Lilla B
Lilla is a senior at Loy Norrix High School and attends Kalamazoo Area Math
and Science Center (KAMSC). Lilla has been dancing for 15 years, currently at Tye Chua Dance and this will be her fifth year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. She has been a recipient of the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks scholarship, and has attended Grand Rapids Ballet summer intensive, Cincinnati Ballet summer intensive and Ballet Arts School of Dance summer intensive. In addition to dancing, Lilla is the first chair bassist of the Loy Norrix Orchestra, on the Varsity Golf team, NHS Vice President, a member of the Student Advisory Council and Multicultural Student Organization at KAMSC. She has received High Honors (2022 - 2025), the Outstanding Research Award (2023, 25), KAMSC Medallion (2023, 25), ACSL First Place Classroom Division (2024) and the Environmental Protection Agency Research Award. She plans to double major in physics and marine biology to continue research in both fields.
Greta B
Greta is in her junior year and is homeschooled. This is her third year in
Ballet Arts Ensemble. She has danced for a total of 12 years at Sue McQuarrie, Ballet Arts School of Dance and is currently in her first year at Tye Chua Dance. Greta has attended summer dance programs at Ballet Arts School of Dance and Grand Rapids Ballet. She was a recipient of the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks scholarship in 2024. Greta has successfully passed five levels of Cecchetti. Outside of dance, she likes to travel with her family, and spend time with her friends.
Jillian B
Jillian has danced for a total of 14 years, attending Traci Phelps Studio, Ballet Academy, Ballet Arts School of Dance and currently at Tye Chua Dance. This is Jillian’s third year in Ballet Arts Ensemble and has attended Grand Rapids Ballet Senior Intensive and Ballet Arts School of Dance summer intensive. Jillian is a junior at Gull Lake High School and KRESA Career Connect Center. She volunteers as a Big in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, is the Social Media Manager for Gull Lake Athletics and is a member of NHS. Jillian has successfully passed four levels of Cecchetti and has made the High Honor Roll in school for the past four years.
Millie C
Millie is a Sophomore at Loy Norrix High School. This is her second year in Ballet Arts Ensemble and she has danced at YMCA and Ballet Arts School of Dance for a total of 12 years. She’s currently dancing at Grand Rapids Ballet School and The Space Dance Company. Millie received a scholarship in 2022 to attend the Cecchetti Council of America International Summer School and was a recipient of the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks scholarship in 2023-25. She has attended the Ballet Arts School of Dance summer intensive and the Grand Rapids Ballet Senior Summer Intensive. Millie enjoys art, baking, babysitting and traveling with her family in her spare time.
Claire D
A senior at Gobles High School, Claire is in her fifth year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. She has been dancing for 14 years and is currently at Tye Chua Dance. She has attended summer dance programs at Ballet Arts School of Dance and Grand Rapids Ballet Senior Summer Intensive. Claire has received the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks scholarship for the past four years. In addition to ballet, she also studies contemporary dance and has passed three levels of Cecchetti. Outside of dance, she is on the Student Council, Student Leadership Team, National Honor Society and Elementary Mentorship program. Claire has also received awards for High Honor Roll (2022 - 25) and multiple “Most Outstanding” academic awards (2023 - 25). She plans to attend college and pursue a degree in Secondary Education and/or Mathematics.
Clara G
A freshman at Portage Northern High School and KAMSC, Clara is in her first year with Ballet Arts Ensemble. She currently trains at Grand Rapids Ballet School and The Space Dance Company. Clara has attended summer dance intensives with Grand Rapids Ballet School and Ballet Arts School of Dance and successfully passed 3 levels of Cecchetti. She has performed in three Nutcrackers and enjoys sailing, skiing, and traveling. At school, she is involved in KAMSC Earthlings, Multicultural Student Organization, Students Demand Action, and Ski Club.
