Instructors

Nanette Reimschussel Chertudi

Nanette was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. Her early training at Ballet West Academy led her to receive a full scholarship offer from the University of Utah, while still in high school, where she performed with Utah Ballet. At the age of 16, she was offered a contract with Ballet West. Following her performing career, she began teaching ballet and developed her own ballet school through the Eccles Community Art Center in Ogden, Utah. Under her direction, the school became a satellite program for Ballet West which was being directed by Jonas Kåge. Prioritizing the needs of her growing family, she moved to Utah county and has taught as various studios. She has a wealth of knowledge and over 20 years of teaching experience.

Liz Weldon

Originally from Duxbury, Massachusetts, Elizabeth Weldon came to Utah to dance for Ballet West where she spent almost 9 years dancing in the company. Some of her featured roles include Tall Swans in Swan Lake, Zulme in Giselle, Arabian and Doll in The Nutcracker, side woman #2 in William Forsythe’s In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, as well as numerous leading roles in Ballet West’s dancer choreographed works. While at Ballet West, Ms. Weldon had the opportunity to dance works by world-renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Sir Frederick Ashton, Jiri Kylian, Nicolo Fonte, Helen Pickett, Val Caniparoli, Matthew Neenan, among many others. She has also been a model for BLOCH and Eleve Dance Wear.

Ms. Weldon holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stonehill College and has written articles that have been published by A Ballet Education and Utah Business Magazine. She is also a yoga teacher for Myriad Genetics’ corporate wellness program and is an avid yoga practitioner and meditator. Elizabeth loves to share her passion for ballet with others and teaches open adult classes at Trolley Corners and for Ballet West Academy at the Ballet Center.

Tyler Gum

Tyler Gum is from Calhan, Colorado. He joined Ballet West II in 2009 and joined the main company in 2010. He was then promoted to Demi-Soloist in 2014, Soloist in 2016, and First Soloist in 2018. Tyler studied with Holly Marble at the Ballet Society of Colorado Springs, and with Fernando Schaffenburg at the Sangre de Cristo Ballet Theatre. He attended summer programs at Walnut Hill, Harid Conservatory, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet School on scholarship. Tyler attended the University of Arizona where he performed with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. He competed in the Youth America Grand Prix, where he received first place with his classical ballet solo at the regional competition and a contract with Ballet West II at the New York City finals. Some of Tyler’s favorite leading roles he’s performed with Ballet West include the Prince in Ashton’s Cinderella, Robbins’ Fancy Free, the Sugar Plum Cavalier in Christensen’s The Nutcracker, and Edward Sterlie’s Lacrymosa solo.

Adrian Fry

Adrian Fry is from Omaha, Nebraska. He joined Ballet West in 2010 and was promoted to Soloist in 2012, First Soloist in 2014, and to Principal in 2017. Adrian trained at Omaha Theater Ballet School, School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. In 2016, Adrian appeared with the contemporary dance company NOW-ID in the Copenhagen Opera Festival. He was also featured in the 25th International Ballet Festival in Havana, Cuba, where Ballet West was one of the first American companies invited to perform since relations changed between the nations. With Ballet West, Adrian has danced leading roles in Sklute’s Giselle, Balanchine’s Apollo, and the title roles in Stevenson’s Dracula and Cranko’s Onegin, among many others.

Adrian has choreographed since 2012. He’s created dance pieces for music videos and site-specific installations in addition to works for the ballet stage. In July of 2016, he received the first ever Ballet Commission from the Utah Arts Festival to create an original work for their 40th anniversary. In March of 2017, he premiered his first narrative work, The Emperor’s New Clothes, for Ballet West.

In addition to dancing, Adrian frequently teaches for the Ballet West Academy and is principal faculty for the artÉmotion summer intensive. He also assists his wife, former Ballet West Artist Jordan Richardson, in building their luxury wedding cake business, Ballerina Baker.

