Instructors at Academy en l'Air
Ilona Missakian, owner/director
Education Dance: Cecilia Marie School of Dance 1971 to 1980
Cecilia Marie
Royal Academy Ballet 1980 to 1985
Yvonne Cusack
Washington Ballet summer intensive 1984
Mark Mejia
Vaganova, Russian Classical technique 1985-2003
Marielle Reyes
Vaganova, Russian Classical technique 1988-2000
Sona Vartanian
Latin Jazz, Jazz seminars 1987-1990
Dennon and Sayber Rawles
Flamenco 1989, 1999-2001
Juan Talavera and Vera Celaya
Irish Dance 2002-2004
Michelle Larson
Folk Dance 2002-2004
Larissa Nazarenko
Ongoing ballet technique seminars 2003-current
Teaching Experience: California Classical Youth Ballet 2007-current
artistic director (appointed 12/28/07)
California Classical Youth Ballet 1999-2007
associate director
Academy en l'Air Ballet Studio 2007- current
owner/director
Dance en l'Air Ballet Academy 1994-2007
instructor/associate director
Alexandra Ballet Academy 1987-1993
instructor
Dellos Dance and Performing Arts Center 1990-1993
instructor
Tricia Coran Studios 1989-1990
summer faculty
Performing: California Classical Youth Ballet 1999-2006
-story ballet roles for Sleeping Beauty (lilac fairy), Nutcracker
(Snow Queen, Arabian, Sugarplum Fairy), Victorian Toy Shoppe
(Arabian, Spanish)
-repertoire (Gypsy, Raymonda, Paquita, Swan Lake, Dying
Swan, Spanish, Carmen Suite, Nutcracker character roles,
Pas de Quatre, Stars and Stripes, Le Corsaire, The Four
Seasons, various lyrical pieces)
Forum Dance Ensemble 1985-1987 and 1989-1990
-story ballet roles for Nutcracker (Snow, Waltz of the Flowers,
Spanish, Russian)
-repertoire (Brecht Ballet, soloist, spring festival, Marches Ballet)
Les Ballet Classiques de Montreal 1987-1988
-repertoire (choreography by Lambrose Lambrou, Rudolf
Karatian, Balanchine, Sona Vartanian; pieces from Giselle,
La Vivandiere, Swan Lake, Paquita, various studio pieces)
Dance en l'Air Ballet Academy and Alexandra Ballet 1984-1999
multiple Spring and Winter studio performances and demonstrations
of class technique and choreography
Kristina Newcomer
Education Dance: Scottish Highland Dance 1965-1969
member of Southern California Highland Dancing Association
Competitor in Scottish Highland Dancing Worl Championships
1969
Royal Academy Ballet 1973-1978
Cecchitti School 1978-1983
pass commended, grades III, IV, Cecchetti Council of America
Bournonville School seminars 1980-1983
Modern Dance, Dance Improvisation, Intermediate
Ballet and beginning Jazz CSU Fullerton 1982-1983
Vaganova School 1985-1993
Teaching Experience: Alexandra Ballet Academy 1987-1992
instructor
Dance en l'Air Ballet Academy 1995-2007
instructor
Academy en l'Air Ballet Studio 2007-current
assistant director/instructor
California Classical Youth Ballet 1997-current
rehearsal mistress
Performing Experience: Alexandra Ballet Academy 1987-1992
-Pas de Quatre, Scottish, Four Seasons, Carmen
Suite, Sleeping Beauty (Carabosse), various repertoire
pieces (Goddesses of Dreams, Spring Fantasy), Victorian
Toy Shoppe
American Ballet Theatre 1994, 1996
supernumerary characters for Manon and Romeo and Juliet
San Francisco Ballet 1996
supernumerary character for Swan Lake
Dance en l'Air Ballet Academy 1995-2007
-various Spring and Winter studio performances and
demonstrations of class technique and repertory
California Classical Youth Ballet 1997-present
-Nutcracker (Frau Strathbomme), Sleeping Beauty
(Queen), A Faerie Tale (Mother Nature), Victorian
Toy Shoppe (Scottish)
Staff:
Miss Megan Herron
Miss Megan Noonan
Miss Margaret Yau
These three wonderful young women teach classes at the studio at all levels, beginning to adult, and possess a wealth of techniques and approaches to help dancers achieve their best during class instruction. Our teachers work carefully with students to offer clarity and encouragement and continue their own dance education throughout the year with performances.