Faculty
Audrey Burdick
Carmel, Indiana, native Audrey Burdick danced with Central Indiana Academy of Dance and Central Indiana Dance Ensemble from 2011 until she graduated from Carmel High School in 2018. During her tenure with CIDE, Audrey had the privilege of dancing in numerous CIDE productions. Herfavorite roles include Sugar Plum Fairy and Arabian in The Nutcracker and the Dove in Snow White. Audrey also had the honor of attending numerous summer intensive programs including Boston Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, American Ballet Theater, And the Washington Ballet.
Upon Graduating high school, Audrey attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. While at CCM Audrey was cast in George Balanchine’s ballet Serenade, but unfortunately never got to perform due to COVID. After her sophomore year at CCM, Audrey accepted an offer to dance with the Cleveland Ballet. She spent two years as a trainee before being promoted to full-time company member. While at Cleveland Ballet, Audrey had the opportunity to dance in The Nutcracker, Alice, Don Quixote, A Midsummer Nights' Dream, and Swan Lake.
Audrey is very excited about the opportunity to return to CIAoD as a faculty member and cannot wait to see what this year holds for both her and the dancers she has the privilege of training.
Michael Casey Clark
Co-Artistic Director and Rehearsal Director, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble
Originally from Fishers, Indiana, Mr. Clark started dancing at the age of 19. He attended Ball State University graduating with a BS in Dance Performance with a minor in Theatre. He had performed with the Ball State Performing Dance Company, Anderson Young Ballet Theater and the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble.
Mr. Clark has studied and worked with many outstanding choreographers and master teacher including Gail Gilbert(David Parsons Dance Company), Franciose Martinett (Joffrey Ballet), Sylvia Waters (Alvin Ailey), Trinette Singleton (Joffrey Ballet), Luigi and Twyla Tharpe just to name a few.
Casey is proud to have been a part of Central Indiana Dance Ensemble since its inception 25 years ago, and looks forward to the continued growth of the organization. He is very excited to be on the faculty of the Central Indiana Academy of Dance and looks forward to expanding his teaching and choreographing responsibilities. He has been on the artistic staff of Central Indiana Dance Ensemble since its formation.
Casey is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Mr. Casey just finished his Progressive Ballet Technique Certification in Phoenix. He is excited to bring something fresh and new back to the studio. PBT will add to the technique of ballet class with alignment, stability, posture, turnout, control and balance! He can not wait to get started with these classes!!
Anna Davis
Youth America Grand Prix Director
Youth Company Directory, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble
A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Anna Davis began her training at the Maryland Youth Ballet under the instruction of legendary teachers, Hortensia Fonseca and Michelle Lees. She continued her training on scholarship at Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C., where she had the opportunity to perform the leading roles of "Cupid" in Don Quixote and "Clara" in The Nutcracker.
In 2014, Ms. Davis attended the School of American Ballet's summer program in New York City on full scholarship and was subsequently invited to attend the prestigious year round program. While there, she performed with the New York City Ballet, New York Choreographic Institute, and in the School of American Ballet Workshop. Ms. Davis was also one of the select students chosen to perform in the School of American Ballet's famed Lecture-Demonstrations, performing excerpts from Swan Lake, Jewels, and other Balanchine ballets. Ms. Davis also had the opportunity to teach young dancers at the School of American Ballet during the last two years of her training.
Other training Ms. Davis has received includes summer intensives on full scholarships at Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Carolina Ballet. Davis is also a 2-time Youth of America Grand Prix New York City finalist, performing classical variations from Giselle, Coppelia and Paquita. In addition, she has trained in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and has completed multiple exams with distinction. Ms. Davis graduated Summa Cum Laude from Liberty University with an Associate of Arts Degree.
Anna then went on to join the Indianapolis Ballet. During her professional career she danced numerous roles in Balanchine's Serenade, Allegro Brilliante, 4 Temperaments, Who Cares, Valse Fantasie, and Raymonda Variations, The Nutcracker, Carmen, Paquita and Swan Lake, as well as numerous community outreach programs including Indy Classrooms.
