Meet the Team!
Sabrina Han
Studio Owner & Teacher
Sabrina Han took over NWBC in 2021, but has been with the studio since 2017. She has trained in jazz, contemporary, ballet, modern, tap, and some street styles as well. She competed for 4 years with the Dulcineas Dance Team, a WIAA award winning team, under the direction of Kathryn Noonan. Her BFA degree with a double major in Dance and Education (ECO) was obtained from UW in 2019. She has had the opportunity of studying under/performing and collaborating with Brian Brooks, Carlye Eckert, Jennifer Salk, Rachel Lincoln, Hannah Wiley, Bruce McCormick, Wilson Mendieta, Steven Sofia, Etienne Cakpo, Brian Evans, Alethea Alexander, Dani Tirrell, Brandin Steffensen and many other artists. She has produced her own works, “perspective” and “moments” at UW in 2018/2019. While at NWBC, Sabrina has developed its jazz and contemporary programs, as well as, start the very first NWBC Dance Team in 2021. As Sabrina’s love for dance grows, she wants to continue exploring dance and how it can connect with other parts of life, choreograph meaningful work, and run/teach at NWBC!
Vivian Larsen
Teacher
Vivian Larsen is a teacher, choreographer, and performance artist. She has recently received her BFA in dance from Cornish College of the Arts. Vivian began training at seven in Las Vegas. She has trained in contemporary, ballet, modern, lyrical, and jazz. Vivian studied at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts high school, Las Vegas Dance Academy, and Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. After moving to Seattle, Vivian performed and choreographed in many Cornish productions and student-produced work. Vivian is currently teaching and choreographing in the Seattle area and is excited to work with the students of NWBC!
Vanessa Fontaine
Teacher
Vanessa Fontaine (she/her) is a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer based in Seattle. Originally from Las Vegas, NV, Vanessa attended Cornish College of the Arts and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance in 2024. Currently, Vanessa is a performer at Julia’s On Broadway, the longest running drag cabaret in Seattle. Vanessa loves all forms of live theatre, and loves to share her passion with her students!
Katelyn Kingham
Teacher
Originally from Illinois, Katelyn grew up in Huntsville, AL, where she began dancing at a local studio. After high school, she moved to Dallas to tour with Ingredients Dance Company. She then returned to Alabama to dance and instruct at several studios. In 2019, Katelyn continued her education at Nashville Ballet’s pre-professional program before moving to Seattle to attend Cornish College of the Arts. She has since performed with Cornish Dance Theatre, Artists at the Center, and MadArt installations. With a BFA in Dance, Katelyn is excited to return to teaching and share her love of dance with the community.
Jude Myers
Teacher
Jude is a NWBC 2022 Alumni! He spent his last few years of high school dedicating his time in the studio. Multiple days a week training in the upper level ballet classes and several other styles in the masterclasses. He has trained under Sabrina Han, Andrea Byrd, and Shira Liore. Jude will be entering his 3rd year of teaching the Pre-Ballet levels at NWBC, while working on getting his college degree. He is so excited and ready to work with the dancers!
Clara Hanley
Teacher
Clara has been dancing at NWBC for 10 years with the studio and was a teachers aide for two years in classes with teacher Sabrina and teacher Jude. She is stoked to continue to be able to dance with you all. She has danced under teacher Sabrina and teacher Rose and several other teachers who have since retired. She graduated spring of 2024 and is now attends Edmonds college, where she will be working on her musical education degree. She enjoys working with kids and helping them find the joys of dancing. She is so excited to meet the dancers!
Fawnia Chauvaux
Teacher
Fawnia Chauvaux has an extensive movement background in Dance, Yoga, and Physical Therapy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Washington with emphasis on World Dance and Culture and has studied: Ballet, Jazz, Modern, African, Brazilian, and Latin dance. She has been teaching a variety of dance to all ages since 1999. She is also a Certified Yoga Teacher and teaches Yoga for kids and adults. She has experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant teaching kids with developmental delays and special needs and adults in Outpatient and Home Health.
Lauralee Smith-Dewey
Teacher (Retired)
Lauralee Smith-Dewey is a retired certified Montessori Teacher. At the age of 19, with a strong desire to dance, she walked into Martha Nishitani’s 1970 modern dance class, and has never stopped since! She has since studied dance with several of Seattle’s local instructors: 1974 Nikitins School of Dance (Jazz/Ballet), 1977 Gwen Barker (Classical Ballet), 1980 Laura Denke (Pointe), 1992 Rae McCaul-Northwest Ballet Center (Performed on Pointe at age 40!), 1996 Ray Bussey (Jazz). Lauralee has also taken many open level adult classes at the Pacific Northwest Ballet school throughout her life in Seattle and Bellevue. In Ray Bussey’s class, she met Elizabeth Reyes, who mentored her at Northwest Ballet Center, first as a performer, and then as a teacher. She began teaching Pre-ballet classes for the 3-5 year age groups and continued with her “All Mixed Up” combination of Hip Hop, Jazz, and Ballet. It’s definitely a favorite with all age groups. Supporting her fellow instructors, and the entire community of dance at Northwest Ballet Center, at age 70 she continues her passion for dance.
Elizabeth Reyes
Teacher (Retired)
Elizabeth has been teaching for over 40 years. She was enrolled in dance classes at the age of 3 after her mother found her dressed in crinolines with album cover fans, dancing to Bolero. She has studied ballet, jazz, modern and tap. Instructors: Perry Brunson, Ray Bussey, Pat Hon, Dale Merrill, Jerry Tassin, Phyllis Legters, Mary Cowden Snyder, Joanne Nix, Betty Stipek, Rae McCaul Performance: Dance Theater of the North, Repertory Dancers Northwest, Colleen Corkery’s Jazz Ballet Choreography: company repertoire, musicals, public television clips, community fairs
