Directors

Stephen Mills, Artistic Director (Bios)
Cookie Ruiz, C.F.R.E., Executive Director (Bios)
Michelle Martin, Associate Artistic Director (Bios)
William Piner, Director of Schools (Bios)
Lynne Short, Academy Principal (Bios)
Vicki Parsons, Director of Schools Operations/Program Director for the BCS (Bios)
Eric Caruthers, Registrar (Bios)


Vlada Sheber, Pilates Program Director (Bios)
Toni Bravo, Leaps & No Bounds Program Director (Bios)
Joan Wolfe, Creative Movement Director (Bios)

Faculty

Shepherd Allen
Pei-San Brown

Dane Burch
Orlando Julius Canova
Cheryl Chaddick
Susan Clark

Cheryl Copeland

Meghan Gill
Tyler Guthrie

Brittany Harpole
Jennifer Hart
Arletta Howard-Logan
Libby James
Kody Jauron
Vivian Kaw

Jean Claude Lessou

Tony Merriwether

Kaitlyn Moise

Elise Pekarek
Lisa del Rosario
Boo Ruiz
Vincent Sandoval
L. Jerry Schwender
Christopher Swaim
Michelle Thompson

Kathryn Waggoner
Terri Lynn Wright

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William Piner, Director of Schools
Mr. Piner graduated from Butler University's prestigious dance program in 1982 and had a wide and varied professional performing career with companies such as Ballet Austin, the Hartford Ballet and Dance Kaleidoscope, Indiana's only professional modern company. A member of Actor's Equity Association, Mr. Piner also enjoyed a career in musical theatre before retiring to direct Ballet Austin Academy. He has been teaching extensively since 1982, including seven years on faculty at Butler University's Jordan College Academy of Dance in Indianapolis. In 1992, Mr. Piner was appointed Director of Ballet Austin Academy. Under his direction the Academy has grown to become one of the largest classical ballet schools in the country.

In 2007 the Butler Community School was established to provide expanded dance, fitness and community education opportunities to a wider audience. Because of his diverse background, Mr. Piner was asked to direct this school alongside the Academy. This merging of schools allows each to compliment the other and provides for continuity of programming. Since that time the BCS has grown from a few hundred students to over 2000, far exceeding expectations. Mr. Piner feels very fortunate to be a part of Ballet Austin at such a vibrant time in its history and looks forward to many years of growth and innovation.

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Vicki Parsons, Director of Schools Operations/Program Director for the BCS
Vicki Parsons is the Director of Operations for Ballet Austin Academy and the Butler Community School. Her primary role is to manage the operations of both schools and to implement and manage dance and fitness programming in the Butler Community School.

She joined the staff of Ballet Austin in 1999 after working as a Ballet Austin volunteer for two years. Ms. Parsons has over 25 years of experience working in the field of Long Term Care, specifically in direct care as a Recreation Therapist, using therapeutic recreation as a treatment intervention to improve overall wellness. Promoting physical activity to people of all ages continues to be an interest to her. Ms. Parsons taught at Austin Community College for 13 years and worked with several non-profit organizations to develop and present workshops on aging and wellness.  She holds current certifications as a Senior Fitness Instructor, a Youth Fitness Specialist, and a Group Exercise Instructor.  She is also a certified Fitness Business Manager, and just recently completed her certification in Advanced Sports Nutrition.

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Eric Caruthers, Registrar
As Registrar for Ballet Austin Academy and the Butler Community School, Eric Caruthers is responsible for registration and management of student records.  Eric is originally from Charleston, West Virginia and began his professional career as a Computer/Network Administrator in the United States Army.  Upon exiting the Military, Eric decided to call Austin his home.  He has ten years experience in Customer Service and Management.  His passion and dedication to non-profits as well as his love and enthusiasm for customer service led him to Ballet Austin in 2008 where he has become a valued member of our schools team.

