Stephanie Brent - Executive & Co-Artistic Director

Born in Oroville, California, Stephanie Brent started her dance career at age three with the Stars National Dance Team in Monterey, California. Ms. Stephanie danced competitively for six years where she collected multiple titles and awards. She went on to study under Ms. Lucy Cederleaf at the Dance Ballet 2 in Roseville, California. Ms, Stephanie continued her dance education at the Roseville Academy of Dance in Roseville, California. Her studies have included ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, tap, character dance, ballroom, musical theatre, and hip hop. She has performed in countless shows. Her favorites were Giselle, Wizard of Oz, and Swan Lake. She danced in The Nutcracker with the San Francisco Ballet and Sacramento Ballet. She also performed in Disneyland, California for several years. Ms. Stephanie has taught dance worldwide, including: Dance Gallery 2, Roseville, California; Yokota Dance Company, Tokyo, Japan; and in Germany where she was the studio director at the Grace Academy of Dance in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Ms. Stephanie has trained dancers that have gone on to So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Next Best Dance Crew, and have choreographed for World of Dance. She has a Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on child development and English language acquisition and minors in child development and English as a second language, as well as, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University Sacramento. Ms. Stephanie became the Executive/Co-Artistic Director of the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy in 2019 after being Academy Principal. As Director, the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy placed multiple times in the NUVO dance competition and sent students off to prestigious dance programs and colleges. Ms. Stephanie has choreographed many pieces that have been repeatedly performed in the Anchorage Ballet’s repertoire. She is the co-creator of the Dance with Me and Bitty Bear Ballet curriculum for the Academy and an active member of the DSOA Inner Circle.

Ryan Martin - Co-Artistic Director & Ballet Master

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 Mr. Ryan 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. Mr. Ryan became the Co-Artistic Director and Ballet Master of the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy in 2020.

Tara Brooker - Assistant Director

Originally from Florida, Ms. Tara Brooker’s love of ballet started at age four. Ms. Tara studied ballet, jazz, and tap at The Dance Academy in Tampa, Florida. In addition, she was lucky to attend two high schools that offered excellent dance programs. She also studied ballet at Sell’s Broadway Company under Chris Sell. After high school, she was a teacher assistant in Riverview, Florida. Ms. Tara moved to Oklahoma in 2005 with her husband and two kids, where she continued her dance education and began teaching ballet.  She has performed in Chicago, Anchorage Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker and with The Gemini Dance Band for five years. She has studied under Courtland Weaver, Michelle Katcher, and many others. Since joining the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy in 2018, Ms. Tara has choreographed many pieces and is the co-creator of the Dance with Me and Bitty Bear Ballet curriculum for the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy. Ms. Tara is also an active member of the National Dance Education Organization.

Alice Bassler Sullivan - Ballet Mistress

Born and raised in Alaska, Alice Bassler Sullivan began her dance training in Anchorage, studying with Lynda Lorimer and Steve Primis. In 1975, Ms. Sullivan earned a BFA from the University of Utah Ballet Department, graduating magna cum laude, while performing with Ballet West. She danced with the First Chamber Dance Company, and five seasons with the Minnesota Ballet. Alice returned to Alaska in 1982 and led Alaska Dance Theatre in unprecedented achievements through June 2009 as its Founding Artistic Director. In recognition of her outstanding leadership within the community, Ms. Sullivan was named a finalist in the BP Women of Achievement Award and the Athena Awards. In 2010, Ms. Sullivan was awarded the Lorene Harrison Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mayor’s Arts Award. Sullivan was also honored with a Rasmuson Individual Artist award in 2013.

