Teacher Bios
About Us
Ballet Petite is the first premiere dance education program exclusively for the young child. The specialized curriculum was developed by Nancy Parenti in 1992. Along with the technical leveling of each class, she developed the “storydance.”
Each day is a magical door opening to an enchanted realm where stories are enacted and the wonders of all of the arts shine in the light of imagination.
Ballet Petite is an intermediate step between natural movement and formal classical ballet training. The children learn to move from creative movement to pre-primary ballet. We incorporate dance choreography, classical children’s literature, music compositions and beautiful costumes.
The educational value is to introduce dance, artistically, to young children. The artistry of Ballet Petite speaks to the heart of children.
Miss Marie Claire
Miss Marie Claire is an actor and teaching artist based out of the DC area, and has a strong background in the arts having just received her Master’s of Fine Arts from The Academy of Classical Acting at George Washington University and The Shakespeare Theater Company! She danced with the Cincinnati Ballet Company until age fourteen when she began her professional career and has been working in the arts ever since. She is always delighted to meet new students and share with them her love of dance. Miss Marie Claire truly believes that the communication skills learned, confidence gained, and ability to collaborate that are fostered in ballet class can help students for their whole lives, be it in the arts or beyond. Miss Marie Claire is thrilled to be working with so many new ballerinas and hopes that class together will be as much fun for her students as it is for her!
Miss Sarah Elizabeth
We are happy to welcome Miss Sarah Elizabeth back to Ballet Petite! Miss Sarah Elizabeth used to teach at Ballet Petite from 2010-2013 and we are delighted to have her returning with us. Since the age of 16, she has been sharing dance and music with children in places like Washington, DC, New York, and even Ireland! Her favorite ballet is Swan Lake and her favorite storybook growing up in Corduroy. There is nothing more powerful to Miss Sarah Elizabeth than the confidence, joy, and skill of dancers of all ages. She is looking forward to experiencing this and more with our ballerinas!
Miss Laura
Miss Laura has over 20 years of dance experience and a passion for teaching young dancers. She graduated from Roger Williams University with minors in Dance and Spanish, where she studied Ballet and Modern and was a member of the Pom team, performing hip hop and jazz at athletic events. Since moving to DC, she continues to train in ballet, hip hop, and jazz, and has performed in concept videos and professional sporting events. She is currently a master's student at American University studying Intercultural and International Communication, with a focus on cross-cultural education. Miss Laura’s favorite ballets are Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, and her favorite storybook is The Little Mermaid. She is excited to create a joyful, welcoming space for little ballerinas to grow and learn through the art of dance at Ballet Petite.
Miss Hariana
Miss Hariana brings a dynamic blend of creativity, performance, and compassion to Ballet Petite. With 10 years of ballet training and experience in contemporary and hip-hop, she has performed in theater productions and choreographed for children’s musicals including The Lion King Jr. and Annie Get Your Gun. Her performance background includes roles at SeaWorld and in community theater across the DC area. In addition to her work in the arts, Miss Hariana has experience in policy and advocacy and is currently pursuing a career shift toward dance/movement therapy. She thrives in spaces where imagination and connection meet and is passionate about helping children express themselves through movement. Her favorite ballet is The Nutcracker, and as a child, she adored Angelina Ballerina. Miss Hariana is excited to create joyful, expressive experiences for young dancers at Ballet Petite.
Miss Mackenzie
Miss Mackenzie is a lifelong dancer with over 15 years of experience in ballet and other dance styles. She began dancing at age 5 and continued her training through college, developing a strong technical foundation alongside a deep appreciation for artistry, musicality, and discipline. In addition to her dance background, Miss Mackenzie has a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a master's degree in Public Health. Miss Mackenzie also has additional experience in caring for infants and toddlers at a daycare facility where she incorporated dance, play, and reading books for a fun and safe environment. In her free time, Miss Mackenzie loves spending time with her family, including her 3-year-old dog Tulip, reading, and moving her body through dance, yoga, and outdoor activities. Miss Mackenzie is passionate about creating a nurturing, encouraging classroom where young dancers can build confidence, coordination, and a love of movement. She brings a warm, patient approach to teaching and enjoys making ballet playful and age-appropriate for young children. Her favorite ballet is The Nutcracker, and her favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon.
Miss Rebecca
Miss Rebecca is excited to bring her passion for the arts to Ballet Petite. She grew up studying ballet, jazz, modern/contemporary, and performing in a variety of productions from childhood through her teen years. She has over eight years of experience working with children as a babysitter and camp counselor. In addition to her dance background, Miss Rebecca just graduated from McGill University, where she studied Art History and International Development with a minor in Hispanic Studies. She values creativity, expression, and community building, and is committed to fostering a supportive and inspiring environment for young dancers. Her favorite ballet is Swan Lake, and as a child, she loved reading Angelina Ballerina. Miss Rebecca looks forward to helping Ballet Petite students discover confidence, joy, and imagination through dance.