Anna G
A senior at Kalamazoo Central High School, Anna is in her fifth year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. Anna has danced for 14 years between the YMCA and Ballet Arts School of Dance; she is currently studying at Tye Chua Dance. She has received the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks scholarship for the past five years, and the Irving S. Gilmore Student Arts Scholarship for the past three years. Anna has worked on her school’s yearbook, is a member of the Kalamazoo United Women’s golf team and is a member of NHS. She earned her Seal of Biliteracy for Spanish this year. Anna plans to study Mechanical Engineering or Education.​
Evan G
Evan is a sophomore at Loy Norrix High School and in her second year with Ballet Arts Ensemble. She danced at Ballet Arts School of Dance for 12 years and is currently dancing at Tye Chua Dance. Evan has attended summer programs at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Cecchetti Council of America, Ballet Arts School of Dance, and has attended Musical Theatre Camp at Interlochen Summer Camp for the last three years. She is a member of the Student Senate and Advanced Treble Ensemble. Evan was a featured dancer in the Kalamazoo Civic’s production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
Maille H
Maille is a freshman at Gull Lake High School and KAMSC. This is her first year in Ballet Arts Ensemble.
Rania J
A freshman at Loy Norrix High School and KAMSC, Rania is in her first year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. She has danced at West Michigan Dance Center and Ballet Arts School of Dance totaling 11 years; currently dancing at Tye Chua Dance. Rania attended the summer dance intensive at Grand Rapids Ballet. She successfully passed 3 levels of Cecchetti. Rania is active in band, Science Olympiad and volleyball. She also enjoys reading, playing piano and traveling with her family.
Anna G
A junior at Kalamazoo Central High School, Anna is in her fourth year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. Anna has danced at YMCA (4 years) and Ballet Arts School of Dance (9 years). She has received the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks scholarship for the past four years, and the Irving S. Gilmore Student Arts Scholarship for the past two years. Anna has worked on her school’s yearbook, is a member of the Kalamazoo United Women’s golf team and is taking Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish in the hopes of earning her seal of biliteracy.
Clare L
Clare is in eighth grade at Portage Northern Middle School. This is her first year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. Having danced at Ballet Arts School of Dance for eight years, Clare is now studying at The Space Dance Company and Ballet Kalamazoo. In 2024 she received W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks Scholarship, Kalamazoo RESA Irving S. Gilmore Student Arts Scholarship, and Western Michigan Cecchetti Committee Summer Camp Scholarship. In 2025 she received Kalamazoo RESA Scholarship. She attended the summer Cecchetti International in Holland last summer. Clare is studying math, english and computer science as a first year ATYP and also a second year student at Western Michigan University. Clare enjoys studying violin at Crescendo Academy of Music.
Marta M
Marta is a sophomore at Loy Norrix High School and Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center, and in her second year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. She danced at Ballet Arts School of Dance for 10 years and is currently dancing at Tye Chua Dance and The Space Dance Company. Marta has attended the Cecchetti Council of America International Summer School and Ballet Arts School of Dance summer intensive. Marta was the recipient of the Cecchetti Council of America International Summer School Scholarship in 2023. Marta is in Jeter’s Leaders Class of 2028 and has performed in several school musicals. She also takes piano lessons with Dr. Tina Gorter at Crescendo Academy of Music, for which she received an EFA grant in 2024. Marta took Flamenco classes in Fuengirola, Spain in August.
Abbey M
Abbey is a homeschool student who is in her junior year of high school. She danced at Ballet Arts School of Dance for 13 years and is currently dancing at Tye Chua Dance. In addition to successfully passing five levels of Cecchetti, Abbey is a dual-enrollment student at KVCC, a part of the homeschool ski team, studies music at West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts, studies art at Design Street Art Studies, and rock climbing. Abbey has attended the Grand Rapids Ballet summer intensive. When not dancing, Abbey enjoys spending time at her family’s cottage, creating art, and playing with her dog, Blue.
Cecilia P
Cecilia is a sophomore at Loy Norrix High School and KAMSC, and this is her second year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. She danced at Ballet Arts School of Dance for ten years, is currently studying at Tye Chua Dance and has attended the Grand Rapids Ballet summer intensive. Cecilia is a part of Jeter’s Leaders, Kalamazoo Youth Action Council, and is a Special Olympics volunteer, She received an Outstanding Research award last spring, as well as the Presidential Service Award.
