Kathy Cooke is the Founder and former Artistic Director of Northville Ballet | NBT in Northville, MI.
Trained and inspired by Rose Marie Floyd, DFCCA, Kathy completed all student and teacher examinations, receiving the honored Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.  As a Diploma Fellow of the Cecchetti Council of America, she served on the CCA National Executive Board and Board of Examiners for several years, and has Guest taught across the US.
Kathy earned her BS degree in Ballet at Indiana University.  Following graduation, she was married and discovered her love for teaching at the Rose Marie Floyd School of Dance.  Professionally, Kathy danced with the Scottish American Ballet, the National Ballet of MD and as a Guest Artist.  As a Christian artist, Kathy danced with the Christian Performing Artists Fellowship’s Asaph Ensemble in Northern VA, birthing a passion for dance ministry in churches, senior homes and Living Hope International, in Zambia, Africa.
Kathy founded Summerwood Studio of Dance in McLean, VA in 1993-2007, and Northville Ballet, following a move back to MI in 2008. In 2014 Kathy and her husband, Kim established Northville Ballet Theatre (NBT), a pre-professional, 501 (c) 3, ballet company.  NBT funding offers NB dancers scholarship opportunities for summer programs, professional Trainee programs, Guest Teachers and Choreographers.
Kathy and Kim have also enjoyed years of being the Director and Choreographer of musical productions in the Detroit area.  They are blessed with 3 sons, a daughter in law and precious grand daughter!
Retiring as Artistic Director of Northville Ballet | NBT in June of 2023, Kathy had the joy and privilege to pass the Artistic Director baton to her former student and teacher, Isabelle Vidosh, DFCCA, NBT principal dancer and professional Guest Artist.
Kathy feels honored to have graduate students choose to train as Cecchetti and Contemporary teachers at NB, and others given opportunity to continue dancing professionally as Trainees, 2nd Company and Company members at
Grand Rapids Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Light of the World Ballet, Ballet 5:8 and
Ballet Magnificat! Residing in Milford, MI, Kathy remains passionate about teaching the Cecchetti method of ballet and inspiring students to dance for the glory of God! 

Ms. Goss began dancing at Bohaty’s School of Dance in Michigan and was also a member of the Children’s Ballet Theatre of Michigan. She later became a member of the senior trainee division of the Grand Rapids Ballet through high school, working under Laura Schwenk-Berman and Gordon Pierce-Schmidt. As a student she was accepted into Pacific Northwest, Boston Ballet, and Joffrey Midwest summer intensives on full scholarship. After four years in Grand Rapids, Ericka was accepted into Atlanta Ballet’s Pre-Professional Division on full scholarship.  Promoted to the company as a Fellowship dancer, she danced as a Fellowship for two years under Sharon Story and John McFall. In the summer of 2011 she  attended the LINES Ballet Summer Intensive in San Francisco under full scholarship.  After 3 seasons with The Atlanta Ballet, Ericka was hired into the Saint Louis Ballet in St. Louis, MO.  She danced with SLB for 7 seasons performing soloist roles and had the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Christopher D'Amboise, Emery LeCrone, Twyla Tharp repeteur Matthew Dibble, Francis Patrelle, Kevin Jenkins,  Pam Tanowitz, Gregory Dolbashian, and Michael Uthoff. She danced roles in Balanchine's Western Symphony, Serenade, and was a tall girl in Who Cares? as well as performing soloist roles in Gen Horiuchi's The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and Giselle. She is also a founding member of Deos Contemporary Ballet in Grand Rapids, MI.

Ericka is PBT and Pointe Safe certified and has been teaching for 16 years, both with Atlanta Ballet and Saint Louis Ballet School, as well as at the Belleville School of Ballet, Academy of Performing Arts, and Turning Pointe School of Dance. 

Leah Haggard is a professional dancer and Clinical Nutritionist (CNS) who specializes in sports nutrition, eating behavior, and mental health nutrition. As a dancer, Leah performed with Pacific Northwest Ballet in their professional division, Grand Rapids Ballet, Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Utah Metropolitan Ballet, Ballet Memphis, and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Leah is currently in her fifth season with Deos Contemporary Ballet. Inspired by her experiences as a dancer, Leah completed her master's degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine at the University of Western States. During her internship with Clinician's Incubator, she gained experience working with clients with disordered eating and eating disorders. In her clinical experience, Leah has provided nutrition education to many dancers and dance organizations. Leah also coordinates services between Clincian's Incubator and Project HEAL, connecting patients with eating disorders to vital nutrition support. 

