Staff

Currently completing his eleventh and final season as Artistic Director of BalletMet (Columbus, Ohio), Liang is credited with reinvigorating the organization through his collegiality, creativity, and authentic commitment to community building. During his tenure, BalletMet nearly doubled in size, successfully launched and completed a major capital campaign, and expanded the size and scope of its ballet school.

As a choreographer, Liang has created 21 world premieres for BalletMet. In his new role as The Washington Ballet’s senior-most artistic leader, Liang will oversee all aspects of the company, including its creative vision; its professional Company and training studio; The Washington School of Ballet, with campuses in Cathedral Heights and at THEARC in Southeast Washington, D.C.; and the organization’s robust community engagement programs.

Liang will step into the position currently held by Acting Artistic Director Trinidad Vives, who will remain with TWB through December 2023 to assist with the transition. He succeeds Julie Kent, who served as TWB’s Artistic Director from 2016 to June 2023; Septime Webre (1999–2016); and Washington Ballet founder Mary Day (1967–1999).

Liang’s appointment concludes a year-long, international search led by a dedicated Search Committee in coordination with David Mallette and his team at Management Consultants for the Arts.

Andres Estevez began his training in Havana, Cuba, and joined Ballet Nacional de Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso. After several seasons, Mr. Estevez joined Ballet Clasico de la
Havana under the direction of Laura Alonso; where his career flourished…

Tamás Krizsa, of Hungary, is in his 13th season with The Washington Ballet. Krizsa graduated from the Hungarian Dance Academy with honors in 2002. During his school years, he was …

CECE FARHA began teaching on the faculty of The Washington School of Ballet in 1999 under the direction of Mary Day. She works within multiple levels of the school as …

Entering her 18th season with The Washington Ballet, Ms. Glover has transitioned from the leadership position of Director of Operations for The Washington School of Ballet to Summer Intensive Manager …

Timothy, an Australian of First Nations descent, retired as a Principal Dancer and Resident Choreographer from Milwaukee Ballet in 2019 before transitioning into the role of Company Manager and Rehearsal …

Glenn Sales, Pianist, has been well-known to Washington, DC audiences since his National Symphony Orchestra debut at age 14 and his subsequent invitations as soloist with NSO. Sales attended the …

Kristina is an experienced fundraising professional and strategist with over 20 years of progressive nonprofit leadership experience and a strong passion for ensuring there is access and opportunity for individuals …

Leah Mae Aldridge is an enthusiast, connector, and experienced fundraiser. She obtained her MBA from The University of Alabama, Manderson Graduate School of Business and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Memphis. Prior to joining TWB, she was a member of the National Symphony Orchestra fundraising team at The Kennedy Center. Her work has expanded across higher education, state government, local nonprofits, and national arts organization. She is an avid reader, casual jogger, and a proud Arkansan. Outside of TWB, you can find her teaching cycle and yoga at local fitness studios.

Skylar Edwards is the Institutional Giving Manager and The Washington Ballet’s designated staff resource for both current, and interested, grantors, foundation partners and corporate sponsors. With over 10 years of …

Hunter Atherton is a native of Texas where she studied Art History and Business at Rice University. She completed her Master’s in Arts Management at George Mason University, where she …

Erica Bondarev Rapach is an accomplished leader in brand innovation, strategic communication, and social responsibility reflected in her career that crosses arts administration, experiential marketing, higher education, and individual identity. Her journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of creativity and transformative change, shaping cultural and educational landscapes through her visionary leadership and deep commitment to fostering artistic expression, audience building, and community engagement.

Courtney joins TWB from the Spartanburg Philharmonic in South Carolina. During her tenure there, she connected with classical music enthusiasts, expanded the Philharmonic’s audience, collaborated with arts partners, and provided invaluable support to the organization’s educational initiatives. She brings a lifelong passion for the arts, a dedication to her community, and a diverse background in marketing to the already strong TWB team. 

