Bianca Starr, MA & MSc is an alignment and safe dance specialist with an expertise in teaching adult beginning ballet.
Originally trained as a classical ballet dancer, Bianca's extensive training included a summer in England under the tutelage of Madame Monzani, who was ballet instructor to members of the Royal family. She went on to study modern Martha Graham technique under the renowned Diane Gray (a modern dance icon) and has extensive Argentine Tango experience. In more recent years she has studied contemporary dance in Berlin and Paris culminating in a dance residency there in the summer of 2019.
Originally from the Denver area, Bianca is the teaching protégée of her favorite instructor, retired principal ballerina and Master Teacher, Christina Noel-Adcock. As a teacher she has also trained with living dance method legends Finis Jhung and Eric Franklin. In 2013, and again in 2015, Bianca was selected via blind abstract submission process to present at the annual conference for the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science. She has a passion for dance kinesiology and teaching safe ways to move with both grace and power. Bianca began assisting Dr. Ginny Wilmerding with her instruction of the Dance Kinesiology class at University of New Mexico in autumn of 2013. She has also continued her professional education at West Side Dance Physical Therapy in New York City. Bianca has guest taught ballet for adults and kids for many studios and professional companies and has even guest taught in Paris and Berlin.
Her program, Bianca Lily Ballet (Bianca Lily Productions, LLC) began its adult Intro Ballet course in 2010 and has sold out every time it has been offered since August of 2013! Currently Bianca Lily Ballet offers ballet and stretching classes for adults of all levels, backgrounds, and body types. Since earning her MSc in Exercise and Nutrition Science Bianca has also provides one-on-one plant based, microbiome focused nutrition and functional wellness consultations.
Bianca holds an MA in Dance Performance from the University of Limerick and an MSc in Exercise & Nutrition Science through the University of Chester.
Originally trained as a classical ballet dancer, Bianca's extensive training included a summer in England under the tutelage of Madame Monzani, who was ballet instructor to members of the Royal family. She went on to study modern Martha Graham technique under the renowned Diane Gray (a modern dance icon) and has extensive Argentine Tango experience. In more recent years she has studied contemporary dance in Berlin and Paris culminating in a dance residency there in the summer of 2019.
Originally from the Denver area, Bianca is the teaching protégée of her favorite instructor, retired principal ballerina and Master Teacher, Christina Noel-Adcock. As a teacher she has also trained with living dance method legends Finis Jhung and Eric Franklin. In 2013, and again in 2015, Bianca was selected via blind abstract submission process to present at the annual conference for the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science. She has a passion for dance kinesiology and teaching safe ways to move with both grace and power. Bianca began assisting Dr. Ginny Wilmerding with her instruction of the Dance Kinesiology class at University of New Mexico in autumn of 2013. She has also continued her professional education at West Side Dance Physical Therapy in New York City. Bianca has guest taught ballet for adults and kids for many studios and professional companies and has even guest taught in Paris and Berlin.
Her program, Bianca Lily Ballet (Bianca Lily Productions, LLC) began its adult Intro Ballet course in 2010 and has sold out every time it has been offered since August of 2013! Currently Bianca Lily Ballet offers ballet and stretching classes for adults of all levels, backgrounds, and body types. Since earning her MSc in Exercise and Nutrition Science Bianca has also provides one-on-one plant based, microbiome focused nutrition and functional wellness consultations.
Bianca holds an MA in Dance Performance from the University of Limerick and an MSc in Exercise & Nutrition Science through the University of Chester.
Other Instructors (Present)
Diana MacNeil (Modern, Ballet, Pointe)
A California native, Diana was a long time professional modern dancer and member of the Lewitzky Dance Company. She was also the head of dance at the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts and has taught and choreographed for the the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Loyola Marymount University, Occidental College, The Cerritos Center for the Arts and the Yorke Dance Project, to name a few. Her choreography, costuming and performance skills have reaped several Horton awards. She teaches pointe and ballet as well as the occasional modern dance class and choreography workshop. We are honored and lucky to have this special legacy dancer as part of our New Mexico community!
