Rima Chaeff and Lawrence Pech Our faculty are all highly trained professionals with many years of experience teaching students of all ages. In addition, we invite renowned professionals and teachers to give master classes throughout the year. Faculty Biographies Marion Chaeff, Director Mrs. Chaeff received her professional training at American Ballet Theatre in New York under world renowned teachers, including Alexandra Danilova, Igor Schwezoff, Anatole Vilzak, Ludmilla Schollar, Yurek Lazovsky and Valentina Pereyaslavec. She received her teacher's training in Vienna, Austria and is accredited to teach the Bolshoi School (Moscow Choreographic School) syllabus. After dancing professionally, she directed her own school and company in Oakland, New Jersey for nine years and currently is Artistic Director of the San Jose Ballet Association, a non-profit performing organization. Rima Chaeff, Director Rima began her studies with her mother and was later a government sponsored scholarship student in Vienna, Austria for three years, studying with Irina Borovska/Musil. She has studied with Rosella Hightower in Cannes, Zurich Opera Ballet, Saile Academy in Sydney, Australia, Boston Ballet and in New York with Sulamith Messerer, David Howard and the Joffrey School. She completed three years in the professional division of San Francisco Ballet School and danced in their Nutcracker and Showcase performances. She appeared as soloist with San Jose Dance Theatre and toured Europe with Ballet San Jose as Principal dancer. She is presently dancing with Pacific Theatre Ballet. She has created original roles with choreographers Lawrence Pech, Audrey King and Harold Lang, and danced the roles of Giselle, Odette in Swan Lake, Nikiya in La Bayadere, and leading roles in Les Sylphide and Paquita. Brianne Ackroyd Brianne danced professionally for seven years in companies in West Germany and toured in France and Sweden. She holds a teaching degree in Ballet and Character Dance from the Hanover University of Music and Theatre and is a member of R.A.D., London. She taught ballet at San Jose State University for two years and in Bay Area schools for many years. Sarah Arnold Sarah trained in the Bay Area and danced professionally with Sacramento Ballet, Oakland Ballet, and in Europe. She directed ballet schools for 25 years in Boise, Idaho, and has trained many students who have gone on to dance professionally in major companies. In Idaho, she won several grants and formed a pre-professional ballet company that was part of the Regional Dance America. She is very pleased to be returning to the Bay Area and to be teaching for us. Karah Abiog Karah danced with Ballet San Jose (aka San Jose Ballet Association), and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble in Denver and was one of the original members of the Complexions Contemporary Ballet in NYC. She specializes in modern dance and has a degree in dance from Loyola Marymount in L.A. Amanda Garrett Ban Amanda was trained at the Pacific Ballet Academy and San Francisco Ballet School. She has appeared in San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker and was a solo dancer with Ballet San Jose, touring Europe and the Soviet Union. She will be teaching on a limited basis this year. Kimberly Boman Kimberly received her advanced ballet training at the Walnut Hill School for Performing Arts in Boston. After studying with the Heinz Boal Stifting Ballet Academy in Munich, Germany, she joined the Bavarian State Opera Ballet Company at age eighteen and danced with them for three and one-half years. She then joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre where she danced for three years. She danced Sugar Plum in our 2003 production of The Nutcracker. Maximo Califano Maximo graduated from the Colon Theatre Institute of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina and joined Colon Theatre Ballet.  He has danced with the Royal Ballet in London, Stuttgart Ballet in Germany, Buenos Aires Neoclassic Ballet, Argentine Ballet Company, and Santiago Ballet in Chile. He currently dances with Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley where he performs many principal parts. Karen Dycaico Karen was a founder and Executive Director of Westlake School for the Performing Arts in Daly City, and presently is Ballet Instructor at the Resurrection School in Sunnyvale. She trained under Sheila Pavitt and Karen Rowe in the Phillipines and the Silid Sining School for the Performing Arts. Karen specializes in teaching young students in Pre-Ballet and Ballet I, and is the Director of our Summer Dance Camp program for young children. Anton Pankevich Anton trained at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg and School of American Ballet in New York City. He has danced with New York City Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, and the Royal Ballet in London and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He is currently a soloist with Ballet San Jose. He has guested with us in our Nutcracker production and taught for us during our Summer Course 2004. Lawrence Pech Larry was trained at American Ballet Theatre and School of American Ballet and danced