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Ruby R
Ruby is a freshman at Portage Central High School. She has been dancing for 11 years and is currently studying at Ballet Kalamazoo and Excel Dance Centre. This is her first year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. Ruby has received the W. Dale & Geraldine Crooks scholarship in 2023, 2024, & 2025. She has attended the Grand Rapids Ballet summer intensive. Ruby participates in school musicals and choir.
Margaret S
Maggie is a junior at Loy Norrix High School and KRESA CTE. This is her fifth year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. She has been dancing for 14 years at various studios including Excel Dance Center, Family Center for the Arts and Ballet Arts School of Dance. Maggie is currently training at Tye Chua Dance. She has attended Grand Rapids Ballet summer intensive and Ballet Arts School of Dance summer intensive. She is a member of the Loy Norrix Varsity Golf team and Link Crew. Maggie received Academic High Honors 2020 - 25. She has performed in 12 Dancing Princesses, The Coronation of the Dragonfly Queen, three Nutcrackers and multiple repertoire concerts.
Rain S
Rain is in her junior year at Loy Norrix High School and her third year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. She danced at Ballet Arts School of Dance for twelve years and is currently enrolled at Tye Chua Dance and The Space Dance Company. She has taken summer dance intensives at Grand Rapids Ballet. Rain is on the Leaders in Training Board of Confident S.O.L.E., an organization on teaching young women to love themselves and their community. She is also part of the Ivylette’s and is biliterate in Spanish. Rain is involved in her church where she is a part of the dance ministry.
Marcella T
Marcella is a freshman at Loy Norrix High School and KAMSC. This is her second year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. Marcella has danced for 12 years between Kalamazoo Ballet Academy and Ballet Arts School of Dance. She is currently dancing at Tye Chua Dance and Excel. She has attended Ballet Arts School of Dance summer intensive, Blue Lake Fine Arts summer camp, and Grand Rapids Ballet summer intensives. Marcella was a WEB leader and on the High Honor Roll in middle school. Successfully passing two levels of Cecchetti, Marcella also enjoys tap dancing. Outside of dance, she enjoys reading, downhill skiing, and spending time with family.
Anna G
A junior at Kalamazoo Central High School, Anna is in her fourth year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. Anna has danced at YMCA (4 years) and Ballet Arts School of Dance (9 years). She has received the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks scholarship for the past four years, and the Irving S. Gilmore Student Arts Scholarship for the past two years. Anna has worked on her school’s yearbook, is a member of the Kalamazoo United Women’s golf team and is taking Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish in the hopes of earning her seal of biliteracy.
Anna G
A junior at Kalamazoo Central High School, Anna is in her fourth year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. Anna has danced at YMCA (4 years) and Ballet Arts School of Dance (9 years). She has received the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks scholarship for the past four years, and the Irving S. Gilmore Student Arts Scholarship for the past two years. Anna has worked on her school’s yearbook, is a member of the Kalamazoo United Women’s golf team and is taking Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish in the hopes of earning her seal of biliteracy.
Anna G
A junior at Kalamazoo Central High School, Anna is in her fourth year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. Anna has danced at YMCA (4 years) and Ballet Arts School of Dance (9 years). She has received the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks scholarship for the past four years, and the Irving S. Gilmore Student Arts Scholarship for the past two years. Anna has worked on her school’s yearbook, is a member of the Kalamazoo United Women’s golf team and is taking Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish in the hopes of earning her seal of biliteracy.
Anna G
A junior at Kalamazoo Central High School, Anna is in her fourth year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. Anna has danced at YMCA (4 years) and Ballet Arts School of Dance (9 years). She has received the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks scholarship for the past four years, and the Irving S. Gilmore Student Arts Scholarship for the past two years. Anna has worked on her school’s yearbook, is a member of the Kalamazoo United Women’s golf team and is taking Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish in the hopes of earning her seal of biliteracy.
Amelia W
A sophomore at Hackett Catholic Prep, this is Amelia’s first year in Ballet Arts Ensemble. Amelia is starting her 14th year of dance at Ballet Arts School of Dance and will also be training at The Space. She has attended Ballet Arts School of Dance summer intensive. Amelia plays tennis and is active in the Pro-Life Club, Earth Club, marching band, concert band and trap shooting. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, reading and shopping.