Are you ready for the 2021 Summer Ballet Intensive? Meet all of the wonderful instructors teaching at the 2021 Summer Ballet Intensive.
Mr. Ryan Martin, Artistic Director & Ballet Master
Instructor of Ballet - Level 1 & 2
With a career expanding over 28 years, Mr. Ryan Martin has more than 25 years of experience as a professional ballet and contemporary dancer. He graduated from two prestigious ballet schools, the National Ballet of Canada and the Kirov School, with diplomas in both the Cecchetti and Vaganova training methods. Mr. Martin was the first American male dancer ever to be accepted into the Kirov School - now known as the Vaganova Ballet Academy. Ryan has danced with companies in Russia, Germany and the United States (Tulsa Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theatre, BalletMet, and Milwaukee Ballet) and worked closely with celebrated artists and choreographers. He has performed principal and solo roles in the classical repertoire as well as working with important choreographers of the 20th century. His own choreography is a reflection of his dynamic experiences and includes original works in both classical and contemporary styles.
Ms. Holly Steadman
Instructor of Ballet, Pointe, Stretch & Conditioning - Level 1 & 2
Holly Steadman is originally from Washington State, but grew up in Palmer, Alaska. Holly began dancing at nine years old with Anita Mitchell at the Dancers Workshop in Wasilla. In 2006, she traveled to England and studied classical ballet under Denzil Bailey at Pineapple Dance Studio. Shortly after returning to Alaska, she began studies at the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy. Holly’s dance education includes instruction under Paul Destrooper of Ballet Victoria, Joseph Kerwin of the Finnish National Ballet, and Lyudmila Safronova of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, as well as Master Classes with Artists such as Alonzo King. In 2012 she received her Certification of Instruction of the Vaganova Method at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet under John White. Her studies have included Character Dance, Flamenco, Bolero, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Modern, and Classical Dance. She has taught at Alaska Dance Theatre, Dancers Workshop, Anchorage Ballet, and at Excel Gymnastics as well as teaching outreach Master Classes in Soldotna, Homer, and Bethel Alaska. Holly’s performing credits have included Principal and Soloist roles in the ballets, La Fille Mal Gardée, La Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. She has also appeared as a guest performer for Alaska Theatre of Youth, Alaska Dance Theatre, Pulse Dance Company, Momentum Dance Collective, Heppinstall Productions, and Peninsula Artists in Motion. In 2012 Holly became Ballet Master for the Anchorage Ballet. As Ballet Master she choreographed the new ballets Starry Night (2013), Elementi (2014), Across the Stars (2015), Prisms (2016), Aurora: A Tale of the Northern Lights (2017), and others. She also choreographed the Anchorage Ballet’s The Nutcracker, which is still performed annually. As well as new classical and contemporary works, Holly has staged classical works such as La Boutique Fantasque, The Nutcracker, La Bayadere, The Sleeping Beauty, and others. She was also the Rehearsal Director for the Alaskan tour of Eugene Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker (2018). As former Artistic Director of Dancers Workshop, Holly oversaw a contemporary Youth Company that placed first multiple times at dance competitions Nuvo and Top of the World. Holly’s students have also received multiple first places in the classical division of the Youth America Grand Prix, top 10 in the contemporary division, received special invitations to the finals in New York City, and placed in the top 25 at the finals. Now living in New Jersey, Holly continues to teach and develop her knowledge of dance pedagogy.
Ms. Abbigale Seitz
Instructor of Ballet, Pre Pointe, Stretch & Conditioning - Level 3
Abbigale Seitz was born in Tucson, Arizona. Ms. Seitz began dancing at Alaska Dance Theatre at the age of three under the direction of Alice Sullivan. At the age of twelve, Abbigale began her formal dance education at the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy. She has earned scholarships to summer intensives including: Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Washington Summer Dance Lab Walla Walla, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and San Jose’s New School Ballet. She has worked with many renowned dancers including Benjamin Griffiths, Lisa Sundstrom, and José Manuel Carreño. She has performed roles in Eugene Ballet Company, Cincinnati Ballet, and Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker. As a student of ACBA, Ms. Seitz was a participant in the Youth American Grand Prix semi - finals three times and has performed in the Anchorage Ballet repertoire including: Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Giselle, Aurora: A Tale of the Northern Lights, and La Boutique Fantasque. Ms. Seitz is a graduate of the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy and now attends the University of Alaska Anchorage where she is currently obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with a dance, athletic training, and nutrition minor.
Ms. Emma Koziol
Instructor of Contemporary - All levels
Emma Koziol is from Charlottesville, Virginia. Ms. Koziol started dancing when she was two years old and has been studying dance for nineteen years. She enjoys designing choreography and exploring new ways to express the many facets of humanity and the beauty of creation through the art of dance. Emma trained with and has performed in professional productions with San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet, Ballet San Antonio Academy, Anchorage Classical Ballet, Ballet Magnificat, Eastern Virginia School for the Performing Arts, and Central Virginia Ballet. She graduated in December 2020 from Randolph College with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Studio Art minor.
Mr. Colby Deemer
Instructor of Jazz - All levels
Colby Deemer is a local Alaskan dancer who has traveled around the world teaching and performing. He has worked with the Deutsche Ballet Company, Vaga Lume, Kids Artistic Revue, and runs his own dance event company, Dance Driven, here in Alaska. Last year, he brought his experience back to Alaska to share what he has learned from his time abroad. His training has taken him all over performing with Dick Van Dyke, The Mountain Dew Tour, The Portland Trailblazers, Nappy Tabs, Nick Lazarino, and Mike Minery. Mr. Deemer has 15 years experience teaching in Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical and more. He is excited to be sharing his knowledge with the emerging generation of dancers.
Ms. Valerie Thurston
Instructor of Tap - All levels
Valerie has loved tap dance since she started at the age of 11 years old! Since then, she has sought extensive training and is grateful to have shared her joy of tap with students across Alaska since 2005. Valerie currently owns and operates The Tap Studio as the primary instructor. Her teaching experience includes Alaska Dance Theatre, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Children's Dance Theatre, West High School (Guest Artist), Dance Spectrum Alaska, University of Alaska Anchorage (Guest Lecturer), Studio 49 (Guest Instructor), Underground Dance Company (Guest Instructor), Alaska Theatre of Youth (Guest Instructor) and Broadway Kidz (Guest Instructor). Valerie is especially proud to be mentored by living tap legend, Dianne Walker.
...More teachers to come!