Kirsten Nagiba began ballet lessons in Boston at age 5. She studied with Boston Ballet and later performed with New York City Ballet in Saratoga Springs for three consecutive summers. Kirsten joined Boston Ballet II in 1984 at age 16, where she also performed with the main company as an apprentice. From 1986–1988, Kirsten danced with the Omaha Ballet Company. In 1988, she joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, where she spent nine years performing numerous corps de ballets, solos, and principal roles. With a 20-year performing career encompassing a wide range of roles, choreographers, and styles, Kirsten's goal is to pass on her knowledge and experience to her VBTS students.

Michele Fodero began her ballet training in New Hampshire under the direction of Barbara Mullen and the Royal Academy of Dance from London, England. She spent summers away at the Boston Ballet, the Hartford Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Her professional career, with the Hartford Ballet and the Fort Worth Ballet, gave her opportunities to perform works by many different choreographers, such as Balanchine, Bournonville, Hartford Ballet’s artistic director Michael Uthoff, and Fort Worth Ballet’s artistic director Anthony Salatino. Michele’s teaching career began while she was still performing in Texas, teaching classes with the Professional School of the FWB, and continued upon her return to New England with her former ballet school, where she instructed and led students through examinations in the curriculum of the Royal Academy of Dance. While teaching, Michele took and successfully completed her Advanced RAD exam, becoming an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance.

Michele hopes to develop her students both physically and artistically in the beautiful art of dance and feels confident that they will be able to use their years at VBTS to successfully launch themselves into a career in dance, if so desired, or any career they choose, as well as becoming lifelong supporters of the arts. Michele lives in Jericho with her husband John and children Anna and John.

Sarah Glick was born in Maryland and received her dance training from Harford Dance Theater, Baltimore School for the Arts, and the Kirov Academy of Ballet. She attended summer programs at The Kirov Academy, The School of American Ballet, Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell, Jacob's Pillow, and American Ballet Theater. At 18, she joined Boston Ballet II and performed corps roles in The Nutcracker, La Bayadere, and The Sleeping Beauty. She also danced with the Sarasota Ballet, performing roles in Coppelia, The Nutcracker, and Carmina Burana. Sarah also danced with a contemporary ballet company in NYC called Ballet Deviare. Sarah has taught ballet at the Joy of Dance Center in Maryland. She has been with VBTS since 2011 and enjoys teaching and choreographing for students of all ages!

Ashley began her dancing career when she was two years old at Stowe Dance Academy. She trained under Helena Sullivan for sixteen years in the styles of ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, modern and tap. During her years as a student, she danced competitively with TRIP Dance Company for nine years. She spent three consecutive summers, 2012–2014, training with American Ballet Theater School across the country in New York, Alabama, and California. She has trained at Alvin Ailey, Steps on Broadway, and Broadway Dance Center. Ultimately, Ashley was drawn to science and healthcare, so she pursued a career in professional nursing. She obtained her bachelors of science in nursing at the University of Vermont, College of Nursing and Health Sciences. She works as an RN in Central Vermont specializing in emergency medicine. She spends her free time with her two dogs and continues her passion of dancing through teaching the younger generations. 

Allie Zouck was born in Washington, D.C., and moved to Williston, Vermont, when she was 2 years old. She began her dance training at the age of four at the Vermont Ballet Theater School. She spent summers training at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and Boston Ballet summer intensive programs. Allie was a member of the Vermont Ballet Theater Co. for five years and enjoyed participating in VBT’s production of "The Nutcracker" and the annual Celebration of Dance. She graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 2020 and is studying biochemistry at the University of Vermont.

Maria was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she began her ballet journey with Nelly Casella of the Teatro Colón. In 1983, her family moved to New York, where she continued training under the direction of Tom Adair, Hilda Morales, Vladimir Dokoudovsky, Helen McLennan, and Natasha Bar. At age 9, she was accepted into the advanced division at Joffrey Ballet School and spent her summers training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She attended the high school program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts on scholarship.

