Mr. Morgan was in the original Broadway Cast of “Starlight Express” and “Meet Me in St. Louis”. Ron began his performing career in the “All American College Singers” in Disneyland. He has performed and or choreographed in over 15 countries around the world. New York production work includes Off-Broadway Revues, Industrial Trade Shows & Cruise Ships. Ron choreographed the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders for seven seasons producing many NFL Halftime Shows. Ron has choreographed for the Indiana Pacemates and produced NBA half time shows. His work also includes choreographing parade units for Disney and other events. Ron has choreographed for numerous theatres including Footlite Musicals, Theatre on the Square and the Edeveyan Theatre. He has worked as a Master Artist with the “Very Special Arts of Indiana” and continues to work with area schools. Ron continues as an adjudicator and master teacher for dance and show choir competitions around the country. He resided in New York City for several years where he studied dance with numerous instructors including David Howard, Charles Kelly & Joe Lanteri. Currently Mr. Morgan directs and choreographs for Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre and area schools.

 

 

 

Artistic Director,
Jane Hachiya-Weiner

Jane comes to Indianapolis from Japan where she was one of the Principal Dancers of the Hirofumi Inoue Ballet company, in Tokyo, and danced under her given name of Jane Godsoe and later her stage name of Noriko Hachiya. She danced the leading roles in such ballets as Swan Lake (Odette/Odile), Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Giselle. She was given the role of Marie Taglioni in Sir Anton Dolin’s staging of Pas de Quatre on one of his visits to the Hirofumi Inoue Ballet Company as guest choreographer. During her days in Tokyo, Jane was a frequent guest artist in both the touring and Tokyo performances of the Japan Ballet Association and also for the NHK’s (National Broadcasting Company of Japan) annual “Evening at the Ballet”. Her dance experiences as guest artist spanned contemporary and original works by local choreographers to Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty. During her tenure at the Hirofumi Inoue Ballet Company, she was partnered by such notable dancers as David Wall of the Royal Ballet, Michael Birkmeyer of the Vienna State Opera Ballet and Cyril Atanasoff and Patrick Dupond of the Ballet de l’Opera de Paris. She was featured in André Prokovsky’s staging of Faust Divertimento and in Alfred Rodrigues’ staging of Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique. In l980, Jane was awarded the Akiko Tachibana National Dance Award for her interpretation of Giselle. She has studied in Tokyo, Paris and Toulouse France, New York and at the Boston Ballet. Her teachers include Nina Vyroubova, former Etoile of the Paris Opera who coached Jane for the roles of Aurora and Giselle. She has had extensive tutelage in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus under Frank Freeman, Julia M. Cross and Nicola Wallis. who were resident RAD instructors for the HIrofumi Inoue Ballet Company. Her other teachers of note include Mr. Serge Peretti, Mr. AlfredRodrigues, Mr. Naoto Seki, Miss Nobuko Haruyama in Tokyo. During her career transition from the Hirofumi Inoue Ballet Company to dancing in the USA Jane danced for a brief time at Boston Ballet, which was, then under the directorship of Ms. Violette Verdy. She also danced with Boston Ballet Ensemble under the directorship of Bruce Wells. Miss Elaine Bauers, Principal Dancer of the Boston Ballet at the time, recommended helped her make the connection with Mr. Verdak who was Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre. She owes the success of her career in the U.S. to these three mentors to a great extent. Jane joined Indianapolis Ballet Theatre (later known as Ballet Internationale) in l985. She danced with Indianapolis Ballet Theatre under the direction of George Verdak, Dace Dindonis and finally Eldar Aliev. Since joining this company, she continued to dance lead roles in the standard classics as well being given the opportunity to gain experience in Balanchine ballets such as Night Shadow staged by John Taras and Allegro Brilliante staged by Victoria Simon. In modern dance she danced in Waldstein Sonata staged by Nancy Scattergood Jordan and as Emelia in Jose Limon’s The Moor’s Pavanne staged by Risa Steinberg of the Limon Foundation. After the arrival of Eldar Aliev, Jane was instructed in the Vaganova methodology under Irina Kolpakova a former Prima Ballerina of the Kirov Ballet. (She is currently a Ballet Mistress at the American Ballet Theatre and was Assistant Artistic Director of the company at the time. Of note, Mme Kolpakova coached Jane for the role of the young girl in Spectre de la Rose and Fanny Cerrito in Pas de Quatre .) Vladilen Semenov, Principal company teacher coached her for the Female lead in the Flower Festival at Genzano. Jane retired from full time dancing in l995. She spent a few additional years dancing with Hosanna Sacred Arts, a Christian Dance company under the artistic direction of Kenneth Tolle and served as Ballet Mistress during her time with them. Jane has served as rehearsal assistant and as one of the company teachers for the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre during the latter part of her dancing career with them. In the summer of l995, Jane served as the Interim Ballet Mistress for the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre during the Ballet Mistress’s maternity leave. Jane has experience teaching all levels of ballet. She began her teaching career as a faculty member of the Hirofumi Inoue Ballet Gakuen Academy, during her years there as company member In Indianapolis, Jane became the founding director of the Academy of the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre after Indianapolis Ballet Theatre moved to their new downtown location. She continued in the capacity of director, co director and finally principal of the Academy between the years of l989 – l996. She left this position upon the arrival of her first child. Most recently, Jane has been a Faculty Member at the Jordan Academy of Dance at Butler University – teaching levels 2 – 5 and pas de deux and variations. At the same time, Jane has also been an adjunct faculty member for the Butler University Dance Department Majors Program at the Jordan College of Fine Arts teaching pointe technique for the past several years.

