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Laurel Ballet Academy Dance Instructors for 2010-2011
Jill Pelhan - Ballet & Pre-Ballet
Originally from the Carolinas, Jill is so happy to be returning to the loving and supportive environment of the Laurel Ballet Academy for a 9th year of teaching! In 1999, Jill earned both a BA in Dance and a BA in Biblical Studies from Belhaven College in Jackson, MS.
Jill’s teaching career currently spans 12 years and includes employment as a dance instructor at he following places: University of Southern Mississippi, Ms. Kim’s School of Dance in Hattiesburg, SWAM in Cullman AL, Academy of Ballet in Jackson MS, Hattiesburg YMCA, Fort Bend YMCA, Power APAC Magnet School (Jackson Public Schools), and West University Dance Center in Houston, TX. Jill was the owner and director of “The Dance Program” at 1st Presbyterian Kosciusko for 5 years. For 5 years Jill directed the dance ministry, "Streams of Worship...Rivers of Praise," at River of Life Church in Hattiesburg, MS and now teaches worship dance classes at House of Prayer- Hattiesburg Missions Base as well as participating on the HOP Prayer Dance Team on Tuesday nights. For the past 13 summers, Jill has been a guest teacher for ZCWA in Charlotte, NC with whom she has toured as both a teacher and performer in the Philippines and Hong Kong.
Jill began her formal ballet training in Charlotte, NC under the instruction of Catherine Lash at the Theatre School of Dance, Melissa Hale-Coyle and Claudia Folts at The Ballet School of Charlotte, and from Gay Porter-Spear at The Charlotte School of Ballet. Jill also studied at Ballet Magnificat! School of the Arts, North Carolina Dance Theatre’s Dance Place, and the Winthrop College Community Dance Program. Jill has also studied at both South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and North Carolina School of the Arts where she was privileged to study under Shapiro and Smith, Penny Hutchinson, Edward Villella, Mel Tomlinson, and Anita Ashley. While in college, Jill also pursued studies in the British method of Ballet, the Royal Academy of Dance. Jill has taken the Grade 8, Elementary, and Intermediate Examinations in the RAD program and received a “Commended” score at each level.
Jill has been a professional dancer with Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, TX with whom she toured across the mid-West and parts of California, Poland, and Austria. While with Ad Deum, she performed pieces by Loreen Fajgel, Randall Flinn, and Steve Rooks. As a dancer with The Messiah Project, Jill also spent a month touring across Japan. From 1996-1999, Jill was a member of Ballet Magnificat II! in which she performed throughout Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana in such ballets as “Thy Kingdom Come,” “A Christmas Festival,” “Sandi Songs,” “ Praise Magnificat,” “ God Gets the Glory,” and “Unveiled Hope.” Pre-professionally, she also performed in “Pas de Quatre” and “Les Sylphides” as part of the Belhaven College Dance Ensemble. As a member of the Charlotte City Ballet, Jill performed in “The Little Match Girl,” “The Singing Ringing Tree”, Arabian and Waltz of the Flowers in “The Nutcracker,” and the Pas de Trois from “Swan Lake.”
Kristin Jones- Tap, Jazz, and Pre-Ballet
We are exited to announce that Kristin Campbell will be returning for her 4th year teaching Tap, Jazz, and Ballet at the Laurel Ballet Academy! Kristin is a sought-after dance instructor in both Laurel and Hattiesburg, and she is well-loved by LBA students for both her gentle and encouraging manner and her fun, but demanding classes. Kristin is also a wonderful choreographer and is blessed with great administrative and organizational skills.
A native of Mobile, Alabama, Kristin graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in May of 2007 with a BFA in Dance Performance/Choreography. While there she studied ballet and modern technique with several teachers and guest artists (some include Trebien Pollard, Jon Rodriguez, and Sarah Carlson). She also was a member of the USM Repertory Dance Co. for 3 years where she performed for many student choreographers and guest artist Carrie Brueck. Kristin attended ACDFA in 2007 where she took classes with many instructors from around the region and was also blessed to take class from a member of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Co. of Ohio. Before her college years, Kristin studied many forms of dance (tap, jazz, ballet, and lyrical) from the age of 3 until she was 17. As a teenager, Kristin was also a member of and performed with the Alabama Contemporary Dance Co. for one year. In addition to teaching at LBA, Kristin also teaches for the Family Network and Partnership of Hattiesburg which is a child intervention program under the School of Social Work at USM. Besides teaching and dancing, Kristin enjoys the outdoors, movies, and spending time with her friends.
Sarah Latza- Upper School Ballet & Hip-Hop
Sarah is happy to be returning to LBA for her 2nd year and we are excited to continue to partake of all the knowledge and skills she has to offer! Originally from Memphis, TN, Sarah received her early training from Pat Gillespie of Classical Ballet Memphis (RAD Ballet Technique) as well as both Annette Wilson and Natalie Fotopoulos of Dance Dynamics. In 2009 Sarah graduated from USM with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography receiving the award for Most Outstanding Senior Dance Major. Sarah has also received further dance training in Limon technique at the Limon East Cost Workshop ion Brockport, NY. Sarah was selected to be a Las Vegas semi-finalist the TV show So You Think You Can Dance in 2007.
Sarah currently lives in Hattiesburg where in addition to being a much sought after dance teacher and choreographer, she is in school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. Sarah's favorite dance styles to teach include Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Hip-hop. Sarah is currently performing professionally with Front Porch Dance of Jackson, MS.
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