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Meet our Team

Welcome to Northern Nevada Ballet Academy, where passion meets expertise, and dedication molds talent into artistry. Our team is comprised of individuals who bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and creativity to every dance class and rehearsal. Get to know the faces behind the magic:

Advisors and Management

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Vinh Luong

CEO and Advisory Board Chairman

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Kia Crader

Advisor
Tap, Character Jazz
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Leadership

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Kris Swaczyna

Co-founder

Artistic Director

Ballet Technique, Partnering, Pointe, Repertoire

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Shannon Smalley

Co-Director of NNBA Ballet Mistress

Ballet Technique, Partnering, Pointe, Repertoire

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Heather Costella

Co-Director of RBT Production Director, Casting, Staging, Theatre

Adult Instructor

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Faculty

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Francesca Yale Hebron

Contemporary, Lyrical, Choreography

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Jenny August

Modern, Broadway Jazz

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Michele Swaczyna

Pilates, PBT, Dance Conditioning, Nutritionist​

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Kaden Constantino

Contemporary Hip Hop, Commercial Jazz, Choreography

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Yevette Watts Yezek

Happy Feet - Intro to Dance​​​

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Eric Ventura

U-JAM, Hip Hop

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Malina Shubzda

Ballet Technique - Petite Dance Conditioning

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Alex Kaskie

Hip Hop / RnB​

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Julie Simpson

Ballet Technique

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Lane Saunders

Tap, Disney Musical Theater​​

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Jaime Laxalt

Ballet Technique - Petite Dancers​

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