with American Ballet Theatre, and as Principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet. He was Artistic Director and Founder of Diablo Ballet in Walnut Creek. Larry is currently Ballet Master of the San Francisco Opera Ballet, as well as the Director of the Lawrence Pech Dance Company. Larry has performed, choreographed and taught for us since 1987. Maria Vegh Ms. Vegh directed Harkness Ballet in New York City and the Marin Ballet School and Company for many years. She is well known for her unique and superior teaching and coaching skills and her ability to develop young dancers into professional artists. She spends extended teaching time with us as her international teaching schedule permits. Nicole Cunha Nicole has trained with Pacific Ballet Academy and spent two summers with ABT's Orange County program. She has danced many lead roles with us, including Sugar Plum. She has taught at all levels and is a permanent member of our faculty. Lauren Wray Lauren has trained with Pacific Ballet Academy and has been a teacher's assistant for several years. She has taught our lower level students and is a permanent member of our faculty. Guest Faculty Aesha Ash Aesha danced with the New York City Ballet, Lines Ballet, and recently danced with Morphoses, Christopher Wheeldon's company in Australia. She has been teaching master classes for us for the past year. Julia James Julia danced with New York City Ballet for 2 seasons.  She trained at Ballet West Conservatory, and School of American Ballet, and attended summer programs at Pacific Northwest and San Francisco.  She has taught for us for the past two years and specializes in the Balanchine style and repertoire. Ashlee Knapp Ashlee danced with the New York City Ballet and has been guest teaching for us for the past year. Antonio Mark Lopez Antonio was a Principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet, creating the leading role in Michael Smuin's choreography in "Song for a Dead Warrior". He has appeared as Guest Artist with many companies in the U.S. and taught for us during the 2000 Summer Session. James Strong James received his BFA in Ballet at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and has danced for Eugene Ballet, Lawrence Pech Dance Company, Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley, and Smuin Ballet. He has performed for us in the past and is a welcome addition to our staff. He will be guesting this year. Kim Saunders Kim received her training as at SAB, Steps and Broadway Dance Center in NYC.  She was a principal dancer with The Empire State Opera, The Oregon Shakespeare Company and Janlynn Dance Company. She is involved with many musical theater productions in the area. Lisa Sundstrom Lisa danced with American Ballet Theater under Baryshnikov's and Kevin McKenzie's directorships. She was a principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet and has taught at Rock School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and has taught extensively for us. Miriam Wenger Miriam danced with Miami City Ballet and Ballet West and trained at the School of American Ballet. She has taught for us regularly during the school year and specializes in the Balanchine repertoire and style. Past Guest Teachers Brian Bertscher Brian danced with the Royal Ballet and Sadlers Wells in London, England. Ricardo Bustamante Ricardo is the former Director of Teatro Colon in Argentina and was a Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre and Guest Artist around the world, including at the Kirov Ballet and the Royal Ballet. Kristine Elliott Kristine is a former soloist with American Ballet Theatre, and currently teaches ballet at Stanford University. Audrey King Audrey was one of Margo Fonteyn's early teachers and had her own Youth Ballet Company in South Africa. Igor Kanygin Igor was trained and danced with the Kiev State Ballet School and company in the Ukraine Catherine Ryan Catherine was a former dance with New York City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. Daniel Simmons Daniel is the new Director of the Cincinnati Ballet School, the company school of Cincinnati Ballet Company. He danced with Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and in European companies and has taught at Joffrey Ballet School in New York, the San Francisco Ballet School, and was Director of the San Jose Dance Theatre School. Noemi Nargizian Noemi was trained and danced with the Armenian National Ballet in the Russian/Soviet style. She also danced with both the Kirov and Bolshoi Ballet Companies. Frances Tshudy Frances has a Master of Arts in Theater Arts, Dance Emphasis. She teaches ballet at Ohlone College and has extensive stage and art experience.
		Top of Page Pacific Ballet Academy   •   P.O. Box 765   •   Los Altos, CA   94023 Ballet Campus located at: 295B Polaris Avenue   •   Mountain View, CA For more information, contact:  director@pacificballet.org Or telephone Pacific Ballet Academy at:  (650) 969-4614 Photographs are the property of Pacific Ballet Academy, and may not be used or reproduced for any reason without the written permission of the directors. Copyright © 2005       •       All Rights Reserved