A California native, Diana was a long time professional modern dancer and member of the Lewitzky Dance Company. She was also the head of dance at the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts and has taught and choreographed for the the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Loyola Marymount University, Occidental College, The Cerritos Center for the Arts and the Yorke Dance Project, to name a few. Her choreography, costuming and performance skills have reaped several Horton awards. She teaches pointe and ballet as well as the occasional modern dance class and choreography workshop. We are honored and lucky to have this special legacy dancer as part of our New Mexico community!
Alex Ossadnik (Ballet, Strength Training, Private Lessons)
Alex came up through government scholarship and professional training at the prestigious Palucca School in Dresden, Germany. He performed with the Ballet Theatre de Bordeaux in France and was a principal dancer with the German National Theatre Weimar. Moving to the United States in 1995, he has worked with numerous companies as a teacher, ballet master, choreographer, and artistic director. His classes are known for being both revelatory and full of humor. Alex is a student favorite at Bianca Lily Ballet!
Alex came up through government scholarship and professional training at the prestigious Palucca School in Dresden, Germany. He performed with the Ballet Theatre de Bordeaux in France and was a principal dancer with the German National Theatre Weimar. Moving to the United States in 1995, he has worked with numerous companies as a teacher, ballet master, choreographer, and artistic director. His classes are known for being both revelatory and full of humor. Alex is a student favorite at Bianca Lily Ballet!
Elyse Fahey (Ballet, Contemporary Jazz - coming soon!)
Elyse is a dancer, choreographer, producer, studio owner, and dance teacher. She has danced professionally for the last 17 years, performing locally, nationally, and internationally. Elyse is the executive director of Studio Sway, a community hub for independent and freelance dance artists, where she offers workshops and intensives, facilitates improvisation experiences, and hosts informal performances. She has guest taught for New Mexico Ballet Company, Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts, The Public Academy for Performing Arts, Albuquerque Dance Connect, Carmel Dance Festival’s Choreography Fellowship, Dance Theatre Southwest, and SoloCoreografico, an international solo choreography festival held in Germany, Italy, and France. Elyse has 34 years of dance training and experience. She has studied extensively in jazz, ballet, Graham, Limón, and Cunningham techniques, West African dance, Afro Cuban dance, and improvisation. She was a scholarship student at The Merce Cunningham Studio in New York City in 2005 and 2006. Her training also includes study in gymnastics, circus arts, martial arts, Pilates, Gyrotonic, Gyrokinesis, Feldenkrais, yoga, and Butoh.
Elyse is a dancer, choreographer, producer, studio owner, and dance teacher. She has danced professionally for the last 17 years, performing locally, nationally, and internationally. Elyse is the executive director of Studio Sway, a community hub for independent and freelance dance artists, where she offers workshops and intensives, facilitates improvisation experiences, and hosts informal performances. She has guest taught for New Mexico Ballet Company, Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts, The Public Academy for Performing Arts, Albuquerque Dance Connect, Carmel Dance Festival’s Choreography Fellowship, Dance Theatre Southwest, and SoloCoreografico, an international solo choreography festival held in Germany, Italy, and France. Elyse has 34 years of dance training and experience. She has studied extensively in jazz, ballet, Graham, Limón, and Cunningham techniques, West African dance, Afro Cuban dance, and improvisation. She was a scholarship student at The Merce Cunningham Studio in New York City in 2005 and 2006. Her training also includes study in gymnastics, circus arts, martial arts, Pilates, Gyrotonic, Gyrokinesis, Feldenkrais, yoga, and Butoh.
Kate Yoshino (Ballet)
Kate grew up in classical ballet class from the age of four. After years of training, her joy of and passion for dance dwindled and eventually burned out. However, after moving to Albuquerque as an adult, she began class with Bianca and rediscovered her love of ballet. By day, Kate is an aeronautical engineer. Her understanding of force and motion gives her insight into how to effectively move through space. Kate's skills as a strong jumper and turner are an inspiration to her students and fellow dancers!
Kate grew up in classical ballet class from the age of four. After years of training, her joy of and passion for dance dwindled and eventually burned out. However, after moving to Albuquerque as an adult, she began class with Bianca and rediscovered her love of ballet. By day, Kate is an aeronautical engineer. Her understanding of force and motion gives her insight into how to effectively move through space. Kate's skills as a strong jumper and turner are an inspiration to her students and fellow dancers!