Her journey in the arts began with ballet and expanded to focus on choir and theater, ultimately leading her to earn a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Ithaca College. Professionally, Courtney has honed her expertise in branding, marketing strategy, and audience development through roles at a national cable television network and various equipment manufacturers before moving into the non-profit space. Her first entrance into the arts was as the Marketing & Sales Coordinator at the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center, located near Memphis, Tennessee. 

As parents, Courtney and her husband, Scot, dedicate much of their family time to instilling a love for the arts in their two children, especially the ballet and symphony, or wherever their interests take them. 

Photo by XMB Photography.

DeMoya Watson Brown, Arts Manager, Dance Educator, Performing Artist, and Choreographer, is originally from Daytona Beach, FL, where she received dance training at multiple schools in the area prior to …

Coming from the world of theatre, Kaitlyn joins TWB after 9 seasons with Milwaukee Repertory Theater. While at Milwaukee Rep she rose through the production management office overseeing numerous productions …

Photo by XMB Photography.

Suzi Kilbourne stage managed her first show in 1983. Since then, her path has been winding and her experiences eclectic, with stops along the way for a masters in political …

Photo by XMB Photography.

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 …

Timothy, an Australian of First Nations descent, retired as a Principal Dancer and Resident Choreographer from Milwaukee Ballet in 2019 before transitioning into the role of Company Manager and Rehearsal …

Katie Sopoci Drake is a seasoned administrator and educator with nearly 2 decades of experience in the arts spanning non-profit arts administration, teaching in higher education, and performance. As the …

“I am thrilled to be joining TWSB as its new Director and eager to bring my vast  professional experience to lead the faculty and students through this exciting time of change. As both a director and teacher, my goal has always been to offer the highest …

Pamela Booth Bjerknes, a former member of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), brings extensive teaching, directing, and performing experience to The Washington School of Ballet. Performing classical and contemporary ballets throughout …

With 40 years of experience as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, founding artistic/executive director, and urban planner, Miya’s life has spanned two continents with a commitment to diversity and excellence in …

Valentina Palladino is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator from Sardinia, Italy. Ms. Palladino began her dancing career in 2003 at the School Ballet Arabesque, Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, under the …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Entering her 18th season with The Washington Ballet, Ms. Glover has transitioned from the leadership position of Director of Operations for The Washington School of Ballet to Summer Intensive Manager …

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 …

Andrea Faulknor is from Baltimore, Maryland. Andrea is a recent graduate from Penn State Dickinson Law. She began her dancing journey at the age of 5, falling in love with …

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 …

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. …

Imanie has been working with young children for over 5 years now. Serving in roles that have such a major impact has allowed her to deeply appreciate and understand the …

Julia Malloy is a current student at the University of South Carolina with a double major in Art History and Dance Performance and Choreography with a concentration in Ballet. She …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Michaele Skye Glouchkova (Misha) began dancing at age 3 and began her classical ballet training in 2005. She studied under Melanie Kregel, Artistic Director of Metamorphosis Dance Company, and her …

Rena Bernardini is originally from Somers, New York. She began her training at the Westchester Ballet Center, studying everything from Ballet, Modern, Tap, and Jazz to Flamenco, Hawaiian, and Bharatanatyam. She then …

Salma Gonzalez Rosario received her early dance training at Ballet Clasico Santiago in the Dominican Republic. Throughout those years, she participated in competitions in Cuba, Finals in New York City, …

Join PTD: 2019
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana

I first fell in love with ballet at age 3 after seeing an amazing performance by former Mariinsky and Bolshoi dancers in my home state. Soon after, I insisted my parents enroll me in classes. My parents allowed me to begin taking ballet classes when I turned age 4. During those foundational years, I studied with respected teachers certified in various methods of training including: The Cecchetti Method, ABT National Training Curriculum, and The Vaganova Method.

Neither of my parents have a background in ballet, but as I gained more experience, they realized I would need to challenge my skills outside of my home studios. My parents had read about Youth America Grand Prix and at age 10, they convinced my teachers to allow me to compete. I was excited to be the youngest from my school to participate, placing in the top 12 in the pre-competitive category.

