Faculty & Staff | UTAH COUNTY CAMPUS

Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy

EVELYN CISNEROS-LEGATE

DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST ACADEMY

Evelyn Cisneros-Legate was Prima-Ballerina of The San Francisco Ballet for many years beginning under Lew Christensen (brother of Ballet West founder Willam Christensen) and continuing under its current Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson. Ms. Cisneros-Legate holds an honorary doctorate from both Mills College and the University of California at Monterey Bay. Considered one of America's leading ballerinas and the first Mexican-American principal ballerina, Ms. Cisneros-Legate is a renowned dance educator who has taught at some of the most prestigious dance schools in the world, a former Principal at The Boston Ballet School, she is a sought-after adjudicator and speaker. 

HEATHER THACKERAY

PRINCIPAL, UTAH COUNTY CAMPUS

Heather Thackeray was named Campus Principal in July 2020; prior Ms. Thackeray served as the Student Ballet Master and Academy Artistic Liaison.  Ms. Thackeray has enjoyed over three decades of association with Ballet West.  Her first experience with the company was as a child performer in The Nutcracker.  She became a student in the Ballet West Academy, and then accepted a contract to join the company in 1991. Toward the end of her performing career, Ms. Thackeray transitioned to the artistic staff as the assistant to the artistic director.  She is a well-respected master teacher and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Utah.

SAMANTHA TAGGART

UTAH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND INSTRUCTOR

Samantha Abrahamson was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and began dancing as soon as she began walking. From a young age Ms. Abrahamson participated in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap classes. Ballet quickly became her favorite genre of dance because of the ornate costumes, the beautiful music, and the magnificent love stories. She spent one summer with Long Beach Ballet, and has participated in workshops at Utah Dance Center, Ballet West, and Municipal Ballet Company. In May 2020, she graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in Ballet from Utah Valley University (UVU). Performance is one of her first loves and she has had the opportunity to share the stage with Long Beach Ballet, Mountain West Ballet, and Repertory Dance Theater. She cultivated her artistry as part of UVU’s student ballet company, Repertory Ballet Ensemble. Through the dance program at UVU, Ms. Abrahamson had the opportunity to participate in the American of College of Dance Association conference, and loved performing in the gala alongside her ballet and modern dance major peers. Samantha’s love of dance does not end with performing, she has also found joy and passion in teaching.

Ms. Abrahamson began teaching under direction of Christy McQuaid, owner and director of Utah Dance Center, at age 15. She has also taught at Academy of Ballet Arts in South Jordan Utah, and at Evolve Dance Studio in Draper, Utah. Samantha enjoys bringing energy, hope, and determination to her classroom, and hopes to inspire dancers throughout her career.

IZZY ARRIETA

INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

Izzy was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela and raised in Utah. He attended Utah Valley University for Modern Dance Performance where he performed with their modern, contemporary and hip-hop dance companies. During his studies he was also cast in several musicals in theaters across the state of Utah. After university, he went on to dance with SALT Contemporary dance for 3 seasons. Alongside his love for dance, he tied it in with his love of photography and became a dance photographer. In 2019 Izzy moved to New York City where he booked a several commercial/film jobs and a musical in Arizona. After his return to Utah, Izzy is now focusing on teaching dance, photography, performance and directing/choreographing professional musicals. Izzy is excited to be joining the Ballet West Academy family.

JAMIE BUTLER

INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

Jamie received her formal ballet training at Jacqueline’s School of Ballet under the direction of Jacqueline Colledge. While there, Jamie had the opportunity to tour Europe and perform in the Young Tanzommer Festival in Austria. She later joined Utah Metropolitan Ballet (formerly Utah Regional Ballet), performing soloist and principal roles. Jamie was later accepted into the school at Pacific Northwest Ballet to train in the Professional Division and dance professionally with the company. She received full tuition scholarships to Regional Dance America’s Choreography Conference in Pennsylvania; the International Ballet Competition summer course in Jackson, Mississippi; and Pacific Northwest Ballet School in Seattle, WA. Jamie received her Bachelor degree from Utah Valley University. Jamie has been teaching for students in Utah since 2007.

DANTZEL CHERRY

INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

Dantzel Cherry is a native of Idaho Falls, Idaho. She began her ballet training when she was 9 with former Ballet West dancer Becky Gili, and was drawn toward choreography and teaching from a young age.

