Missoula's Ballet Arts Academy
Our Faculty
Artistic Director
Michele Antonioli (Ballet) is an Associate Professor in the University of Montana School of Theater and Dance, teaching ballet, pointe, kinesiology and pedagogy. She studied professionally with the Harkness Ballet School and the School of American Ballet before dancing with the Houston Ballet and the Frankfurt Opera Ballet. She has a B.A. in Geology and an M.F.A. in Ballet from Texas Christian University. She has directed the Garden City Ballet’s productions of Cinderella and The Nutcracker.
FacultyPam Copley (Ballet) has been teaching ballet for over 30 years. Her transition from dancer to teacher began with the Hartford Ballet teacher training program, where she completed a year-long study on the pedagogy of teaching ballet. She also has a BA in Education from the University of Montana and served as Artistic Director of Garden City Ballet for 5 years, where she continues to be part of the artistic staff. Many of her former ballet students have successfully found careers as professional dancers.
Linda Murphy (Tap) received a BFA in Dance from Southern Methodist University, and has been teaching dance in Missoula for the past 15 years. She has studied tap dance with master teachers such as Diane Walker, Josh Hilberman, Derick Grant and Brenda Bufalino, and regularly attends Tap City (New York City tap festival). Linda was awarded the teacher fellowship from Montana Dance Arts Association in 2004 and 2008, and she also teaches tap at the University of Montana.
Colleen Rosbarsky (Ballet and Jazz) has been teaching ballet and jazz locally for the past 14 years. She received a BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah, which she attended on a full tuition scholarship. She has additionally trained at Ballet West Conservatory and on MDAA scholarships at Stage 7 San Diego and Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago. She performed as a company member with Utah Ballet, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Garden City Ballet and Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre. In 2001 Colleen was awarded the MDAA teaching fellowship.
Adjunct FacultyJordan Dehline (Ballet) graduated from the University of Montana in 2008 with a BFA in Dance Education and Choreography/Performance. While at UM, Jordan received the Theatre/Dance Talent Scholarship, the 2008 Outstanding Senior in Dance Award, and an Undergraduate Research Award. She performed as a company member with Headwaters Dance Company, the CoMotion Dance Project, and Plateau Ballet Repertory Theatre of Washington. Jordan currently teaches in Missoula County Public Schools as part of the Montana Model Dance Education Program (MoDE), in addition to DDC Arlee and Ballet Arts Academy.
Linda Parker (Pilates) has taught ballet, modern and Pilates for the University of Montana Dance Dept. since 1997. She has taught both mat and reformer Pilates since 2000 and is certified through Polestar and Power Pilates. Linda completed her BA in ballet at the University of Utah and her MFA from the University of Hawaii. For 8 years, Linda toured nationally and internationally with Utah’s premier modern dance company, Repertory Dance Theatre. She also performed for 6 years with the Montana Transport Dance Company (Mo-Trans).
Jessica Shontz (Adult Ballet) has a BFA in Dance with an emphasis in Studio Teaching from the University of Montana. She trained in ballet, modern, jazz and tap at Allegro School of Dance and Creative Arts Center in Helena. She has been teaching for BAA since 2007.
Teacher in Training
Anastasia Warren is a senior at Sentinel High School and is currently studying ballet, tap and jazz at Ballet Arts Academy. She trained with Boston Ballet, Summer Dance Lab, and Point Park University during the summers throughout her high school career. She also taught hip hop at BAA in 2008.