2018-2019 Faculty and Staff
Stephanie Heston (Artistic Director)
Originally from Topeka, KS Ms. Heston enjoyed a 15 year career as a professional ballerina performing all over the US as well as internationally. Please click here to read her full biography.
Alexander Smirnov (Artistic Director)
Born and raised in Russia, Mr. Smirnov is a graduate of the famous Vaganova Academy in Perm. He enjoyed a 17 year international career as a leading dancer, performing nearly every principal role in the classical repertoire all around the world. Please click here for his full biography.
Amy Reazin (Ballet, Pilates, Tap, Community Outreach)
Raised in Olathe, Kansas, Amy Reazin began dancing at the age of five. Her training includes Kansas City Ballet School, and The Culture House where she was blessed to learn from the dancers of Storling Dance Theatre and was accepted into their trainee program. Ms. Reazin moved to Manhattan, Kansas to pursue her degree at Kansas State University and performed with, as well as choreographed for, the School of Dance for seven seasons, as well as the Manhattan Civic Theatre.
Ms. Reazin began teaching ballet in Manhattan, KS in 2011 and found it to be her great joy! She joined the faculty of Kansas Ballet Academy in 2014 and is privileged to pass along her love of dance to others. Additionally, Amy completed her Pilates Academy International mat training with Courtney Collado in 2015, along with additional training under Balanced Body in both Mat Work and Reformer. She is excited to offer this dancer-tailored training to the students of KBA and the community of Topeka.
Raised in Olathe, Kansas, Amy Reazin began dancing at the age of five. Her training includes Kansas City Ballet School, and The Culture House where she was blessed to learn from the dancers of Storling Dance Theatre and was accepted into their trainee program. Ms. Reazin moved to Manhattan, Kansas to pursue her degree at Kansas State University and performed with, as well as choreographed for, the School of Dance for seven seasons, as well as the Manhattan Civic Theatre.
Ms. Reazin began teaching ballet in Manhattan, KS in 2011 and found it to be her great joy! She joined the faculty of Kansas Ballet Academy in 2014 and is privileged to pass along her love of dance to others. Additionally, Amy completed her Pilates Academy International mat training with Courtney Collado in 2015, along with additional training under Balanced Body in both Mat Work and Reformer. She is excited to offer this dancer-tailored training to the students of KBA and the community of Topeka.
Erinn Bird (Ballet, Tap, Community Outreach)
Ms. Bird began taking dance classes at the age of two. When she was seven, she began dancing at Topeka Ballet and continued her training with Kansas Ballet Academy after the two studios merged. Erinn has trained in ballet, pointe, modern, tap, jazz, classical repertory, choreography, and character dance. After graduating from Kansas Ballet Academy in 2017, Erinn spent a semester as part of the Cottey College Dance Company where she choreographed original pieces for student performances.
In the spring of 2018, Erinn joined the KBA faculty as an apprentice teacher. After completing the teacher training program, she graduated into a full faculty position for the 2018-2019 Academic Year. Currently, Erinn is a student at the University of Kansas where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and studying with an emphasis in choreography.
Ms. Bird began taking dance classes at the age of two. When she was seven, she began dancing at Topeka Ballet and continued her training with Kansas Ballet Academy after the two studios merged. Erinn has trained in ballet, pointe, modern, tap, jazz, classical repertory, choreography, and character dance. After graduating from Kansas Ballet Academy in 2017, Erinn spent a semester as part of the Cottey College Dance Company where she choreographed original pieces for student performances.
In the spring of 2018, Erinn joined the KBA faculty as an apprentice teacher. After completing the teacher training program, she graduated into a full faculty position for the 2018-2019 Academic Year. Currently, Erinn is a student at the University of Kansas where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and studying with an emphasis in choreography.