She received a minor in Dance Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Idaho State University in 2011. While at ISU she earned several dance scholarships, and performed and choreographed with both the university dance company I-Move and student dance company Danson. In 2011, as a member of I-Move, she had the honor of performing in the Northwest American College Dance Festival Gala Concert.

Dantzel also has a deep passion for Pilates, which she uses to manage her scoliosis. She enjoys helping people of all ages and abilities to improve their strength, flexibility, and awareness. She has Pilates, yoga, and barre certifications/training through PhysicalMind Institute, STOTT Pilates, ISU, and YogaFit. She loves learning more about movement and is always adding to her body of knowledge with new courses and workshops. She is one of the few Level 2 MELT Method instructors in Utah, and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique.

Dantzel owns and operates Mind Your Body Pilates in Eagle Mountain, and teaches Pilates and MELT Method at several studios in Utah and Salt Lake County, including for The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) in Murray.

She enjoys baking, writing, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Dantzel has been sharing her love of ballet for over 20 years in studios throughout Idaho, Texas, and now Utah. She particularly values working with young dancers, and strives to create a positive atmosphere where proper technique and joy of movement can take root.

NANETTE REIMSCHUSSEL CHERTUDI

INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY AND ADULT CLASSES

Nanette was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. Her early training at Ballet West Academy led her to receive a full scholarship offer from the University of Utah, while still in high school, where she performed with Utah Ballet. At the age of 16, she was offered a contract with Ballet West. Following her performing career, she began teaching ballet and developed her own ballet school through the Eccles Community Art Center in Ogden, Utah. Under her direction, the school became a satellite program for Ballet West which was being directed by Jonas Kåge. Prioritizing the needs of her growing family, she stepped away from teaching and eventually moved to Lehi, Utah. In 2017, she resumed her teaching career. She has a wealth of knowledge and over 20 years of teaching experience. Ballet West Academy welcomes her to the Utah County Campus where she is currently teaching the adult ballet classes.

MARIAH EDMUNDS

INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY AND TROLLEY CORNERS

Mariah started dancing at the age of 5 in a small basement studio doing both tap and ballet. At the age of 9 she decided to focus strictly on ballet and moved studios to Academy of Ballet Arts (ABA), where she continued her training in ballet, pointe, jazz, character and Pilates. She stayed with ABA until she graduated from high school. While training with ABA, Mariah was able to perform with Mountain West Ballet in many productions including- the Nutcracker, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Stars and Stripes and many other productions. Some of her favorite roles included- Dew Drop fairy, Lilac Fairy, big Swan, and most recently, Party Parent. Mariah also received training from Ballet West Conservatory (now Ballet West Academy) during their summer intensives. After high school, she continued her ballet education at the University of Utah, receiving her BFA in ballet with an emphasis in teaching. She has received her certification with Progressive Ballet Technique. She is also an award-winning choreographer for her original piece “Stars and Stripes.” Mariah has been teaching for almost 20 years at varying studios throughout the valley and loves to teach all ages- from preschool to preprofessional. She finds great joy at the chance to share her love of ballet with the next generation.

DAISY JEFFERS

INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS AND UTAH COUNTY

Daisy Jeffers grew up in Southern California, where she began her dance training at the age of 13. Throughout her youth, she danced at a studio located in Aliso Viejo, CA training in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and modern. Daisy graduated in 2023 from Utah Valley University (UVU) receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with an emphasis in ballet. During her time in college, Daisy, worked as a resident assistant at the Ballet West Summer Program in the summer of 2020 and the Hubbard Street Summer Intensive in the summer of 2022. She also attended Jacqueline’s School of Ballet Summer Intensive of 2021. During her time at UVU, Daisy has had the opportunity to be a part of the Repertory Ballet Ensemble and Synergy Dance Company. Daisy volunteered as a mentor at Tanner Dance in the fall of 2020, assisting the dancers with disabilities as they explored self-expression through dance. Daisy’s love of movement has had a huge impact on her life, and she plans to spread that impact by empowering others through dance.

