brittany carmichael
Brittany has danced since she was seven years old. She grew up dancing at the Academy of Dance and became part of the Civic Ballet Company. She was able to perform with a jazz company in China twice, Cuba and Russia. She played principle roles like Clara in the Nutcracker and Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. She was offered scholarships to summer intensives at Joffrey Ballet, California Ballet, and Lines Ballet. She started her own Youth Contemporary Ballet Company, in which they performed with the SLO Symphony and all over California. She then auditioned and was one of the twenty dancers to get on scholarship at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood. She has since gone on to work with many of the top choreographers. She has been a principle dancer in commercials such as the Nip/Tuck, Big Lots, Sensa, Che Banca and Danskin. She was also on a season of Fashion Star. She has done stage shows for America’s Got Talent, Disney, Sexy Hair, and a Latin show for international star Charo. She has done award shows like Guy’s Choice Spike TV, the Grammy’s, and the American Music Awards. She has danced for artists like Katy Perry, Leona Lewis, and Ameriie. She has done promo tours all over the U.S. and internationally. She has been a featured in a film with Jessica Alba. She has done modeling for sportswear and dance articles as well. She has toured with Nuclear Cowboyz, a freestyle motocross show with dancers and acrobats. She has assisted, choreographed, taught and coached for various studios, ballets, and girl groups. She loves teaching and how every different project brings about an amazing new experience!!
began her training at The Academy of Dance at the age of six. Michelle’s training with Joffrey Ballet, New York, and her performing expertise makes her one of the most influential instructors at The Academy of Dance. Michelle offers the best in foundational training and imaginative choreography.
michelle epperheimer
kasey hayes
has been teaching at The Academy of Dance since 2000. She has earned her early childhood education credits and has inventive ways to introduce children to social interaction while building healthy bodies. Kasey currently dances with The Civic Ballet and San Luis Jazz Dancers.
patrick keith
Driven by his creative passion, Patrick found dance at the age of 9. He developed an affinity towards ballet early on, however, found peace in the contrary style of hip hop. Being part of the Civic Ballet for 3 years and as a Full Company Member for 1, he has danced roles such as: Calpurnio in Julia, Head Wrangler in 1932, as well as The Rat King and The Dutch King in the Nutcracker. He has a unique ability to combine his musical talents with his love of dance and is excited to spread his expertise to aspiring students.
jackie lee
Jackie Lee teaches classical ballet, jazz and tap at the Academy of Dance, and has been teaching with us for over 40 years now. She has seen the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo grow from it’s inception in 1978, as one of it’s few dancers, to become the successful, many faceted, Company that it is today. She now dances, choreographs, and helps train the other Company members as one of its ballet mistresses. Her own training began with Madam Collenette, protégé of Anna Pavlova, the world-renowned Russian trained ballerina. At this time she danced Bluebird with her first pas de due partner, Charles Maple, who went on to be a soloist with the American Ballet Theater and then open the Maple Conservatory of Dance. She then trained with George Zorich, famed star of the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, who had his training at the Imperial School in Russia. She went on to study with Patrick Franz, in Los Angeles, a former premier danseur with the Paris Opera Ballet. Then, moving up the coast of California, she was hired by Tamara Usher and the Santa Barbara Ballet Theater before making the Academy of Dance and Civic Ballet her home. While here she continued her training with Rec Russell, a Broadway and television performer and founder of the Rec Russell Jazz Dance Company and with Enrico Labayen, of Labayen Dance in San Francisco. Enrico and Jackie partnered in the lead rolls of our Company’s very first Nutcracker. The Academy has also provided her with the opportunity to train with Alonzo King, Alex Ketley, Alexander Godunov and many others during her teaching career. In her many seasons with San Luis Jazz and the Civic Ballet she has brought not only her technical expertise, but the excitement and passion of performance on to the stage in countless rolls. Her goal is to take technique to the level of artistry in her students!
elena lorton-smith
Elena Lorton-Smith has a B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in Guidance and Counseling from Cal Poly State University. She is a Counselor at Morro Bay High and the Dance Director of the MBHS Fusion Dance Company. Elena began her training at the Academy of Dance at age four. After extensive training with the San Francisco Ballet, she has been a principal dancer with the Civic Ballet since 1984. Elena is an instructor and advisor to the Civic Ballet as well as a faculty member of The Academy of Dance. She takes pride in sharing her knowledge and enriching young dancers in the art of dance. Her classes emphasize refining technique, maintaining a healthy body so one can dance for a life time, and foremost enhancing one’s artistry to be shared beyond the dance studio.
katie neville
Katie Neville has a BFA from San Francisco State University; where she studied techniques Limón, Horton, and Post-Modern. While living in the bay, she was able to practice with Janice Garrett, Robert Moses, & KT Nelson. Attending NYU for a summer at Tisch she was able to learn repertoire from New York based companies of David Dorfman and Ronald K Brown. Katie apprenticed with the ODC dance company for a season learning the company's repertoire and participating in the creation of new work. Her dance education started here at Academy of Dance and continued with The Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo; she is very excited to be a part of this incredible dance community that fostered her passion for the art.
rowan norby
Rowan Norby has been dancing at The Academy of Dance since she could walk. She has been a part of the Civic Ballet's full company for the past three years. Rowan had danced leading roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy, Rose Queen, Doodle, Emily and more with The Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo. Her passion for dance has driven her to want to teach others as she attends Cal Poly.
drew silvaggio
holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. On the east coast, some of his favorite performances include; “A Chorus Line,” “Edmond,” “On the Town,” “Carousel,” “Weird Romance,” and performances as a featured dancer for the Barrymore Awards as well as the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Drew is the Artistic Director of the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo and owner of the Academy of Dance. His original works include: “Alice in Wonderland,” “Sidewalk Stories,” “The Crucible,” “JuliA Caesar,” “The Scarlet Ibis,” and “Our Town.” Drew is the principal choreographer for Opera San Luis Obsipo (“Carmen,” “Aida,” “Oklahoma,” “Showboat,” “South Pacific”) and has been lucky enough to choreograph for The Great American Melodrama and SLOREP Theater. Some of his past SLOREP credits include; “Cabaret,” “Drowsy Chaperone,” “The Producers,” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” Drew has been seen locally performing with Deyo Dances, Variable Velocity and The Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo.
Michelle Walter received her B.S. from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she was a member of the Orchesis Dance Company, and an M.A. in Dance Education from Stanford University, where she studied Art Education and Theory with Dr. Elliot Eisner, Music and Dance Movement with Inga Weiss (a student of Mary Wigman), Dance History with Dr. Janice Ross, and Dance Cultures with Dr. Susan Cashion. Michelle studied ballet under former Ballet Russes dancers Mara Lysova and Gilbert Reed and has been a member of the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo and the Gilbert Reed Ballet Company. While on Sabbatical in England she studied in London and Cambridge, performing at the Cambridge Arts Theatre and has recently been studying at Julio Bocca's studio in Buenos Aires. Michelle taught at Cuesta Community College for more than 20 years developing and writing the curriculum for the Dance Program and in 1994 founding Entourage Dance Company. She is currently on the faculty of Cal Poly Theatre and Dance teaching courses in all levels of ballet.
michelle walter
sawyer strand
Sawyer Strand has been dancing and training at Academy of Dance since the age of 4. She has performed in all levels of performing groups and is a member of The Civic Ballet. Sawyer’s love of kids, teaching, & choreography started early and led her to assisting in classes at age 13. She is currently attending Cuesta with a plan to transfer and continue her dance education. Sawyer has a great love of the younger generation of Academy dancers and is thrilled to participate in their dance education.