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Toni Bravo, Leaps & No Bounds Program Director
Maria Antonieta (Toni) Bravo is the Leaps and No Bounds Program Director. Ms. Bravo is originally from Mexico City and holds a Master's Degree in Theatre History and Criticism, with a minor in Dance Pedagogy (University of Texas, 1987). Since 1975, she has taught and performed as a professional dance artist in Mexico, England, Israel, Costa Rica, Germany, Spain and throughout the United States. Ms. Bravo began teaching for the Ballet Austin Academy in 1990 and, since 1991, the City of Austin has funded her performance and educational projects. In 1991, 1992 and 1998, she received awards from the Texas Commission on the Arts for her workshop projects with the Travis County Juvenile Court and Austin Housing Authority Education Department. Ms. Bravo spearheaded Ballet Austin's in-school movement programs, which are currently conducted in a number of school districts throughout the Greater Austin area. She continues to develop curriculum as well as train and monitor Academy faculty.

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Vlada Sheber, Pilates Program Director & Certified Core Connections® Pilates Instructor

Originally from the Ukraine, Ms. Sheber received her training in classical ballet from the State Classical Ballet College of Russia (Voronezh). Vlada performed as a soloist in the Donetsk Ballet Theatre before immigrating to the United States. She was a member of Ballet Austin from 1992-2003 and danced a variety of classical and contemporary roles, including the original Lady Capulet in Stephen Mills' Romeo and Juliet.

In 2002, Vlada received her diploma as a Certified Core Connections® Pilates Instructor from the Core Connections® Comprehensive Teacher Training Program at the Pilates Center of Austin.  There she studied under Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle.  In the summer of 2009 Vlada attended a workshop conducted by Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle and Michele Larsson that gave her additional insight into working with older clients. Ms. Sheber is also a Post-Rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist.

In 2002 Vlada worked in a physical therapy clinic with Allison Bennett (Women’s Health specialist) and joined the Ballet Austin Pilates Studio as an instructor.  In 2005 she was acknowledged as a "Pre-eminent Purveyor of Pilates" by Austin Monthly Magazine.  In 2007 Vlada was appointed Director of the Butler Community School’s Pilates Program.  She also designed the layout of the Pilates studio. In recognition of Ballet Austin's commitment to excellence, Ballet Austin’s Pilates studio has been chosen as “Best Pilates Studio in Austin” by Rare Magazine and Austin Fit Magazine.

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Shepherd Allen, Hip Hop Instructor

Shepherd Chase Allen is a dancer/choreographer born and raised in Austin TX. Shepherd has been in numerous commercials (Mtv, Nike, Dominoes Pizza just to name a few...) and has performed all over Austin and the United States. He has been teaching and choreographing since he was 14 which has given him plenty of time to stylize his teaching methods. He is a co-founder of the dance crew Urban Transit and was a finalist for Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance (top 80). He also is a member of the Dancers Rock Touring Convention and currently teaches at a number of studios in the Austin area. Hip Hop is his dance passion but he has studied contemporary, modern, and lyrical which has helped him find his own "infused" style. His current mission is to bring the fun back to dance and remind all of us why we found ourselves loving this art in the first place.

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Pei-San Brown, Hula Instructor

Kumu Hula Pei-San Ka'ua Brown hails from the island of Oahu, where she first studied hula and ballet at the age of 5. She has been a member of several dance companies, including Disney Entertainment Arts (Los Angeles, CA), the Raul Cruz Dance Company (Orange County, CA), Third Coast Jazz (Austin, TX), and Austin Musical Theatre. She debuted on the silver screen as Miss Alaska, a principal dancer and top ten finalist in the movie Miss Congeniality.

Pei-San earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of California at Irvine in 1994, as well as a Master’s degree in Education at UT Austin in 1999. She is a published author in the fields of education and cognitive development, and has been Community Education Director at Ballet Austin since 2004.

Pei-San studies hula with Kumu Hula Keli'i Chang of Halau Ho'ola Ka Mana O Hawai'i in Houston, TX. She has also studied with Kumu Hula Paul Ho'omanawanuiikana'auao Apo (Honolulu, HI), Joyce Flaugher (San Antonio, TX), Kumu Hula Ellen Gay Delarosa (Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, HI), Kumu Hula Keith Awai (Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, HI), and Kumu Hula Lorraine Daniels (Magic Hula Studio, Honolulu, HI). In April 2006, she was honored to compete with Kumu Chang and Halau Ho'ola Ka Mana O Hawai'i in the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, the world's most prestigious hula competition. In May 2011, she attained the rank of Kumu Hula (Hula Master).