Kyohei Yoshida

Kyohei is a former international professional ballet dancer who began his training in Tokyo, Japan. He was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Elmhurst School in the UK, where he had the coveted opportunity to perform with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. During his time at Elmhurst, Kyohei received medals from major ballet competitions in Japan and China.

Kyohei further honed his skills by training at some of the world's renowned ballet schools, all with full scholarships, including the Rock School of Dance in Philadelphia, the San Francisco Ballet School, and The Washington Ballet in Washington D.C. He went on to compete at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, considered the largest and most prestigious ballet competition in the world. There, he performed six different pieces and earned a bronze medal in 2010.

After his successful competition performance, Kyohei embarked on a professional dance career that took him to Slovakia, Japan, Michigan, Miami, and California. Throughout his career, he danced a wide range of principal roles, including Melancholic in Balanchine's "The Four Temperaments," Basil in "Don Quixote," Ali in "Le Corsaire," and Prince Siegfried in Kent Stowell's "Swan Lake." Kyohei was also a principal soloist in Kirk Peterson's "Amazed in Burning Dreams" and performed as Iago in Jose Limon's "The Moor's Pavane."

In addition to his distinguished dance career, Kyohei is also an experienced ballet teacher, having taught at several ballet schools across the United States and Japan. Kyohei is excited to continue sharing his boundless passion for ballet with students at Ballet West.

Jenna Herrera

Jenna Rae Herrera is from Ontario, California. She joined Ballet West II in 2007 and the main company in 2010. Jenna was promoted to Demi-Soloist in 2015, to Soloist in 2016, to First Soloist in 2020, and to Principal in 2021. She trained under Cynthia Young, Laurence Blake, and Randall Graham. Jenna’s favorite leading roles she’s danced with Ballet West include Balanchine’s Rubies, Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Olga in Cranko’s Onegin, and Juliet in Smuin’s Romeo + Juliet. Jenna is also on faculty with the Ballet West Academy and has taught at the Ballet West Academy Summer Intensive, as well as at the Brigham Young University Advanced Ballet Intensive. She is currently enrolled at the University of Utah with the hopes of obtaining a bachelor’s in the Fine Arts.

Amanda Kindt

Amanda Kindt grew up dancing in her home town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She studied many genres of dance at Lititz Academy of Dance and was a part of the CoJoMotion Dance Company. She then continued her studies of classical ballet, modern technique, choreography, dance kinesiology, and more by pursuing a degree in dance. Amanda graduated Summa Cum Laude with her B.F.A. in Dance from The University of Akron in the spring of 2020. A special highlight of her college experience, was when her own choreography, “Elysium”, was performed and adjudicated at the American College Dance Association festival.

Amanda has performed roles such as Chicken in Carnival of the Animals and Pas de Trois in Le Conservatoire. Amanda has worked for artÉmotion and Ballet West Academy as the Head Resident Intern for both Summer Intensive programs. She is currently a Resident Advisor for the new Ballet West Academy housing program. In her free time, Amanda enjoys teaching Senior Steps.

Kristen Stringham

Kristen began her dance training at the age of seven, studying with LaRae Thackeray at LaRae’ Dance Unlimited in Layton, Utah where she studied ballet, tap, and jazz for eleven years. During this time, she performed in Ballet West’s annual production of “The Nutcracker,” attended summer intensive programs at Brigham Young University, and gained valuable student teaching experience. She attended Southern Utah University, graduating in 2016, where she minored in dance performance. In college she performed with the Cedar City Junior Ballet for five seasons, and was a member of SUU’s modern dance club, Orchesis. Since moving back to Salt Lake City Kristen has stayed active in the local dance community, teaching ballet, tap, and jazz at Starz Unlimited Dance Studio and Wasatch Arts Center, and recently at Ballet West Academy. When she isn’t dancing, she enjoys hiking, knitting, and reading.