Jane Hachiya-Weiner is an ABT® Affiliate Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum and has successfully presented students for examinations.

Associate Artistic Director, Frank Weiner

Born in Zimbabwe, Africa, Frank started dancing at the Studio School of Dance in Massachusetts under Dede Guercio-Renko. He then studied at the State University of New York at Purchase and New York School of Ballet. Frank performed with the Hartford Ballet in Romeo and Juliet, Copelia, and Carmina Burana, and Soloist roles in Hansel and Gretel, The Nutcracker and The Moor in Jose Limon’s The Moor’s Pavane. While in Hartford, Frank was also a member of Works Contemporary Dance Company. During the seven seasons Frank danced with the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, he performed pieces choreographed by Choo San-Goh, Lambros Lambrou, Jill Bahr, George Balanchine and Jose Limon. Including solo and principal roles in Spartacus, Spring Waters, The Moor’s Pavane, Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, the Snow King and Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker and Hilarian in Giselle. Frank then joined Dance Kaleidoscope, under the direction of David Hochoy, where he was featured in such pieces as Puccini People, Love Lies Bleeding, Seasons, and Farewell. During his time with Dance Kaleidoscope, Frank also performed in Indianapolis Civic Theatre’s productions of A Chorus Line, Anything Goes and La Cage Aux Follies.

 

Sandra Peticolas (Guest Faculty) is the creative and driving force to the existence of Lafayette Ballet. The care and vision to cultivate a pre-professional school and performing company has been her priority since moving to Lafayette in 1986.Ms. Peticolas grew up in NJ within the scope of the New York professional dance scene, and its demands for dedication and excellence. She studied at American Ballet Theatre School in NYC under such legendary teachers as Valentina Pereyaslavic and Patricia Wilde. She received a BA in Dance with Highest Honors from Butler University in 1976 and was privileged to work under the Renaissance talents of George Verdak. Mr. Verdak’s traditional values in choreography, theatre and presentation, and his rich heritage from the Ballets Russes shaped her esthetics of production.Ms. Peticolas danced professionally with Chicago Lyric Opera, American Dance Ensemble, Pittsburgh, and Virg5 seminars with Jurgen Schneider, and with dynamic muscular control and healthy training methods at seminars by the National Ballet School in Canada. In spring 2009 Ms. Peticolas guest taught at Studio Harmonic in Paris, France. Her opportunities to experience inspiring performances in Europe have enriched her perspecitive, and interest in other cultures, music, art and history color her thematic choices for choreography and the education of her young dancers. Despite the regional isolation of a midwest university town, Ms. Peticolas urges her dancers in outreach opportunities with summer study, masterclasses, performance trips and an awareness of the big picture, so that their respect for their own efforts, and their awe at the incredible level of the professional dance field are equally balanced and nourished.