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Dane Burch, Modern & Contemporary Jazz Instructor
Dane was raised in northwest Oregon where he started dancing at the age of 10. After high school he was awarded a scholarship to Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. He trained there for several years, preparing him for the performance industry. Dane has worked with choreographers such as Mandy Moore, Malaya, JT Horenstein, Terri Best and many more. He has worked with MTV, danced on the NBC show "American Dreams" and has performed and choreographed numerous live shows around the L.A. area. In 2008 he ended a 5 year run working with Tremaine Dance Conventions and he has been traveling the U.S. judging for Creations Dance Championships. 

Dane currently lives in Austin, TX where he teaches dance and choreographs for private studios and local high schools. This year he was a part of professional development of Austin Independent School District dance teachers. He has also helped in the production of live show benefiting charities around the U.S.  He is enjoying sharing his talents with the dance community of Austin and is excited to join the BCS for his first season as a regular instructor!

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Cheryl Chaddick, Modern Instructor
Cheryl Chaddick taught modern dance in San Francisco from 1983 until moving to Austin in 2007. Starting in 1985, she also had her own modern dance company, Company Chaddick. In 1991 Alonzo King invited her to teach at his studio and she was on faculty there until she and her husband moved to Austin, in her home state of Texas.

Ms. Chaddick has been trained in all styles of dance with emphasis on modern and ballet, which are reflected in her movement and choreography. In the Bay Area she was on the faculties of the University of California, Berkeley; San Francisco School of Theater and Arts; Alonzo King's Pre-Professional Summer Program; and Summer Lee Rhatigan's San Francisco Conservatory of Dance.

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Susan Clark, Pilates Instructor
Susan Clark is a Certified Core Connections® Pilates Instructor, a licensed Physical Therapist, and is certified in GYROTONICS® and GYROKINESIS®.Susan received her Pilates Teacher Certification from Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle at the Pilates Center of Austin in 2003.  In 2004, Susan had the wonderful experience of teaching Pilates in Paris, France.  Susan graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Dance in 2002.   In her youth, she traveled the country attending dance workshops, and began taking Pilates in high school after suffering injuries.  

Through these experiences, Susan believes in the whole body approach to therapy, prevention, and movement. Susan Clark is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant specializing in functional core stabilization, and received her degree from Austin Community College in 2008.  In 2011, Susan became a certified GYROTONIC® Instructor and in 2009 became a certified GYROKINESIS® Instructor. Both trainings were under the instruction of Master Trainer Amy Ell, and Susan had the amazing opportunity to test out with the creator of GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® Julio Havoth in Munstertaul, Germany.  

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Cheryl Copeland, Modern & Pilates Instructor
Cheryl Copeland graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Cheryl's fresh, unique style and approach to dance has made her in demand and given her notoriety across the United States. Having studied and performed extensively in Florida, New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, her training and technical expertise is reflected in her classes and choreography.

Her professional work includes Tap Kids, Between Lines, Superbowl, Disney, MTV, as well as several other industrials. She has worked under such notable choreographers as Mia Michaels, Milton Myers, Lisa Hopkins, George Faison, Kim Bears- Bailey, and Winifred R. Harris. As an educator, her students have received countless awards, scholarships, and gone on to dance with artists such as Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Aaron Carter, and can be seen in Target , Gap , and Old Navy commercials. Some of her students are even pursuing degrees at the notorious Juilliard.

Cheryl was introduced to Pilates in 2005 at Core Conditioning in Studio City, CA. In her time there, Cheryl started her certification with Dawn Marie Ickes and the Pilates Method Alliance. She immediately saw the benefits of Pilates as more than just a means of rehabilitation and she uses many Pilates based exercises as a form of strengthening and stretching in her classes. Cheryl is currently studying under Vlada Sheber to learn the style of Pilates specific to Ballet Austin, and is happy to become part of the Ballet Austin Pilates Program, where she will continue sharing her love of movement and fitness amongst a great Pilates family. 

