate from Ouachita Baptist University
and former company member of the Henderson State University Dance Company (2007-2010), Rachael returned to Dallas. She began
her dance training in jazz and ballet at Rowlett Dance Academy and immediately took to all aspects of movement. While in college,
she was a member of the HSU dance company, under the direction of Mrs. Jennifer Maddox, and was awarded 'Most Well Rounded
Dancer.' She attended the American College Dance Feistval throughout her undergraduate studies. Rachael earned her minor in
dance and performed and choreographed in the annual concerts, as well as was a featured soloist for OBU’s Tiger Tunes.
Since returning to Dallas, she has hosted master classes and worked with choreographers from Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Washington
University in St. Louis and La JazzDanz in Houston. She is currently pursuing choreographic and performance opportunities
and starting graduate school for dance and religious studies. She is thrilled to be working with CBD.
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We are always accepting
resumes - please submit to Lindsay@schoolofcbd.com
