Artistic Staff & Studio Tour
Studio R Ballet (SRB) is dedicated to superior ballet training and technique. Ballet is the basis of all dance and is valuable to all physical activities. It teaches discipline and dedication while cultivating a respect for the fine arts. We are committed to providing a reasonably strict yet nurturing and safe environment for our students to study ballet—where they will develop self-esteem, self-discipline, and physical strength and flexibility as they find joy in dancing and an invaluable sense of accomplishment. SRB also strives to produce professional-level artists and technicians. We invite you to join in the rise of one of Arizona's finest classical ballet schools.
Artistic Staff
The Artistic Staff at Studio R Ballet is composed of world-class professional ballet instructors that provide classical ballet training for dancers of all ages. Under the artistic direction of studio founder Robbin Elowe our team educates, nurtures, and inspires beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers of all ambitions, recreational through professional. Click a picture below to learn more about each of our talented artists.
Robbin Holley-Elowe
Founder and Artistic Director of Studio R Ballet. Trained on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet and danced professionally with Ballet West, Ballet Arizona, and others. Over 30 years of teaching at an elite level.
Read Robbin's bioRobbin Holley-Elowe
Sarah Carr
Trained under Robbin Elowe at SRB since 2010 and a member of the BYU-Idaho dance program. Heads SRB's Introductory Division and performs adult roles in SRB productions each year.
Read Sarah's bioSarah Carr
Paola Hartley
Former soloist with Ballet de Santiago and Ballet Arizona. Trained at UNC School of the Arts and has performed leading classical and Balanchine roles internationally.
Read Paola's bioPaola Hartley
Ilir Shtylla
Originally from Albania. Principal dancer with Azerbaijan Opera Ballet Theatre and Ballet Arizona, soloist with Carolina Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre. Trained on full scholarship at SAB and The Rock School.
Read Ilir's bioIlir Shtylla
Heather Haar
Twelve-year professional career including seven seasons with Ballet Arizona and five with Nevada Ballet Theater. Trained in Hawaii and Hartford. Now passionately teaches and choreographs.
Read Heather's bioHeather Haar
Kylee Peterson
First-class student of Studio R Ballet and longtime performer. Now teaches Pre-Ballet and lower Formal Division levels and currently resides with her husband and son in the Mesa area.
Read Kylee's bioKylee Peterson
Monika Peltz
Professional dancer with Ballet Iowa, Iowa Dance Theatre, and Vine Street Ballet. Bolshoi Ballet Teacher Certification Level 1, with deep training in Bournonville and Vaganova techniques.
Read Monika's bioMonika Peltz
Rachel Esplin Freeman
Trained under Russian masters including Yanina Cwyinska and Richard Cammack. Performed with University of Utah and Ballet West and earned the William F. Christensen Scholarship.
Read Rachel's bioRachel Esplin Freeman
Chelsea Neiss
A Phoenix native with a BA in dance from Cal State Fullerton who has danced for Disneyland Resorts, Attack Theatre, Atlanta Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, DCDC, and Arizona Opera.
Read Chelsea's bioChelsea Neiss
Arianni Martin
Trained at the National Ballet School in Havana and danced as a soloist with the National Ballet of Cuba before joining Ballet Arizona, where she performed principal roles across the classical and Balanchine repertoire.
Read Arianni's bioArianni Martin
Amy Randall
Trained in the San Francisco Bay Area with a degree in early childhood education and development, and 25 years of experience teaching children.
Read Amy's bioAmy Randall
Kate Whitfield
An SRB alumna of 12 years who competed at Youth America Grand Prix, trained at the University of Utah, and taught in ballet schools across Paris.
Read Kate's bioKate Whitfield
Lincoln Wright
A class pianist of over 30 years who has played for Boston Ballet, Ballet Arizona, ASU, and Master Ballet Academy.