Kells Davis (Yoga, Gentle Stretch)
A child of the Four Corners, Kells went on to travel the world as a mover and a student. She studied meditation in Korea and India before pursuing yoga teacher training certification in Albuquerque. A strong believer that places are great teachers, she holds a Master of Arts in Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies paired with a Graduate Certification in Historic Preservation and Regionalism. She has been a longtime dance student at Bianca Lily Ballet.
A child of the Four Corners, Kells went on to travel the world as a mover and a student. She studied meditation in Korea and India before pursuing yoga teacher training certification in Albuquerque. A strong believer that places are great teachers, she holds a Master of Arts in Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies paired with a Graduate Certification in Historic Preservation and Regionalism. She has been a longtime dance student at Bianca Lily Ballet.
Other Instructors (Past)
Lana (Official Dance Dog) - Lana passed in July of 2021. She is much missed and lovingly remembered.
Lana's success as the much the beloved studio dance dog began with humble beginnings in the Albuquerque City Animal Shelter. In April of 2007 she doggedly pursued Bianca and convinced the human that there was no going forward in life without her. Lana's early work as a life-changer began with Bianca herself where Lana's unconditional love gave Bianca the boost she needed to live her dreams. Now Lana brings joy to all those who need her and even more to those willing to hand out treats. Lana loves kittens and people of all ages but, sadly, has no volume control when initially saying hello.
Lana's success as the much the beloved studio dance dog began with humble beginnings in the Albuquerque City Animal Shelter. In April of 2007 she doggedly pursued Bianca and convinced the human that there was no going forward in life without her. Lana's early work as a life-changer began with Bianca herself where Lana's unconditional love gave Bianca the boost she needed to live her dreams. Now Lana brings joy to all those who need her and even more to those willing to hand out treats. Lana loves kittens and people of all ages but, sadly, has no volume control when initially saying hello.
Karina Morales Morris (Ballet, Yoga)
Karina grew up studying ballet at the Hayden School of Ballet before moving on to become a surgical nurse. In addition to many years as a ballet student and teacher, Karina is a certified yoga instructor who attended teacher training with Sani Yoga. Karina has a flare for ballet choreography and her students enjoy the whimsy and grace she brings her classes. A full time nurse and a part time yoga and ballet instructor, Karina is also a mother of three and the proud owner of a chihuahua who looks adorable in tutus.
Karina grew up studying ballet at the Hayden School of Ballet before moving on to become a surgical nurse. In addition to many years as a ballet student and teacher, Karina is a certified yoga instructor who attended teacher training with Sani Yoga. Karina has a flare for ballet choreography and her students enjoy the whimsy and grace she brings her classes. A full time nurse and a part time yoga and ballet instructor, Karina is also a mother of three and the proud owner of a chihuahua who looks adorable in tutus.
Bridgit Lujan (Flamenco, Jazz)
Bridgit directed her own national touring company, Dulce Flamenco Internacional from 2003-2017. She currently teaches at the Central New Mexico Community College. Over the past 20 years she has also taught at the Santa Fe Community College, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Public Schools, Santa Fe Public Schools, the Institute for Spanish Arts, and the National Conservatory of Flamenco. In 2013 she became the first and only American flamenco dance teacher to be an endorsed member of the Asociación de Profesores de Danza Española y Flamenco of Madrid, Spain (APDE). Bridgit has written for various publications, including Dance Magazine. She has received various awards including the 2017 Higher Education Award from Dance Teacher magazine.
Bridgit directed her own national touring company, Dulce Flamenco Internacional from 2003-2017. She currently teaches at the Central New Mexico Community College. Over the past 20 years she has also taught at the Santa Fe Community College, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Public Schools, Santa Fe Public Schools, the Institute for Spanish Arts, and the National Conservatory of Flamenco. In 2013 she became the first and only American flamenco dance teacher to be an endorsed member of the Asociación de Profesores de Danza Española y Flamenco of Madrid, Spain (APDE). Bridgit has written for various publications, including Dance Magazine. She has received various awards including the 2017 Higher Education Award from Dance Teacher magazine.
