LAUREL BALLET PROPRIETORS
Eleanor Viecelli Tornblom (Artistic Director, Teacher) has an extensive education and has passed her knowledge on, generously, for over 50 years. She genuinely loves children and has a vested interest in their development. She founded and operated the school alone for many years and delights in her daughters Joy Ushak and Judy Rae Tubbs who are equal partners with her at LB.
Joy Uschak (Teacher and Company Manager) This unassuming, multi-talented teacher of the youngest students also manages all finances, legal and office responsibilities. In addition to these considerable tasks she manages the costuming of all performances and has choreographed several ballets in the past.
Judy Rae Tubbs (Teacher and Resident Choreographer) teaches the top levels of class and has choreographed almost all performances since she turned sixteen. She has created many original works and re-choreographed all classics performed by the company since 1993. This gifted lady could work for any company in the country and LB is grateful to have her as a resident choreographer.
LAUREL BALLET WELCOMES
A NEW STAFF MEMBER
The Renowned Master Teacher
Mr. Thomas Hanner
He performed with San Francisco Ballet, Washington Ballet, Cincinnati
Ballet and many others. He began his training in Hollywood, California with former members of Ballet Russe and Royal Ballet, and continued in New York City at the School of American Ballet with Stanley Williams.
LAUREL BALLET STAFF
Jacob Paulson is currently pursuing his B.A. in dance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Jacob is an energetic and hard working individual who loves to teach and dance. Proficient jazz, modern, and ballet, his training is based on Luigi, Graham, and Russian ballet. Also Jacob has trained in Cecchetti as well as Royal Academy and is highly influenced by the works of Bob Fosse.
Christina Schwaner Ballet Technique/pointe/variations - began her training with Clara Salles. She danced professionally with Sesi Minas in Brazil, Louisville Ballet, Utah Regional Ballet and Cleveland San Jose Ballet. She was awarded First Place at the Joinville International Competition in Brazil in 1994 & is presently a soloist with Pittsburgh Ballet.
Stephan Hadala Ballet Technique/Pointe/Pas - is from Detroit where he began his training at the Allard Academy Dance. He also trained at
Marygrove College, Dance Theatre of Harlem and the School of American Ballet before coming to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
He has enjoyed dancing lead roles in Dwight Rhoden's Carmina Buranaand Twyla Tharps Octet as well as the Mad Hatter in Derek Deane's Alice in Wonderland.
Nicole Waugaman-Slavin Modern and Choreography - earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelpia. Her college career also includes Tisch School of Arts in
New York and the Laban Center in London, England. She was accepted in to many summer intensive programs including Cleveland Ballet and the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts on full scholarship.
Cynthia Ridler is a teacher at Point Park University in Pittsburgh.
Jurai Adamik Character and Folk - is a long time member of the Tamburitzans of Duquesne.
D'Anna Kromer (Pilates/Yoga) is a local talent who keeps the dancers well in shape physically and mentally to ensure success and stave off injury.
LAUREL BALLET COSTUMER
Margaret Gilfillan a super talent, college-trained in her field, has taught costuming for many years. Margaret also costumes other local entities. She has been with the Laurel Ballet since its inception in 1993.