Read Lincoln's bioLincoln Wright
Alejandro Mendez
Trained in Camaguey, Cuba and a member of the National Ballet of Cuba before joining Ballet Arizona, where he has performed principal and soloist roles across the classical and Balanchine repertoire.
Read Alejandro's bioAlejandro Mendez
Nayon Iovino
A guest artist and instructor at Studio R Ballet. Full biography coming soon.
Read Nayon's bioNayon Iovino
Robbin Holley-Elowe
Founder and Artistic Director of Studio R Ballet. Trained on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet and danced professionally with Ballet West, Ballet Arizona, and others. Over 30 years of teaching at an elite level.
Read Robbin's bioRobbin Holley-Elowe
Sarah Carr
Trained under Robbin Elowe at SRB since 2010 and a member of the BYU-Idaho dance program. Heads SRB's Introductory Division and performs adult roles in SRB productions each year.
Read Sarah's bioSarah Carr
Paola Hartley
Former soloist with Ballet de Santiago and Ballet Arizona. Trained at UNC School of the Arts and has performed leading classical and Balanchine roles internationally.
Read Paola's bioPaola Hartley
Ilir Shtylla
Originally from Albania. Principal dancer with Azerbaijan Opera Ballet Theatre and Ballet Arizona, soloist with Carolina Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre. Trained on full scholarship at SAB and The Rock School.
Read Ilir's bioIlir Shtylla
Heather Haar
Twelve-year professional career including seven seasons with Ballet Arizona and five with Nevada Ballet Theater. Trained in Hawaii and Hartford. Now passionately teaches and choreographs.
Read Heather's bioHeather Haar
Kylee Peterson
First-class student of Studio R Ballet and longtime performer. Now teaches Pre-Ballet and lower Formal Division levels and currently resides with her husband and son in the Mesa area.
Read Kylee's bioKylee Peterson
Monika Peltz
Professional dancer with Ballet Iowa, Iowa Dance Theatre, and Vine Street Ballet. Bolshoi Ballet Teacher Certification Level 1, with deep training in Bournonville and Vaganova techniques.
Read Monika's bioMonika Peltz
Rachel Esplin Freeman
Trained under Russian masters including Yanina Cwyinska and Richard Cammack. Performed with University of Utah and Ballet West and earned the William F. Christensen Scholarship.
Read Rachel's bioRachel Esplin Freeman
Chelsea Neiss
A Phoenix native with a BA in dance from Cal State Fullerton who has danced for Disneyland Resorts, Attack Theatre, Atlanta Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, DCDC, and Arizona Opera.
Read Chelsea's bioChelsea Neiss
Arianni Martin
Trained at the National Ballet School in Havana and danced as a soloist with the National Ballet of Cuba before joining Ballet Arizona, where she performed principal roles across the classical and Balanchine repertoire.
Read Arianni's bioArianni Martin
Amy Randall
Trained in the San Francisco Bay Area with a degree in early childhood education and development, and 25 years of experience teaching children.
Read Amy's bioAmy Randall
Kate Whitfield
An SRB alumna of 12 years who competed at Youth America Grand Prix, trained at the University of Utah, and taught in ballet schools across Paris.
Read Kate's bioKate Whitfield
Lincoln Wright
A class pianist of over 30 years who has played for Boston Ballet, Ballet Arizona, ASU, and Master Ballet Academy.
Read Lincoln's bioLincoln Wright
Alejandro Mendez
Trained in Camaguey, Cuba and a member of the National Ballet of Cuba before joining Ballet Arizona, where he has performed principal and soloist roles across the classical and Balanchine repertoire.
Read Alejandro's bioAlejandro Mendez
Nayon Iovino
A guest artist and instructor at Studio R Ballet. Full biography coming soon.
Read Nayon's bioNayon Iovino
Our Studio
Conveniently located in East Mesa, our studio is a blend of contemporary and traditional design featuring spacious, column-free dance studios, a comfortable waiting and lobby area, and great student amenities. Click each picture below to learn more about that space.
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