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Meghan Gill, Tap, Jazz & Broadway Fit Instructor

On a national level, Meghan has had the opportunity to study with Jessica Hendricks, Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, and Nancy DiCicco. Locally she has trained under Danny Herman and Rocker Verastique and in May 2010, Meghan relocated to New York to further her training and audition.  In New York she studied with Finis Jhung, Jared Grimes, and previous Austinites, Tracie Stanfield and Scott Thompson. 

Meghan has taught master classes from Toronto, Canada to Laredo, TX., and has had a varied performing career including industrials, musicals and as a back-up dancer for Radio Disney star, Jer-Z.  Meghan is excited to be back in Austin and is happy to be back teaching with Ballet Austin and Butler Community School.

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Tyler Guthrie, Pilates & Fitness Instructor

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Brittany Harpole, Pilates & Fitness Instructor
Brittany Harpole was introduced to Pilates though her 15 years of classical ballet training. She studied under Vlada Sheber, director of Ballet Austin's Pilates Program. She is also certified with Peak Pilates and Power Pilates; both internationally recognized companies. Brittany danced with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's scholarship program and The Richmond Ballet. Her passion for fitness and movement guides her clients though personalized sessions to help achieve goals and specific fitness needs.

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Jennifer Hart , Ballet Instructor
Jennifer Hart came to Ballet Austin from Minnesota Dance Theatre in 2007. Ms. Hart trained with Minnesota Dance Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Maggie Black and Toni Pierce of Alvin Ailey. She danced professionally with Minnesota Dance Theatre, Ballet of the Dolls, L.A. Chamber Ballet and numerous independent choreographers. She has been commissioned for choreography by: Minnesota Dance Theatre, the Walker Art Center for its Momentum Series, James Sewell Ballet as part of the Jerome Foundation Grant, Ballet Arts Minnesota's Springboard program, and Metropolitan Ballet in Minneapolis/St. Paul. She has also been selected twice by New Choreographers on Point in New York to present work as part of their Ballet Builders series. In the spring of 2007, she choreographed a full-length production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for Metropolitan Ballet.

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Arletta Howard-Logan, Ballet Instructor
On faculty since 1996, Arletta Howard-Logan enjoys making ballet available to both professional and nonprofessional dancers through her instruction in the Butler Community School. Ms. Howard-Logan co-owned Austin Dance Academy (ADA) from 1986 to 1996. In 1996, ADA merged with Ballet Austin Academy and joined the Ballet Austin Academy faculty. She began her relationship with Ballet Austin as a guest dancer in 1992.

During her career, Ms. Howard-Logan has focused on artistic direction, teaching, performing and choreographing for such establishments as Austin Ballet Theatre, Austin Conservatory of the Arts, San Angelo Civic Ballet and Northcross Mall's ice skaters. As a performer, she danced for institutions including Ballet Austin, Austin Ballet Theatre, Incarnate Word College Ballet in San Antonio, Corpus Christi Concert Ballet, Victoria Ballet Theatre and Beaumont Civic Ballet. Her professional experience as well as the education she received as an aspiring dance pupil helped to shape her distinctive approach to teaching dance. Ms. Howard-Logan trained with the Royal Academy of Dancing Majors, earning various awards and accolades for her ballet technique. She has also studied with Oklahoma City Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and several other schools and companies.

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Libby James, Ballet Instructor
Libby James graduated magna cum laude with a B.F.A. in Ballet from Texas Christian University. She danced with the Colorado Ballet for two years, performing in ballets such as Romeo and Juliet , The Sleeping Beauty , Serenade , Stars and Stripes , and Alvin Ailey's The River . Ms. James was a member of Texas Ballet Theater (formerly Fort Worth/Dallas Ballet) for three years. She performed roles such as the Spring Fairy in Cinderella , Clara in The Nutcracker , and one of the couples in Ben Stevenson's Four Last Songs.

This is Ms. James fourth season with Ballet Austin Academy and the Butler Community School.

