Anna Lantz

Born in Sweden, Anna started her ballet training at a young age at the Storan in Goteborg. In 1981, she attended The Royal Ballet School (RBS) in London, England. She graduated in 1984 from the RBS Teacher Training Course as Head Student with the highest honor, making her one of only five instructors in the United States to possess the following ballet pedagogy qualifications: The RBS Three-Year Teachers Diploma, (Ballet, Character, Flamenco, National Dancing, Music, Child Psychology, Anatomy, History), Imperial Society for Teachers of Dance (ISTD) Cecchetti Associate Teaching Diploma and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Teaching Diploma. In 2003, Lantz taught at Nevada Ballet Theatre before she was offered a full-time teaching position at the Boston Ballet School, the largest school of its kind in North America. There, she was promoted to Children’s Ballet Mistress in 2005. A year later, in 2006, she was promoted to Head of Elementary Programs. Anna has been lauded for her unique ability to instruct students of all ages and levels. Anna currently oversees the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Pre-Professional Ballet Program and Children’s Program which includes producing the annual spring concerts, where she is responsible for choreographing and staging a full-length ballet for both the Pre-Professional Ballet Program and the Children’s Ballet Program.

Terané Comito

As the Director of Education and Outreach, Terané oversees all functions of the department including Future Dance, where she is the Senior Teaching Artist and Principal Choreographer. Terané is also Head of ANBT’s Pre-Professional Dance Program and its Competition Team. Currently in its 26th year, Future Dance reaches over 20,000 students a year through its initiatives including GO-MOVE-DANCE!!!, Future Dance Scholar Program and the Dance Discovery Program. Future Dance Program graduates have received opportunities to perform, teach and continue their training with prestigious schools such as the Ailey School in New York City. Terané has facilitated many partnerships including the Las Vegas Academy, where the Dance Discovery Spring Concert is performed. In 2015, the Future Dance Spring Concert moved into The Smith Center, giving over 900 underserved students the chance to perform on a professional stage. Terané has been instrumental in the expansion of NBT’s Education and Outreach programs, including the Student Matinee Series, Storytime, In School Performance Program, Kids Night Out at the Ballet, Ballet Rocks and Dance Discovery Summer Camp — where students who may otherwise be unsupervised and inactive during the summer can now dance in a fun and safe environment.

Shannon Cangey

As Academy Coordinator, Shannon Cangey is the point person for student and parent communications, as well as a key resource behind the scenes as part of the production team for the Academy’s Spring Concerts.
Shannon first appeared on stage at age six and worked across the country as a professional singer/dancer before joining Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2007. Her training included scholarships to ballet workshops at Butler University’s Jordan Academy of Dance, Musical Theatre intensives at Ball State University, ballet with Belinda Stanley of the Royal Ballet, tap with Don Emmons, and workshops at London’s National Theatre. She studied Theatre/Dance at Missouri State University, completed her Dance degree at UNLV, and obtained her Master’s degree at Regis University in Education, allowing her to teach Secondary Dance, Theatre, and English. Shannon’s first love is musical theatre, and her favorite roles include Fiona in Brigadoon, Guenevere in Camelot, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, and performing with Mel Tillis, Rip Taylor, and Debbie Reynolds.

Shara Bergal

SHARA BERGAL is from Chicago where she received her training with Stone-Camryn, Larry Long (Ruth Page Foundation), and the School of Chicago City Ballet (Maria Tallchief). She was the recipient of ballet scholarships at the Interlochen Arts Academy and was an apprentice at the Boston Ballet under the direction of E. Virginia Williams, and later Violette Verdy. Shara studied further in NYC at the School of American Ballet, and with Wilhelm Burmann, Robert Denvers, Floris Alexander and David Howard. Her studies also took her to Paris, where she trained under Gilbert Mayer of the Pairs Opera Ballet and Gerard Wilk (Ballet of the 20th Century, Bejart). Shara has danced with professional companies in Chicago, St. Louis, Denver, Innsbruck, and St. Poelten, Austria, and has worked extensively in Vienna and throughout Western Europe. Shara eagerly draws on her diverse background to instill an enthusiasm for all forms of dance in her students.