Mary Ann Schaefer

Born in Memphis, TN, Mary Ann Shaefer took her first ballet classes at the Allegro Ballet Academy with instructor Norah Curran. After moving to Indianapolis, IN at age 12, she studied at the Clara R. Noyes Academy of Ballet Internationale until its closing in 2005, and then continued her training under the instruction of Alyona Yakovleva, Tatiana Pali, and Sergey Sergiev at the Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana.

In 2007 she won first place in the classical division at the Youth America Grand Prix competition, and in 2010, she competed at the World Ballet Competition, where she received a Jury Award and full scholarship to Ballet West’s summer program and year round trainee program in Salt Lake City, UT. In 2012, Artistic Director Adam Sklute asked Ms. Shaefer to join Ballet West II, where she performed in their productions for two seasons and then stayed on as a supplemental artist for their 2014-2015 season. Beginning in 2015, Ms. Shaefer performed Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” for two seasons under Artistic Director Tom Mossbrucker, and was also a member of The Suzanne Farrell Ballet for two seasons, where she had the honor of performing numerous Balanchine ballets on tour and at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

In 2017, Ms. Shaefer returned to Indianapolis, IN as a founding company member of the Indianapolis Ballet. Over her four seasons there she performed numerous soloist roles, including “Dark Angel” in Serenade; “Tall Girl” in Rubies; “Katerina” in Firebird; and “Dew Drop” & “Arabian” in The Nutcracker. Ms. Shaefer is currently a faculty member at Ballet West’s Park City campus.Find her @schaef.ma on Instagram.

Hannah Willis

Hannah danced at Ballet West as a Trainee (2017-2019) on a full scholarship and performed in many ballets and new works. In 2017, Hannah was awarded Silver and Bronze at the Youth America Grand Prix competition for Classical Ballet and Pas de Deux. Prior to being a Trainee, Hannah received the Shar Quinney Scholarship at Ballet West Academy as a student in the Professional Training Division (2015-2017).

Hannah now attends the University of Utah and studies Health, Society & Policy and Ballet with completed minors in Pediatric Clinical Research and Chemistry in the Honors College.

During her time at the University of Utah, Hannah has placed 1^st in Classical Ballet at the Puerto Rico Classical Dance Competition (2020), received “Excellence in Professional Research Ethics” for her work on a human rights thesis and was accepted into Oxford's Consortium on Human Rights (2022).

Hannah has a strong passion for education. She enjoys coaching ballet and Organic Chemistry. Hannah is currently attending medical school.

Samantha Taggart

Samantha Abrahamson was born and raised in Salt Lake City Utah and began dancing as soon as she began walking. From a young age Ms. Abrahamson participated in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap classes. Ballet quickly became her favorite genre of dance because of the ornate costumes, the beautiful music, and the magnificent love stories. She spent one summer with Long Beach Ballet, and has participated in workshops at Utah Dance Center, Ballet West, and Municipal Ballet Company. In May 2020, she graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in Ballet from Utah Valley University (UVU). Performance is one of her first loves and she has had the opportunity to share the stage with Long Beach Ballet, Mountain West Ballet, and Repertory Dance Theater. She cultivated her artistry as part of UVU’s student ballet company, Repertory Ballet Ensemble. Through the dance program at UVU, Ms. Abrahamson had the opportunity to participate in the American of College of Dance Association conference, and loved performing in the gala alongside her ballet and modern dance major peers. Samantha’s love of dance does not end with performing, she has also found joy and passion in teaching.

Ms. Abrahamson began teaching under direction of Christy McQuaid, owner and director of Utah Dance Center, at age 15. She has also taught at Academy of Ballet Arts in South Jordan Utah, and at Evolve Dance Studio in Draper, Utah. Samantha enjoys bringing energy, hope, and determination to her classroom, and hopes to inspire dancers throughout her career.

