Teaching Staff
Our Teaching Staff
Jessica Hamblen-KlepperDirector
Ms Hamblen-Klepper began her classical training at the Atlanta School of Ballet, under the direction of Robert Barnett and Andrea Pell. In addition to Mr. Barnett and Ms. Pell, her teachers there included Maniya Barredo, Gaynor Grange, Stanislav Issaev and modern technique with Carl Ratcliffe and Alex Pelham. While in Atlanta she performed in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker and David Lichine's Graduation Ball. In 2000, Ms. Hamblen-Klepper received her BFA from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. There her primary influencing teachers included Kitty Daniels, Pat Hon, Wade Madsen, Magali Messac, Terry Sparks, Llory Wilson, and Deborah Wolf. Since 2002, she has taught ballet and modern dance at the Maple Valley School of Ballet. Ms. Hamblen-Klepper's works have been performed by Olympic Ballet Theater, Atlanta School of Ballet summer workshop, Maple Valley Ballet, and Chimera Dance Theater. In 2005 she became the Director of the Maple Valley School of Ballet.
Lauren Kirchner
Lauren Kirchner began her dance education at the Center for Dance, a local studio in Issaquah/Preston where she trained in ballet, jazz, and musical theatre. At Connecticut College, she minored in dance and received her BA in Sociology-based human relations in 2009. While at Connecticut College she studied moder dance and ballet, was an active member of the dance club, and captained the school dance team, studying with artists such as David Dorfman, Heidi Henderson, Robyne Watkin, Lisa Race and JT Jenkins. Lauren aslo spent a semester abroad in Sydney, Australia studying dance and sociology at the University of New South Wales, working with Australian choreographer Sue Healy. She has worked since 2008 as an intern and instructor for Pacific Northwest Ballet's Outreach and Education programs. Lauren joined the Maple Valley SChool of Ballet in 2009.
Megan Brooks
Megan's Bio coming soon.
Jessica AndrewsJessica Star Andrews grew up dancing locally. She attended the University of Washington where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Dance and English. While attending college, Jessica danced with Enertia Dance Company under the direction of Danielle Payton. She was an active member of the Dance Students Association, and was the Assistant Director to the Dance Department Writing Center. After graduation, Jessica worked for The Little Gym of Bellevue. There she discovered a love for teaching children, especially preschoolers, toddlers and babies. She has been teaching movement and dance for eight years. Jessica loves spending time with her family, as she has two children of her own. She believes that dance fosters self esteem through developing coordination and confidence in one's body. Jessica teaches Parent and Child Creative Movement and Creative Ballet classes.
Ella Howell
Ella's Bio coming soon.
Connie Stine
Ms. Connie has more that 35 years if professional dance and teaching experience. Early training included notables Russell Fratto, Leon Danielioin, Maestro Vincenzo Celli, David Howard, Fernando Schaffenburg, Wayne Soulant, Joyce Karpeij and Cherie Noble. As a Nordan Fire Arts Scholar, she received her BFA in Ballet and Theatre from Texas Christian University while dancing with the Fort Worth Ballet. Other professional credits include Phoenix Ballet, Center Ballet of Connecticut, Arizona Metropolitan Ballet, and Ballet Arizona. She began teaching in Texas in 1972 and has since tought and directed residencies in Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, Texas, and New York. Ms. Stine opened her school, the Eastside Ballet Center in downtown Mesa, AZ in 1983, and the following year formed he schools pre-professional performing company. The company celebrated 20 years in 2004/5. She served as a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University for ten years eaching all levels of ballet, pointe, and pedagogy. In 1997 she began duties at the Dance Chair at New School for the Arts and developed the dance program to a natinal level. Ms. Stine has the honor of being listed in the 2000 and 2002 'Who's Who in American High School Teachers'. Known for her caring nature and ability to develop technical and artistic potential, Ms. Connie continues to teach at Seattle area schools, construct ballet costumes and direct a summer camp for homeless 7 to 9 year old children in New York State each summer.