Our Mission

Fenton Ballet Theatre is an organization committed to inspiring the community through classical ballet performance and exceptional dance training. We strive to maintain a disciplined environment with a focus on modesty using age-appropriate movement and material. Our goal is to reveal a child's true potential through developing a lifelong love of dance, movement, and appreciation of classical ballet.

“Dancing is my gift and my life... God gave me this gift to bring delight to others. I am haunted by the need to dance. It is the purest expression of every emotion, earthly and spiritual. It is happiness.”

— Anna Pavlova

Our Team

The best and brightest

Instructors

“The meaning of life is to find your gift; The purpose of life is to give it away.”

— Pablo Picasso

**Brooke Holvick**
Artistic Director
Ballet, Pointe, Variations, Pre-Pointe, PBT & Pilates

Brooke Holvick began her classical ballet training at the age of nine at the Brighton School of Ballet. Ms. Holvick continued her classical training under the direction of ballet master Thomas Morris at Alma College where she received her BFA in Theatre and Dance as well as departmental honors for her work in the dance department. As an Alma College Dance Company member, dancing on scholarship, she was given performance opportunities in numerous classical pieces as a soloist. Her repertoire includes *The Nutcracker, Swan Lake Act II, Aurora’s Wedding from The Sleeping Beauty, Pas de Quatre, Les Sylphides, Les Patineurs, Pas de Dix, La Bayadere,* among many others. Her lifelong love of the arts and passion for ballet led to the formation of Fenton Ballet Theatre.
Ms. Holvick is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is also a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor for Level 1 Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels. Ms. Holvick has also completed her certification in Progressing Ballet Technique, a revolutionary training program designed to enhance ballet technique and the overall strength of a dancer. In addition to her artistic and teaching work, Ms. Holvick also serves on the Board of Directors as the President of *Dancing for a Cure*, supporting families facing childhood cancer. Her goal is to bring the timeless beauty of ballet to Fenton and its surrounding areas, providing exceptional training in a professional environment.

**Abbie Kowalsky**
Office Manager

Abbie Kowalsky is from Milford Michigan, and has been dancing since the age of ten. She started her training at Modern Messages Dance Company doing ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. She was a member of her college dance team and continues to take ballet courses throughout her adult life.
Abbie has her degree in Fashion Merchandising, and has many years of experience as a retail manager. She loves her job at the studio where she handles day-to-day transactions, scheduling, and runs the Twirl Shop.

**Grace Martin**
Assistant Company Director Ballet,
Lyrical,
PBT

Grace Martin (French) is a dedicated dance educator with decades of experience as a dancer, choreographer, and mentor. Raised in Michigan, she studied dance and business at the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration while training extensively in ballet, pointe, modern, and contemporary techniques. Her foundational ballet training includes programs at American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, and The Rock School for Dance Education.
She is certified in the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum (Pre-Primary through Level 3) and holds additional certifications in Alixa Flexibility (Modules 1 & 2), Acrobatic Arts (Preschool & Module 1), and Pointe Safe. These programs reflect her commitment to safe, developmentally appropriate training rooted in dancer wellness and injury reduction.
Grace has choreographed for professional companies and pre-professional students across the state and the nation. Since she began teaching in 2012 she has been known for fostering confidence, strength, and artistry in every dancer she works with.
Outside the studio, Grace is the founder of The Assist, a nonprofit advocating for athlete rights and child safety in sport. Her advocacy work has earned international recognition, including awards from the ESPYs, Glamour, and the legal community.
At Fenton Ballet Theatre, Grace is proud to share her passion for classical ballet and to support the next generation of dancers through technically sound, encouraging, and thoughtful instruction.

**Christina Stefanic**
Ballet, Pointe, Variations, Jazz & Tap

Christina Stefanic started her dance training at the age of five at Pelio School of Dance in Flint, MI, where she studied ballet, tap, and jazz. She later joined Young People’s Ballet Theatre and danced there for eight years. Christina returned to Young People’s as a staff member in 2013 where she was a Rehearsal Director and the Company Manager. She performed solo and principal roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Beauty and the Beast, The Necklace, and Aladdin and 1.001 Nights. Christina has worked with many choreographers including: Dale Brannon, Ruth Midkiff, Judd Gibbs and Giusippe Canale. She has 12 years of experience teaching at a competitive dance school, and has judged at regional and national competitions across the US.
Christina holds a Bachelor’s of Science in education from the University of Michigan, and currently teaches 5th grade at Genesse STEM Academy. She also held a job as an expert pointe shoe fitter at the local dance store for 23 years. Christina loves teaching ballet, pointe, and jazz at Fenton Ballet Theatre where her daughter also attends.

**Dan Thompson**
Pas de deux & Ballet

Dan Thompson studied ballet in his early years with Robert Davis, a former professional dancer from Washington Ballet. He has taught and/or danced with Young People’s Ballet Theatre, Ballet Michigan, Flint Institute of Music, Romeo Nutcracker, MGM Dance, The University of Michigan Flint and UM Ann Arbor. He currently serves as the Artistic Director for the Nutcracker Ballet Theatre Company production in Port Huron. Dan’s specialty is Pas de Deux class. In addition to his ballet involvement, Dan is Vice-President of Trust Theatre Ensemble and works as an IT Manager at Landaal Packaging Systems. He has a degree in Computer Science, and has also studied technical theater at the University of Michigan-Flint. Dan's wife, Lori, who is a high school theatre teacher, also keeps him busy building the sets for her productions. Dan and Lori have three great kids.