 Lillie Hamilton grew up in Kalamazoo, MI and graduated cum laude from Oakland University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. While at OU, she received the Outstanding Dance Performance MaTilDa award and had the privilege of studying dance abroad in Berlin, Germany at the Tanzfabrik and the Freie Universität. She performed works by acclaimed choreographers such as Loni Landon, Stephanie Martinez, Stefanie Batten Bland, and Laurie Eisenhower. During her senior year at university, Lillie began as an apprentice with Eisenhower Dance Detroit under the direction of Stephanie Pizzo. She also trained with various professional companies at their workshops including DIAVOLO LA, Thodos Dance Chicago, Strictly Seattle, and National Choreographers Initiative. Lillie was the recipient of the Monticello Choreography Award from Regional Dance America for her work titled “River” performed by Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s Youth Ensemble in 2019. She has presented her work at Youth America Grand Prix along with various other competitions and intensives. Lillie is currently in her 8th season performing professionally with Eisenhower Dance Detroit.

Tatiana Kalistratova grew up in Michigan and received her early ballet training here before being accepted to the famed Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia.

There, she studied for 2 years with legendary teachers such as; Marina Vasilieva, Anastasia Vasilieva, Zhanna Ayupova, Yulia Makhalina, Vadim Desnitsky, and Alexander Stepin. She graduated with honors and was among the few foreigners to be given the honor to dance soloist roles at the Mariinsky Theater. Ms. Olson has a vast knowledge of classical repertoire and has rehearsed and performed soloist roles from ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Corsaire, Giselle, Carmen, La Bayadere, Don Quixote, Paquita. Mrs. Kalistratova also extensively studied character dance under the famed Russian character dancer Irina Gensler. Together they rehearsed a large character repertoire from many famous ballets and operas. Ms. Olson is a prize winner of the international ballet competition Youth American Grand Prix and has participated in numerous international ballet festivals and masterclasses to further her education. She has also received additional education with world renowned ballet stars from The Royal Ballet, Het National Ballet, Bolshoi Theater, American Ballet Theater and Mariinsky Theater. After her dancing career, Ms. Tatiana started teaching and has since brought students to some of the most famous schools and programs in the world. Under her instruction, students have gone on to be accepted to schools such as;

Joffrey Ballet School, Ellison Ballet School, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Russian Masters Ballet Program, Colorado Ballet Academy, and Atlanta Ballet. Her students have also won prizes at numerous international ballet competitions such as World Ballet Art Competition, ADC|IBC, and World Ballet Competition. Ms. Tatiana has a firm approach to the classroom and gives the closest curriculum to Vaganova Academy as she is the only teacher in Michigan to have graduated from the prestigious school.

Ashley Mowrey is a former competitive dancer, dance educator, and competition company director. Now as a Mindset Coach, she helps dancers build confidence and mental strength. Ashley works with dancers through 1-1 virtual coaching as well as studio and team workshops. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from The University of Arkansas, is an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation, a Whole Person Certified Coach and Trauma-Informed Certified Coach, a Certified Positive Psychology Coach, and a trained facilitator in Tara Mohr’s Playing Big Leadership Program. Ashley’s a specialist for Doctors for Dancers, and a blog contributor for Apolla Performance. You can also see her on tour with Embody Dance Conference, where she leads Mindset Skills Seminars for all ages, including parents and teachers. Head to her website for more information, or her Instagram for free tools and resources to help you build a healthy mindset to navigate the dance world at your best.

Eric Otto was born and raised in Westchester, New York. He began dancing at  the age of seven with the School of American Ballet in New York City. He  has danced professionally with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet  Theatre, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and  BalletX. 

He was an original cast member of Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away,  performing the leading role of Sid. Mr. Otto was invited to join the cast of  Tharp’s Movin’ Out where he starred in the Broadway and First National Tour  companies as James. He has appeared on Broadway in The Phantom of the  Opera and toured with Twyla Tharp for her 50th Anniversary. 

Mr. Otto has performed an extensive repertoire, including ballets by  Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, John Cranko, Jiri Kylian, Kenneth  MacMillan, and Jerome Robbins. He has danced roles created for him by  Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Lynne Taylor-Corbette and Matthew Neenan. 

Most recently, Eric served as Artist in Residence in Classical Ballet at  Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. He has also been the Artistic  Director of the Peoria Ballet in Illinois, Ballet Master for BalletX in  Philadelphia and taught on faculty at Ballet Academy East and Peridance in  NYC. He is on guest faculty with The Rock School for Dance Education and  the Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago. Eric Otto is an ABT Certified  Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive  in Pre-Primary through Level 6/7 and Partnering of the ABT National  Training Curriculum. 

As a choreographer, Eric has received commissions by Peoria Ballet  Company, Albany Berkshire Ballet, Saratoga Arts Fest, The Bruce Museum  and Bucknell University among others. 

Currently, Eric is the Artistic Director and head of Curriculum for Toledo  Ballet.