Miss Calla
Miss Calla is no stranger to Ballet Petite, having grown up dancing as a young ballerina at our previous Bethesda location. With life's circular nature evident, she reminisces fondly about dressing up in costumes and bringing her favorite stories to life through dance. Currently pursuing a BS in Business Administration and Public Health at Northeastern University, Miss Calla remains deeply passionate about dance, eagerly ready to infuse her energy and expertise into nurturing young dancers. Since her earliest memories as a toddler, dance has been a boundless source of joy for Miss Calla. Now, she's thrilled to share that joy and help children discover the enchantment of movement. She understands the significance of providing a fun and safe environment for every child to thrive in their dance journey. Believing in the power of positive dance education, Miss Calla looks forward to exploring our captivating storyballets with her students, eagerly anticipating each ballerina's favorite. Reflecting on her own childhood, Miss Calla's adoration for the Olivia series highlights her love for storytelling. Witnessing young dancers blossom and develop brings her immense delight, fueling her dedication to their growth. Excited to begin this new chapter at Ballet Petite, Miss Calla is poised to inspire the next generation of ballerinas, fostering their passion for dance and guiding them to shine both in and out of class.
Miss Mara
Miss Mara grew up dancing a Ballet Petite, performing in productions of The Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardée, and Giselle. Miss Mara’s favorite ballet is Giselle, and she loved reading the Pinkalicious books as a child. She is excited to return as an instructor and share her passion for ballet with young dancers. She took her first ballet class at the age of 3, and as she heads off to college, she is excited to continue her dance career. Miss Mara has experience mentoring younger dancers and working backstage at performances, ensuring a smooth and supportive environment where children can develop their love of dance, and she is thrilled to inspire confidence and joy in the students at Ballet Petite.
Miss Helene
Miss Helene began her dance journey at Ballet Petite, where she first discovered her love for ballet as a young girl. She is currently training at a pre-professional level. Next year, she will pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet at the University of Utah. Miss Helene has studied ballet, pointe, pas de deux, jazz, and modern extensively throughout her dance education. She has performed in numerous productions and competitions, developing strong artistry and stage presence. In addition to performing, Miss Helene also has experience teaching Pre-K through 1st grade students and choreographing for her high school’s bi-annual dance show. She brings warmth, leadership, and creativity to the classroom, and loves helping young dancers grow in confidence and imagination. She grew up loving the Fancy Nancy books. Her favorite ballets are The Nutcracker and Coppélia.
Miss Mina
Miss Mina has just joined Ballet Petite as a new teacher! Miss Mina is a recent high school graduate spending her summer teaching for Ballet Petite before she heads off to college. She comes to us from Seber Method Academy where she has 10 years of experience in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Hip Hop. She grew up loving the Dr. Seuss and Angelina Ballerina books. She has numerous years of experience working with children through her experiences with lifeguarding and babysitting, and she is looking forward to being able to share her love of dance with others.
Miss Alexia
Miss Alexia is thrilled to return to Ballet Petite, where she first discovered her love of dance as a young child. She grew up studying ballet and has always cherished the creativity and imagination it inspires. With experience babysitting, assisting in a 4th-grade classroom, and helping at children’s camps, she brings patience, enthusiasm, and a natural ability to connect with young dancers. She has also built strong communication and leadership skills through community outreach, customer service roles, and volunteer work. As a child, her favorite books were the Pinkalicious series, and her favorite ballet has always been The Nutcracker. Miss Alexia is excited to help young dancers learn, grow, and create magical memories!
Miss Josie
Miss Josie has just joined Ballet Petite as a new teacher! Miss Josie is a dedicated ballet instructor passionate about sharing the art of dance with younger generations. Her love for ballet blossomed in 7th grade and has since driven her to deepen her involvement in dance and the arts. With her experience as a dancer, Miss Josie understands the importance of providing inspiration and support to students. She admires Ballet Petite's blend of playfulness, creativity, and education, which aligns perfectly with her teaching philosophy. Currently excelling academically on the dean's list at Fordham University, Miss Josie also actively participates in the Fordham Jetes ballet club, where she refines her skills and shares her enthusiasm for dance. Miss Josie's favorite ballets, including Don Quixote, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty, highlight her appreciation for classical repertoire and storytelling through dance. We welcome Miss Josie to Ballet Petite, where she is eager to inspire young dancers and nurture their passion for ballet and creativity in a supportive and enriching environment.
Miss Becca
Miss Becca is a lifelong dancer with a passion for making ballet accessible and fun for everyone! With eight years of teaching experience and a decade of pre-professional training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance, she brings a wealth of knowledge to Ballet Petite. Miss Becca recently graduated from Princeton University with a minor in dance, where she directed four student ballet performances and received the university's highest choreography award. She is a fan of the Pigeon books by Mo Willems (especially Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!) for their silly humor and adorable illustrations. She loves inspiring young dancers to grow their confidence and tell stories through movement.
Miss Maddy
Introducing Miss Maddy, a dedicated dance educator excited to share her passion with the students at Ballet Petite. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from James Madison University, graduating in 2019 with a double major in Dance and Media Arts and Design, and a minor in Theatre. Miss Maddy has performed with AJ Collabs, previously taught lyrical dance at The Loudoun School of Ballet, and choreographed two dance films. At JMU, she was able to assist with leading free classes through Dance Theatre for the Harrisonburg community as well as choreograph numerous pieces and have teaching opportunities with JMU Dance's Friday Free Classes. Currently, Miss Maddy works at the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts as the Special Events Assistant. This role reignited her passion for teaching dance, and she is eager to return to the studio. As a teacher, Miss Maddy values inclusion and encourages students to ask questions, explore movement, and develop their technique. Her favorite ballets, Sleeping Beauty and Giselle, reflect her love for classical storytelling through dance. She is committed to her students' success and looks forward to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of dancers at Ballet Petite.
Miss Isabelle