Kelly Cabrera

Kelly Cabrera, a Miami native, began her professional ballet training at the Harid Conservatory under principal ballerina Marjorie Tallchief of the Paris Opera Ballet. During these early years she was fortunate to study under Claude Bessy, David Howard, Gelsey Kirkland, Helgi Tomasson, Violette Verde and John Taras. At the age of fourteen Kelly was invited to the School of American Ballet in New York City where she continued her classical ballet training under the great Stanley Williams, Marina Stavitskaya and Kay Mazzo. By the age of seventeen she began her professional dance career performing in companies such as Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Ballet Chicago, the Los Angeles Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Cirque du Soleil Mystère, Dragóne, and Celine Dion A New Day. She has also worked with some of the world’s top recording artists in entertainment including Celine Dion, Justin Timberlake, Shakira, Andrea Bocelli, John Legend and Nicki Minaj to name a few. Her diversity as an artist has allowed her to work in multiple genres of art, theater, dance, fashion and music. Kelly's most recent choreographic works include Cirque Du Soleil's One Night For One Drop at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Kevin Murphy's North American Super Natural Show at the Wynn, Ruka (the musical) at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, America’s Got Talent, Intrigue at the Wynn and Symmetry for Ballet Arts Academy summer gala. Internationally and nationally Kelly has spent many years working in television and film. Throughout her career Kelly has always loved teaching and inspiring young dancers. She has taught on the faculty of schools all over the United States including Ballet Chicago, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, Millennium Dance Complex Los Angeles, Edge Performing Arts Los Angeles, Ballet Arts Academy and Dance Masters of America national conventions.

Marcela De La Vega Luna

Marcela De La Vega Luna was born in beautiful Mexico City. She attended the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes’ professional school Academia De La Danza Mexicana from the age of nine until her graduation. Her dance career began at the world famous Ballet Folklórico De Amalia Hernandez where she was also an instructor. She broadened her performance palate with intense circus arts study and performance with Russian circus laureate Anatoly Loukachouk. In 2003 Cirque du Soleil invited Marcela to Las Vegas to create the Queen of the Wind character in their acclaimed production of Zumanity which she performed until 2014. She continues to perform as well as choreograph in many diverse and exciting situations. Marcela is also a Reiki Master and Pilates instructor practicing from her private studio, inTone. Most of all Marcela is a proud wife and mother of three beautiful kiddos.

Jamie Grover

JAMIE GROVER is proud to call Las Vegas home and to be a part of the dance community. She started dancing at the age of 3 in her grandmother’s studio, Carol Lee Dance, in Spokane, WA. It was there she developed her love for competition dance with her dance team competing at New York City Dance Alliance and Star Power. At the age of 17 she moved to Las Vegas to star in her first professional show, Jubilee!, at Bally’s Casino. After establishing her roots in Las Vegas, she hit the high seas performing for Jean Ann Ryan Productions on Norwegian Cruise Line and P&O Cruise Line. Having traveled the world, she was ready to return home to Las Vegas and re-join her family in Jubilee! Being back home has afforded her wonderful opportunities to dance on stages with Britney Spears and most recently, Jennifer Lopez’s New Year’s Eve 2015 show at Caesar’s Palace. In addition to Jamie’s dance career, her TV appearances include Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay, Housewives of Atlanta, Ellen’s 12 Days of Christmas and photo shoots with Rod Stewart and Heidi Klum. She is beyond ecstatic to return to her competition roots and be on staff with Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre.

Carrie Helms

Erica Kirby

With training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, ERICA KIRBY attended college at The University of South Dakota, in Vermillion, South Dakota. There, she earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education (with concentrations in both Special Education and Spanish). After moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, Erica earned her Masters of Education degree in Literacy from Lesley University. Erica has been a teacher with the Clark County School District for nineteen years and is currently a fourth grade teacher at Dondero Elementary School. She was named Dondero’s Teacher of the Year during the 2012-2013 school year. Erica has been employed as a dance teacher for Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Future Dance Program for eighteen years. As a part of NBT’s outreach dance program, she is responsible for the daily organizational tasks, classroom management, dance training, and choreography for over two hundred third, fourth, and fifth grade dancers. She has further taught both Hip-Hop Babies and Hip-Hop Kids, at the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre, for a period of five years. Ms. Erica Kirby is thrilled to be a part of NBT’s teaching staff. Teaching young children the art form of dance is one of the greatest joys of her life.

