Mrs. Schoenfeld has been with Western Arkansas Ballet for almost 25 years. Previous to coming to WAB she earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Fine Arts Ballet Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, one of the top dance departments in the country. 

While at the University of Oklahoma, she studied under Yvonne Chouteau, one of the five famous Indian Ballerinas from Oklahoma, Mary Margaret Holt and Miguel Terekhov, Professor Emeritus of Dance at OU. She was also afforded the opportunity in 1985 to travel to Russia and study ballet from Clara Nicolayevna, an instructor with the Byelorussian State Academy, USSR. During her tenure with Western Arkansas Ballet, she has attended many continuing education workshops including a Russian Ballet Seminar in Denver Co., Teachers’ Workshops in conjunction with the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS. (90, 94, 98, 02 and 06). Faculty for these workshops included David

Howard and Finis Young. She attended the International Ballet Teachers’ Workshop in Vail, CO., which was in conjunction with Vail International Evenings of Dance in 90, 94, and 98.

Mrs. Schoenfeld has performed with Oklahoma Festival Ballet Company, Renaissance Festival Featured Presentation on PBS Television and with Western Arkansas Ballet.

Under her direction, Western Arkansas Ballet Company auditioned and was asked to become a performing member of Regional Dance America/Southwest. RDA/SW is a national organization of regional ballet companies. Membership in RDA helps WAB keep their level of dancing high and prepare students to dance in college or in a professional company.

With Western Arkansas Ballet, she believes that children should have the opportunity to take dance for exercise, self esteem and self confidence.  And as a non-profit organization, she and WAB follow their mission statement: “To create a community dedicated to the Fine Arts through quality dance education, training and performance.”

Miss Porter is in her second season with Western Arkansas Ballet. She began her formal training with Liz Dimmel and Tobin James at Dramatic Truth School of Ballet in Lee’s Summit, MO. There, she was a founding member of the Dramatic Truth Touring Company, traveling across the U.S. and Israel to perform. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO, where she received a BFA in Dance Performance, along with a BA in Business Administration and a Minor in Mathematics.

She has danced with Collin County Ballet Theatre in Plano, Texas, under the direction of Kirt Hathaway, and Western Oklahoma Ballet Theatre in Clinton, Oklahoma, under the direction of Penny Askew, performing in Peter & The Wolf, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and many original works.

Miss Porter will begin training Summer 2010 to obtain certification with the ABT Teacher Certification program. To become an ABT Certified Teacher, candidates must complete intensive training in the ABT National Training Curriculum and successfully pass comprehensive examination(s).

More information coming soon!

Mr. Williams is in his first season at Western Arkansas Ballet. He has trained and studied all forms of dance, having attended various workshops across the country. He trained under Michael Tidwell and was a principle dancer in the Tidwell Project and has danced and performed for many companies including: LA Culture Shock, a Nike Sponsored Hip-Hop Dance Team in Los Angeles, California, and the Nathan Burtons Comedy Magic Show in Osaka, Japan, NGK Theatre. 

His teaching credits include: Showbiz Convention as Master teacher for “The Class”, Instructor and Dance Coach for Hot Springs, AR, School District, Hip-Hop instructor for North Little Rock School of Dance, and Miss Sharon’s in Jacksonville, AR. 

Mr. Williams has also choreographed award winning pieces for dance studios all over the country.  He is currently still touring with Showbiz National Talent in backstage production.