Our Valuable Staff Members
Brooke Kimet grew up in Erie, PA and brings over 22 years of diverse dance experience into her classroom. She received her foundational training from Christina Maria Adelhardt, James Dixon, Kim Howell, Carrie Frase, Eden Ihrig, Leslie Scalise, and Lea Bodine, and set her first original choreography at just 13 years old. Brooke holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Theology and a certificate in Business Management from Duquesne University.
While in college, she was a member of Steel City Dance Company for four seasons, where she also taught intermediate and advanced Contemporary. Since 2022, Brooke has continued to teach Contemporary at Sovereign Ballet, where she brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to movement and musicality.
In 2024, she returned to classical ballet training and has since performed in _Swan Lake_ (Swan Corps), Lake Erie Ballet’s _Erie’s Nutcracker Reimagined_ (Snow, Flowers, and Spanish Lead), and _Sleeping Beauty_ (Golden Vine Fairy and Gemstone).
Brooke is committed to creating a supportive and challenging class environment that encourages dancers to grow in both technical ability and artistic voice.
Dana has been an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Small Group Fitness Instructor for 6 years. Her passion for fitness has been life long, stemming from her time as a Collegiate Basketball and Cross County Athlete and continuing on to be a Masters CrossFit Competitor. Specializing in Strength and Conditioning, Boxing, Adaptive Boxing, and Active Aging, Dana focuses on creating an age and ability inclusive classroom where anyone can begin their fitness journey. Dana tailors her classes to strengthen and cross train dancers so they can reach their fullest physical potentials in and out of the studio.
Hannah Filbeck, originally from Erie Pennsylvania, grew up dancing with Sovereign Ballet, CADANCE Dance Company, and Mercyhurst University. She choreographed the one-act ballet “Kore” at Mercyhurst University in 2016 and produced “Home of the Free Because of the Brave”, a dance fundraiser for veterans, at Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy in 2017. As part of the Temple University Class of 2021 Hannah studied under notable teachers including Professors Kun Yang Lin, Jillian Harris, Merian Soto, Virgil Garson, Dr. Laura Katz Rizzo, and Dr. yonTande Whitney Hunter. She graduated from Temple University with a BFA in Dance and a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Business. She is the 2021 recipient of the Rose Vernick BFA Choreography Award.
Hannah has presented work through the Erie Festival of Dance, We Love Erie Days, Temple University Student Dance and BFA Concerts, D2D: Dare to Dance, and multiple dance competitions and conventions. Hannah worked as a Producer for the 2021 Erie Festival of Dance and the 2021 Lake Erie Ballet Nutcracker. She is currently the Social Media Coordinator and a Modern instructor for Sovereign Ballet.
Janna May Teed is a dedicated dancer with over 18 years of training and performance experience. She has performed a wide range of repertoire, from classical ballet to Irish works, and is known for her artistry, precision, and stage presence. In addition to performing, she has developed strong teaching and choreographic skills, inspiring younger dancers through mentorship and creative leadership. Passionate about growth and versatility, Janna continues to pursue opportunities that challenge her both technically and artistically, while sharing her love of dance with audiences and students alike.
Kelly Stolar is a native of Buffalo, N.Y., and a graduate of Allegheny College. Kelly was a dance instructor in the Buffalo area alongside her mother and for more than 10 years in Pittsburgh. Since moving to Erie in 2000, she has been an instructor with the American College Dance Festival, Erie Dance Conservatory, Erie Dance Theater, Kristin’s Dance Company, Mercyhurst University Summer Dance Experience, Mercyhurst North East Dance Institute, Mercyhurst University Carpe Diem Academy, and also as adjunct faculty for Mercyhurst University Dance Department and Mercyhurst University North East.
Kelly currently works as the Executive Director at the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House and is a Tap Instructor for Sovereign Ballet, the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House, Mercyhurst University Jump Start, and other guest teaching positions. She attends yearly dance workshops to remain current with her dance skills and the ever-changing dance climate.