SAMMY GOMM

UTAH COUNTY CAMPUS INSTRUCTOR AND ADMINISTRATOR

Sammy Gomm started dancing at the age of 7 where her passion began and has stuck with her throughout the years. Sammy graduated in 2021 from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with an Emphasis in Modern/Contemporary Dance and an Associates of Science in Dance. While at UVU Ms. Gomm was on scholarship for the pre-professional modern dance company, Contemporary Dance Ensemble. Here she was able to work and perform with companies such as Diavolo Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theatre, and people such as Mike Esperanza, Francisco Gella, LajaMartin, and much of the UVU faculty. Ms. Gomm is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance with other young artists and hopes to inspire them in their dancing careers.

LINDSEY LARSEN LAFORD

INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

Lindsey Larsen’s initial ballet training began at age four and includes training with Barlow Arts Conservatory and with Ballet West Academy Thanksgiving Point, sponsored by the Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation. During her years with Ballet West Academy, Ms. Larsen trained under the direction of Jennie Creer King and Maricar Drilon and was a recipient of multiple merit scholarships. As a young student, Ms. Larsen enjoyed performing in The Washington Ballet’s “Cinderella” as the role of an Autumn Fairy Corps Member, several years in Ballet West’s “The Nutcracker”, and had numerous performing opportunities through Ballet West Academy including roles as Lilac Fairy and Lead Garland Fairy in “Sleeping Beauty”, and with Ballet West II as a Rosebud in “Beauty and the Beast”.

Ms. Larsen has been privileged to receive training from Irena and Slawomir Wozniak, Alaine Haubert, Alexei Moskalenko, Pamela Robinson-Harris, Jan Fugit, Jessica Thompson, Lindsay Folkman, Albert Blaise Cattafi, Wilson Domingues, Zherlin Ndudi, and Calvin Kitten.

She has also attended summer intensive courses with the Washington Ballet under the artistic direction of Septime Weber, Ballet Hawaii, Master Ballet Academy, and Ballet West Academy.

Ms. Larsen was crowned Miss Lehi 2019 and received the talent award for her performance of La Esmerelda. Through her service as Miss Lehi, she created a program that brings dance education to students with special needs at the high school level and has participated in the Movement Mentor program as an adaptive dance mentor/teacher at Ballet West Academy. She was awarded second runner up at Miss Utah 2021 and now currently serves as Miss Utah 2022. She is currently pursuing a BFA in classical ballet at the University of Utah with an emphasis on performance and teaching.

DEBORAH LATIMER

INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

Deborah Latimer was born in 1980 Mexico City, Mexico.  Graduated in 1999 from Royal Academy of Dance London; Mexico in classical ballet. At the age of 21 she participated as apprentice at Ballet Nacional de Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso.  In 2002 she was part of Metropolitan Dance Company in Mexico City performing soloist roles.  In 2003 Deborah was guest artist with The Luxembourg Ballet during their International tour.  From 2005-2009 she was part of City Ballet of San Diego under the direction of Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich. Ms. Latimer performed all classical repertoire and contemporary pieces including La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Paquita, La Fille Mal Gardee, Coppelia, Onegin, La Sylphide, Raymonda, The Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, Diana and Acteon suite, Rubies and Serenade from Balanchine.

Ms. Latimer retired from the stage in 2009 and she decided to transition from professional dancer to develop Pilates expertise.  She trained in the Romana Kryzanowska method and certified in the J. Littlelford method in Pilatesalud Mexico.  In 2011 she specialized in training high-level rhythmic gymnasts and members of the US National Team as well as Principal ballet dancers in Mexico and San Diego in Pilates.  From 2011-2014 she was level 3 head coach and advance level team ballet, pilates and conditioning instructor at Emerald City Rhythmic Gymnastics in San Diego, California.

Ms. Latimer is a Safety and Instructor certified member of United States Gymnastics Association.  During her career, she has been invited to international seminars, summer intensives and master classes as a ballet teacher and Pilates.  She joined Ballet West Academy in the Fall of 2017.

Ms. Latimer often updates her coaching technique taking courses like Franklin Method and Redcord and earlier this year she was certified on Progressing Ballet Technique.

KATELYN MILNER-PACKER

INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

Katelyn began her ballet training under the tutelage of Jennifer Barlow, Attila Ficzere, and Yi Qi Cheng at Barlow Arts Conservatory. She later attended the University of Utah ballet department where she was a recipient of the Willam F. Christensen scholarship and programs high school submission. Katelyn completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in Ballet from Utah Valley University. While at UVU she performed as a member of Repertory Ballet Ensemble under the direction of Mark Borchelt and Nichole Ortega. This awarded her the opportunity to perform soloist and demi soloist in many classical and contemporary works. Katelyn is a certified instructor in PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) and just entered her tenth year of teaching.