Lori Marshburn

Jordan McIntosh

JORDAN MCINTOSH, originally from Michigan, moved to New York City to pursue her professional dance career. She worked closely with choreographers in the city, such as Twyla Tharp and Zvi Gotheiner. Jordan was a founding member of Willow Oak Contemporary Ballet, based in Baton Rouge, LA. While working in NYC, Jordan toured with West Coast Dance Explosion as a dance assistant during the 2010 Dance season. Following her year with WCDE, Jordan joined New York City Dance Alliance as a dance assistant and judge. During her years with NYCDA, she was head of the Ready, Set, Dance Program. Jordan was also involved with numerous industrials and projects in NYC, including a guest artist with Larry Keigwin's, Keigwin + Company. Jordan is currently dancing with Nevada Ballet Theater in Las Vegas under the direction of Roy Kaiser, also has also worked closely with James Canfield, Sandra Jennings, Richard Tanner, Cynthia Gregory and Jorden Morris. Jordan is happy to be in her second season with Nevada Ballet Theatre.

Melissa Ridley

MELISSA RIDLEY has been dancing since the age of three and has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, theater and ballroom dance. She acquired her training at the Langley Fine Arts School as a dance major, The Academy of Dance and Harbour Dance Center in Vancouver BC, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School summer intensives, and Ballroom Addiction in Las Vegas. Melissa began teaching in 2002 in Vancouver British Columbia where she also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She began teaching with the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theater in 2013 and is thrilled to be able to share her love of dance with her students at ANBT. Melissa is an ABT Certified Teacher and has successfully completed the ABT teacher training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT National Training Curriculum.

Stelly Rodriguez Vega

STELLY RODRIGUEZ VEGA began her training at the National School of Art in Cuba where she trained in Classic Ballet under the tutelage of renowned dancer Alicia Alonso. Stelly danced with the National Ballet of Cuba, directed by the Prima ballerina Alicia Alonso, and she also participated in numerous tours through Latin America and Europe, including dancing as a Principal for the Ballet company “Rey de Viana” in Spain. In 2006 Stelly arrived in Las Vegas to be part of the Latin production Havana Nights, and later she took a principal role in the American tours of Cirque du Soleil’s Cirque Dreams and Cirque Éloize in Canada. In 2012 Stelly became a dancer and assistant choreographer and Casting Director for Cirque du Soleil under Giulio Scatola, working for him in several projects in Europe and Las Vegas (Gotta Dance and A tribute to life!) In 2017 Stelly was cast to perform with International singer Robin Thicke during his life Concert tour in Philippines. She also was a dancer in the Emmy Award winning BENISE “Fuego!” - Spirit of Spain. Stelly currently teaches at ANBT while continuing to perform.

Monika Rostomian

MONIKA ROSTOMIAN began teaching ballet at Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2001. She came to the Academy from Russia where she received her training in the Vaganova method at the St. Petersburg (Kirov) Ballet Academy under the tutelage of famed prima ballerina Natalia Dudinskaya. She has performed throughout Europe, Asia and North and South America as soloist with many ballet companies, including Moscow Festival Ballet and Ballet of Russia. During her career she had also served as a ballet mistress and choreographer. Monika later graduated from the Moscow State Institute of Theatrical Art and was awarded its coveted teaching diploma. Her teaching skills encompass all levels of ballet and character dance, ranging from five year old beginner to advanced-professionals. She also qualifies in special training for figure skaters and in dance therapy for the psychological rehabilitation of children. Monika is dedicated to the highest standards of excellence in every aspect of her teaching.

Skylar Schultz

SKYLAR JOY SCHULTZ from Racine, WI received her BFA degree in Dance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. While in the PPU Conservatory Dance Company, she was given the opportunity to work with Keigwin & Co, Jess Hendricks, Troy Powell, Garfield Lemonius, and Bennyroyce Rayon. After graduation she relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada to pursue her professional dance career. Skylar is now performing with the Aces WNBA Wild Card Crew, and in December she will be performing in The Holiday Show at the Wynn.

Jacqui Strong