Jackie McConnell Ballet Instructor & Guest Artist
Ms Connell is from Salem, Oregon. She trained with Pacific Northwest Ballet and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2008 from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. While at Tisch she performed works by Jessica Lang, Christopher Williams and with Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance.
After graduation she performed with Nevada Ballet Theatre, dancing in George Balanchine’s Serenade, James Canfield’s Giselle and in the company’s collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. Jackie has toured with the Portland based Bodyvox and with Evergreen City Ballet in Seattle, Washington, where she danced principal roles in The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty. Currently, she performs with various local professional dance companies in the Bay area, including, Diablo Ballet, located in Walnut Creek.
Ms Connell is from Salem, Oregon. She trained with Pacific Northwest Ballet and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2008 from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. While at Tisch she performed works by Jessica Lang, Christopher Williams and with Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance.
After graduation she performed with Nevada Ballet Theatre, dancing in George Balanchine’s Serenade, James Canfield’s Giselle and in the company’s collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. Jackie has toured with the Portland based Bodyvox and with Evergreen City Ballet in Seattle, Washington, where she danced principal roles in The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty. Currently, she performs with various local professional dance companies in the Bay area, including, Diablo Ballet, located in Walnut Creek.
Mary Cooper Harkin Pre-Ballet Instructor
Mary Cooper Harkin began her studies at the Lodena Edgecombe School of Dance in Vallejo, California at the age of three years. She continued her studies with Wanda Martin McGill at Napa Valley College who later employed her as a Ballet Teacher at the Napa Regional Dance Company. Miss Mary has also studied at Contra Costa Ballet Centre in Walnut Creek, Broadway Dance Center and Steps Dance School in New York City. She has been an Instructor at Berkeley Ballet Theatre, Danville Ballet and Theatre Arts, Walnut Creek Civic Arts, Contra Costa Ballet Centre, The Next Step Dance Studio in Danville and Studio A in Pleasant Hill, California.
Mary uses her skills and experience as a dancer, student, teacher, parent (of a professional baseball player) and patron of the arts to inspire dancers of all ages to follow their passion as an artist. She is also the author of a published children’s book entitled “The Ballet Slippers” that is available on Amazon and Barnes&Noble.com.
Mary Cooper Harkin began her studies at the Lodena Edgecombe School of Dance in Vallejo, California at the age of three years. She continued her studies with Wanda Martin McGill at Napa Valley College who later employed her as a Ballet Teacher at the Napa Regional Dance Company. Miss Mary has also studied at Contra Costa Ballet Centre in Walnut Creek, Broadway Dance Center and Steps Dance School in New York City. She has been an Instructor at Berkeley Ballet Theatre, Danville Ballet and Theatre Arts, Walnut Creek Civic Arts, Contra Costa Ballet Centre, The Next Step Dance Studio in Danville and Studio A in Pleasant Hill, California.
Mary uses her skills and experience as a dancer, student, teacher, parent (of a professional baseball player) and patron of the arts to inspire dancers of all ages to follow their passion as an artist. She is also the author of a published children’s book entitled “The Ballet Slippers” that is available on Amazon and Barnes&Noble.com.
Kendall Sparks Ballet Instructor & Guest Artist
Mr Spark's is a Bay area native from Walnut Creek, and received his early training from Lareen Fender and Kathy Hirai at The Ballet School in Walnut Creek. Mr. Sparks also studied with Sally Streets at Berkeley Ballet Theatre. He has performed with Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Diablo Ballet, Delta Festival Ballet of New Orleans, Dennis Wayne Dancers, Cleveland / San Jose Ballet, Peninsula Ballet Theatre, and Cynthia Gregory and Friends with the late Fernando Bujones. Mr. Sparks has taught throughout the United States, and also in Brazil and Italy. Mr. Sparks resides close to the ocean in San Francisco, where his love for surfing can thrive. Mr. Sparks has guested in numerous Ballet's with Orinda Ballet, including the Nutcracker, Prince, Drosselmeyer and the Arabian Sultan in the Academy's annual performances of "A Sweet Dream Nutcracker." In addition, he has performed with Orinda Ballet Academy in their Spring productions of "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," "Peter Pan," "Alice in Wonderland," and "Swan Lake."