During her years dancing, Maria performed in various productions of The Nutcracker, numerous Balanchine works including Serenade and Jewels, and she also danced soloist roles in Les Sylphides, Paquita, and Peter and the Wolf. She was fortunate to participate in intensive workshops with legendary artists Margot Fonteyn, Jacques D’Amboise, and Gelsey Kirkland.

In 2003, Maria moved to Vermont and has performed locally with many theatre companies including Stowe Theatre Guild, Essex Community Players, Lamoille County Players, and Lyric Theatre Company. She also danced as a soloist with Ballet Vermont for five seasons, and appeared as a featured dancer in several episodes of Vermont PBS children’s program, Mister Chris and Friends.

Currently, Maria lives in Shelburne with her husband and two kiddos (both VBTS students!), where she works as a freelance editor, writer, and voiceover actor. She is absolutely thrilled to be teaching the tiniest of dancers at VBTS.

Drew Neary a Philadelphia native, is happy to join the faculty of Vermont Ballet Theater and School. Having honed his skills at renowned institutions such as the Rock School, CPYB, and the School of American Ballet, Drew was able to pursue his passion on full scholarship. He embarked on a remarkable career, gracing the stage as a soloist with prestigious companies including Los Angeles Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Stadt Theater Leipzig, and Carolina Ballet. Drew's journey culminated as a principal dancer with Charlotte Ballet, while also leaving a mark as a guest artist with esteemed companies like Bejart Ballet Lausanne, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, Royal Danish Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Complexions, and Stadt Theater Wurzburg. Throughout his career, he has portrayed principal and soloist roles in iconic works by master choreographers such as Balanchine, Robbins, Rhoden, King, Pickett, Touzeau, Thatcher, Bonnefoux, Weiss, Raffael, Portugal, Kilyian, Naharin, Inger, Skarpetowska, Seiwert, and many others. Following his retirement, Drew embarked on a fulfilling teaching career, sharing his expertise at institutions including the Rock School West, The Draper Center, Brandywine Ballet, and Ballet Wolcott. In addition to his dedication to dance, Drew is a licensed real estate agent and a certified Pilates teacher. He currently resides in Underhill, Vermont, with his husband, son, dog, and two cats, embracing a life filled with art, family, and new adventures.

After a semi- retirement due to COVID Mel has returned to teach ballet to the young. In her 22 year career at VBTS she has instilled the love of musicality and movement to her class. Her main focus for early childhood is skill based, exposure to the art of ballet, exploring creativity, and of course fun. Mel has performed and assisted in the VBTS Nutcracker and has been a student of VBTS instructors. She is very enthusiastic about returning to enjoy the VBTS families this season.

Risa grew up in Westchester, NY where she began her dance training at the age of two years old. She danced competitively at Street Beatz Dance studio from ages 7-18 where she trained in lyrical, jazz, ballet, acrobatics, contemporary, and hip hop. She participated in the Joffrey Ballet School’s intensive program and trained at Broadway Dance Center during her summers. After high school, Risa continued dancing at the University of Vermont in Orchesis Dance Company where she choreographed multiple pieces for their bi-annual showcase and held leadership positions including being the president of the company.

After graduating from the University of Vermont with a bachelor's degree in marketing and global business, Risa joined Slow Shapes Dance Company, a professional dance company rooted in contemporary dance, to continue her passion for dance as an adult. She works full-time in marketing, and is pursuing her Masters of Business Administration part-time. Risa is so excited to join VBTS this year and teach contemporary and jazz to students. 

Mary Hondal is a native of Burlington, VT, and received her BFA in dance performance with a Jazz concentration from Point Park University in April 2024. She has performed professionally with Entity Dance Company at the Junction Dance Festival, under the direction of Kristina Desjardins. She has trained at Giordano Dance Chicago, at The Bates Dance Festival, Point Park University International Summer Dance, with Rhonda Malkin of the Rockettes, and studied at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. She also trained for several years at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School. She has been teaching and choreographing since 2019 and was President of the contemporary dance club at Point Park. Aside from dance, she is Balanced Body Pilates certified and teaches reformer Pilates classes at The Body Lab VT. Outside of the studio, she enjoys reading, traveling, swimming, and spending time with her friends and family.