Mikaela Geller
Mikaela Geller was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, where she was homeschooled until her senior year. Her journey in dance began at Southold Dance Theater (SDT) at the age of 11, specializing in classical ballet. She preformed various roles with SDT, including her favorites: the Arabian solo in "The Nutcracker" and the Mercedes solo in "Don Quixote."
After graduating, she pursued her dance career in New York City, honing her Modern Dance technique with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Seeking broader opportunities, she later moved to Los Angeles, California, diving into commercial dance, and professional modeling. During her time in California, Mikaela had the privilege of learning from esteemed industry leaders, including the legendary Debbie Allen.
Mikaela also explored her interests outside of dance, working with Senator Nate Holden, which ignited her curiosity about the corporate world. The challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic prompted her return to South Bend, where she began teaching dance and ventured into finance at Dietz Nextstage Financial Management (DNFM).
In May 2021, Mikaela embarked on a new journey with her marriage and relocation to Indianapolis. Here, she continues remote work with DNFM, models with HWA, and teaches dance at Central Indiana Academy of Dance.
BarClay Gibbs
Barclay Gibbs has over 20 years of experience teaching and choreographing dance. She recently moved to Indiana from Maryland where she was the owner and director of the Dance Conservatory of Maryland and Ballet Chesapeake for over a decade. Barclay received her early dance training at the Peabody Preparatory, Towson University, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. As part of her training in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, Barclay completed both the Advanced Ballet and Solo Seal examinations. Barclay performed professionally with Ballet British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada and with Charleston Ballet Theater in South Carolina. Barclay received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance graduating summa cum laude from Towson University. Barclay has taught and choreographed ballet and modern dance at schools throughout the mid-Atlantic region including Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Towson University’s Children’s Dance Division, Baltimore Ballet, and the Peabody Preparatory of Johns Hopkins. Barclay is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and focuses on teaching clean classical ballet technique at a pre-professional level with care and compassion for each student’s body and mind.
shelby Lewis
Shelby Lewis danced with Central Indiana Dance Ensemble for nine years and continued dancing with the Butler University Dance team while in college. As a member of the Butler Dance Team, Shelby performed at Madison Square Garden, Indianapolis Circle of Lights and every home basketball games at Hinkle Fieldhouse. In 2018, Shelby graduated from Butler University with a degree in Elementary Education. She taugh 4th grade in Plainfield, Indiana and also at Smokey Row Elementary and also coached the Middle School and High School competition dance teams, before having her daughter, Piper. Most recently Shelby has been a party mom in Central Indiana Dance Ensemble‘s Nutcracker and is on the board of directors.
While Shelby may not be dancing ballet at this point in her life, she credits Suzann Delay and her staff for creating a foundation and love for dance. Without ballet, Shelby would not have been able to achieve all her dance hopes and dreams.
Madeline miller
Madeline Miller began dancing at her mother’s studio, the New Albany Ballet Company, at the age of 3. While at New Albany Ballet Company, she had the opportunity to perform soloist and principal roles, such as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, and a Stepsister in Cinderella. She also performed original works by Jimmy Orrante, Amy Tremante, and Tara Miller, to name a few. She also traveled to New York City for the Youth America Grand Prix finals when she was 11 and 14.
During her summers at New Albany Ballet Company, Madeline traveled to various summer intensives to extend her training. She attended Chautauqua, American Ballet Theatre in New York City and North Carolina, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, BalletMet, and Joffrey in Chicago. Through these summer intensives, she trained with Patricia McBride, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Franco De Vita, Deborah Wingert, and Edwaard Liang.
Currently, Madeline is a senior at Butler University as a Dance-Arts Administration major. She has performed numerous roles with Butler Ballet and has performed pieces by Susan McGuire, Derek Reid, and Ramon Flowers. When she is home for the summer, she continues dancing, on top of being a full-time summer faculty member at New Albany Ballet Company and assisting with the New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker. She is expected to graduate in Spring of 2025 with the hopes of becoming a full-time dance teacher. She is looking forward to being on faculty this year with Central Indiana Academy of Dance!
