Instructors

Buffa Hargett - Buffa has a dance background that includes ten years in Europe and over thirty years in the U.S. studying with Dothan Civic Ballet, Birmingham Civic Ballet and Ballet Russes in NYC. Influential instructors have included Alexandra Danilova, David Howard and John White. She has a B.S. from the University of Alabama where she was President and soloist with the University Dancers. Advanced teaching work and certifications include in-depth studies, workshops and seminars in the Cecchetti, Royal Academy of Dance and Vaganova methods of ballet. For over thirty years, she has directed the studio, managing a staff of twenty five dedicated professionals. In addition to teaching, work includes scheduling and coordinating over 120 classes per week and over 1700 students (dance and fitness), and developing and presenting shows throughout the year, especially our year end recitals. She created the Burke Civic Ballet eighteen years ago with the goal of providing a community-based performing and educational outlet for students and adults. Teaching and sharing the joy of dance is her central goal, and the goal she has set for the studio. Her philosophy is that dance is for everyone; dance builds strong, flexible, disciplined bodies and minds, and enhances the total person -- the creative, mental, emotional and social. Through her guidance, everyone at the studio spreads the love of the profession and reflects sincere caring for the students.

Melissa Hargett - Melissa graduated from William & Mary with a BBA in Operations and Information Technology, a Minor in Dance and was President of Orchesis, the College Modern Dance Company. She choreographed for many University productions and studied Modern, Ballet, Dance Composition and Dance History. After graduating, Melissa was an Information Technology Specialist with IBM. Dancing at Buffa's at the age of three, she has been an assistant teacher, teacher and helps run the Burke Civic Ballet’s Nutcracker, as well as schedules, manages and coordinates the studio's and Dance Company, Diamonds, Crystals and Rhinestones year-long activities. Further education includes Vaganova ballet seminars, University of the Arts program in ballet, Dance Teacher Conferences and numerous yearly conventions.

Tom Alexander - Tom teaches Jazz, Tap and Lyrical and Judges and Choreographs nationwide for Dance Makers Inc., Southern Association of Dance Masters, Chicago Dance Masters, Jazz On Tap Festival and Jazz On Tap Tour. He began dancing at age 13 with Ray Hollingsworth and has worked with stars such as Debbie Reynolds, Dolly Parton, Rita Moreno, Marie Osmond, Ella Fitzgerald and Bob Hope. Tom has danced at Carowinds, Busch Gardens and Tokyo Disneyland theme parks. Tom taught in Japan and performed, choreographed and trained dancers for Crystal Cruises where he choreographed a million dollar musical entitled “Standing Room Only.” He has taught for Buffa’s full time since 1996 and gives his students the absolute best by staying current with the ever-changing forms of dance.

Liesl Balatsenko - Liesl is from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Michigan Opera Theater before moving to Orlando, Florida to continue her studies. In 1996, she joined Orlando Ballet, where she performed in numerous ballets. She competed in the Paris International Competition in 2000, coached by Irina Kolpakova, and was awarded a silver score in the Youth American Grand Prix. As a dancer with Ballet Internationale, she toured China, and most recently she was a dancer with Atlantic Southeast Ballet in Charleston, South Carolina.

Nickolai Balatsenko – Nickolai was born in the Ukraine and began his study of ballet at the Kiev Academy of Ballet when he was 11 years old. Nickolai's first professional position was with the National Ballet Usti in the Czech Republic, and then the Donetsk Ballet after touring with the Ballet Classique of Paris. In 1999, he moved to the United States and joined Washington Ballet. He later danced with Ballet Theatre of Maryland and Ballet Internationale in Indianapolis, Indiana. He also toured Seoul, South Korea with Universal Ballet and danced with Atlantic Southeast Ballet in Charleston, SC.

Linda Bascope - Linda has taught dancing to students of all ages and levels for over thirty years. She trained in the Northern Virginia area, NYC and teacher trained by Dance Masters of America at Kent State University in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Acrobatics. Linda’s dancers have won numerous awards, made high school and college dance teams, performed in Disney World, Universal Studios, Fox channel 5 as well as professional careers teaching and performing on Broadway. In 1989 she was selected to choreograph three routines for twenty of her students to perform with the Bob McGraff Show at the International Children’s Festival. She is very excited to be a part of Buffa’s Dance Studio.