Kathryn Gabel - Instructor

Kathryn Gabel began her ballet career at the Lake Erie Ballet Academy at the age of four. Ms. Kathryn spent the next five years training under Statia Sublette, founder of the Lake Erie Ballet, Youngstown Civic Ballet, Buffalo Ballet, and Head of Chautauqua Dance Department. Ms. Kathryn had her first opportunity to perform at the age of six in the annual Lake Erie Ballet’s Performance of The Nutcracker as a party child. At age 10, Ms. Kathryn enrolled in the Sylvia Clay Ballet Academy. She continued to study in Haverhill, Massachusetts, during the week and took Saturday classes with Boston Ballet. Wherever Ms. Kathryn lived, she always managed to find a ballet class to take. After having her two sons, she enrolled in an adult class and began teaching at Pacific School of Dance. Ms. Kathryn spent the next 20 years working with Connie Hogge, a Eugene Ballet Academy Instructor; Christine Rader of Ballet West: Mary Paula, the former owner of Petaluma School of Ballet; and Joan Sanders-Seidel, a Master Program Instructor at the North Carolina School for the Arts. In addition, Ms. Kathryn rehearsed the Party Scene and Waltz of the Flowers for the Eugene Ballet Coos Bay performance of The Nutcracker for 18 years.

Amy Black - Children's Program Coordinator & Instructor

Originally from Oklahoma, Ms. Amy Black started studying ballet and jazz at the age of five. Ms. Amy has studied at the La Mesa Dance Academy, Dance Works of Enid, and the Broadway Bound Academy of Dance. She has done summer intensive with the Washington Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet. She has trained under Trey Pickett, Cecelia Jarmillo, and Debby Alllen and has worked with the New Mexico Ballet Company and Ballet Repertoire Theatre of New Mexico. She began teaching ballet in 2017. She also trains as a figure skater. Ms. Amy relocated to Anchorage, Alaska in the spring of 2021 and is proud to be a part of Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy.

James Ackermann - Instructor

Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mr. James Ackermann has been dancing since he was five years old. He started his dance study in Ballet, Jazz, and Tap, later adding Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Contemporary to his repertoire. Mr. James has trained under Ms. Celia Aramillo and Ms. Jennifer Boren, and developed a strong sense of technique while dancing in companies like Festival Ballet. Musical Theatre is his passion and he has been featured in shows such as Footloose, West Side Story, and Chorus Line. Mr. James started teaching multiple genres of dance in 2010 and has performed in over 70 Musicals, he is excited to pass his passion on to the next generation.

Shannon Wellmann - Instructor & Soloist

Ms. Shannon Wellmann is a born and raised Alaskan. The Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy has been her second home since the age of three. She has had instruction in the Vaganova ballet technique from Mr. Ryan Martin and Ms. Holly Steadman. She splits her ballet education between Anchorage and New York City. Ms. Shannon has also been trained in the French ballet technique under the direction of Mr. Francois Perron at the French Academie of Ballet. She has studied contemporary dance and choreography from Mr. Juan Rodriguez, Instructor for the Broadway Dance Center and the Juilliard School.  She has completed several summer intensives, including: American Ballet Theatre and America’s National Ballet Company. She has studied under Mr. Sascha Radetsky, Mr. Ethan Brown, and Ms. Hollie Wright. Shannon has danced in many Anchorage Ballet productions. She has been cast in several featured roles in the Nutcracker, including the Snow Queen, Caribou Doll, Soldier Doll, and the Chinese Empress. She was featured as a soloist in Chopiniana in 2021. Her many other performances have included Aurora and the Northern Lights, Stars and Stripes, and Coppelia.

Charlotte Letner - Instructor

Born in Tennessee, Charlotte Letner is a graduate of Chugiak High School. Her education includes the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division Teachers’ Program Intensive. She has undergone extensive education under Holly Steadman and Stephanie Brent at the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy in the levels of Dance with Me, Creative Movement, Bitty Bear Ballet, and Pre Ballet. Ms. Charlotte is a specialist in early childhood education. Since 2003, Ms. Charlotte has worked in the early childhood education field as  a Lead Preschool Teacher at the Sunshine Schools and as a private childcare provider. She joined the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy in 2017.

Julia Wagner - Instructor & Soloist

Ms. Julia Wagner was born in Anchorage, Alaska. She started her dance journey at age two 2 at Children's Dance Theatre in Anchorage under the direction of Ms. Thereasa Rhinehart. She danced with Children’s Dance Theatre for eleven years before training at the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy under the Mr. Ryan Martin. She has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, and Contemporary. Ms. Julia has performed in the Anchorage Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, Chopiniana, and Dracula, along with several others. In the spring of 2023, she was the Elephant soloist in Carnival of the Animals and a Princess in Swan Lake. Ms. Julia loves working with children and started babysitting at a young age. She completed ACBAs Teaching Assistant Program and is excited to fulfill her childhood dream of teaching ballet.

