AvO’s Next Generation

The School of Ballet continues to “learn from those before and give to those that follow.”  Our Apprentice program, under the guidance of Conni Berns, continues to pass on important methodologies with a unique opportunity to grow in the Art of Teaching. 

	Anna Frey
	Anna Frey began dancing at the AVO School of Ballet at age three. She has been a member of the Cincinnati Kinderballet Company since she was seven years old, playing a variety of roles such as Clara from the Nutcracker, a Spanish soloist in the Nutcracker, and Peter  in Peter Pan.  As an AvO Apprentice, she has worked with Conni Berns as a demonstrator and instructor for both the Cheviot and Batesville locations. This is Anna’s fifth year of teaching. Anna has graduated Mother of Mercy High School with honors and is currently in the nursing program at NKU.
	Emily Gardner
	Emily Gardner began dancing at the AVO School of Ballet at age four. She joined the Cincinnati Kinderballet Company when she was six and has enjoyed every minute. Emily has grown in the Kinderballet Nutcracker productions with little mice, party children and adults, Clara, Chinese and Russian soloist. She also enjoyed recent productions of Peter Pan where she portrayed Tiger Lily and The Neverbird, and Sleeping Beauty where she portrayed The Fairy Violente and Princess Aurora. Emily has participated in the Apprenticeship Program for four years, and enjoys working with the AvO Ballet Staff. Emily is currently a Senior at Seton High School.
	Celia Wallen
	Celia Wallen has studied with the School of Ballet since 1997. A company member and soloist since 1998, Celia performed such roles as Captain Hook, Gepetto, Drosselmeyer, and the Queen in Golden Goose. Celia completed two internships at the School of Ballet for costume making and teaching. She also completed an internship at Motion Wear helping to create original leotard designs. Celia graduated from the University of Cincinnati in May 2005 with a BA in Fashion Design. Celia has worked not only as an instructor, but as a rehearsal coach and choreographer for the Kinderballet, helping stage recent AvO productions of Nutcracker, Peter Pan, Velveteen Rabbit, and Sleeping Beauty. We all congratulate Celia on her recent marriage  November 2008!
	Jaymee Bentle
	Jaymee began studying dance in 1994. In 1999 she began studying at Love to Dance Studio under Pat Shearer. She began assisting Pat with dance classes in 2002 and at Pat’s advice came to the Anneliese von Oettingen School of Ballet in 2003. At AvO she studied with instructors Conni Berns and Sara Fox. In 2005 she became a Company member and performed such solos as “Nana” in the Velveteen Rabbit and “Fairy of the Night”, “Mr. Darling” and “Captain Hook” in Peter Pan. In 2004 she joined the AvO Apprenticeship Program to learn Anneliese’s teaching methods which she prefers to other early methods she experienced.