School of Ballet 5:8 Staff
We value having trusted, experienced professionals in our classroom. All of our teachers have extensive backgrounds as professional artists and educators. We are proud to bring in renowned guest instructors throughout the year to give our students a well-rounded dance education. All staff are background checked and trained in Julianna Rubio Slager's comprehensive training syllabus.
Julianna Rubio Slager
Artistic Director & Co-Founder
Program Directors
Sarah Clarke
Trainee & Conservatory Program Co-Director
Samuel Opsal
Trainee & Conservatory Program Co-Director
Miranda Rubio Opsal
Pre-Professional Division Co-Director
Valerie Linsner
Pre-Professional Division Co-Director
Katrina Clarke
Children’s & Youth Division Director
Jeremy Slager
Executive Director
Haley Dahlberg
Senior Studio Manager
Victoria Bush
Studio Manager
Instructors & Staff
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Grace Blando
Children & Youth Division Instructor, Beverly Campus Lead Teacher
Lilly Howerton
Children & Youth Division & Adult Instructor, Outreach Campus Instructor
Ella Lincoln
Children & Youth Division Instructor
Selah Strong
Youth Division Instructor
Kayla Kowach
Children, Youth, and Adult Division Instructor
Amy Kozol Sanderson
Executive Director Emeritus, Conservatory & Adult Instructor
John Szwast
Boys’ Dance Instructor
Kristopher Estes- Brown
Trainee & Conservatory Program Instructor
Rebecca Jones
Children & Youth Division & Adult Instructor
Kim Sagami
Trainee Program Instructor
Autumn Stull
Children & Youth Division & Adult Instructor
Ford Tackett
Children, Youth and Adult Division Instructor
Sophia Snider
Wellness Coordinator
Jenni Richards
Front Desk Team
Elizabeth Tjia
Children & Youth Division Instructor
Lorianne Robertson
Head of Wardrobe & Costume Design
Margaret Fitz
Pre-Professional Program & Adult Instructor
Melanie Rodrigues
School of Ballet 5:8 Wardrobe Coordinator
Guest Instructors
Lauren Ader-Cumpston
Guest Instructor & Former Ballet 5:8 Lead Artist
Board of Directors
Rather than having an owner, like a for-profit business, Ballet 5:8 is managed by its Executive and Artistic Directors and is governed by a Board of Directors. The board is made up of a group of community members, representing a wide range of professional expertise, who volunteer to oversee the organization, ensure that it is operating with integrity and that it is always working to fulfill its stated mission.
Cynthia Newland, President
Founder and Director of Alible3 and Dancer Wellness Care, Dance Educator at Belhaven University and Palm Beach Atlantic University
Caitlin Wuethrich, Treasurer
CEO of Caitlin Wuethrich Media
Mia Calabrese, Secretary
Dance Studio Consultant, Owner of Tendu by Miss Mia
Director of Operations, Colorado Ballet Society