Faculty and Staff
Jacqueline P. Colledge - Founding Director
Jacqueline P. Colledge became a member of Ballet West under the direction of Willam Christensen in 1968, dancing with the company while attending the University of Utah on full scholarship. While with Ballet West, she danced various solo roles and worked with numerous renowned choreographers and instructors, such as Lew Christensen, Jacques d' Amboise, Michael Smuin, Dimitri Romanoff, and Francia Russell.
After opening the Jacqueline School of Ballet in 1976, Ms. Colledge desired to give her students more education and opportunity.
She then organized Utah Youth Ballet in 1981, providing the community with exceptional quality ballet performances. In 1984, Utah Youth Ballet became Utah Regional Ballet to illustrate the artistic growth and capacity of the company. URB has been a professional performing company in residency at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, since 1995. In 1999, URB established opportunities for ballet artists by providing professional contracts; paving the way for brilliant artists to continue to live and work in Utah. Ms. Colledge is currently on faculty at Utah Valley University as the coordinator for the ballet program.
Brittnee Squires - School Director
Brittnee began her early training at Jacqueline’s School of Ballet and later auditioned for Utah Regional Ballet, where she danced as a Principal Artist. Brittnee was a member of Ballet West 1995-1998. While she attended the University of Utah on a full scholarship. Brittnee is the two time recipient of the Regional Dance America Monticello Scholarship for talented choreographers, and has choreographed for Utah Regional Ballet, Utah Regional Ballet II, and many regional companies across the United States. She will be teaching Intermediate–Advanced levels and co-directing the Apprentice Company.
Heather Gray – Director of the Creative Division
After training at the Jacqueline School of Ballet, Heather studied at the San Francisco Ballet School and was a member of Het National Ballet in Amsterdam, Holland, and Ballet West. During her professional career she worked with artists such as Hans Van Mannen, William Forsyeth, and Wayne Eagling. She has choreographed for Ballet West II, Utah Valley University, University of Utah, Utah Regional Ballet, and regional companies where her works have been selected for the Regional Dance America Choreo-plan.
Heather will be teaching Advanced technique and co-directing the Apprentice Company. She is currently the Artistic Director of the Pre-Professional Company and Utah Regional Ballet II.
Denna Demers - Director of Childrens Division
Denna began dancing at the age of eleven as one of Jackie’s original five students. When Utah Youth Ballet was formed, she became a charter member of the school's first performing company. She is currently the Director of the Student Division at Jacqueline’s School of Ballet.
Mandi Winn - Teacher
Mandi began her training at the age of three, under the direction of Jacqueline Colledge at Jacqueline's School of Classical Ballet. She later joined the professional company in 1999, performing as a principal dancer. She will be teaching Intermediate and Advanced Ballet.
Joni Tuttle - Teacher
Joni is a scholarship student at Utah Valley University pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in ballet. After completing her ballet training at JSB she became a member of Utah Regional Ballet Professional Company in 2005. She will be teaching Pre-Technique, Advanced Pointe and Jazz.
Rachelle Jardine - Teacher
Rachelle is a Sophomore at Utah Valley University. She is currently on a full-tuition performing scholarship working towards a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts with a Ballet emphasis. Rachelle joined Utah Regional Ballet Company in 2005. Rachelle is excited to be teaching Creative Movement and Level 2.
Rob Wood - Director of Music/ Principal Pianist
Rob Wood graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Brigham Young University. At that time he was also class and rehearsal pianist with Ballet West. From 1991 to 1997 he was music director and accompanist for the Aspen Ballet Company and School in Aspen, Colorado. He has accompanied many international teachers, and while in Vail, Rob performed live on stage accompanying New York City Ballet dancers Ethan Stiefel and Miranda Weese in a performance of the pas de deux from George Balanchine’s “Harliquinade” at the Gerald R. Ford amphitheater. Rob has recorded two CD’s under the direction of David Howard, produced and marketed by Roper Records in New York. Rob is currently Associate Professor and Director of Music in the Ballet Department at the University of Utah, working there since 1998.
Ludmila Gudnina - Pianist
Ludmila was born and raised in the former Soviet Union (Azerbaijon). Her musical career began at the age of six. Parallel to general school she started musical school (7 years), musical college (4years) and musical conservatory (5 years). In 1995 she moved to America. Since that time she has played for Jacqueline’s School of Ballet, Utah Regional Ballet and Utah Valley University.
Shauna Peterson - School Registrar
Shauna has accompanied classes for 14 years at Jacqueline’s School of Ballet, and in the spring of 1997, Shauna was appointed as the Ballet School Registrar. She has devoted countless hours of service to the ballet school as well as has served in various capacities on the Guild Board before being named as Guild President for the Company. Shauna served as co-chairman of the Regional Dance America/Pacific Festival 2001 in Orem, Utah and is also currently serving as a member of the Board of Trustees for Utah Regional Ballet |