In 2010 Kelly established Tap Essentials where she is the Volunteer Artistic Director. Tap Essentials was created to promote Tap dance and provide an opportunity for students studying at any studio in the Erie area to attend workshops and competitions outside Erie, PA. Each year Tap Essentials attends the New York City Dance Alliance regionals in Buffalo, NY. In 2014, nine dancers went to Nationals in New York City finishing 12th Overall of more than 100 groups from across the country! Various Tap Essentials dancers have been recognized with Regional Scholarships, Outstanding Dancer Awards, National Scholarships to NYC, plus many have been awarded dance scholarships to continue their education at the collegiate level. Kelly is proud of the success that the students from Tap Essentials have experienced and the opportunities she continues to offer to help broaden their dance education.
Kelly currently works as the Executive Director at the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House and is a Tap Instructor for Sovereign Ballet, the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House, Mercyhurst University Jump Start, and other guest teaching positions. She attends yearly dance workshops to remain current with her dance skills and the ever-changing dance climate.
In 2010 Kelly established Tap Essentials where she is the Volunteer Artistic Director. Tap Essentials was created to promote Tap dance and provide an opportunity for students studying at any studio in the Erie area to attend workshops and competitions outside Erie, PA. Each year Tap Essentials attends the New York City Dance Alliance regionals in Buffalo, NY. In 2014, nine dancers went to Nationals in New York City finishing 12th Overall of more than 100 groups from across the country! Various Tap Essentials dancers have been recognized with Regional Scholarships, Outstanding Dancer Awards, National Scholarships to NYC, plus many have been awarded dance scholarships to continue their education at the collegiate level. Kelly is proud of the success that the students from Tap Essentials have experienced and the opportunities she continues to offer to help broaden their dance education.
Madeline began her training in her hometown of Erie, PA at Lake Erie Ballet under the direction of Sharon Filone, Gina Illingsworth, Christina Maria Adelhardt, and Lesley Bories Scalise. In addition, she participated in Regional Dance America with Erie Dance Conservatory, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater’s summer program on scholarship, and competed in the Youth American Grand Prix in Chicago. Eager to learn and grow as a professional dancer, she attended master classes and workshops with other notable teachers and schools including Laura Alonso, Bruce Marks, Alvin Ailey 2, and Joffrey Ballet. Her training progressed when she furthered her studies and training while still in high school at Mercyhurst University’s Dance Department under Tauna Hunter. During this time she performed with the dance department and Lake Erie Ballet company as well.
After graduating high school she moved to Jackson, MS where she trained and toured with Ballet Magnificat! as a trainee. Later, she joined their School of the Arts staff where she taught and choreographed in addition to guest teaching throughout the Jackson Metro area in inner city programs and over in Santa Elena, Dominican Republic through Hispaniola Mountain Ministries. Upon discovering her newfound way of using dance to connect with others, she joined an arts ministry, Gallery 4 Italy, in Florence, Italy for a year.
After her time in Italy, she returned to Erie and taught and choreographed at Sovereign Ballet 2016-2018. This was followed by her five years in the Colorado Springs region as a resident instructor, guest teacher, and choreographer of classical and contemporary ballet for schools including A Time To Dance, Studio Iku, and Colorado Ballet Society.
Madeline is thrilled to return to Sovereign Ballet and to pass down the training and traditions of dance that have come from many before her.
After graduating high school she moved to Jackson, MS where she trained and toured with Ballet Magnificat! as a trainee. Later, she joined their School of the Arts staff where she taught and choreographed in addition to guest teaching throughout the Jackson Metro area in inner city programs and over in Santa Elena, Dominican Republic through Hispaniola Mountain Ministries. Upon discovering her newfound way of using dance to connect with others, she joined an arts ministry, Gallery 4 Italy, in Florence, Italy for a year.
After her time in Italy, she returned to Erie and taught and choreographed at Sovereign Ballet 2016-2018. This was followed by her five years in the Colorado Springs region as a resident instructor, guest teacher, and choreographer of classical and contemporary ballet for schools including A Time To Dance, Studio Iku, and Colorado Ballet Society.
Madeline is thrilled to return to Sovereign Ballet and to pass down the training and traditions of dance that have come from many before her.