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Kody Jauron, Jazz & Videodance Instructor
Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Kody began his classical ballet training with Andrew Needhammer and later continued his pre-professional studies at the Miami City Ballet School on full scholarship. Upon graduation of high school, Kody joined Ballet Austin’s Trainee Program where he was honored to become a recipient of the Sarah and Ernest Butler Scholarship. He has supplemented his training at summer intensives including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Ballet Austin all on scholarship. Last season, Kody was privileged to dance alongside Ballet Austin II in Stephen Mills’ “Red Roses” and Thang Dao’s “Quiet Imprint,” among others.  This year will be his first season as a member of Ballet Austin II.

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Vivian Kaw, Hula Instructor
Ms. Kaw was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She began taking hula lessons from her mother, a hula teacher. These lessons eventually grew into a deep love of Hawaiian dance and culture.

Ms. Kaw currently studies hula with Kumu Hula Keli'i Chang's Halau Ho'ola Ka Mana O Hawai'i in Houston, TX. She has also studied with Kumu Hula Ellen Gay Delarosa (Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, HI), Kumu Hula Keith Awai (Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, HI), Kumu Hula Lorraine Daniels (Honolulu, HI), Kumu Hula Paul Ho'omanawanuiikana'auao Apo (Honolulu, HI), and Joyce Flaugher (San Antonio, TX). She competed in the prestigious Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in April 2006 with Kumu Chang. She is a founding member of the Island Rhythms Hula Company in Austin, TX, and is its current Artistic Director.

Ms. Kaw is active in film, television, print, and runway in Austin, TX. She is also an avid salsa dancer.

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Jean Claude Lessou, West African Instructor
Jean-Claude was born and raised in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in West Africa.  He began dancing professionally at age 15, and performed with the Dante Theater Company for five years before touring the U.S. as principal dancer with Ballet Jolem.

He regularly performs and teaches at dance camps and festivals throughout the U.S.  He produced a special event for children at the Kennedy Center, performing masked dances from his own village.  During the past 10 years, he taught at Lisangua Ya Bato Dance and Drum Camp in Woodstock, New York and worked with students and faculty at Goddard College, Saint Michael’s College, Middlebury College and Norwich University in Vermont.

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Kaitlyn Moise, Ballet Fit Instructor
Originally from Houston, Kaitlyn trained at North Carolina School of the Arts before moving to Austin to be a trainee with Ballet Austin in 2007. In May 2011 she graduated from St. Edward’s University with a Communications degree. She has attended several summer intensives including North Carolina Dance Theatre, Virginia School of the Arts, Miami City Ballet, and Ballet Austin. She most recently has jumped into the world of musical theater and performed in several musicals with St. Edward’s Mary Moody Northen Theatre, SummerStock Austin and Zilker Theatre. She is thrilled to be teaching at Ballet Austin's Butler Community School. 

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Tony Merriwether, Tap Instructor
Tony Merriwether was discovered during an in-school outreach program conducted by Acia Grey and her company, Tapestry Dance Company (TDC), of Austin TX. Tony grew through the ranks of Tapestry, beginning in the Academy and the company's pre-apprentice training program, Visions In Rhythm (VIR). As a member of VIR, his performance credits include Lane Alexander's Chicago Human Rhythm Project , Acia Grey's Soul to Sole Festival, Barbra Phillip's Third Coast Rhythm Project as well as the productions of VIR.

Throughout his training he has had the honor of working with inspirational master artists such as Derick Grant, Jason Samuels Smith, Fayard Nicholas, Harold "Stumpy" Cromer and many others. As a result of his hard work, love and dedication to the artform, Tony auditioned and was accepted into TDC. This brought him to the national tour of, The Souls of Our Feet, where Tony was given the privilege of performing alongside masters, Dianne Walker, Sarah Petronio and Arthur Duncan known from the Lawrence Welk Show. Tony also performed in Sarah Petronio's Tribute to Jimmy Slyde at the New York City Tap Festival and in Ayodele Casel and Sarah Savelli's production of Wonderland - A tap tribute to Stevie Wonder. Soon after Tony's appearance in New York he found himself a part of Thank Thank You Gregory, a touring show that paid homage to the Honorable Gregory Hines.

