Suzanne Pomerantzeff, fondly known by her students as Ms. P., is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director for the Academy. In 1969 Suzanne, along with Lester Jacobsen, founded the Academy and led the classes and summer intensives for the next forty years. ABA is home to the St. Petersburg Ballet Company and the St. Petersburg Folk Ensemble (Russian folk dance). Mrs. P. established a ballet program at St. Petersburg Junior College, (now known as St. Petersburg College), and was responsible for the development of the dance department at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts (PCCA) at Gibbs High School. She served as the Ballet Department Chairperson and was instrumental in bringing about the first annual Florida Dance Assessment, which was hosted for its inaugural year at PCCA.

Michelle received her early training at the School of the Tampa Ballet under the direction of Martin Freedman and Victoria Rockhill Schneider. After attending many summer intensive programs including Houston Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Boston Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet, Ms. Kuusela was offered a full scholarship to attend Pittsburgh Ballet’s year-round program. She spent her freshman year of high school training and performing with Pittsburgh Ballet under the direction of Patricia Wilde. Ms. Kuusela also had the privilege of working with many great teachers in Pittsburgh including Roberto Munez, Dana Arey, Gail Sullivan, and David Holladay.

Marsha began dancing at the Academy of Ballet Arts under the guidance of Suzanne Pomerantzeff and Lester Jacobsen. While training at the Academy, she performed in many ballets including the Red Shoes, Bouquet de Vienne, Match Girl, Le Petite Riens, and Coppelia among others. She performed at the opening of the original Dali Museum and at the Museum of Fine Arts. Marsha spent summers studying with Ballet West, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Milwaukee Ballet. Marhsa's early high school graduation led her to New York to study dance with Melissa Hayden and Wilhelm Burmann.

Brieanna Hynish is from St. Petersburg, FL. Starting her dance training at the age of three studying tap, clogging and jazz at beginning levels, Ms. Hynish had found her niche at an early age. By eight years old Ms. Hynish was competing in national Dance Competitions across the country in tap, clogging, jazz, and lyrical. While continuing her training for dance competitions Ms. Hynish discovered ballet at the age of 11, beginning her training under Mervet Elnabarawi and Wagih Aboelella at the Arts Middle school in St. Pete. She also expanded her training outside of school by attending the Academy of Ballet Arts Inc. under the direction of Suzanne Pomerantzeff.

Daniel Johnson graduated from Gibbs High School/PCCA/Dance in 2008. He attended The Boston Conservatory on a full tuition scholarship and graduated in 2012 with a major in Dance. Daniel then moved to New York City and joined the Nai Ni Chen Dance Company, where he remained for two years. They performed a style of modern contemporary dance mixed with martial arts and tai chi. Daniel then relocated to Asheville, North Carolina, where he taught in several local studios and performed in local productions. He is grateful for the opportunity to return to St. Petersburg and perform for his beloved home studio. Daniel would like to dedicate his performances to his precious young daughter, Izabella.

Noa Spector-Flock is a LMT and hold a Master degree in Education. Noa taught movement, wellness and injury prevention at the University of South Florida, at St. Petersburg College and in the Dance Department of Gibbs High School. In 2017 awarded a Fulbright grant as a specialist.

Noa has a private practice for muscle therapy and movement education since 1982 working on injuries and alignment issues.

Originally from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Emily Goonan began her training at the Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance under the direction of Jean Wolfmeyer and Crystal Kay-Curkeet Lavallee for 13 years. Emily completed a double major in Dance and Psychology with a Human Services emphasis at the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point in May of...

Sharon McCaman was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. She is an alumnus of the Academy of Ballet Arts where she trained from 1991-1999, as well as, an alumnus of the Pinellas County Center for the Arts. Later Sharon began pursuing her dance degree at St. Petersburg College where she earned her AA. She then went on to receive her BFA in Dance with a focus on Ballet at the University of South Florida in Tampa...