Academy Director

        I started my dance journey right here in Manitowoc at the Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance, where I trained from ages 5 through 18. From the moment I put on my first pair of pointe shoes, I knew ballet was my calling.

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        During high school, I trained both at Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance and Green Bay School of Dance, and spent my summers at Milwaukee Ballet’s Summer Intensive. After graduation, I moved to Milwaukee for a full year of training before being accepted into the pre-professional division at Nashville Ballet. In 2018, I continued my training and performing with BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio.

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       While at BalletMet, I was fortunate to be mentored by Academy Director Maria Torija, PhD in Ballet Pedagogy with a specialization in Russian Ballet Technique. She taught me the foundations of proper teaching methods and allowed me to apprentice in her classes. Within two months, I was entrusted with my own class and officially hired onto the BalletMet faculty in October 2018.

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       It was in those moments of apprenticing and teaching that I discovered my true passion: guiding and inspiring students. There is something so special about watching dancers grow in confidence and artistry, and I feel grateful every day to help them become the artists they’re meant to be.