ARTISTIC STAFF
BRITTANY RYAN
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Brittany began her training at the Chester Valley Dance Academy in Exton, PA, and at Anna Marie’s Dance Studio in Wilmington, DE. She continued her training at Indiana University and Temple University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in Strategic and Organizational Communications with a Minor in Business. Brittany also attended the Houston Ballet Academy’s Summer Program for two summers on scholarship as well as the pilot program for the Hampton Dance Festival. Brittany has performed with the First State Ballet Theatre, the Rebecca Davis Dance Company and ContempraDance Theatre, among others. Since 2006, she has been a member of Opus1 Contemporary Dance and continues to perform with them. Brittany is also the founder and Director of Kimberton Dance Academy, SVRDC's official school.
TIM EARLY
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER
Tim Early currently shares duties as co-director of the Philadelphia based modern company Opus I Contemporary. In addition to working with many choreographers including Roni Koresh, Matthew Neenan, Scott Jovovich, Charles Anderson, Eva Gholson, Terry Beck, and Christopher Flemming, he continues to perform with the Brandywine Ballet and Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. He has been on faculty at Mount Holyoke College, Lafayette College, Moravian College, West Chester University, and currently Temple University. Since 1999, Tim Early has headed the dance department at the Performing Arts Institute in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Tim is trained in ballet, modern and jazz and enjoys a full time teaching schedule. In his spare time he is an avid photographer and loves riding his bike.
RACHAEL HART
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER
Rachael Hart holds a BFA in dance performance/choreography from Temple University and is a certified Steele Pilates instructor and personal trainer. After performing for 3 seasons with the South Philly based contemporary dance company, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, she followed her passion for musical theatre and has performed in the National Tour of Pippin (Ensemble, Catherine, Fastrada), regionally at Walnut Street Theatre (The Little Mermaid), Fulton Theatre (Guys and Dolls, Aladdin), Westchester Broadway Theatre (An American in Paris), and with Prather Entertainment Group (West Side Story, Mary Poppins, Phantom). In NYC, she has assisted choreographers in developing new work, particularly for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids events, and was a principal dancer in a collaboration with Chet Walker and Stephen Schwartz, performed at Jacob’s Pillow. She is in constant pursuit of continued education and exploration of fitness and dance, music and theatre. rachaelbrittonhart.com
KRISTINA STYERS
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER
Kristina was born and raised in Central New York and began her training at Dance Centre North under the direction of Cathy Napolitano Mucci and later Sarah Rothrock-Rickel. During her training, she was accepted into several summer intensive programs and was twice awarded partial scholarships and attended Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Intensive in Jackson, MS. Kristina danced with Central New York Ballet for 3 years where she had the privilege to share the stage with The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and dance with guest artists from Ballet Met and The Moscow Ballet. She began her teaching career at Dance Centre North. Kristina also earned her Associates Degree in Music from Onondaga Community College and teaches piano. Kristina is very happily married to her e-Harmony.com match and they have two handsome boys.
ELSIE NEILSON
COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA CONSULTANT
Elsie is an alumnae of Kimberton Dance Academy and was one of its first students during its opening year in 2012. She later went on to receive her BFA in Dance and Choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) while graduating Summa Cum Laude. In addition to her dance studies, Elsie has received her Teacher Certifications in the Elemental Body Alignment System (EBAS) Levels I and II, as well as her certification in Thai Bodywork. Additionally, she has attended multiple intensives such as Doug Varone and Dancers Winter Workshop (2020), Bates Dance Festival (2019, 2018), BalletX (2016, 2015), and Princeton Ballet (2014). Both years attending Bates Dance Festival she received a partial scholarship for a work/study position in technical production. Elsie’s own choreographic works have been presented in many festivals and concerts in Philadelphia, PA and Richmond, VA. In 2019 she became a member of Opus 1 Dance Company.