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Staff

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ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CO-FOUNDER

RACHAEL GNATOWSKI

Rachael Gnatowski co-founded New England Ballet Theatre in January 2020. Over the past five years, the New England Ballet Theatre team has produced seven original full-length ballets, commissioned eight new works by renowned and emerging choreographers, and reached hundreds of patrons across New England.

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DEVELOPMENT & CREATIVE PROJECTS MANAGER

FIONA BURLIN

Fiona Burlin began her training at the Ballet Theatre of Toledo. Fiona graduated with a BS in Dance Arts Administration and a minor in English Literature from Butler University.  Fiona joined NEBT in 2020 as a founding company member.

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ADAPTIVE DANCE COORDINATOR

TAMAR COHEN

Tamar Cohen graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a major in Communication and Storytelling in the Arts and a minor in Educational Studies. In 2024, Tamar completed Boston Ballet School's Adaptive Dance Teacher Training.

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STUDIO MANAGER

SYDNEY D'ORSO

Sydney D'Orso grew up in Ridgefield, Connecticut where she trained with the MacDonald-Pin Dancers. Sydney  holds a BFA in Ballet, a BA in English, and a Certificate in Professional Writing from the University of Cincinnati. 

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DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

LUNA ESMERODE

Luna Esmerode, began her serious dance training with Benicia Ballet in Benicia, California. Luna went on to graduate from the University of Utah with a B.F.A. in Ballet, an Hon B.A. in English, and a minor in Russian. 

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TRAINEE PROGRAM SUPERVISOR

MEGGIE PETERSON

Margaret (Meggie) Peterson began her ballet training at Dance Centre North in Syracuse, NY. Meggie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Minor in Mathematics from Mercyhurst University.

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FACULTY & WOMEN'S COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR

RACHEL SMITH

Originally from Plymouth, MA Rachel trained with Boston Ballet School, South Shore Ballet Theater, and The Brookline Ballet School. Rachel has danced professionally with American Midwest Ballet.

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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS MANAGER

EMILY WISEMAN

Originally from New Hope, Pennsylvania Emily trained year-round with the Joffrey Ballet School in Dallas, Texas, and has danced professionally with Avant Chamber Ballet and Cleveland Ballet.

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New England Ballet Theatre

860-255-7767

302 W Main St

Suite 102

Avon, CT 06001

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New England Ballet Theatre of Connecticut, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 corporation.

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