Nikki Gambhir - Nikki currently co-directs and dances in DCypher Dance, performs with Life Rhythm Move Project, and previously X-Faction Dance Company and Classical Repertory Dance Theatre. She has performed with Cirque du Soleil, National Dance Day with Nigel Lythgoe, Culture Shock Ottowa’s International Hip Hop Showcase, A Tribute to Broadway, and was a featured dancer in the Bollywood movie, Ta Ra Rum Pum. Her choreography has been showcased at Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage, Georgetown University, Oberlin College and America’s D.A.R.E. Dance program. Nikki began dancing at Buffa’s at age three, was a member of Buffa’s Dance Company and soloist in the BCB's Nutcracker and has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from GMU. She is thrilled to still be a member of the Buffa’s dance family, and hopes that her teaching and performing will touch many lives with the positive influence of dance.

Lisa Mitchell - Lisa’s background includes dance at Buffa’s since she was 3 years old and cheerleading at Robinson High School where she graduated in 1998. She holds a degree from Radford University where she majored in English and minored in dance with a concentration in ballet, jazz and pointe. Further education includes an Elementary Education teaching license from George Mason University in 2002. She has taught for many years in the Prince William County School System as well as with Flint Hill. Lisa underwent an in-depth training program with Buffa and has been teaching classes and working with the Burke Civic Ballet’s Nutcracker for the past 7 years.

Tara Perez - Tara is a former member and coach for the Wizards dance team and has a BFA in Dance From George Mason University. She is is the head coach of West Springfield’s Dance Team which has placed first in the Nation the past two years at Nationals.

Tanya Salewski - Tanya has danced for 30 years: first performing for her family in her small bedroom turned studio, then as captain of the Robinson high school dance team, and on the George Mason University’s nationally-ranked Masonetttes. Tanya loves choreography and was formerly the choreographer for the PVI Catholic high school dance team. She is frequently sought out as a free-lance choreographer by dance teams across the area. Tanya (as Mrs. Salewski) teaches English at Flint Hill School. To her it is still dance: Dance is the poetry of motion just as literature is the choreography of words.

Lindsay Snider - Lindsay has been an assistant and teacher at Buffa's for seven years and was a member of Dance Company, as well as a soloist for the Burke Civic Ballet in roles such as Clara and Dewdrop. She was also a member and captain of the Lake Braddock Dance Team. She attended the University of Alabama, where she choreographed and performed various pieces. In addition, she danced for Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre, a company designed to prepare students for the diverse opportunities of a dance career. Her choreography has won many awards including Outstanding Choreography, High Scores, Future Stars of America, Regional Dance offs and Battle of the Stars. Lindsay is excited to be teaching at Buffa's, her dance family since the age of six.

Laura Steen - Laura grew up in Pittsburgh, PA where she was part of a competitive dance company, and trained at Point Park University and Carnegie Performing Arts Center. In 2005, Laura was cast as the lead dancer in the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's rendition of A Little Night Music. She received her BFA in Dance from George Mason University in 2008, where she performed in many works including those by modern dance choreographers Paul Taylor, Susan Marshall, Patrick Corbin, and Kate Skarpetowska. After graduating, Laura moved to New York City where she trained at Dance New Amsterdam and Broadway Dance Center, and recently she performed locally with Dancevert. Laura is so inspired by the talented dancers, teachers and choreographers at Buffa's, and is thankful to be a part of such an amazing organization.

Katie Weimer - Katie has danced for over 20 years. She was a member of the Paul VI high school dance team. She worked for Universal Dance Association for two years. She has a BA and M.Ed. from The Ohio State University where she was also a member of the Ohio State Dance Team. She is the head coach of Paul VI dance team.

Karlyn Williams - Karlyn was a member, choreographer and president of the Mozaic Hip Hop Dance Team at James Madison University performing at various venues in the area. She taught hip hop and jazz for three years in Harrisonburg, VA. She has been an assistant and substitute teacher at Buffa’s Dance Studio for seven years and was also a member of the Dance Company. Karlyn also performed in various roles for the Burke Civic Ballet and was a member and captain of the Lake Braddock Dance Team. Buffa’s has been a second home to Karlyn since the age of three. She is thrilled to have the privilege of teaching at Buffa’s.

List of Instructors

Buffa Hargett

Melissa Hargett

Tom Alexander

Liesl Balatsenko

Nickolai Balatsenko

Linda Bascope

Nikki Gambhir

Lisa Mitchell

Tara Perez

Tanya Salewski

Lindsay Snider