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Elise Pekerak, Pilates & Ballet Fit Instructor
Originally from the Chicago area, Elise began her ballet training with Judith Svalander in Crystal Lake, Illinois. In 2007 she was accepted into Ballet Austin's Trainee Program and moved to Austin to further her dance education. In 2009 Elise joined Ballet Austin II and has just finished her second season as a BAII apprentice and is thrilled to be returning this fall as a company member for the 2011/12 season.

Elise had utilized Pilates as a part of her ballet training and as a means of injury prevention and rehabilitation, but after moving to Austin Elise found a passion for Pilates, fitness and wellness. In 2009, Elise studied with Ann Arnoult and became certified in the D.K. Body Balancing Method of Pilates mat instruction. She is also certified with Balanced Body Pilates. When not dancing, she enjoys running, kickboxing, Pilates reformer classes, and teaching swim lessons. Elise looks forward to working with clients in the Pilates Center, and motivating people through her Ballet Fit classes to achieve results and improve wellness through movement...all while having fun!

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Lisa del Rosario, Certified Feldenkrais® and Modern Fit Instructor
Lisa del Rosario began her dance studies at the Margo Marshall School of Ballet and the Cleveland San Jose School of Ballet. She continued her training as a Heywood “Woody” McGriff Presidential Scholarship student at the University of Texas at Austin where she received her BFA in Dance. She also studied classical piano and violin for many years and in her later years Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, qigong, Droznin System, Vipassana Meditation, and the Feldenkrais Method® of movement education. She currently is a member of DA! Theatre Collective and Sheep Army/Elsewhere Dance Theatre, and also performs her own solo work, along with independent choreographers, locally, nationally, and internationally.  Lisa has taught and choreographed at the Dougherty Arts School, the McCallum High School Fine Arts Academy, Tapestry, and the Texas Arts Project at St. Stephen's Episcopal School. Lisa is thrilled to be in her eighth season teaching Pre-Ballet at Ballet Austin Academy and Feldenkrais® in the Butler Community School.

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Boo Ruiz, CPFT, Pilates, Fitness, Jazz and Hip Hop Instructor
Boo Ruiz has more than 20 years of dance training in a variety of mediums. She was in the pre-professional program at Ballet Austin from 1996-1999 where she was fortunate enough to study under Mr. Stephen Mills. She has trained in jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, ballroom, and contemporary dance all over the country in studios such as The EDGE PAC (West Hollywood, CA), The PAC Annex (Van Nuys, CA), Broadway Dance Center (NYC, NY), and Steps (NYC,NY). Boo was a competitive dancer from 1992-2003. In 2003 she was ranked as the number three competitive soloist in the nation (National Dance Finals in Orlando, Florida). Boo continues to dance and audition all over the United States and Canada. Boo began choreographing and teaching at the professional level in 2001.

As a dancer Boo has experienced first hand the benefits of Pilates, not only for rehabilitation purposes, but also for maintenance and fine tuning, and is a Certified Pilates Fitness instructor. She has studied under Pilates Program Director Vlada Sheber since 2000. Her understanding of the human body, the knowledge lent from Vlada, and countless hours on the equipment provide dynamic tools that Boo utilizes to create an independent program for each client. Her focus is on form, proper alignment of the body, and helping her clients trust their bodies so that they achieve their personal goals and reach their fullest potential. “Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential” - Winston Churchill

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Vincent Sandoval, Theatre Dance Instructor
Vincent Sandoval is originally from Houston,TX. He graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and was awarded Most Outstanding Graduating Senior. He also earned his Arts Degree from Oklahoma City University and was also awarded Most Outstanding Graduating Senior. Vincent went on to pursue his professional career in New York City.

His performing credits include Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Spring Spectacular (Radio City Music Hall, Featured Dancer), Evita  & Singin’ In The Rain (Paper Mill Playhouse). He has also toured internationally in Crazy For You (European), Victor/Victoria ( First Broadway National) and Fosse (First Broadway National, Dance Captain).

He is currently on faculty at Texas Sate University and is happy to join the BCS this season!