Heather Thackeray

Heather Thackeray was named Campus Principal in July 2020; prior Ms. Thackeray served as the Student Ballet Master and Academy Artistic Liaison. Ms. Thackeray has enjoyed over three decades of association with Ballet West. Her first experience with the company was as a child performer in The Nutcracker. She became a student in the Ballet West Academy, and then accepted a contract to join the company in 1991. Toward the end of her performing career, Ms. Thackeray transitioned to the artistic staff as the assistant to the artistic director. She is a well-respected master teacher and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Utah.

Avery Denney

Avery Denney’s dance journey began at the age of 2, with jazz and tap classes at her mom’s studio. She started ballet at 6 and fell in love with its artistry and technique. She expressed interest in both choreography and teaching from an early age, assisting and choreographing for her classes regularly. At 11, she began choreographing her contemporary solos for the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), and has done so ever since. Her pieces have won best choreography awards, top 12, and helped her sister earn 3rd place in contemporary at YAGP.

Avery has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, modern, musical theater, and hip hop. Many years of competing earned her 1st overall at many competitions and conventions around the Pacific Northwest, including New York City Dance Alliance, where she was an Outstanding Dancer scholarship winner for 7 years, and received top 25 at their Nationals in 2022. After graduating high school at 16 with her associate’s degree, she was awarded $160,000 in total scholarships to study dance in college. Last year, she won 1st in the Senior Classical division at YAGP Seattle, and was invited to attend the international finals. It was there that she was asked to join Ballet West Academy’s Professional Training Division, where she now trains. Avery is so grateful to have the opportunity to study and teach here in Salt Lake City, and is thrilled to be able to pass on the art of dance through teaching.

Lindsey Larsen

Lindsey Larsen’s initial ballet training began at age four and includes training with Barlow Arts Conservatory and with Ballet West Academy Thanksgiving Point, sponsored by the Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation. During her years with Ballet West Academy, Ms. Larsen trained under the direction of Jennie Creer King and Maricar Drilon and was a recipient of multiple merit scholarships. As a young student, Ms. Larsen enjoyed performing in The Washington Ballet’s “Cinderella” as the role of an Autumn Fairy Corps Member, several years in Ballet West’s “The Nutcracker”, and had numerous performing opportunities through Ballet West Academy including roles as Lilac Fairy and Lead Garland Fairy in “Sleeping Beauty”, and with Ballet West II as a Rosebud in “Beauty and the Beast”.

Ms. Larsen has been privileged to receive training from Irena and Slawomir Wozniak, Alaine Haubert, Alexei Moskalenko, Pamela Robinson-Harris, Jan Fugit, Jessica Thompson, Lindsay Folkman, Albert Blaise Cattafi, Wilson Domingues, Zherlin Ndudi, and Calvin Kitten.

She has also attended summer intensive courses with the Washington Ballet under the artistic direction of Septime Weber, Ballet Hawaii, Master Ballet Academy, and Ballet West Academy.

Ms. Larsen was crowned Miss Lehi 2019 and received the talent award for her performance of La Esmerelda. Through her service as Miss Lehi, she created a program that brings dance education to students with special needs at the high school level and has participated in the Movement Mentor program as an adaptive dance mentor/teacher at Ballet West Academy. She was awarded second runner up at Miss Utah 2021 and now currently serves as Miss Utah 2022. She is currently pursuing a BFA in classical ballet at the University of Utah with an emphasis on performance and teaching.

Dan Alsedek

Dan started his classical ballet training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under Marcia Dale Weary. He continued his education in New York City on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet with Stanley Williams. He graduated from the professional division of San Francisco Ballet School in the class of Jorge Esquivel. Dan went on to dance professionally with Richmond Ballet as an apprentice for two years. Dan then joined Ballet Austin for two years as a full company member. He performed and toured with Eugene Ballet for four years while in the company. Dan draws upon his extensive knowledge of therapeutic massage, acting, and Pilates to offer an alignment-based, musical class.

