Kelly Barber is a native of Reading, PA. She began her studies when she was nine at Carol Ennis Dance Arts. Four years later, she became a member of Berks Ballet Theatre and continued performing through her teens as a soloist with the company. Kelly spent summers studying at Burklyn Ballet Theatre, the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, and Pennsylvania Ballet.

In 1995, Kelly went on to dance with Ballet Theatre of Maryland under the direction of the late Edward Stewart, rising to the rank of soloist. While in Annapolis, she danced in many classical & contemporary ballets including Swan Lake, Paquita, Dracula, and Carmina Burana. In Swan Lake, Kelly shared the stage with Christine Dunham and Wes Chapman, former principals with American Ballet Theatre. She also danced the role of Snow Queen in the Nutcracker, as well as other leading roles like the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, and the Grand Pas de Deux from Le Corsaire.

Kelly eventually returned to Reading and Berks Ballet Theatre, where she began teaching at the school and performing as a guest artist with the company. She was appointed Associate Director of BBT in 2006, and Artistic Director in 2007. Since then, she has been a part of staging many ballets, choreographing original works and carrying on the traditions of the company set forth by founder Carol Ennis. As a choreographer, her ballet “Bach Sonata Quartet” was performed during the 2005 Regional Dance America Northeast Festival in Harrisburg and at the 2019 Delaware Dance Festival her ballet "Summa" premiered. “Summa” was most recently reworked for BBT to perform at the 2024 Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest.

Kelly’s teaching philosophy is made up of positivity, perfecting the basics and instilling a love of dance in serious students. She is always striving to inspire drive, determination and focus and believes that not just dance is taught in the studio, but life lessons as well.

Michele Xiques Arnold has been teaching and choreographing dance for over 30 years. She is the owner of First State Dance Academy in Milford, Delaware, and the founder of DanceCompany-X, where she has created a wide range of original ballets including Wizarding World of Ballet, Pirates of the Caribbean, Annie, the Ballet, Hansel and Gretel, Nutcracker Ballet, Nutcracker Express (a fusion of The Nutcracker and The Polar Express), and Twilight Ballet. Her formal training includes studies at Point Park University, North Carolina School of the Arts, The JoCrey Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet. Michele’s professional dance career has included contracts with Sheraton Lakeview Theatre (WV), Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (PA), Empire State Ballet (NY), and Atlanta Ballet (GA). A passionate educator, Michele developed the dance program at Sussex Central High School and was recognized by the Delaware Division of the Arts as an Established Choreographer. Known for her friendly, encouraging teaching style, she especially enjoys instructing students in ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz.