Our Teachers

Our teachers are proficient in dance instruction and choreography, and represent a wide range of talent and expertise. Additionally, we offer Guest Artist Master Classes and special instruction seminars.

Alison Bawek

Alison Bawek is the owner and director of the Studio of Ballet Arts Ltd. She started dance at the age of four training under the Royal Academy of Dance. As a young child, she performed in various ballet companies and studied with the Vienna State Opera Ballet Company in Austria. She attended Montgomery College and Corcoran College of Art and Design where her focus was dance, theatre and art. Alison began teaching dance in 1993. She dedicates herself to nurturing the love of dance with all her students and teachers. Alison creates an inspiring and supportive environment in the studio and believes we were all born to dance. She encourages her students to pursue their dreams of becoming a dancer and performing on stage. She supports educational and community organizations and serves as Vice President of the Olney Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of Directors at the Sandy Spring Museum. Alison received the 2014 Athena Award for Greater Olney-Sandy Spring, which recognizes women leaders. Alison is also a proud member of the National Dance Education Organization.

Angelette Anders

Angelette Anders is SBADC Dance Team Coach and Choreographer. She is a native of Washington, DC and holds a BA in Communications from Howard University and an MA in Dance from Prescott College. She received her formal training in the Vaganova and Cecchetti Methods of Classical Ballet, Horton Modern Technique, Rhythmic Tap Jazz, and Lyrical. She was a featured performer with the Adrian Bolton, Katherine Smith and Body Moves companies and has performed extensively in the metropolitan area. In 2007, she was a guest artist and choreographer for the Amalfi Arts Festival in Maiori, Italy. As a certified Cechetti instructor, Angelette continues to train and perform with master instructors. She enjoys sharing the art of dance and its varied disciplines through teaching, choreographing and staging students of all ages throughout the region.

Christine Andriani

Christine Andriani, SBADC Dance Team Coach and Choreographer, grew up studying ballet, tap, and jazz. In college she discovered that she could combine her love of dance with the joy she finds in teaching. Now, as an elementary school teacher Christine knows that a fun and engaging environment is key to inspiring a lifelong love and appreciation of the arts. She looks forward to combining her enthusiasm for the performing arts with her passion for teaching to welcome our youngest students into the world of dance.

Alexandra Fellman

Alexandra Fellman is SBADC Dance Team Coach and Choreographer. Alex is a top-rated dance instructor for preschool to high school aged dancers in the DMV. Beginning at the age of 2, she has studied ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, and acrobatic dance. Throughout the years, she has enjoyed dancing in many community performances, dance competitions, and in university performances. Alex began choreographing at the age of 14, and teaching at the age of 16 in 2016. Since then, she has taught a large variety of styles and abilities throughout the DMV at some of the best preschools and dance studios. In 2020, Alex received her certification in Youth Protection Advocates in Dance Safety and Wellness, and in 2024, she became a certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor, receiving a perfect score on her final examinations. In 2023, Alex choreographed for the Best Friends Foundations’ A Night with Dionne Warwick. She has been an SBA dance instructor for 8 years, and an SBA Dance Team coach/choreographer for 4 years now, receiving many awards for her creative and picturesque choreography. Alex loves SBA and looks forward to sharing her love of dance with everyone!

Maya Fitts

Maya Fitts, SBADC Head Dance Team Coach, graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Dance from the University of Maryland. Since 9, she has been professionally performing in Musical Theater, Dance, and Opera productions. In the DC Metro area she has performed at the Kennedy Center (Honors Awards, Debbie Allen, Washington Opera), National Theater, Warner Theater, Arena Stage, and Olney Theater to name a few. Nationally, she has done two National Tours and was a dancer for several years in PBS’s A Capitol Fourth. Her favorite roles include Reno Sweeny (Anything Goes), Cinderella (Into the Woods), and Lucille (Thoroughly Modern Millie). Maya specializes in Musical Theater (Fosse/ Bennett trained by Cheryl Clark), Tap, Jazz, and Lyrical.

