Meet the Faculty

MARY ELIZABETH MOCK
ARTISTIC / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Florida Ballet Arts Academy
FOUNDER / DIRECTOR, Imaginique Contemporary Ballet
PRINCIPAL BALLET MISTRESS

Mary Elizabeth Mock was born in Southern California and began dancing at the age of three on Camp LeJeune MCB in North Carolina.  Her formal training in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern Dance began at Florida Ballet Arts School where she trained for twelve years under the direction of Lynn Winslow and faculty members Catherine Huh, Systie Fairweather, Kim Freedom, Fletcher McClendon, and Bryan Tippen.  She furthered her training at Connecticut's prestigious Nutmeg Conservatory under the tutelage of Sharon E. Dante, Joan Kunsch, Eleanor D'Antuono, Denise Warner-Limoli, and Scott Thyberg.  While attending Nutmeg Conservatory, Ms. Mock studied extensively in the pedagogy of the Vaganova Syllabus.  Following her training with Nutmeg Conservatory, Ms. Mock studied under Linda Kintz and Mark Mejia at the Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet in McClean, VA.  There, she had the opportunity to work under the notable artistic interpretations of Mr. Mejia, who is well known for his choreography and attention to detail. Ms. Kintz, whose distinguished career has taken her to such heights as performing at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, took Ms. Mock under her wing. She fondly describes her experience with Mr. Mejia and Ms. Kintz as the "icing on the cake". During her time in the Washington D.C. area, Ms. Mock also worked with Rudolph Kharatian.  Formerly a Ballet Master with the Kirov Academy, Mr. Kharatian was born in Armenia and is a graduate of the Vaganova Choreographic Institute. 

Her acceptances to summer intensives include Boston Ballet, Princeton Ballet where she was awarded scholarships by Princeton Ballet's founder Audrey Estey, Washington Ballet, Colorado Ballet, workshops with Alex Ursiliak of Germany's Stuttgart Ballet, a workshop with renowned Ballet Master Azari Plissetski of Switzerland's Bejart Ballet, a workshop with Galina Shlyapina, former prima-ballerina of the Moscow Classical Ballet, and Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA where she was awarded a full scholarship, and worked closely with people such as Denise Pons, Michael Maul, David Howard, and Sydelle Gomberg.
 
At the age of 14, Ms. Mock was selected by Jean Allenby-Weidner and Eddy Toussaint to join the former Sarasota Ballet Junior Company under the artistic direction of the world acclaimed Eddy Toussaint.  At ages 16 and 17, Ms. Mock performed with the Nutmeg Ballet Company in Connecticut in soloist roles such as "Columbine Doll" and "Marzipan Soloist" in The Nutcracker while attending the Nutmeg Conservatory. Ms. Mock's professional performing experience in Ballet includes the Sarasota Ballet of Florida under the direction of Pavel Fomin and Sasha Yapparov, Classical Ballet Theatre under the direction of Mark Mejia, and guest performances with Miami City Ballet, Ballet South, and Southern Ballet Theatre.  Her most memorable ballets performed were Walpurgis Night from the opera "Faust", Giselle, Raymonda, Paquita, Don Quixote, "Arabian" Pas de Deux and "Marzipan" Pas de Deux in The Nutcracker, Serenade, Symphonic Variations, variations form La Bayadere, "Wheat Fairy" from Sleeping Beauty, Tarantella, Pas de Quatre, the principal role of "Peter" in Mejia's Peter and the Wolf, and the soloist role as a bride in Mejia's production of Dracula. 

As a jazz and lyrical dancer, Ms. Mock performed for Starpointe Jazz Productions under the direction of Fletcher McClendon. With Starpointe, she danced for Industrials, Festivals, Benefit Shows and for the Oxy Chem Corporation's National Convention. In 1997, she assisted Mr. Frank Hatchett, "Master of Jazz" and owner of the world famous Broadway Dance Center in NYC, as a

SABIRJAN "SASHA" YAPPAROV
BALLET MASTER

Sabirjan "Sasha" Yapparov was born in Russia and received his academic and ballet training
from the Institute of Choreography in Perm, Russia. He studied with some of the best teachers in the country, including Honored Artist of the Russian Republic, Julius Plaht, a student of the celebrated Professor A.Y. Vaganova, founder of the present system of Russian ballet training. 
From 1972 to 1974, Mr. Yapparov was a soloist with the Opera and Ballet in Sverdlovsk. From
1974 to 1976, he worked with Boshoi Ballet Uzbekistan. From 1976 to 1990, he was a principal with the Odessa State Opera and Ballet Theatre.  During his career, he was also a guest principal and worked with many great choreographers and dancers including Gordeyev, Vasiliev, and Plisetskaya. 

An experienced dancer in the classical, neo-classical, and contemporary repertoires,
Mr. Yapparov has had such leading roles as Albrecht in Giselle, Siegfried in Swan Lake,
Prince Desiree in The Sleeping Beauty, Ivan in Hunchback Horse, and Prince Star in
Masquerade. He has danced throughout the former Soviet Union as well as in Italy, Spain,
India, Portugal, Hungary, Finland, and Canada.   Mr. Yapparov has won many competitions in the former Soviet Union. In 1979, Mr. Yapparov won the prestigious Ukrainian Ballet Competition in Kiev. In 1980, he was a winner of one of the top prizes in the All-Union Competition of Choreographers and Ballet Dancers in Moscow.  In 1984, he was awarded the rank of Honored Artist of Ukraine. Since 1993, Mr. Yapparov has been the choreographer for the Sarasota Opera productions, including the special ballet portions that he choreographed for the Sarasota Ballet's participation. He has gained critical praise for The Bartered Bride, The Sicilian Vespers, The Fair Maid of Perth, and the Verdi Concert, which included a thirty minute ballet.  Mr. Yapparov joined the FBA faculty in 2006. 