Brenda Cox (Ballet, Community Outreach)
Ms. Cox grew up in Topeka and now resides in southern Osage county. Brenda’s first love was gymnastics. She spent her younger years participating and competing in gymnastics and continued through the high school and collegiate levels. It wasn’t until her college years, that she discovered her love for dance. She began taking all the dance classes she could at college and continued dancing throughout her adult years when she began taking dance ‘seriously’ and trained with the Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka for 12 years. She had the opportunity to perform in many ballets with MBT and to take master classes from Rebecca Wright and David Howard. After her time at MBT, she danced at Topeka Ballet and began her teaching career. She has taught ballet and jazz to the younger students and ballet all the way up to the advanced students. Brenda has passed along her love of ballet to two of her children who have went on to dance professionally.
Ms. Cox grew up in Topeka and now resides in southern Osage county. Brenda’s first love was gymnastics. She spent her younger years participating and competing in gymnastics and continued through the high school and collegiate levels. It wasn’t until her college years, that she discovered her love for dance. She began taking all the dance classes she could at college and continued dancing throughout her adult years when she began taking dance ‘seriously’ and trained with the Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka for 12 years. She had the opportunity to perform in many ballets with MBT and to take master classes from Rebecca Wright and David Howard. After her time at MBT, she danced at Topeka Ballet and began her teaching career. She has taught ballet and jazz to the younger students and ballet all the way up to the advanced students. Brenda has passed along her love of ballet to two of her children who have went on to dance professionally.
Christine Potter (Modern, Tap)
Ms. Potter was born and reared in Topeka. She received her bachelor of fine arts in dance from the University of Kansas. Ms. Potter has taught ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and Irish step. After university, she co-founded, choreographed for, and performed in two local dance companies, The Bowery Dancers and Band of Dancers. After starting a family, Ms. Potter earned her bachelor of arts in Mathematics, taught high school math at Washburn Rural High School, and earned a masters of science degree in education administration. Ms. Potter recently earned her Masters of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology and is currently serving as a pastor at Countryside United Methodist Church.
Ms. Potter was born and reared in Topeka. She received her bachelor of fine arts in dance from the University of Kansas. Ms. Potter has taught ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and Irish step. After university, she co-founded, choreographed for, and performed in two local dance companies, The Bowery Dancers and Band of Dancers. After starting a family, Ms. Potter earned her bachelor of arts in Mathematics, taught high school math at Washburn Rural High School, and earned a masters of science degree in education administration. Ms. Potter recently earned her Masters of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology and is currently serving as a pastor at Countryside United Methodist Church.
Jeff Potter (Modern, Tap)
Mr. Potter was born and reared in Great Bend, KS where he began dancing at the age of four. He earned his bachelor of fine arts in dance from the University of Kansas. He has been a teacher of ballet, tap, modern, jazz, and Irish step. Upon graduating from the University of Kansas, Mr. Potter co-founded, choreographed for, and performed in two dance companies, The Bowery Dancers and Band of Dancers. He recently earned his Masters of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology and is currently serving as the pastor of University and Perry United Methodist Churches.
Mr. Potter was born and reared in Great Bend, KS where he began dancing at the age of four. He earned his bachelor of fine arts in dance from the University of Kansas. He has been a teacher of ballet, tap, modern, jazz, and Irish step. Upon graduating from the University of Kansas, Mr. Potter co-founded, choreographed for, and performed in two dance companies, The Bowery Dancers and Band of Dancers. He recently earned his Masters of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology and is currently serving as the pastor of University and Perry United Methodist Churches.
Kayela Holle (Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theater)
Ms. Holle is the owner/director of In Motion Dance Company in Manhattan, KS where her goal is to provide competitive performance opportunities for students who are passionate and dedicated to dance. She has been teaching for over 7 years and has won various choreography and overall awards.
Ms. Holle has previously been a guest choreographer for Kansas Ballet Academy and is excited to join the faculty for the 2018-2019 season.