Carrie Field (Tango, Pilates)
Carrie is excited for the opportunity to teach at Bianca Lilly Ballet! As a former modern dancer she attended California Institute of the Arts and holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance from New College of California. She began teaching Pilates in 1993 in San Francisco and established Taos Pilates Studio in 2002, which she owned and operated for 15 glorious years. Carrie is a certified Pilates instructor and has attended 3 different 200 hour yoga teacher trainings with Its Yoga, Tias Little, and Sean Tebor. She is also certified and has taught on the Gyrotonic Expansion System since 2005. She currently teaches Argentine Tango, which she has been in love with since 2005, locally and nationally. She also teaches a Tango conditioning class she created called Tango Inform and is a highly sought after dancer and teacher. Carrie is currently completing her schooling to be an Occupational Therapist through UNM.
Carrie is excited for the opportunity to teach at Bianca Lilly Ballet! As a former modern dancer she attended California Institute of the Arts and holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance from New College of California. She began teaching Pilates in 1993 in San Francisco and established Taos Pilates Studio in 2002, which she owned and operated for 15 glorious years. Carrie is a certified Pilates instructor and has attended 3 different 200 hour yoga teacher trainings with Its Yoga, Tias Little, and Sean Tebor. She is also certified and has taught on the Gyrotonic Expansion System since 2005. She currently teaches Argentine Tango, which she has been in love with since 2005, locally and nationally. She also teaches a Tango conditioning class she created called Tango Inform and is a highly sought after dancer and teacher. Carrie is currently completing her schooling to be an Occupational Therapist through UNM.
John A Craig (Yoga, Studio Manager)
John, aka Fabulous Juan, spent 25 years driving a computer and lab equipment for the Department of Biology at UNM. When he drove off campus for the last time he never looked back, and went straight (mostly straight), for the nearest yoga studio. Over two years he has took over 500 yoga classes and went on to graduate from the Śani Yoga Teacher Training Program in June of this year. Along the way he also discovered dancing- the perfect completion for a body that has ignored itself for far too long. Having discovered the joys of movement and stretching later in life John understands the needs of the adult learner and loves gently guiding people on their journey to better a relationship with their bodies.
John, aka Fabulous Juan, spent 25 years driving a computer and lab equipment for the Department of Biology at UNM. When he drove off campus for the last time he never looked back, and went straight (mostly straight), for the nearest yoga studio. Over two years he has took over 500 yoga classes and went on to graduate from the Śani Yoga Teacher Training Program in June of this year. Along the way he also discovered dancing- the perfect completion for a body that has ignored itself for far too long. Having discovered the joys of movement and stretching later in life John understands the needs of the adult learner and loves gently guiding people on their journey to better a relationship with their bodies.
Sara Coan (Ballet, Strength Training)
Sara grew up doing cheer and other forms of dance. As an adult she honed her ballet with La Mesa Dance Academy and Bianca Lily Ballet where she eventually became a student teacher! Sara is passionate about fitness and health as well as dance. In addition to two kids and a bunch of pets she still invests time improving herself as a dancer! She is training with Bianca on how to help make ballet accessible for the adult learner.
Sara grew up doing cheer and other forms of dance. As an adult she honed her ballet with La Mesa Dance Academy and Bianca Lily Ballet where she eventually became a student teacher! Sara is passionate about fitness and health as well as dance. In addition to two kids and a bunch of pets she still invests time improving herself as a dancer! She is training with Bianca on how to help make ballet accessible for the adult learner.
Travis Mason (Strength & Dance Conditioning)
Travis Mason is a doctor of chiropractic with a Masters in Sports Science for the University of Western States! He spent many years training as a martial artist and has been dipping his toe into dance over the past few years. Travis' classes are fun and friendly and students tell us they often do not realize how hard they are working since his attention to form and the subtle build-up sneaks the work-out in on you. Find out more about Travis and his chiropractic practice!
Travis Mason is a doctor of chiropractic with a Masters in Sports Science for the University of Western States! He spent many years training as a martial artist and has been dipping his toe into dance over the past few years. Travis' classes are fun and friendly and students tell us they often do not realize how hard they are working since his attention to form and the subtle build-up sneaks the work-out in on you. Find out more about Travis and his chiropractic practice!