Jazz Bynum

Jazz Khai Bynum is a company corps artist in Ballet West. She began training at the age of 5 with Hudson Repertory Dance Theatres’ after school program. She continued her training in Maryland where she danced at Maryland Youth Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlems’ Residency Program at the Kennedy Center. Ms. Bynum has also received her B.F.A in Contemporary Performance with an emphasis in ballet from The Boston Conservatory. Her goals as a ballet dancer are to become a principal dancer, be apart of the change to normalize black faces in ballet companies and dismantle microaggressions in our workspace, be an example for young brown and black ballerinas that we do belong, and to create awareness and better care for young dancers and dancers in higher education to have the proper facilities to recover from injuries and daily care. Ms. Bynum came to Ballet West as a Trainee in 2018, joined Ballet West II in 2019 and now is in her first season in the main company. In addition to becoming a professional ballerina Ms. Bynum wants to publish a few books, and open her own Wedding and Event Planning business. Ms. Bynum lives her life passionately and will always strive to spread love and positivity.

Scout Sutton

Scout Sutton graduated from the University of Utah with a BFA in ballet in 2023 and has been teaching at Ballet West Academy since 2019. Originally from Grantsville, Utah, Ms. Sutton's ties to Ballet West began at an early age when she was cast in The Nutcracker in 2009 at the age of 8. After performing in The Nutcracker, she joined the academy the following fall and received her formal training there until her graduation in 2019. During her time at Ballet West Academy, Ms. Sutton participated in many performances with the company including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle, and more. After high school she decided to attend the University of Utah to gain a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ballet performance. In addition to teaching at Trolley Corners, Ms. Sutton is also a rehearsal assistant for The Nutcracker and enjoys working with the children’s roles for the production. Aside from ballet, Ms. Sutton is also involved in her community by volunteering at vision screenings at local elementary schools and served her hometown as Miss Grantsville 2021.

Joshua Trader

Born in San Francisco, CA, Joshua Trader trained at the Academy of Ballet under the Direction of Richard Gibson. After completing his training he joined Eugene Ballet for two years where he danced numerous leading roles. He then joined Tulsa Ballet for eight years where he expanded his classical and contemporary works and was privileged to dance in the works of the world’s leading choreographers including Jiří Kylián, Nacho Duato, Val Caniparoli, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Hans van Manen, Christopher Wheeldon, Nicolo Fonte and Stanton Welch among others.

Mr.Trader was always interested in teaching ballet and began teaching early into his dance career. Some of his teaching credits include The Joffrey Ballet Summer Workshop in San Antonio, TX, Ballet Idaho Academy, Tulsa Ballet Center For Dance Education and Tulsa Ballet’s junior company Tulsa Ballet II. Upon retiring from the stage in 2010, Joshua began teaching full time at his alma mater the Academy of Ballet in San Francisco, CA. While teaching at the Academy he was instrumental in helping young students achieve their goal of becoming professional dancers. His students joined the likes of National Ballet Of Canada, Kansas City Ballet, Ballet West II, The Julliard School, and Fordam University among others.

In the fall of 2015, Mr. Trader and his family moved to Santa Rosa and he joined the faculty of Santa Rosa Dance Theater. In the Summer of 2017, Joshua was honored to be named the Artistic Director of SRDT. After 7 years of directing Santa Rosa Dance Theater, Mr. Trader is excited to join the faculty of Ballet West Academy.

Stacey Mahan

PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM

Ms. Mahan danced with New York City Opera Ballet, Ballet Repertory, and Ballet Ambassadors. In addition, she performed with Anna Sokolow’s Player’s Project, a Graham style modern dance company. Recognizing her passion for education, Ms. Mahan retired from the stage early in her performing career to pursue teaching the next generation of dancers.