Andi is a Chilean Choreographer, Dance Educator, Performer, and Sociologist. She got her BA degree in Sociology at UC of Chile, the same place where she founded Kazé Dance, a Contemporary dance company where she was the Artistic Director and Choreographer for eight years. In 2017, Andi relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, California, and obtained her MFA in Dance and Choreography from Mills College. There, she also had the opportunity to perform for choreographers such as Joe Landini and Molissa Fenley and showed her work with her Dance Company “A Pulso Dance Project" at many festivals around the State. During her years in the Bay, Andi also worked as a faculty member at the Bay Area Ballet Conservatory, Shawl Anderson Dance Center, and as a Teaching Artist at Alonzo King Lines Ballet Dance Center. In 2023, she relocated to New York to keep her studies and joined the Master’s degree “Teaching Dance in the Profession: ABT Ballet Pedagogy” at New York University while working as a Teaching Artist for ABT and as an assistant at the ABT JKO School. During her time in NYC, she also did an internship at Peridance Contemporary Dance Company with Igal Perry as an administrative assistant and worked as a Contemporary faculty member for Maria Kowroski’s New Jersey Ballet Summer Intensive. In 2024, she moved to Michigan and currently works as a lecturer for the University of Michigan Dance Department, as a Visitor Assistant Professor of Dance at Western Michigan University, as a Contemporary Faculty member at Grand Rapids Ballet, as a choreographer for Eastern Michigan University and as a Ballet and Modern faculty member for Fenton Ballet Theater.

Dr. Alexis Sams, PT, NKT3 is a leading practitioner in dance medicine and holistic health care.

As the founder of AZ Dance Medicine Specialists, Dr. Alexis has worked with clients and companies around the world on injury prevention and performance enhancement, focusing on often-overlooked non-muscular systems that can greatly impact athletic performance.

Her unique treatment approach has been transformative for performers—especially when standard exercises, stretches, or strengthening programs don’t solve the problem or allow a safe and quick return to dance.

Dr. Alexis’s journey began in traditional outpatient physical therapy, where she realized the limitations of a system focused on routine weekly visits over several weeks to see progress. Her commitment to hands-on treatment and addressing multiple body systems often meant her patients improved faster and needed fewer visits—a scenario not well-aligned with insurance-based care models.

This experience inspired her to create a dedicated space for dancers and performers to heal effectively and efficiently, free from the constraints of traditional health care. In 2014, she launched AZ Dance Medicine Specialists to provide truly client-centered care.

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Alexis now continues to work with clients worldwide, offering natural, non-surgical, and non-prescription solutions that address the root causes holding clients back from performing and feeling their best.

Brooke Holvick began her classical ballet training at the age of nine at the Brighton School of Ballet.  Ms. Holvick continued her classical training under the direction of ballet master Thomas Morris at Alma College where she received her BFA in Theatre and Dance as well as departmental honors for her work in the dance department.  As an Alma College Dance Company member, dancing on scholarship, she was given performance opportunities in numerous classical pieces as a soloist.  Her repertoire includes The Nutcracker, Swan Lake Act II, Aurora’s Wedding from The Sleeping Beauty, Pas de Quatre, Les Sylphides, Les Patineurs, Pas de Dix, La Bayadere, among many others.  Upon graduation, she returned to Brighton School of Ballet where she remained on staff until 2017.  Her lifelong love of the arts and passion for ballet led to the formation of Fenton Ballet Theatre.  

Ms. Holvick is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is also a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor for Level 1 Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels.  Ms. Holvick has also completed her certification in Progressing Ballet Technique, a revolutionary training program designed to enhance ballet technique and the overall strength of a dancer. Her goal is to bring the timeless beauty of ballet to Fenton and its surrounding areas, providing exceptional training in a professional environment.

Grace was raised in Michigan and has been studying the art and sport of dance since 2000. She attended the University of Michigan where she studied dance and business and graduated with a Bachelor's of Business Administration. Her training includes ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, lyrical, composition, and improvisation. Grace has been teaching dance since 2012, and before that was a teacher’s assistant at her studio. Her background is rooted in classical ballet, studying with the American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, and the Rock School for Dance Education.

As the founder of the 501(c)3 non-profit The Army of Survivors, Grace is a globally recognized advocate, consultant, and speaker for athlete rights and trauma-informed coaching. She serves as an Advisory Board member for International Safe Sport, International Safeguards for Children in Sport, and has served on expert advisory committees for the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, and Apple. Grace is one of the recipients of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2018 ESPYs, a 2018 Glamour Women of the Year awardee, and a 2021 and 2022 Liberty Bell Awardee from the Michigan Bar Association for her work in athlete rights.

Grace is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.