Tiffany Tu

Katie Sopoci Drake joined The Washington School of Ballet in 2022 as Managing Director, bringing her expertise in business operations, strategic vision, and sustainable growth to one of the nation’s premier ballet schools. In this role, Sopoci Drake oversees a $4.2 million annual budget and manages a team of over 80 faculty and staff across two campuses and 14 studios, serving a diverse student body of more than 3,000 students annually.

Kayla DeShields is a native of Woodbridge, VA where she grew up studying liturgical dance in her church beginning at age four and holding positions of leadership within the dance …

Madeline Garland is a skilled creator of positive human experiences through art’s experiences. She strives to unite people to enjoy life’s pleasures, drawing from her background in social work and …

Margaret Giragosian Williamson received her early training at The Washington Ballet, the Maryland Youth Ballet, and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. During this time, she was also privileged to spend …

Aliya Siegel was born in Tucson, Arizona, and raised in Tampa, Florida, where she began dancing at a young age. From age 7 to 18, she thrived as a competitive …

Sydney B. Wiggins is a native Washingtonian and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) graduate with a BFA in Dance and Choreography. Sydney has been training in dance since the age of …

Tiffany Tu was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, and has worked with The Washington School of Ballet since 2013. After coming to America, Ms. Tiffany has found her second …

Caroline is a junior at Marymount University in their fashion design B.A. program, with minors in sustainability and studio art. Ballet is close to home for her, as she spent two …

Julia Ford (she/her) is a versatile arts manager from California who graduated from Indiana University with studies in Music Education and Arts Management, as well as American University with a Master of Arts in Arts Management degree. She was the Arts in Education Fellow at National PTA co-managing the nationwide Reflections program, providing arts education and artistic opportunities to over 300,000 students annually. Julia trained at her local dance studio (San Carlos School of Ballet) from ages 5-18, and continues to share her love of dance through being a Receptionist at TWSB. Her commitment to promoting inclusion and fostering artistic excellence is evident in her experiences serving on boards and work experiences throughout the country.

Salma Gonzalez Rosario is a company member at Moveius Ballet. She’s also currently
teaching at Powell Elementary School, Dance Loft, Dance Institute of Washington and
Stager for TWB’s Nutcracker. Salma is an alumna at The Washington School of Ballet who
studied under the Merit Scholarship. She has worked as a receptionist at TWB locations
since 2021. She’s very thankful to be part of our community because it is like a second home
to her.

Sofia Lutman has been with The Washington Ballet since 2021, first as a Trainee and now as a receptionist. Originally from Birmingham, MI, she moved to Washington, DC at 17 to join the professional division of The Washington School of Ballet. Sofia has performed in several company productions, including the role of Clara in The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre, as well as various corps de ballet roles on some of DC’s most renowned stages. Now an alumna of the Trainee Program, she is transitioning to study Business at American University’s Kogod School of Business.

Beatriz Moreira Leite is a graduate of the TWSB upper and lower division programs. She continues to be part of the TWSB family by participating in adult classes, working as …

Dallas Ryan is a medical student in Washington, DC and dance enthusiast. She is an alumna of the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts and has continued to train since graduating college and medical school. She has found a home in the Washington Ballet’s adult program and enjoys getting to know the Washington Ballet team. 

Atticus is a current student at American University and lifelong dancer. They are a student of Journalism and Gender Studies and have stayed an avid dancer throughout their life. Born …

Ana Sewell is a student at American University studying International Relations and Spanish translation. An avid ballet enthusiast, Ana has studied in the adult program at the Alabama Ballet and has taken classes at The Washington Ballet while living in D.C. She is very excited to be a part of The Washington Ballet community. 

Bryony Whitelaw is a Master’s candidate at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. Before that, she worked in the Peace Programs at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. …

Baylee Wong (dancer) is in her first season with Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. Born and raised in Carmel, New York, Baylee Wong began her dance journey at age …

Julia Malloy is currently a student at the University of South Carolina and is pursuing Dance and Art History degrees. She has been a student with The Washington School of …