Sabrina Matheson was born in West Lafayette, Indiana, and began her dance training at Lafayette Ballet School. She has attended several intensive workshops at schools such as Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, Ballet Austin and BalletMet, as well as the Cantilena School of the Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. She graduated from Lafayette Ballet Company in 2004, where she performed leading roles in The Nutcracker, Twelve Dancing Princesses, and Echoes of Indiana. Ms. Matheson continued her education at Butler University, where she earned a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and danced leading roles in The Nutcracker, Coppélia, Giselle and several contemporary works. After graduation, she studied on scholarship with Nashville Ballet and performed as a soloist with Vanderbilt Dance Theatre. She spent last season with Ballet Theatre of Maryland, dancing corps and soloist roles, and is thrilled to be back in Indiana.

Stirling Matheson (Guest Faculty) grew up in Fairfax, California, where he trained at Dance Theatre Seven. He continued his training at the Arizona School of Classical Ballet before attending Butler University, where he earned a B.A. in Dance (Pedagogy). While at Butler, he performed principal roles in Giselle, Cinderella, Serenade, and several other works. Under the direction of Marek Cholewa, he performed in a tour of Poland and studied at the Cantilena School of the Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. After graduation, he danced with Nashville Ballet II for the 09-10 season. For the 2010-2011 season, he danced with Ballet Theatre of Maryland where he performed soloist and principal roles in Alice in Wonderland, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Frontier 1812.

EllieStutzmanCessna grewupinIndianapolis,Indiana,andreceivedherballettrainingfromtheJordanCollege Academy of Dance at Butler University. She also trained with Dennis Nahat at the School of Cleveland Ballet and with Laura Byram through the Broad Ripple High School dance magnet program. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a B.A. in dance. Ellie has been teaching classical ballet for nine years. She has taught in California at the Burbank School of Ballet, at Patty Gray’s School of Dance in Illinois, and has taught company class in Oklahoma at the nationally certified home of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma. Ellie has danced professionally with the Georgia Ballet and as Dream Laurey in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma. She has also performed with the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, Indianapolis Dance Company and Dance Kaleidoscope.

Liberty Harris Libby began her training in Indianapolis with Linda Reese and Ron Morgan at the Dance Magic Performing Arts Studio. She attended Interlochen Arts Academy on a dance scholarship for four years. While studying at Butler University, she was asked to join Dance Kaleidoscope for the 1997 production of Carmina Burana. Liberty then went on to dance with the Charleston Ballet Theater of South Carolina for two years. This is her ninth season with Dance Kaleidoscope.

Sarah Woolgar~Bio coming soon!

 

So Yon Nam Ms.Nam studied classical ballet in her native Korea, entering the Seoul Art High School in Korea and majoring in dance. Upon graduation in 1993 she went on to Moscow`s Bolshoi Ballet Academy studying the Russian Vaganova style. In 1995 she graduated and invited to join the world-renowned National Ballet Company of Korea. Since joining the National Ballet Company of Korea, Ms. Nam has danced many leading roles in classical ballets including Giselle in Giselle, Nikia From La Bayadere and Odette in Swan Lake. She toured internationally with the National Ballet Company of Korea in Egypt in 1997 and at the 1997 Karmiel Dance Festival in Israel. From1999 to 2005, Ms Nam danced with Ballet Internationale, She has performed the principal roles in Phaedra, A thousand and One Nights, Don Quixote, Creation of the World, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping and Beauty, Marz, Peter Pan, Giselle, Dracula, Raymonda and The Nutcracker. She toured in Canada, China and Taiwan with Ballet Internationale. In 2003 she performed at the Korea Word Dance Stars Festival from 1996 to 2010. She has taught master classes for universities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artistic Advisor, Nataly Lowder