Ms. Holle is the owner/director of In Motion Dance Company in Manhattan, KS where her goal is to provide competitive performance opportunities for students who are passionate and dedicated to dance. She has been teaching for over 7 years and has won various choreography and overall awards.
Ms. Holle has previously been a guest choreographer for Kansas Ballet Academy and is excited to join the faculty for the 2018-2019 season.
Linda Virr-Niemackl (Ballet) - on hiatus for 2018
Ms. Virr- Niemackl has had training from both nationally and internationally recognized teachers and artists. In her teens, she was offered a scholarship to the prestigious Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada. She was also offered full scholarships for graduate work and teaching positions at Texas Christian University and the University of Utah. While attending graduate school at the University of Kansas, she taught all levels of ballet classes. She has performed professionally for the Kansas City Ballet and other regional ballet companies. Miss Linda has had the pleasure of acting as ballet Mistress and Assistant Director for a regional ballet company. She has been teaching for over 25 years. Her goal is to give the best dance education in a nurturing environment.
Ms. Virr- Niemackl has had training from both nationally and internationally recognized teachers and artists. In her teens, she was offered a scholarship to the prestigious Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada. She was also offered full scholarships for graduate work and teaching positions at Texas Christian University and the University of Utah. While attending graduate school at the University of Kansas, she taught all levels of ballet classes. She has performed professionally for the Kansas City Ballet and other regional ballet companies. Miss Linda has had the pleasure of acting as ballet Mistress and Assistant Director for a regional ballet company. She has been teaching for over 25 years. Her goal is to give the best dance education in a nurturing environment.
Chelsea Campbell (Jazz) - on hiatus for 2018
Ms. Campbell started dancing at age five at Adams School of Dance in O'Fallon, IL and continued to dance throughout high school as a member of the O'Fallon Township High School Golden Girls Dance Team. At her studio and high school, she received many awards and honors, including Captain of Adams Competitive Dance Team, Most Valuable Dancer of the Golden Girls, National Jazz Soloist Winner, and Illinois Drill Team Association State Champions all years.
After graduation, Chelsea moved to Lawrence, Kansas to study Mathematics at the University of Kansas. In college, Chelsea also studied dance of the university and Point B Dance. She became a member of the Point B Dance Company and performed commercial and concert style dancing in various areas in Kansas for seven years. Also, in college, Chelsea studied at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, California.
Currently, Chelsea is a mathematics teacher and is the Head Coach of the Topeka West Westsiders Dance Team. As a coach, Chelsea has developed great dancers that have received many awards. Some of these include the highest scoring routine of the entire competition, showmanship awards, placing at all competitions, and national bids. She continues to let her passion for dance shine through her dancers.
Ms. Campbell started dancing at age five at Adams School of Dance in O'Fallon, IL and continued to dance throughout high school as a member of the O'Fallon Township High School Golden Girls Dance Team. At her studio and high school, she received many awards and honors, including Captain of Adams Competitive Dance Team, Most Valuable Dancer of the Golden Girls, National Jazz Soloist Winner, and Illinois Drill Team Association State Champions all years.
After graduation, Chelsea moved to Lawrence, Kansas to study Mathematics at the University of Kansas. In college, Chelsea also studied dance of the university and Point B Dance. She became a member of the Point B Dance Company and performed commercial and concert style dancing in various areas in Kansas for seven years. Also, in college, Chelsea studied at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, California.
Currently, Chelsea is a mathematics teacher and is the Head Coach of the Topeka West Westsiders Dance Team. As a coach, Chelsea has developed great dancers that have received many awards. Some of these include the highest scoring routine of the entire competition, showmanship awards, placing at all competitions, and national bids. She continues to let her passion for dance shine through her dancers.
ACADEMY RECEPTIONISTS
Ronda Brown, Office Manager Tuesdays & Thursdays
Deanna Niles Saturdays
Hilary Thompson Mondays & Wednesdays
Deanna Niles Saturdays
Hilary Thompson Mondays & Wednesdays