Kimberlee moody
Kimberlee Moody is originally from a small town in Northern Michigan and now resides in Anderson, Indiana. She has 11+ years of theater and musical experience and is trained in vocal performance and piano. She danced for 8 years at The Dance Center in Michigan training in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, tap, musical theater, and latin heels. She was a part of the Dance Center Youth Ensemble, a pre-professional company, where she performed in ballets such as “Peter Pan” (as Wendy),“The Nutcracker” (as Snow Queen), “Snow White” (as Evil Queen), and others. For four years she competed regionally and nationally winning a nomination for “Dancer of The Year” from Celebration Talent with a Platinum and High 1st winning solo. Kimi went on to Anderson University to continue her education in dance and graduated with a BA in Worship Arts studying how art and faith intersect. At Anderson she was a part of the prestigious university Chorale and several other musical endeavors. In the AU dance department Kimi danced several lead roles in dynamic student choreographed works as well as choreographed her first full length contemporary piece with three movements titled, “Conversations with Mom”, to be presented as a part of the University’s “Fall Into Dance” production.
Kimi began teaching in 2018 and her passions for artistry and youth development drive her to bring the best out of her students. She has choreographed numerous pieces for competition and recitals, as well as pre-professionally at Anderson University. She is excited to join CIAOD emphasizing musical theater and hip-hop and hopes to encourage her students to step out of their comfort zone in these genres!
Rochelle Paquette
Rochelle Paquette is originally from Ontario, Canada. She began her dance training at the age of 3, with Elmvale Dance Arts, a competitive dance studio offering Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Acro and Baton. Through competition she received many accolades including, adjudicators choice award and highest overall score.
She continued to train in dance at Lori’s Dance Place in Toronto, Canada where she took her Stage dance exams and achieved teaching status in Stage with the British Association Teachers of Dance (BATD). She continued to teach Jazz and Tap to kids ages 3 through Adult for many years.
Her 20 year professional career as a dancer, singer and choreographer, took her to the Canadian Football League as the assistance dance captain for the Toronto Argonauts, and various production shows that allowed her to perform in Las Vegas, Japan, The Middle East, Europe and tours across Canada and the USA. Mrs. Paquette spent some time as a dancer and vocalist for Star Cruise Ships out of Singapore. She was the featured vocalist with Michael Flately’s Lord of the Dance in Las Vegas as well as both the USA and Canadian tours.
A career ending accident ended her professional career in 2003. This led Mrs. Paquette to find a new passion through the art of Pilates. She attained a comprehensive certification in Pilates through the University of Las Vegas Dance program/DK Body Balance Method in 2004. She also holds an additional comprehensive certification through Body Arts and Science International (BASI).
She continues to teach Pilates at Pilates Indy Inc in Broad Ripple. She also continues to perform on stage as lead vocalist in “Dance Band,” a local Indianapolis Band performing for many corporate events and weddings around Indy. She is thrilled to be joining the CIAOD faculty!
Derek Reid
Derek Reid,Associate Professor of Dance, began his training at the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet in his native Washington, D.C. He subsequently studied in intensive programs with Rosella Hightower in Cannes, France, Milwaukee Ballet, Richmond Ballet and Butler University, from which he received a B.F.A. in Dance. Mr. Reid's professional dance career spanned fourteen years, during which time he performed with the Louisville Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and Ballet Met in Columbus, Ohio. He performed and created leading roles in works by such internationally acclaimed choreographers as Choo San Goh, William Forsythe, Jiri Kylian, Nacho Duato, James Kudelka, Mark Morris and Ohad Naharin. His repertoire ranged from the classical to the contemporary, as he performed roles as varied as the prince in The Nutcracker to roles in works by choreographic masters such as Antony Tudor, Vaslev Nijinsky, Irina Nijinska, Agnes de Mille, and George Balanchine.
