Sarah Balda, B.A. Dance Studies

Sarah Balda holds a B.A. in Dance Studies and a minor in Business Administration from the University of South Florida and, is certified to teach mat Pilates from the PhysicalMind Institute in NYC. Ms. Balda is also a member of the National Dance Education Organization, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting higher standards of dance education. In 2009, Ms. Balda along with Ashley Hilton formed Versa Dance Company. Ms. Balda has trained with some of the country's top dance educators and choreographers. Madame Gabriella Darvash, Gretchen Ward Warren (Penn. Ballet Theater & ABT), Gerri Houlihan, Michael Foley (Sean Curran), Alexandra Beller (Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company), John Parks (Alvin Ailey) and Lynn Wimmer are a few of Ms. Balda's past instructors. Ms. Balda has also had the privilege of taking master classes from company members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Urban Bush Women, Parson Dance Company, and during the summer of 2006 assisted Mr. Peter G. Kalivas (P.G.K. Project, San Diego) with the dance residency at the Maxwell King Center in Melbourne, FL. During the Fall of 2006, Ms. Balda's choreography "Streams" was commisioned by the U.S. Embassy for its international debut in Kazakhstan for the Splash Gala. During the summer of 2008, Ms. Balda worked with the Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) teaching dance at various summer programs throughout Brevard County and during the 08/09 school year represented the BCA as an "Artist in Residency" at Sunrise Elementary School in Palm Bay, FL. In the spring of 2009 Ms. Balda worked with the Mosaic Dance Company based in Tampa, FL, to produce Brevard County's first all modern dance concert at the King Center on January 24, 2009. This concert featured DAC Company members, instructors, alumni and the professional dancers from Mosaic. During summer 2009, Ms. Balda initiated and implemented the dance residency with Peter Kalivas at DAC. This weeklong intensive brought twenty dancers from across the state ended with a dance concert featuring dance residency participants. She is currently working with Versa Dance Company to bring another all modern dance concert to Brevard in February 2010. In addition, she is working with the Brevard Art Museum and The PGK Project on a collaborative dance concert which will be held in April 2010. Ms. Balda has a strong desire to educate others on the art of dance, and is thrilled to be carrying on the many traditions of Dance Arts Centre.

• B.A. University of South Florida
• Certified and a member of the PhysicalMind Institute
• National Dance Education Organization member
• Brevard Cultural Alliance "Artist in Residence"

Catherine Alexander, B.F.A. Ballet Performance

Catherine has over 30 years of experience as a dancer and dance instructor. She began studying ballet in high school with Mrs. Jean Moyer in Sunbury , Pa. She continued her dance studies as an Apprentice member of the Virginia Beach Civic Ballet. Upon moving to Cocoa Beach , Catherine enrolled first at Brevard Community College and then at the University of South Florida , graduating with a degree in Ballet Performance in 1981. Returning to Brevard County , she was accepted as an Apprentice with Southern Ballet Theater, but recognized that her real passion was for training young dancers. She began teaching at the Titusville Ballet and Jazz Center , teaching all levels of ballet technique and pointe. During this period she trained in the Vaganova (Russian) style of training, working with Marat Daukaev for 2 years in Brevard, as well as, summer seminars with Victoria Schnieder and Janina Cunova. Other areas of specialized study include the Bournonville technique of the Royal Danish Ballet and Balanchine technique through study with Patricia McBride. Catherine is a charter member of the Florida Dance Association and served as the organization’s President in 1994-95. She is an active member of Florida Dance Masters and a Board Member of the Brevard Cultural Alliance. In addition to ballet technique, Catherine has been a student of Hatha Yoga since 2002 and is working toward certification as a Yoga instructor, utilizing this training as a complement to her experience in training dancers.