YAGP became an excellent resource over the following 5 years, helping me to grow in my technique and artistry. In addition, I began taking supplemental classes through Indianapolis City Ballet’s Master Class Series, which ran six seasons. During that time, I had the fortune to take classes with world renowned ballet dancers and teachers, including Ms. Julie Kent and Mrs. Xiomara Reyes. I would also go on to participate in ballet summer intensives at world-renowned programs, including San Francisco Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre, and Kaatsbaan.

In the summer of 2019, I auditioned for a spot in The Washington School of Ballet’s year-round program. During this audition I felt an instant connection with Mrs. Reyes and Mr. Imaev. The way they communicated corrections, for instance, resonated with me in a new way. I joined TWSB that fall, and I will never forget the feeling of walking through the doors of the gorgeous Joseph C. Coleman Studios for my first class; I knew I was “home.”

With the support and training of teachers at TWSB, I have thrived and grown as a dancer. I have had the joy of dancing prominent roles, including Clara in TWB’s Nutcracker at the historic Warner Theater, Mercedes in TWSB’s Don Quixote, as well as supporting roles in TWB’s Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake performances at the prestigious Kennedy Center. These opportunities have deepened my knowledge of this beautiful art form, improved my skills, and helped me to gain more confidence. I look forward to another rewarding year ahead with the incoming leadership of Ms. Vives and Mr. Liang!

Jillian Schene, Trainee 1

Born in Trelawny, Jamaica has always been passionate about Visual and Performing Arts. He began dancing at the age of 10, and that unlocked a world of endless possibilities for …

Tammy Hurt, a native Washingtonian, started her dance training at the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and later became a member of the Capitol Ballet Company under the direction of Doris …

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 …

Dr. Elena Ovchinnikova graduated from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy obtained her PhD in Pedagogic Science (Theory and Methodology of Professional Education in Choreography) and Master Degree in Ballet Pedagogy. Additionally, …

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 …

Faryn Kelly is a multi-disciplinary freelance artist currently based in Washington, DC. Originally from Lexington, KY, Faryn graduated with a BFA in Dance from Wright State University in Dayton, OH. In DC, Faryn previously served as the lighting supervisor at Dance Place, and has worked with DMV companies in lighting design (PrioreDance, haus of bambi, Orange Grove Dance, Flying V, Jane Franklin Dance), costume design (Tariq Darrell O’Meally, American University, Heart Stück Bernie, Jamison Curcio and Shanice Mason, darlingdance, ReVision Dance Company), and stage management (The Kennedy Center, Mosaic Theatre, Studio Theatre, Coalescence, Dumbarton Arts and Education).  Faryn was selected as one of the 2020 New Releases Festival choreographers, was a scholarship student in 2022 for the ATLAS choreography program at Impulstanz in Vienna, Austria, and is an FY2024 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program awardee. Among her favorite things are travel, instant film, haute couture, space, and chocolate covered espresso beans.

Kirsten Poole is the Chief Financial Officer for the Washington Ballet. With 25 years of small business and non-profit finance, operations, and business management experience, Kirsten brings her passion for …

Mario Da Silva joined The Washington Ballet (TWB) in July 2023. With a strong background in human resources management, he previously served as a key contributor with the American Council …

Bennard Fajardo is a dedicated professional with a strong background in finance, having previously worked for the National Immigration Forum and Politics and Prose Bookstore. With experience as a Finance …

Photo by XMB Photography.

Erik Hudock graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from James Madison University. His academic achievements in economics reveal a keen analytical mind and a readiness to contribute to the fiscal stewardship at TWB. 

His compassion extends beyond his professional life into his volunteer work with Operation Paws for Homes, an organization he has supported and volunteered for with great dedication. 

When not managing accounts, Erik is an enthusiastic car enthusiast. Raised in the DMV area, his weekends often begins at ‘Cars and Coffee’ gatherings, where he shares his passion for automotive marvels with fellow enthusiasts.