Mr. Reid's television credits include PBS's production of Dance Theatre of Harlem's Fall River Legend,choreographed by Agnes de Mille, as well as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Dancers for Lifegala, in which he performed the pas de deux from Nacho Duato's Rassemblement. Another highlight of his career was dancing Duato's CorPerdutat the Acropolis in Athens, Greece with the Gala des Etoiles. Prior to teaching at the Fort Wayne Ballet, Mr. Reid taught summer workshops at the Northwest Florida Ballet. His choreographic contributions at the Fort Wayne Ballet include Ceremony, Jeux d'Enfantsand The Firebird. Mr. Reid teaches Ballet Technique and Dance History.
Megan Tillman (Hustel)
Ballet Mistress and Communications Coordinator, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble
Megan Tillman (Hustel) is from Carmel, Indiana. She began her pre-professional training with Suzann DeLay at the Central Indiana Academy of Dance and Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She went on to earn her BFA in Ballet Performance from the Department of Ballet at the University of Utah. There, Megan was a member of Utah Ballet and Ballet Ensemble where she performed in various contemporary works and classical ballets, most notably as Russian Girl in George Balanchine’s Serenade, and Swanhilda in René Daveluy’s Coppelia.
During her eight seasons with Ballet Arkansas, Megan was featured in works by renowned choreographers Ma Cong, Yoshito Sakuraba, Mariana Olivera, Chris Stuart, and Kiyon Gaines. She appeared in featured roles in Michael Fothergill’s Chiaroscuro, Ink, Dracula, and most recently in the world premiere of Sleepy Hollow as Katrina. Megan additionally had the privilege of performing in George Balanchine’s Who Care’s? and Glinka Pas de Trois, and in classical favorites including as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Odette in Swan Lake, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Swanhilda in Coppelia, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop Fairy, and Snow Queen in The Nutcracker.
A dedicated educator, Megan taught ballet at multiple studios in the Central Arkansas area for seven years, serving as the Ballet Director for Blackbird Academy of Arts and Rock City Dance Center Conway and most recently the Associate Artistic Director for Tupelo Ballet in Tupelo, Mississippi. Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, Megan is passionate about helping dancers enhance their stability, posture, and overall well-being.
After years of performing and teaching across the country, Megan is thrilled to be returning to Central Indiana Academy of Dance and Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She looks forward to passing on the tradition and love of ballet to the next generation of dancers.
Paul Tillman
Resident Choreographer and guest artist, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble
Paul Tillman is from Dallas, Texas. He began his pre-professional training with Dallas Ballet Company under the direction of Judy and Brent Klopfenstein. Tillman then trained at Boston Ballet’s pre-professional division. Tillman joined Ballet Arkansas in 2009 and has performed classic works such as Kenneth Macmillan’s “Romeo and Juliet Balcony Pas de Deux”, Agnes de Mille’s “The Other Pas de Deux”, Christopher Wheeldon’s “The American Pas de Deux”, Gerald Arpino’s “Birthday Variations” and George Balanchine’s “Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux”, “Valse Fantaisies”, and “Donizetti”. He has also been featured in original choreography by Flockworks, Ma Cong, Chris Stuart, Harrison McEldowney, Greg Sample, Darrell Moultrie, Kiyon Gaines, Mariana Oliveira and many others. In addition to performing, Tillman has choreographed a number of original pieces for Ballet Arkansas, “Gymnopedies” and “Chaconne” (both in collaboration with Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Interim Artistic Director, Geoffrey Robson.), “Chimera”, “Awanyu”, “Umbra”, and “Echo”. He has also choreographed and directed an original full length “Peter Pan” ballet for Blackbird Academy of Arts.
Tillman taught dance in the Central Arkansa area for over 12 years and was was the Education Director at Rock City Dance Center in Little Rock. Most recently he was the Associate Artistic Director of Tupelo Ballet in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Tillman is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. He is very excited to join the CIAoD faculty, and looks forward to working with such dedicated staff and students!