Ms. Mahan earned her bachelor's degree from New York University, where she graduated with Magna cum Laude Honors and her Masters in Arts Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. At Harvard, she studied cognitive development and was awarded the Van Otterloo Scholarship for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

Ms. Mahan began her teaching career as the youngest faculty member at STEPS on Broadway in New York City, where she taught ballet and developed curriculum for ages four through pre professional. Ms. Mahan worked in the Education Department of American Ballet Theatre for ten years. There, she adjudicated the national audition tour for the summer intensive program, designed the premier Young Dancer Program Summer Intensive, and worked extensively in educational outreach; including teaching and choreographing for the award winning Make a Ballet Program, which is presented at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.

Ms. Mahan’s early training began with her mother, Sondra Forsyth, who trained with Thaila Mara; as well as Frank Ohman, a former New York City Ballet dancer; and Jan Hanniford Goetz, a former Joffrey Ballet dancer. Her later teachers included David Howard, Wilhelm Burman, Nancy Bielski and Peff Modelski, as well as Olga Kostritsky for character dance. This blend of training that includes Balanchine, Vaganova and Checchetii methods informs Ms. Mahan’s current teaching practices.

Additional teaching credits include School of Ballet Arizona, Arizona School for the Arts, Manhattanville College, Director of Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance.

In 2014, Ms. Mahan moved to Utah and began teaching at Ballet West. She is delighted to be a part of the quality training offered in a positive atmosphere. Ms. Mahan and her husband have two boys and two dogs and love living in Salt Lake City.

Silver Martin

Silver Barkes received most of her training with the Marin Ballet in the SF Bay Area and San Francisco ballet schools. Joining State Street Ballet in the year 2000 was a wonderful "stepping stone" to her career at Ballet West in Salt Lake City Utah from 2004-2011 as a Corp de Ballet member. In her years at Ballet West she was fortunate to work with the Balanchine trust and many esteemed Choreographers. As a Corps de Ballet member she did numerous soloist and demi-soloist roles over the years. In 2012, she came out of retirement to once again dance with the company and join the cast of the hit reality TV show, Breaking Pointe, as one of their main characters. Not only has she had a ballet career, she also is an accomplished professional Makeup Artist, receiving her degree in 2012.

Currently, Ms. Barkes teaches at Creative Arts Academy in Bountiful as co-ballet director creating a beautiful program for their students and directing a ballet production with upwards of 2,000 students. Most recently she has excitedly joined the staff at Ballet West Academy in 2017, teaching all levels. Ms. Barkes has also found her passion for choreography. Her pieces have been chosen and awarded in many competitions as judges’ choice.

Ms. Barkes also has started coaching for YAGP resulting in many of her students making it to finals throughout the years.

Ms. Barkes’ love for ballet throughout her career has inspired her as a teacher. She is so excited to continue to work and grow as a teacher and share her knowledge with her students!

Tim Lynch

Timothy Lynch, born in Mineola, New York, trained for ten years on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet before joining Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) in 1993. During his performing career with PNB, he danced featured roles in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Paul Taylor, and originated roles by numerous contemporary choreographers. His repertoire included notable character roles such as Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty, Drosselmeier in The Nutcracker, and Gamache in Don Quixote. He also appeared as Nick Bottom in the BBC production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Lynch transitioned into education and leadership, becoming co-director of PNB’s Outreach Youth Performing Group in 2001 and joining the PNB School faculty in 2003, where he helped develop the men’s program for over a decade. He earned a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts (summa cum laude) and later an MFA in Dance, focusing on history, somatics, and pedagogy.

In 2007, he founded Seattle Dance Project, a nonprofit emphasizing collaboration, outreach, and arts education. He has choreographed and taught widely, earning honors including the KOMO Kids First Award and Educator of the Year from the Dance Educators Association of Washington.

Lynch served as Academy Director for BalletMet (2014–2016), expanding programs and initiatives, and later co-founded Lynch Dance Institute in San Diego. He has taught at major institutions including the Colburn School and universities across the U.S. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah.

Ashley Pew

Ashley is a proud dual citizen of Scotland and America and has lived in NYC the past 15 years. She has worked on Broadway in London’s West End. Ashley trained at the Dance School of Scotland and with the Scottish National Ballet before graduating from Laine Theatre Arts.