Mona Cole-Coyle grew up in Erie, PA and began dancing
at the age of two. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, musical
theater, and baton. She began cheerleading in high
school, fostering a lifelong love of cheer. She continued
her dance education with swing, Latin, and ballroom
dance and became a Certified Zumba instructor in 2017.
Mona became a staff member of the Warren Extreme
Athletics Cheer Coaching Staff with a focus on tumbling,
strength, and conditioning. Currently, she is working
towards her teaching certification with Acrobatic Arts.
She looks forward to helping her students incorporate
their flexibility and strength into their love of dance.
at the age of two. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, musical
theater, and baton. She began cheerleading in high
school, fostering a lifelong love of cheer. She continued
her dance education with swing, Latin, and ballroom
dance and became a Certified Zumba instructor in 2017.
Mona became a staff member of the Warren Extreme
Athletics Cheer Coaching Staff with a focus on tumbling,
strength, and conditioning. Currently, she is working
towards her teaching certification with Acrobatic Arts.
She looks forward to helping her students incorporate
their flexibility and strength into their love of dance.
Scott Johnson was born and raised in Erie, PA and began studying partnering at Marquerite’s Academy of Dance in 1991. He worked to expanded the scope of the Marguerite’s partnering program to include more high flying lifts and throws. In 2000, Scott traveled to Australia
to perform at venues for The 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. In 2008, Scott formally began teaching at Dance Vibe Dance Studio and became a staff member at Sovereign Ballet in 2016.
to perform at venues for The 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. In 2008, Scott formally began teaching at Dance Vibe Dance Studio and became a staff member at Sovereign Ballet in 2016.
Tauna Hunter is Professor Emeritus and retired Chair of Dance at Mercyhurst University (1994-2019). She began her dance training with Willam F. Christensen and continued at the University of Utah where she earned B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in ballet performance and choreography. She performed as a principal dancer with Ballet West and Dallas Ballet and appeared as a guest artist with Ballet Concerto, Colorado Ballet, David Taylor Dance Theatre, Northern Ballet Theatre (England), The Pavlova Celebration International Tour and numerous regional companies throughout the United States. During her affiliation with Ballet West, she worked under the guidance of Bruce Marks and Toni Lander and received critical acclaim as one of the company’s leading ballerinas. In 1982, she placed as a semi-finalist at the II International Competition in Jackson Mississippi. In 1985, she co-founded DANSOURCE, a national networking and information service that connected dancers and companies for over ten years. As its’ Managing Director, she was highlighted in “Megatrends 2000” and featured in “Success” Magazine as a trendsetter in the future of the arts. Ms. Hunter has appeared in all the major roles of the classical repertoire and has taught for companies, universities, and private schools throughout the United States and in England, Canada, and China. She has staged numerous full-length classical ballets and choreographed over twenty-five contemporary works. For 10 years she was a Guest Artist in Residence for the Interlochen Arts Academy summer dance program and in 2023 she taught workshops for Joffrey South, University of GA, Ballet Concerto, Margo Dean’s School of Dance, Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre, Mercyhurst Summer Dance Experience and the Cleveland Ballet Conservatory. She has been honored with the Chautauqua Artist Teacher Award, Erie Arts and Culture Lifetime Achievement Award, the University of Utah Legacy Award and was highlighted in the July 2017 issue of Dance Teacher Magazine. She currently serves on the Advisory Boards of Ballet Concerto (TX) and Dance Now Miami! (FL). She has also served as Chair of the Erie Arts and Culture board, on the University of Utah Artistic Advisory Council, the National Association of Schools of Dance board and locally acted as artistic advisor to Lake Erie Ballet for eighteen years as well as serving as President and Chairman of the board for the Erie Dance Consortium (Erie, PA) from 2000-2010. For the 2024-25 season she is teaching for Erie Dance Conservatory, Mercy Hilltop Senior Center, Mercyhurst University, and Sovereign Ballet. Ms. Hunter has been married to Michael S. Gleason for 37 years and they have a 30-year-old daughter, Caitlin. When she is not teaching, coaching, or staging ballets, she enjoys traveling with her family, gardening, and golfing. As a breast cancer survivor, she actively supports breast cancer awareness.