• University of South Florida

Kristen Sholes Sullivan, M.F.A. Dance

Kristen Sullivan is originally from Gainesville, Georgia where she began dancing at the age of 3. She recently received her MFA in dance from Florida State University where she presented her thesis concert, Upside Out. She received her BFA in dance from University of Nevada Las Vegas graduating magna cum laude. She is currently a member of Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theatre located in Daytona Beach under the direction of Rachael Leonard and Kristin Bender-Polizzi. Kristen had the opportunity to take part in the FSU in NYC program where she interned with Movement Research. Kristen was also a member of Dance Repertory Theatre of Florida State where she performed the repertory of Nancy Smith Fichter and Arthur Mitchell set by Anjali Austin. Also while a member of DRT, she was chosen to perform at the Ringling Museum also participating in lecture demonstrations at local schools. She had the opportunity to perform the Human Show choreographed by Kari Margolis in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland as well as at the Kennedy Center. She performed in Madrid and Barcelona Spain with the American Choreographers Showcase under Dr. Carol Rae and in Kiel Germany in the International Dance and Gymnastics festival under Richard Havey. Kristen has performed with Collage Dance Theatre of Los Angeles, Red Desert Dance Ensemble, Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase, Dance in the Desert Festival, Holiday Ethnic Festival, and the 23rd Annual Choreographers Showcase. She has worked with Gail Gilbert, Douglas Dunn, Dan Wagoner, Eva Gholson, John Beasant III, Jack Mitchell, and others. She has trained under Louis Kavouras, Cathy Allen, Victoria Dale, Richard Havey, Margot Mink Colbert, Gerri Houlihan, Jawole Zollar, Wallie Wolfgruber, Anthony Morgan, Patty Phillips, Sheila Humphreys, Mark Swanhart, Suzanne Farrell, Ronn Stewart, and Anjali Austin. She has taught Jazz and Contemporary Dance through a teaching assistantship at Florida State University. She is currently working on her Pilates certification with Power Pilates.

• M.F.A. Florida State University
• Company Member, Surfscape Contemporary Dance

Mia Pacitto

Miss Mia’s passion for dance started as a child in London, England, taking examinations with the ISTD and performing at grande theatres such as the London Palladium. After emigrating to the U.S. in her teens, Mia’s dance world went from a strict syllabus to the traveling, competition scene. Whilst majoring in dance at VCC, Mia’s love for travel lead her to a career upon sea with Disney Cruise Line, dancing and taking lead acting and singing roles. Mia also joined an entertainment team, running all onboard events with Celebrity Cruise Line. Mia has performed for all major Orlando theme parks, including, Disney World, Sea World, and Busch Gardens, and has taught at many dance and gymnastics studios in North Carolina and Florida, one being Orlando Gymnastics where she continues to teach and choreograph floor routines for their team competition gymnasts. Mia has toured the states with such companies as Vee Corporation with Sesame Street Live shows and danced for the NBA with the NBDL Fayetteville Patriots. Aside from dance, Mia has worked in the health and fitness industry; managing for LA Fitness she has obtained her license in facial aesthetics. Mia feels that her vast exposure to styles and cultures has enabled her to show students a well rounded perspective on movement. Mia is currently teaching in her third year at The Dancer’s Pointe, Orlando FL and choreographing for their competition team. Mia is excited about joining the Dance Arts Centre Team.

Samantha "Sam" Scott

Ms. Samantha “Sam” Scott has been dancing in Brevard County for nearly 15 years. Ms. Scott has performed in two major local productions, Dracula and Young Frankenstein, with Precision Contemporary Dance, as well as, performed at various local community events such as: Boo at the Zoo, Christmas at the Zoo, McNair Magnet School and Celebration of Dance. In addition to her dancing, Ms. Scott loves to play the piano and sing. In the spring of 2008, Ms. Scott graduated from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy and she is currently attending Brevard Community College . After graduating from BCC, she plans on attending Florida State University to double major in Business and Physical Therapy.

Ashley Thayer

Ashley Thayer has been dancing as a student and a Company member of Dance Arts Center since 2006. Currently she is a senior at West Shore Jr./Sr. High School, and is very involved in Musical Theater. She has choreographed musicals such as “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Oliver!”. She has participated in many dance events within the last few years including the PGK Project, Surfscape Dance Contemporary Theater intensive, and Florida Dance on Tour. Post graduation, Ashley hopes to attend the University of Central Florida with a major in Forensic Science and a minor in Dance.

Christy Morton, B.A. Elementary Education

Christy Morton is the founder of Dance Arts Centre. She received her B.A. in Elementary Education, and a minor in Dance from Florida State University. Ms. Christy began her ballet training with Alpheus Koon, a former soloist of Ballet Theatre, now American Ballet Theatre. She has previously attended numerous summer programs with various dance companies such as: Munich Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, National Academy of Ballet and Atlanta Ballet. Throughout her career, Ms. Christy has instructed at a number of community and state colleges throughout Florida. She is also a former company member of Dance Alive, based out of Gainesville, FL. Ms. Christy met her husband Greg in Gainesville, and in 1981 they moved to Melbourne, FL and started Dance Arts Centre.

• B.A. Florida State University
• Former company member of Dance Alive