Marti's professional career encompasses over twenty years of experience as a production manager and coordinator for theater, opera, concerts, film, dance and multi-media projects.

These projects have included dramatic, corporate and educational pieces. Many have been used as fundraising vehicles for non-profit organizations. Clients have included The U.S. Navy, Smithsonian Institution, New York Philharmonic, the Dallas, Denver, and National Symphonies, Grollier Publishing, AT&T and Pitney Bowes.

Locally she has served on the Friends Board for St. Lukes Lifeworks, Roxbury School Executive Board, the Connecticut Association of Production Professionals Executive Board, Connecticut Film and Video Commission Advisory Board, the steering committee for the Collaborative Alliance, as board member of the Stamford Public Education Foundation and was on the advisory board for the Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence. She currently serves on the Stamford’s Arts and Culture Commission. 

Barry Kerollis is an award-winning choreographer, master teacher, and journalist based in New York City. 

 

After a 14 year performance career performing leading roles at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Houston Ballet, and as a Principal Guest Artist, Barry transitioned to directing, choreography, and teaching full-time in 2016. He has taught ballet and contemporary technique internationally as a master teacher for a range of organizations; from professional dance companies and their schools to dance competitions, universities, and recreational programs. Additionally, Barry is a regular contributor at Dance Magazine, Pointe, and Dance Teacher, having written more than two dozen articles while also being featured in publications beyond his own writings. 

 

Specializing in training dancers in both classical ballet and concert-style contemporary dance, he has served as a jury member for Youth America Grand Prix since 2020. Barry has choreographed for and coached numerous dancers who have won top prizes and scholarships at prestigious ballet competitions around the world. Additionally, he has trained dancers who have performed with major international ballet companies and on Broadway, national tours, and television. 

 

Additional credits include faculty positions at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway, Founder and Artistic Director of Movement Headquarters, Interim Artistic Director of Alaska Dance Theatre, Finalist at Palm Desert Choreography Festival, Rehearsal Director at Brooklyn Ballet, and guest teacher at international programs including The Rock School, Oklahoma City Ballet School, Ellison Ballet, Runqiao Du’s DuCon, Kathryn Morgan and Friends, Koresh Dance Company, New York University, University of the Arts, and more.

Lilia Khanina is a native of Russia and earned Master’s Degree in Conducting and Ph.D degree in Musicology from the Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory. During her study at the Conservatory she had advanced training as a choirmaster with the famous Bolshoi Theater Choir. In 1996 she accepted a position of the Conductor and Teacher of theoretical disciplines at the Music School Vesna. Its choir with which she has performed is notable for receiving numerous prestigious awards in international competitions. 

       After relocating to the US in 2003 she joined the artistic staff of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School as a pianist and a choral conductor. In 2007 she moved to Connecticut and started working at the Ballet School of Stamford where she later became Music Director. She provided piano music for ballet classes at The New Haven Ballet, Connecticut Dance School, Ballet Etudes, Rye Ballet Conservatory, New England Academy of Dance, The Conservatory of Dance in the School of the Arts at Purchase College (SUNY). 

       In addition to her work as a ballet pianist Ms. Khanina performs as a soloist and accompanist. She is the founder and Director of Piano Lessons in New Canaan. She offers a unique approach to creative piano lessons for all ages.

      Her articles and essays were published in peer reviewed journals and books. She is the author of the book, Gian Carlo Menotti and His Operas. 

Josue Jasmin is an esteemed leader within the dance education community, recognized for his dedication to fostering creativity, excellence, and inclusivity in dance education. With over 19 years of experience as a dance educator. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of dancers and educators.

 

As the Education Director for Dance, he led the development and implementation of comprehensive dance education programs, ensuring alignment with industry standards, artistic integrity, and the diverse needs of students. His visionary leadership has propelled Rogers International School and Ballet School of Stamford to the forefront of dance and performing arts, establishing it as a hub for artistic innovation and educational excellence.

 

Josue expertise in dance pedagogy, curriculum development, and choreography enriches his approach to dance education. He collaborates with faculty and staff to design a curriculum that fosters technical proficiency, artistic expression, and a deep appreciation for dance as a performing art. His commitment to cultivating well-rounded dancers extends beyond the studio, incorporating elements of dance history, theory, and cultural relevance into the curriculum.

 

In addition to His role in curriculum development, He is a passionate advocate for dance education and its transformative power. He works tirelessly to expand access to dance education opportunities, particularly in underserved communities, and to promote diversity and inclusion within the dance field. His leadership has led to the establishment of outreach programs, scholarships, and partnerships with community organizations to ensure that dance is accessible to all aspiring dancers.

 

Josue, a proud recipient of the 2017 SPEF educator award, and avid performer/choreographer/enthusiast. He trained at Alvin Ailey NY, Ballet School of Stamford CT, and New Hampshire City Ballet in Manchester, NH. His passion for dance extended to teaching and choreography. He has taught at Brass City Ballet and choreographed for Vibe Magazine, New Faces Development Inc and IMTA NY & LA.  He also worked with six-time Grammy winner Justin Timberlake for his US promo tour, R&B Artist Amerie, popstar Kesha, and three-time Grammy winner gospel artist Mary Mary, Bette Midler, and Toney award winner choreographer George Faison. He’s recently Choreographed Off Broadway Musical “ONLY HUMAN", "ALL FOR JOE" -  (Musical) and "TWO LOST WORLD "- (Musical New York & London).

Josue believes in the power of dance to inspire, connect, and transform lives, and is committed to sharing this passion with the next generation of dancers/performers.

Kelsey Emmett Buffer a Stamford native, Kelsey trained throughout Fairfield County including Ballet School of Stamford. She attended SUNY Buffalo and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Shortly after moving to New York City, she spent a year traveling the world and performing on Regent Seven Seas Cruises, followed by years of performing in NYC, including work at Couture Fashion Week, Young Choreographers Festival, Project Dance, Gotta Dance at The Wild Project, Brooklyn Bowl, Little B's Big Holiday Wish and several Aerial workshops. Kelsey worked with ALMA NYC, an outreach dance and performance company with which she climbed Kilimanjaro to support The Bethel School in Burkina Faso. Kelsey has also more recently performed pieces by Nathan Trice and Teresa Perez Ceccon through Marcia Brooks Various Works.

Kelsey has taught Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Irish Dance throughout the tri-state area for over a decade to dancers from 18 months old to High School aged students. She created a youth dance company for promising dancers focused on developing foundational dance technique and performance quality, and has developed a successful Grown Up and Me program to introduce the youngest of movers to the world of dance. She loves to challenge students to explore their limits to achieve more than they imagined they could. 

Along the way, Kelsey has supported dance and arts-focused organizations in growing their studios and serving families and students to have the best possible experience with their dance journey.

It is so incredible to come full circle back to Ballet School of Stamford and rejoin this community of dancers and their families.

Renee has held the position of administrator at The Ballet School of Stamford for the past twenty five years. She has held varied positions in the past in both the corporate and retail industries.

After graduating from Stamford High School, grants and scholarships enabled Renee to attend Berkley Business College in White Plains, NY where she majored in Business Administrations. She currently resides in the Stamford area with her family.