**Alex Hlavaty** Contemporary

Alex Hlavaty graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University in May, 2015. He also studied in New York City with Gibney Dance and in Montréal with O Vertigo and Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal before joining Eisenhower Dance Detroit. He is currently dancing in his eighth season with EDD where he has performed and taught master classes nationally and internationally. He has set excerpts of original EDD repertory on high school and university students at summer intensives, workshops, and master classes. Mr. Hlavaty is also an avid choreographer and writer. His choreography has been performed in festivals, intensives, and competitions. His two most recent works were created on EDD’s professional company. He also has poetry published in the literary journal *The Laureate, 14th Edition* and has written for *DancePlug* online as a resource for dance students, professionals, and educators. He is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) - Junior, Senior, and Advanced programs, and strives to use PBT fundamentals to bring the best education to his students.

Mia Holvick

Student Teacher (Ballet)

Mia Holvick has been dancing for 15 years and has dedicated the past 9 years to intensive classical ballet training. A longtime member of Fenton Ballet Theatre, she has performed numerous principal roles throughout her youth career. Her training has also taken her to prestigious summer intensives with Grand Rapids Ballet, New York Dance Program, Charlotte Ballet, and Sarasota Ballet, where she continued to refine her artistry and technique.

Most recently, Miss Holvick has been featured in leading roles such as Aurora, Snow Queen, Arabian, and Clara in The Nutcracker. This season, she is honored to take the stage as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Outside the studio, Miss Holvick serves as the Secretary on the Board of Dancing for a Cure, where she is proud to help support meaningful community outreach and fundraising efforts for families fighting childhood cancer.

In addition to her performance accomplishments, Miss Holvick is passionate about sharing her love of ballet with younger dancers. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with Fenton Ballet Theatre’s students and to choreograph for the Mini Company. With plans to continue her training beyond high school, Mia is excited to further her growth both as a dancer and as an instructor.

Brianna Pannozzo

Jazz, Tap & Hip Hop

Bio Coming Soon

Andrea Salazar

Guest Faculty & Choreographer

Andi is a Chilean Choreographer, Dance Educator, Performer, and Sociologist. She got her BA degree in Sociology at UC of Chile, the same place where she founded Kazé Dance, a Contemporary dance company where she was the Artistic Director and Choreographer for eight years. In 2017, Andi relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, California, and obtained her MFA in Dance and Choreography from Mills College. There, she also had the opportunity to perform for choreographers such as Joe Landini nd Molissa Fenley, and showed her work along with her Dance Company “A Pulso Dance Project" at many festivals around the State. During her years in the Bay, Andi also worked as a faculty member at the Bay Area Ballet Conservatory, Shawl Anderson Dance Center, and as a Teaching Artist at Alonzo King Lines Ballet Dance Center. In 2023, she relocated to New York to keep her studies and joined the Master’s degree “Teaching Dance in the Profession: ABT Ballet Pedagogy” at New York University while working as a Teaching Artist for ABT and as an assistant at the ABT JKO School.

Bree Brownlee

Associate Artistic Director of Productions and Events

Bree Brownlee has dedicated her life to dance — as a champion Scottish Highland dancer, trained ballet artist, educator, and arts leader. Beginning her competitive Highland career at age four, Bree rose to become Midwest Regional Champion, United States National Champion, and 4th at the World Championships. She qualified for the U.S. National Championship eleven consecutive years, ranking in the top six nationally each time. She is registered teacher with ScotDance USA and the British Association of Teachers of Dancing.

Her dance training also includes classical ballet, lyrical, jazz, and tap. Bree performed extensively throughout her college career, culminating in the lead role of Swanilda in Coppélia. A graduate of Alma College with honors in Media & Mass Communications and Theatre/Dance, she was a member of the Alma College Dance Company studying under the direction of Tom Morris, and later received the 2009 Young Alumni Award for her artistic and community service achievements.

In addition to her dance background, Bree is an accomplished event planner and creative producer. Through her company, Bree Erin Brownlee Events, she has designed and managed celebrations ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale corporate and nonprofit events. Her work is known for its meticulous detail, imaginative design, and ability to create meaningful, memorable experiences. Within the Highland dance community, Bree has also served as chairperson for their internationally attended United States National Championships weekends in 2022, 2016, and 2010, and their upcoming 2028 event.

As ADP at Fenton Ballet Theatre, Bree blends her artistic expertise with her extensive event-planning experience. She oversees production design, backstage coordination, and organizational operations for FBT’s performances and special events, helping create exceptional experiences for dancers, families, and audiences alike.

Kim Light

Associate Technical Director

Kim Light has been a cornerstone of Fenton Ballet Theatre’s backstage team since 2019, bringing creativity, organization, and calm precision to every production. A lifelong theatre enthusiast, Kim first discovered her love of stagecraft in high school, where she was involved in technical theatre and backstage crew. That early passion evolved into her vital role at FBT, where she now serves as Associate Technical Director.

Kim supports all FBT productions and events throughout the year, assisting with technical planning, set movement, prop placement, and backstage coordination. She also serves as Assistant Stage Manager for every performance, ensuring dancers have what they need, transitions run smoothly, and every cue is met with seamless execution. Her ability to anticipate challenges and keep the backstage environment running effortlessly truly brings the magic to life on stage.

Beyond the theatre, Kim brings more than 13 years of professional experience in environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) services. She provides complex ESG solutions, supports remediation efforts for petroleum and chemical releases, manages UST/AST projects, and leads environmental operations across multiple regional offices. Her extensive background in project management, problem-solving, and operational leadership strengthens her work at FBT, where precision and reliability are essential. Kim also lends her logistical expertise to Bree Erin Brownlee Events, contributing to the planning and execution of creative and highly detailed celebrations.