Neico Joy

Neico Joy, a DC native, found a passion for dance and tumbling early in his childhood. He was a member of several local dance companies for many years, which led him to take his talents to Los Angeles 15 years ago. During his time in LA, he had the pleasure of working with many musical artists including Pharrell, Victoria Monet, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson and Mindless Behavior. Neico also got to perform on various tv shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Voice and The Late Late Show with James Corden, Bunheads. He’s excited to bring his knowledge and experience to SBADC.

Ani Kassian-Howard

Ani Kassian-Howard began her ballet training at Berrend Dance Centre. She competed in the Youth America Grand Prix for three consecutive years, earning Top 12 in Contemporary (2015), Top 24 in Classical (2016), and Top 12 in Classical (2017). In 2017, Ani joined Boston Ballet School, and performed as Clara in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker. At BBS she also participated as Town Girl in La Sylphide, Next Generation, and ChoreograpHER as both a choreographer and dancer. From 2019 to 2021, Ani trained at Miami City Ballet School as a pre-professional student. Her summer intensive experience includes Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Carolina Ballet, and Maryland Youth Ballet. She has also taken master classes with acclaimed artists such as Paul Taylor 2, Daniel Ulbricht (New York City Ballet), Kathryn Morgan (Miami City Ballet, previously New York City Ballet), Alicia Graf Mack (Julliard), Diana White (New York City Ballet), Lauren Lovette (New York City Ballet), Edward Ellison (Ellison Ballet), Gonzalo Garcia (New York City Ballet), Megan Fairchild (New York City Ballet), Alvin Ailey and Ailey 2, Robert Weiss (New York City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet Artistic Director, Carolina Ballet founding Artistic Director), Zalman Raffael (Carolina Ballet Artistic Director), and Debra Austin (New York City Ballet). As a teacher, Ani strives to create a positive and challenging environment that emphasizes strong technique, musicality, and each dancer’s unique artistry.

Guest Teachers

Crishon Landers

Crishon Landers’s (Guest Teacher) dancing experience dates back to the early 1990’s when as a child he would freestyle battle for respect and bragging rights at the Underground, located in downtown Atlanta where he grew up. However, his dance career began to take shape and evolve in the fall of 2005 when he joined Georgetown University’s hip hop dance team, Groove Theory, as a freshman. Since then he has had several opportunities to choreograph and perform as a member of multiple professional and pre-professional dance companies. Among these companies are Capitol Movement Dance Company, Culture Shock Dance Troupe, Joy of Motion’s DCypher Dance, and GU’s Black Movements Dance Theater. Notable credits include Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Saturday Night Live, HBO’s “Girls”, Stephen Colbert Show, Cirque du Soleil, and more. When Crishon is not dancing, he spends the majority of his time with his daughter, Ella. He also has a passion for fashion and has developed a clothing line, CRoME. He is blessed and grateful for the opportunity to pursue his love for dance and share his talent with others. He hopes to educate and empower new generations of students to follow their dreams bravely and unapologetically.

Robert Moses

Robert Moses (Guest Teacher) been teaching dance for the past 20 years, as well as being an accomplished singer. He has performed in numerous dance videos and as a backup dancer for several artists. He can even be seen on several seasons of Lifetime Television’s Dance Moms. Robert made the transition to choreographer and Master class presenter and has spent the last 8 years touring the country teaching at studios and conventions. He is well versed in all genres of dance, making him one of the most sought after judges for conventions and dace competitions. Robert is also trained in fitness and nutrition, which allows him to educate dancers on the importance of being healthy. Robert is a triple threat – singer, dancer and actor who know the importance of being a well-rounded performer. His upbeat energy and style are contagious. Robert joined the studio in 2017 as guest choreographer and assists with SBA’s Dance Team.

Andree Schillesci

Andree Schillesci MA, BC-DMT is a Board Certified Dance Movement Therapist. She. earned a Masters of Arts in Dance Movement Therapy from Goucher College and has worked with children, adolescents and their families for the past 20 years. She has extensive experience treating children in the spectrum areas of communication. In addition, Andree taught at Gallaudet University using dance/movement therapy to increase and integrate socialization skills among deaf children. She often incorporates sign language and nonverbal techniques as well as verbalization to enhance communication and interpersonal skills. Andree recently received yoga certification to engage yoga techniques with children and adults.