Mr Spark's is a Bay area native from Walnut Creek, and received his early training from Lareen Fender and Kathy Hirai at The Ballet School in Walnut Creek. Mr. Sparks also studied with Sally Streets at Berkeley Ballet Theatre. He has performed with Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Diablo Ballet, Delta Festival Ballet of New Orleans, Dennis Wayne Dancers, Cleveland / San Jose Ballet, Peninsula Ballet Theatre, and Cynthia Gregory and Friends with the late Fernando Bujones. Mr. Sparks has taught throughout the United States, and also in Brazil and Italy. Mr. Sparks resides close to the ocean in San Francisco, where his love for surfing can thrive. Mr. Sparks has guested in numerous Ballet's with Orinda Ballet, including the Nutcracker, Prince, Drosselmeyer and the Arabian Sultan in the Academy's annual performances of "A Sweet Dream Nutcracker." In addition, he has performed with Orinda Ballet Academy in their Spring productions of "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," "Peter Pan," "Alice in Wonderland," and "Swan Lake."
Mary Katherine Patterson Contemporary & Pre Ballet Instructor
Mary Katherine began her dance and theater training in Orange County California with West Coast Performing Arts and received her B.A. from Arizona State University. She has a Master of Arts From University of Illinois. She was a company member of Scottsdale Arizona Jazz Ensemble and Desert Dance Theater. Mary Katherine performed with Alight Dance Theater in Washington DC, Amy Lewis Dance Project, and choreographer Stephanie Unger. She’s taught and choreographed for various schools
and studios and is certified in IMX Pilates. Recently relocating back to the Bay Area, Mary Katherine has enjoyed returning to the wonderful artistic community here and bringing her love of dance to students.
Mary Katherine began her dance and theater training in Orange County California with West Coast Performing Arts and received her B.A. from Arizona State University. She has a Master of Arts From University of Illinois. She was a company member of Scottsdale Arizona Jazz Ensemble and Desert Dance Theater. Mary Katherine performed with Alight Dance Theater in Washington DC, Amy Lewis Dance Project, and choreographer Stephanie Unger. She’s taught and choreographed for various schools
and studios and is certified in IMX Pilates. Recently relocating back to the Bay Area, Mary Katherine has enjoyed returning to the wonderful artistic community here and bringing her love of dance to students.
Sarah Schori Ballet and Pilates Instructor
Sarah began her ballet training locally in Moraga at Lamorinda Dance center. She received her BFA from University of Arizona. For the past 6 years she has been in NYC performing in Musical Theater and teaching Pilates. She completed the Fletcher Pilates Comprehensive Program of Study in 2009. Sarah has recently relocated back to the Bay Area and we are excited to have her share her expertise at Orinda Ballet Academy.
Sarah began her ballet training locally in Moraga at Lamorinda Dance center. She received her BFA from University of Arizona. For the past 6 years she has been in NYC performing in Musical Theater and teaching Pilates. She completed the Fletcher Pilates Comprehensive Program of Study in 2009. Sarah has recently relocated back to the Bay Area and we are excited to have her share her expertise at Orinda Ballet Academy.
Vincent Chavez Ballet Instructor
Mr Chavez grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His entire dance education and training has been generously funded through scholarships from the following dance institutions: Dance Theater Southwest, Ballet Hispanico, Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre and Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program. His professional experience includes New Mexico Ballet Company, Nevada Ballet Theatre. He currently works and performs with Robert Moses’ Kin and Oakland Ballet Company. In addition to Company life, Vincent is a Bay Area Dance Artist who teaches, choreographs and collaborates with various projects.
Mr Chavez grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His entire dance education and training has been generously funded through scholarships from the following dance institutions: Dance Theater Southwest, Ballet Hispanico, Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre and Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program. His professional experience includes New Mexico Ballet Company, Nevada Ballet Theatre. He currently works and performs with Robert Moses’ Kin and Oakland Ballet Company. In addition to Company life, Vincent is a Bay Area Dance Artist who teaches, choreographs and collaborates with various projects.