KENDRA RANGEL

UTAH COUNTY CAMPUS INSTRUCTOR

Kendra Rangel found her love and passion for dance at the age of 3, and has continued this passion throughout her life. Ms. Rangel has had intensive training in ballet and jazz as well as tap, modern, and contemporary. She has also participated in musical theater, hip hop, country swing dance, and other social dance classes. Ms. Rangel began her intensive study of dance at Life House Performing Arts Academy where she trained for 14 years eventually becoming the President of her Ballet and Jazz companies. Ms. Rangel also joined her high school dance company where she was voted captain. She was able to lead a company and have many choreographic opportunities while serving in this capacity. She grew in her technical and artistic abilities as she continued her career in dance at Utah Valley University with a full tuition performance scholarship. Ms. Rangel graduated with her Dance Degree; Emphasis in Ballet, in May 2021. She also had the opportunity to perform on the Universities Pre-Professional Ballet Company, Repertory Ballet Ensemble for three years. While performing with Repertory Ballet Ensemble Ms. Rangel had many opportunities to work with esteemed choreographers such as Bill Evans, Liz Lerman, Stacey Calvert, and Daniel Charon. She also had the opportunity to dance with professional contemporary company, Ririe-Woodbury, as part of a small auditioned group of students. Ms. Rangel has had the opportunity to choreograph for Salem Hills high schools’ production of Footloose as well as their dance company concerts. She was also selected to work collaboratively with Pierce College in Washington, to create a contemporary ballet piece completed only through an online format. Ms. Rangel loves teaching and has taught a variety of genres to children and young adults of all ages. She is excited to continue passing on her passion of dance to her students. 

ANDREA SPEAKMAN

INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

Born and raised in Utah, Andrea Speakman gained her dance training with Brigham Young University and Boston Ballet and later graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Her love for dance grew as she studied under notable teachers such as Atilla Ficzere, Conrad Ludlow and Sharee Lane. After joining Media City Ballet in Los Angeles California and under the guidance of Paul Mauer from the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Andrea performed in roles such as Marius Petipa's Raymonda, Swan Lake, Hansel and Gretel, Prince Igor, many roles in The Nutcracker and other numerous contemporary and classical works. In addition to Ballet, Andrea studied and performed in Samba, Hip Hop, Bellydance, Russian Folk, and was a backup dancer for an LA artist. Los Angeles afforded her the opportunity to study acting under Howard Fine and be a part of film, commercials and stage productions including Christian Audigier, Guess, Heineken and others. Andrea is honored to now be sharing her vast knowledge of the Arts to the students at Ballet West Academy. 

KYOHEI YOSHIDA

INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY AND ADULT CLASSES

Kyohei is a former international professional ballet dancer who started his training in Tokyo, Japan. He began attending the Elmhurst School in the UK on full scholarship where he got to perform with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. While attending the school, he received medals from major competitions in Japan and China.

He also trained at prestigious schools such as the Rock School of Dance in Philadelphia, San Francisco Ballet School, and The Washington Ballet in Washington D.C.

He went on to compete at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, considered the largest and most renowned ballet competition in the world. He performed six different ballet pieces and was awarded bronze medal in 2010.

He then performed and danced professionally in Slovakia, Japan, Michigan, Miami, and California.

Some of his roles included Melancholic in Balanchine’s “The Four Temperaments”, Principal in “Etude”, Basil in “Don Quixote”, Ali in “Le Corsaire”, one of the four Lead Dancers in Ulysses Dove’s “Red Angels”, The Prince in “Nutcracker”, “Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux”, Principal Man in “Raymonda”, Bronze Idol in “La Bayadere”, Principal Man in “Paquita”, the Principal Soloist in Kirk Peterson’s “Amazed in Burning Dreams”, the Principal Man in Balanchine’s “Rubies”, Iago in Jose Limon’s “The Moor’s Pavane,” Prince Desire in “The Sleeping Beauty,” and Prince Siegfried in Kent Stowell’s “Swan Lake.”