Nataly, a native of Indiana, began her dance training at Jordan Academy of Dance at Butler University.  She was under the tutelage of Peggy Dorsey, Jack Copeland, and Colette Kaufman.  Nataly also trained with San Francisco Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet.  At the age of 15 she went on scholarship to the National Academy of Arts under the Artistic Direction of Petrus Bosman.  Upon graduation Nataly danced 14 years as a professional ballet dancer, receiving national acclaim in such ballets as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, An American In Paris, Graduation Ball, and many more. She worked with many wonderful choreographers including, Paul Russell, Basil Thompson, Christine Hennessey, Tom Pazik, David and Anna Marie Holmes, and David Hochoy.

Towards the end of her ballet career, Nataly decided to attend Butler University and receive her B.S. degree in Arts Administration where she graduated with high honors.  She also started singing, dancing, and expanding her scope of performing into musical theatre.  She received many rave reviews while at the American Cabaret Theatre for shows such as Cole and Nole, Broadway Now, Voices of a Generation, and Bernstein’s Broadway.  Her most favorite singing moment was portraying Petra in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music.

Since Nataly’s ballet retirement, she has been Co-Artistic Director for Festival Ballet of Rhode Island, Director of Admissions for Virginia School of the Arts, Teacher/Choreographer for Virginia School of the Arts, and Director of Development for American Cabaret Theatre; all the while guest teaching and choreographing for students ages 7 – 18.

Life then took her to Taiwan R.O.C. for 2 years where she taught ballet and choreographed for Jubei High School, a performing arts school.  She also collaborated with local artists for a cultural event at the Hshinchu Cultural Center where she performed in a modern/classical Chinese piece.

After leaving Taiwan, Nataly returned back to Indianapolis with her now husband, Jonathan Lowder.  She joined the Jordan Academy of Dance in 2003 as a guest choreographer for the Jordan Dance Ensemble.  In 2004, she was offered a full time teacher of ballet and classical jazz position, as well as choreographer for the Academy.

Since joining Jordan Academy, Nataly started many new programs for the school.  She was the Director of the Summer Intensive bringing in dancers and teachers from around the nation.  She started the Jordan Dance Ensemble 2 geared for younger students to have a chance to perform sooner and work alongside the older dancers of JDE 1.  She also began the Holiday Extravaganza, Jordan’s holiday concert performed annually at Zionsville Performing Arts Center.

Nataly was awarded a Creative Renewal Fellowship in 2007 from the Indianapolis Arts Council where she traveled to New York to rejuvenate herself in her art, meeting terrific people such as Fredrick Franklin of the Ballet Russe and Georgina Parkinson of American Ballet Theatre.

Currently, Nataly has students performing professionally in Houston Ballet, Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, Joffery Ballet, Bejart, Cincinnati Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Georgia Ballet, and State Street Ballet.

Nataly is looking forward to bringing her background, knowledge and talent to Ron Morgan and Performer’s Edge where she will develop and direct a ballet program and youth performing group. Beyond her resume, you will find she is passionate about her students and gains self-satisfaction and enjoyment from watching her students go on to fulfill their dreams as she did. She not only gets excited about the students who go on in the performing arts, but also the students who have chosen to go on in other areas they are passionate about. She believes the arts has the ability to teach children many things beyond the art form and hopes many people will see she is not only a director, artist, teacher, and choreographer, but a strong business person who has the ability to not only develop a top notch program, but maintain and grow such a program.

Nataly Lowder is an ABT® Affiliate Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 & Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum and has successfully presented students for examinations.