Ballet Instructors

Maren Erickson, the Director of The Ballet Studio, holds a degree in Dance Education from the University of Washington, where she has been a guest lecturer in Dance. Ms. Erickson trained with Greta Walker and taught at Pacific Northwest Ballet for nine years. She was a guest artist with Pacific Northwest Ballet for five years. Ms. Erickson established her adult ballet studio in 1974, and currently divides her time between Seattle and Florence, Italy, teaching in both cities.

Kristin Lewis (KL) trained at Oregon Dance Academy and University of North Carolina. She has taught in Charlotte, North Carolina, and joined the faculty of The Ballet Studio in 2004. Kristin, having taken some time off due to an injury, will hopefully return to us by Winter Qt.

Kristen Darby (KD) holds a B.F.A. in Dance from Cornish College and has taught ballet since 1989. She was trained at Pacific Northwest Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. Ms. Darby joined our faculty in 2006.

Sarah Haskell (SH) trained in Cape Cod, Scripps College and Pomona College. She is an active choreographer with extensive musical theater experience and has taught previously in California before joining our faculty in 2012.

Emily Lubinski (EL) holds a B.A. from the University of Washington. She was an apprentice with Boston Ballet, and company member with Ballet Theater Dallas among others. She joins our faculty this coming September.

Gary Palmer (GP), principal accompanist at The Ballet Studio, holds a degree in Music from University of Texas, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He has released a CD of his original music for Ballet Exercise classes. It is available at the studio for $15.00.