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Cornelia Berns: Ballet Mistress, Board Member
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| Cornelia Berns is the daughter of Anneliese von Oettingen and as such has witnessed and assisted in the life work of Anneliese more than any other person. We are thrilled for the opportunity to share in her expertise both in the Art of Ballet and in the Art of Teaching. Conni performed with the Cincinnati Ballet Company, and the AvO Ballet Company. In addition to training with Anneliese, Conni also studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory, with Hanya Holm’s summer program in Colorado Springs, with Frederick Franklin for Les Sylphides, and Joseph Levine with the Cincinnati Community Ballet Company. Conni taught with Anneliese for more than 40 years, eventually managing the studios in Western Hills, Wyoming, and Pleasant Ridge. She also taught at Moss Lake in New York State when Anneliese was unable to teach, and assisted her in Eagle Bay many summers. Conni taught sessions at Hyde Park and began the College Hill Branch of the AvO Studio. She was responsbile for the Western Branch of the Kinderballet Company. Conni graduated with honors from UC with a B.A. in Romance Languages in French, a B.S. in Education, and later a Masters Degree in Special Education. Over the years she has taught kindergarten, grade school, high school, and college, and tutored all levels of students in all areas. |
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Laura Baresel: Instructor, Production Manager
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| Laura Baresel’s career has been extraordinarily diverse with performances ranging form classical dance to musical theater, opera, operetta and television. Ms. Baresel was trained in ballet, jazz and tap dance at American Ballet Theater, Farnworth & Hauer Studio, Harkness Ballet in NYC and holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Wichita State University. She has choreographed opera, musical theater, dance recitals and show choir locally as well as throughout the US. Credentials also include Teacher Certification with Dance Educators of America. Over the past year Laura has taught for the School of Ballet and contributed original choreography to our Spring Kinderballet Production. For the fall of 2009 we are thrilled Ms. Baresel is adding her talents to “The Tailor of Gloucester” as well as assisting in production co-ordination duties for the Kinderballet Company. |
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Laura Hughes: Artistic Director
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| In January of 2009 Laura celebrated her 25th year associated with Anneliese and the AvO Ballet organization. Laura began as an apprentice instructor for Anneliese and Conni in the fall of 1984. In 1989 she attained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati while attending on a full academic scholarship. At that time she was given responsibility for Anneliese’s Western Hills Branch, and has also directed the Pleasant Ridge, Wyoming, and Hyde Park Branches. She was given responsibility for the Western Branch of the Kinderballet in 1989, assuming full responsibility for the performing companies in 1994. Laura also worked as a camp counselor, cook and assistant at the Eagle Bay Camp for 10 years. In June of 2002 Laura and her family moved to Arkansas. From June 2002 to August 2006, she worked in North Eastern Arkansas as an independent choreographer, artist, costume designer, and educator while continuing as Artistic Director of the AvO School of Ballet. For two years she was a Fellow for the Arkansas A+ Network, an arts integration school reform model developed by the Keenan Institute; and was on the artist’s roster for The Arkansas Arts Council’s Artists in Education Program. Currently Laura lives in Greendale, Wisconsin with husband, Burg, son Burgoyne, and daughter Bronwyn. |
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Dana Bishop: Instructor, Rehearsal Coach
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| Dana has danced with the School of Ballet and performed in the company since 1994. She has enjoyed portraying such roles as the Fairy of Spring in Thumbelina, Mother in the Velveteen Rabbit, Mother, Wendy, and Tick Tock in Peter Pan, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the evil Rat Queen in the Nutcracker. Dana was the instructor for our Wyoming locations for 2 years and continues to teach for AvO and assist with the Kinderballet companies. She has an energetic teaching style that inspires fun and a disciplined attitude. Dana graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Industrial Design in 2001. She is a talented designer specializing in Home Décor, Garden Décor, and Lighting. Her designs have graced the shelves of such major retailers as Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, and Kirkland ’s Home. Dana is forever grateful to Anneliese who inspired her as a young lady and forever changed her life through the Art of Ballet. |
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Michele Frey: Artist, Studio Manager, Board Member
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| Michele Frey is a working artist and owner of Prism Partners which specializes in stained glass art. Her organization skills among her many other talents have been invaluable to the AvO school. Michele has done everything from answering and returning calls, overseeing billing and registration, acting as liaison to other parents at the school, creating programs and visual displays, writing newsletters, building props, sets, painting scenery, sewing costumes, and making sure the studio is clean and neat. She leads the “parent pit crew” who transport and set up sets and costuming for our performances. For end of year concerts she organizes flower sales, photo sales, and other fundraisers, as well as acting as emcee and representative. She is a constant friend and advocate for the school. Michele also volunteers for her children’s schools, and serves on the Board of Trustees for Bethany House Services. She resides in Harrison, Ohio with her husband and three children, all of whom have performed with the Kinderballet. |