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L. Jerry Schwender, Ballet Instructor
Jerry Schwender is a dance instructor for the Ballet Austin Academy and Butler Community School. His classes focus on intermediate and advanced ballet technique as well as partnering. He comes to the Ballet Austin Academy from his former position as ballet master and occasional guest artist of Ballet Austin.

Prior to joining Ballet Austin in 1997, Mr. Schwender taught dance and performed with the Richmond Ballet in Virginia for 16 years. Previously, he worked as a faculty member and a principal dancer with Seattle's Pacific Northwest Ballet. Recognized in the dance community for his partnering skills, he has also worked as a principal dancer for companies such as Pennsylvania Ballet, Houston Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet and Ballet International of London.

Mr. Schwender graduated from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. His passion for the art form and love of the students spurs him on in his teaching career.

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Michelle Thompson, Yoga Instructor
Michelle Thompson, Vinyasa Flow and Hatha Yoga instructor, has been teaching yoga at Ballet Austin's Butler Community School since May 2008. Michelle achieved a 200 hour certification and 100 advanced hours through the Yoga Alliance. She recently finished an advanced yoga training at Dharma Yoga. She has enjoyed seven seasons with the Ballet Austin Company, and she is also a teacher in the Ballet Austin Academy. Michelle is currently an ambassador for Lululemon Athletica, and enjoys extending a message of fitness and health into the community. Michelle has also hosted two yoga benefits for the SafePlace Organization, led a Yoga for Dancers workshop at Kula Yoga, and recently taught yoga at the Active Life Movement Festival. 

Michelle has found that practicing yoga helps her strength, flexibility, balance, focus, and breath as well as many other aspects in her life, and she hopes to provide her students with the knowledge, optimism, courage, and guidance to discover how yoga can help them in their lives.

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Kathryn Waggoner, Hip Hop and Jazz Funk Instructor
Beginning at the age of 5, Kathryn Waggoner has an extensive background in dance. She was captain of her high school dance team and continued her dance and musical theater education at Baylor University.  With 16 years of dance experience behind her, she has had the opportunity to train at the finest dance studios under some of the best dancers and choreographers in the business including: Wade Robson, Tyce Diorio, Shane Sparks, Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Gil Duldualo, Cris Judd, Laurieann Gibson, and Dave Scott.  In the summer of 2009, Kathryn was chosen to be an intern at the Pulse On Tour dance convention in Los Angeles, and additionally had the opportunity to participate in a summer intensive dance program at the legendary Millennium Dance Complex. Kathryn is excited to be a part of Ballet Austin's Butler Community School this season.

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Terri Lynn Wright, Ballet Instructor
Ms. Wright received her early training with Barbara Carson and Stanley Hall in Austin, Texas. She studied with Robert Joffrey, Patricia Wilde, Kristen Ralov, Kirsten Simone, and Peter Appel during summers in the U.S. and Europe. Ms. Wright began her professional dance career in Wiesbaden, Germany, followed by ten years with the North Carolina Dance Theatre where she became principal dancer as well as an assistant to director Salvatore Aiello.

She enjoyed Dance Theatre's diverse repertoire that included works by choreographers such as Salvatore Aiello, Oscar Ariaz, George Balanchine, August Bournonville, Bill Evans, Lambros Lambrou, Luk de Layress, Robert Lindgren, Lar Lubovich, Susan McKee-McCullough, Elisa Monte, Vincente Nebrada, Marius Petipa, Helgi Tomasson, Mel Tomlinson, Norbert Vesak, Mauricio Wainrot and Alvin Ailey. Leading roles performed in Balanchine's Allegro Brillante, Scotch Symphony, Glinka Pas de Trois, Pas de Dix and Valse Fantasie were coached by Melissa Hayden and Marina Eglevsky.

Ms. Wright has taught master classes while touring with NCDT throughout the U.S. and Europe, for summer sessions at North Carolina School of the Arts, and was a guest teacher at the Arts Magnet School in Dallas. She continues to help care for works choreographed by the late Mr. Aiello.

As a teacher, Ms. Wright's methods evolve with Ballet Austin, the students' needs and the ever increasing demands put upon the professional dancer.

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