ARTISTIC STAFF
BRITTANY FLAHERTY-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.
ELSIE NEILSON
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER
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.
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.
MEGHAN O'BRIEN-BERESK
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER
Meghan is an alumnae of Kimberton Dance Academy. She danced as a company member of the Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company for six seasons during that time. She also performed with Kimberton Dance Academy’s Performance Group and the Opus 2 Project. Her senior year of high school, she moved to NYC to be a ballet trainee at the Joffrey Ballet School under the direction of Andre and Era Jouravlev, Marina Bogdenova, and Francesca Corkle. She has performed in various original works choreographed by Juan Rodriguez, Joseph Cotler, Jenn Rose, and Brian McSween as well as staged works like “Square Game,” an original Merce Cunningham work staged by Andrea Weber. Meghan is currently a member of Opus 1 Contemporary Dance Company as well as an instructor at Kimberton Dance Academy.