Suzanne B. Pomerantzeff was trained at the San Francisco Ballet School by Harold Christensen and his wife Ruby Asquith, Lew Christensen and his wife Gisella Caccialanza, and Bene Arnold. After graduating from High School she continued her Ballet training at the University of Utah with Willam Christensen, Gordon Paxman, Bene Arnold and Mattlyn Gavers. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an equal emphasis in performing and teaching. Ms. Pomerantzeff and Lester Jacobsen founded the Academy of Ballet Arts in 1969 and have dedicated their professional lives to training dancers who are now performing with San Francisco Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Moiseyev Dance Company, Riverdance, Lion King (Simba, Broadway Co.), David Parsons, Colorado Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, Houston Ballet, RDT, San Diego Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Kiel Opera Ballet, Frankfort Opera Ballet, Cirque de Soleil, and Mummenschanz.

Michelle Kuusela

Michelle Kuusela: Graduate of the Pinellas County Center for the Arts, and trained at Pittsburgh Ballet School and Tampa Ballet School. She graduated with her BFA from Boston Conservatory. She has performed with Tampa/Colorado Ballet and the New England Ballet. She is currently a faculty member at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School and has been an instructor at the Academy of Ballet Arts since 2002.

Judi Jemison