Guest Instructors

Jennifer Hart

Hailed as a choreographer “with an imagination so exuberant that one could not be sure how one movement led to the next” and “not only inventive but heart-rending,” Jennifer Hart has been commissioned by Ballet Austin, Ballet Austin ll, Ballet Nouveau Colorado (now Wonderbound), James Sewell Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theater, The Walker Art Center’s Momentum Series, The McKnight Fellowship for Dancers, Metropolitan Ballet Project, University of Kansas, University of Massachusetts, Lawrence Ballet Theatre, Halcyon Dance Project in San Francisco, and Merick Strategies for its production of Leonard Bernstein's “Mass” and “Icons of Broadway Holiday Spectacular.” In July, 2022, Hart was one of four choreographers selected for National Choreographers Initiative. In 2011, Hart was awarded a New York City Ballet Fellowship and won third place at the Saint-Sauveur International Choreography Competition. She received second place at Ballet Nouveau Colorado’s choreography competition, and was one of three winners of the University of Kansas’ competitive choreography competition. She was chosen three times to present work at Ballet Builders, New Choreographer’s on Point in NYC. She was commissioned by University of Massachusetts in the fall of 2013; the work was chosen for the National College Dance Festival at the Kennedy Center, June 2014. In 2024, she was a finalist in the Palm Desert Choreography Festival. In 2014, she formed Performa/Dance with Ballet Austin dancer Edward Carr. Performa/Dance launched its inaugural show. Ignite: Three Works, in June, 2014. Her work for Performa/Dance was awarded four Austin Critic’s Table awards for Best Short Work (“On Truth and Love”and "Camille: A Story of Art and Love"), Best Choreographer  ("Fellow Travelers" and “Murmuration"), and Best Dance Concert (Ignite: Three Works). Along with her work in concert dance, she has choreographed and performed cabaret shorts for nightclubs and television, and has begun working in video. She trained at Minnesota Dance Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. Her performing career includes Minnesota Dance Theater, Ballet of the Dolls, and L.A Chamber Ballet, as well as independent choreographers. She choreographs for Ballet Austin’s apprentices and Fellowship recipients, teaches full-time in the academy and apprentice program, and serves as Curriculum Director of the school where she sets syllabus and leads training for academy teachers. She has taught master classes nationwide, including Ballet Arkansas, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Chamberlain School of Ballet in Plano, Texas, University of Kansas, University of Massachusetts, Dance Center of San Antonio, and Greater San Antonio Academy of Ballet.

Alexa Maxwell

Alexa Maxwell was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She studied dance at other schools before enrolling at the Minnesota Dance Theatre, where her teachers included Lise Houlton and NYCB alumna Gloria Govrin. While there, Alexa performed in Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy in the roles of Snow, Party Scene, and Tea (Divertissement III). In 2009, she began training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, studying under Marcia Dale Weary and Darla Hoover. During the summer of 2012, Ms. Maxwell attended a summer session at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, and enrolled as a full-time student later that same year. Ms. Maxwell became an apprentice with NYCB in December 2012 and joined the Company as a corps de ballet member in November 2013. Since joining, Alexa has danced featured roles in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Alexei Ratmansky, Justin Peck, Christopher Wheeldon, Peter Martins, Kyle Abraham, and more. She was promoted to soloist in April 2023.

Caitlin Mejia

From the age of 3, Caitlin Mejia knew she was a dancer and built her life around the artistry and discipline of ballet. Caitlin is the Co-Owner and Executive Director of Curio Dance, a family-owned and operated dance studio that has proudly served the Stillwater community for the past 12 years. As Curio's Ballet Program Director, she is passionate about developing strong technical foundations while inspiring artistry, curiosity, and confidence in dancers of all ages. Her professional performance career includes iLuminate at New World Stages Off-Broadway, Radio City Music Hall, Broadway in the Park, and America's Got Talent. She also performed with Minnesota Dance Theatre in numerous classical and contemporary works, including Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy. The Nutcracker Fantasy holds an especially meaningful place in Caitlin's heart. She grew up performing in the production with Minnesota Dance Theatre, dancing many cherished roles throughout the years, including her favorite, the Sugar Plum Fairy. It was also there that she met her husband, Dario Mejia, who now performs the beloved role of Drosselmeyer. Returning as a guest teaching artist is a true full-circle moment, and she is honored to help inspire the next generation of dancers while sharing in a tradition that has meant so much to her family. Caitlin has taught ballet throughout the Twin Cities for more than two decades and has served as Ballet Program Director at several studios. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota and has trained with the School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, and Minnesota Dance Theatre.