Mary Claire Letourneau - Instructor

Ms. Mary Claire Letourneau was born in Seattle, Washington. She took her first ballet class at St. Philomena’s in kindergarten performing as a bunny in Hansel & Gretel. She studied at Barbara's School of Dance in Anchorage, Alaska. Ms. Mary Claire has studied lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, improv, and theater. She taught  jazz and hip hop at the New City Dance Company in Burien, Washington. Ms. Mary Claire has been active in the Anchorage Community Theater. She has played the White Witch in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; the Russian Maid in Silver Thaw; and performed various readings in the Vagina Monologues. She was awarded a Fine Arts Award for oil paints at University of Anchorage, Alaska. She is currently completing her elementary teaching credential.

Layla Brent - Teaching Apprentice & Soloist

Originally from California, Ms. Layla Brent started her dancing journey at age five at the Grace Studio of Dance in Kaiserslautern, Germany under the Direction of Ms. Jenny Doyle and Mr. Sobir Utabaev. She relocated to Anchorage and the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy at age seven where she joined the Pre-Professional Program at age 10. She has studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, and Character Dance. Ms. Layla has trained under Mr. Ryan Martin, Ms. Holly Steadman, Ms. Stephanie Brent, Ms. Michelle Katcher, Mr. Colby Damon, Ms. Victoria Jaini, and Mr. James Kirby Rodgers. She attended Sacramento Ballet Senior Summer Intensive in 2022 and 2023 under the direction of Mr. Jorge Laico and Mr. Anthony Krutzkamp on a merit scholarship. Ms. Layla has performed in Anchorage Ballet’s productions of Coppelia, Chopiniana, Dracula, The Ugly Duckling, Sleeping Beauty Fairies as the Lilac Fairy, and in The Nutcracker as the Dew Drop, a Harlequin Doll, and Chocolate Dance. Ms. Layla dances for DanceWest under the direction of Ms. Irenerose Castillo, has competed at Youth America Grand Prix Semi - Finals twice, once in San Francisco and once in Seattle, and has placed several times at NUVO Anchorage. In 2021, she was awarded NUVO Junior Break Out Artist. From 2018 - 2022, Ms. Layla was a Teaching Assistant at the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy and has completed the Teacher Training Program. She also has a Teaching Certification from the International Dance Teacher Association and a Certification in Toddler and Preschool Dance from Once Upon a Ballet.

Kinley Kohler - Teaching Apprentice & Soloist

Ms. Kinley Kohler is from Anchorage, Alaska and started her dancing journey at age two at Children's Dance Theatre in Anchorage under the direction of Ms. Thereasa Rhinehart. At the age of five, Ms. Kinley began her formal dance education at the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy where she joined the Pre-Professional Program at age 10. She has trained under Mr. Ryan Martin, Ms. Holly Steadman, Ms. Stephanie Brent, and Ms. Michelle Katcher. She has studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Latin Dance, Contemporary, Tap, and Character Dance. She has performed in Anchorage Ballet’s productions of Coppelia, Carnival of the Animals, Chopiniana, Stars and Stripes, The Ugly Duckling, Swan Lake and in The Nutcracker as the Dew Drop, a Harlequin Doll, and Dragon Soloist. She has competed at Youth America Grand Prix Semi - Finals three times and has placed several times at NUVO Anchorage. Ms. Kinley attended Los Angeles Ballet Summer Intensive in 2022 under the direction of Ms. Colleen Neary and Mr. Thordal Christensen and Kansas City Ballet Summer Intensive in 2023. Ms. Kinley dances for DanceWest under the direction of Ms. Irenerose Castillo and also teaches adaptive ballet with Special Olympics Alaska. From 2020 - 2023, Ms. Kinley  was a Teaching Assistant at the Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy and has completed the Teacher Training Program.