Ashley Pew

Ashley is a proud Dual citizen of Scotland and America and has lived in NYC for the past 15

years. Throughout her career, she has worked as Dance Captain, Performer and Associate

Choreographer on Broadway and in London's West End.

Shows include Frozen, Some Like it Hot, Matilda, Shrek, Leopoldstadt, Jersey Boys, Candide,

Guys and Dolls, Fame, Saturday Night Fever, Starlight Express, Dirty Dancing and On The

Town.

Throughout her performance career she has continuously taught Ballet, Jazz, Tap and

Performance through song and Dance. Ashley has worked with young children through to

Professional level, as well as teaching Master Classes, individual coaching and personal fitness

training for dancers.

In the UK, Ashley performed in London's West End while simultaneously teaching full time at

Urdang College, University of London.

Ashley trained at the Dance School of Scotland and with the Scottish Ballet Company before

graduating from Laine Theatre Arts with a Diploma in Musical Theatre, Advanced RAD Ballet

and ISTD Ballet (Hons) and ISTD Modern teaching certifications.

Ashley is wife to Jeff and Mummy to Freddy, her favourite job

Claire Spainhour

Claire Wilson is from Longview, Texas. She joined the Ballet West Academy as a trainee in 2017 and joined Ballet West II in 2019. She was promoted to the main company in 2021. With Ballet West, Claire has danced roles in Robinson-Harris and Dolkas’s Snow White, Christensen’s The Nutcracker, Nunes’ Orange, and Smuin’s Romeo + Juliet, to name a few.

Erin Payner

Erin began her classical ballet training in the Vaganova method with Pavel Rotaru in Atlanta, GA in 1993. She has studied, by invitation, with such renowned ballet companies as the American Ballet Theater in New York City, the San Francisco Ballet (on scholarship), Boston Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle. In 1998, Erin was selected to represent the United States as a competitor in the VI USA International Ballet
Competition, often referred to as the "Olympics of Ballet”. She has performed as a guest dancer with numerous companies throughout the Southeastern U.S. and toured the Pacific Northwest, notably in the leading roles of the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Giselle in Giselle, and Mercedes and Kitri in Don Quixote as well as Soloist roles in Etudes, Carmen, The Four Seasons, Sleeping Beauty and Napoli.

In 2002, Erin graduated the Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering, cum laude. She was the founding director of Gifted Kids, an Atlanta-area dance outreach program, a long-standing board member of CityDance, an Atlanta-based non-profit supporting dance education and performance, and founding director of a 10-year running annual, acclaimed community Nutcracker production in Port St. Joe, Florida. In addition to her continued leadership in the dance community, Erin spent 15 years with global management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, initially as a subject matter expert and later as a leader in professional development. She currently acts as an independent executive coach and strategy consultant to business leaders, including a number of dance studio owners.

As a dance instructor for over 30 years with students ranging in age from 3 to adult, Erin is known for her caring and musical teaching style, cultivating a love of movement and music in her students.

Mikayla Gyfteas

Mikayla Gyfteas is from Anchorage, Alaska. She joined Ballet West Academy in 2020, became a Ballet West Academy Trainee in 2021, joined Ballet West II in 2023, and Ballet West in 2024.

Instructors

Nanette Reimschussel Chertudi

Liz Weldon

Tyler Gum

Adrian Fry

Kyohei Yoshida

Jenna Herrera

Amanda Kindt

Kristen Stringham

Mary Ann Schaefer

Hannah Willis

Samantha Taggart

Heather Thackeray

Avery Denney

Lindsey Larsen

Dan Alsedek

Jazz Bynum

Scout Sutton

Joshua Trader

Stacey Mahan

Silver Martin

Tim Lynch

Ashley Pew

Claire Spainhour

Erin Payner

Mikayla Gyfteas

Wyatt Johnson