SYBIL MANZANO
(SEASONAL) BALLET MISTRESS

At the age of thirteen, Sybil Manzano began her formal Ballet training at the Florida Ballet Arts School under the direction of Lynn Winslow. During that time, her summers were spent at the Boston Ballet School and The Nutmeg Conservatory, earning many scholarships along the way. As a student, Mrs. Manzano had the opportunity to perform with the Cecchetti Students Ballet Company, the former Sarasota Ballet Junior Company under Eddy Toussaint, and the Nutmeg Ballet Company under Sharon Dante.

Mrs. Manzano began her professional career with The Bay Ballet in Tampa, FL under the direction of Christopher Fleming.  Later moving on to the Saraosta Ballet of Florida under the direction of Robert DeWarren.  At that time, she performed many soloist roles in ballet such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Firebird, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Balanchine's Rubies, and Alvin Ailey's Streams. Mrs. Manzano joined the Columbia City Ballet under William Starrett and performed soloist roles in Dracula, Dracula's Revenge, Swan Lake, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and de Mille's Rodeo.

Mrs. Manzano teaching experience includes South Carolina Performing Arts Center, Columbia Conservatory of Dance, Ballet Classique,and teaching assistance at Broadway DanceCenter and Eliot Feld's Ballet Tech New School in NYC.  She had returned to Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina for their 2007/08 and 2008/09 seasons.  Mrs. Manzano has been a member of the FBA faculty since 2002.

ADDUL MANZANO
(SEASONAL) BALLET MASTER

Addul Manzano began his ballet training at the age of eleven in Santiago de Cuba. Shortly after, he was selected to attend the National School of Ballet in Havana, Cuba. Upon graduation, Mr. Manzano was offered a position in the National Ballet of Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso. During that time, he toured North and South America, performing many soloist roles in Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Giselle, Coppelia, Themes & Variations, Poema de Fuego, and Canto Vital.

After arriving in the United States, Mr. Manzano joined the Columbia City Ballet under William Starrett as a Principal Dancer, and later guested with Septime Weber's Washington Ballet. In the summer of 2003, he joined Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City. While at DTH, Mr. Manzano performed various principal roles in Dougla, Son of Dead Warriors, Balanchine's Agon, Concerto, Barocco, The Four Temperaments, Serenade, and Apollo. Mr. Manzano had the opportunity to tour the United States, England, Ireland, Scotland, and his personal highlight was performing Balanchine's Apollo in Athens, Greece.  From 2004 until 2006, he performed for the Sarasota Ballet of Florida in principal roles such as Seigfried in Swan Lake.  He is currently a Principal Dancer with North Carolina Dance Theatre under the artistic direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride.  Mr. Manzano has been a member of the FBA faculty since 2004.

SERGIY MYKHAYLOV
BALLET MASTER / PAS DE DEUX COACH
 
Sergiy Mykhaylov was born in Ukraine, where he attended the Kiev Academy.  Upon graduating, he joined the National ballet Theatre of Ukraine and toured Germany, France, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Holland, and Australia.  In 1996, he was invited to work with the Paris Classical Ballet. 
 
Sergiy was Principal Dancer for Southern Ballet Theatre and was Principal Dancer for Sarasota Ballet of Florida from 2002 until 2009, where his principal roles included Swan Lake, Giselle, Le Corsaire, La Bayadere, Paquita, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Coppelia, Scheherazade and La Boutique Fantasque.  He has been a guest artist with the Cincinnatti Orchestra, the Terada Ballet Art School in Kyoto, Japan, the Ocala Ballet, Orlando City Ballet, Boca Ballet, Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka, KS and the Russian Ballet of America.  He was awarded first place in the Serge Lifar Ballet Competition in the Ukraine.  Sergiy joined the FBA Faculty in 2008 and brings with him a wealth of knowledge, talent, and experience to our students.

ANGELA LINTNER
JAZZ / LYRICAL
 
Anglea Lintner was born in Hanover Park, Illinois where she began dancing at the age of three.  At age eight, she pursued her ballet training at the Faubourg School of Ballet and joined Perseverance Performing Dance Company for her training in lyrical and jazz.  After relocating to Colorado Springs, Angela continued her training with Synergy Dance Academy, where she trained in ballet, jazz, and lyrical and participated in Synergy's performing company.
 
While attending Synergy Dance Academy, Angela served as an assistant teacher to studio owner, Keri Tafoya, for three years.  She has had the great opportunity to study at the famous Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, California.  Throughout the years, she has won many scholarships and awards, and has a passion for spreading her knowledge and love of dance with all ages.
 
 
 
LYNDA HOLLAND-BRADEN 
ADMINISTRATION / REPERTOIRE COACH
 
Lynda Braden trained at Medina Academy of Classical Ballet in Medina, Ohio and was a member of the Ohio Youth Ballet.  She attended Summer Intensives at Chautauqua, Vassar College with Royal Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, and Ballet Met, among others.  Mrs. Braden has been performing with the FBA Ensemble since 2001 and has worked in administration and as a repertoire coach for Florida Ballet Arts Academy since 2008.  She is a Registered Nurse in Orthopedics at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

 
TINA FORRISTALL
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Tina Forristall began her dance training at the age of five in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, and hip hop.  She began training under in MaryElizabeth Mock in 1998 and was one of several students who followed Ms. Mock to Florida Ballet Arts Academy for the 1999-2000 school year and beyond.  She performed with the Florida Ballet Arts Ensemble from 2000 until 2006.  Upon graduation from St. Stephen's in 2006, she began attending college, served as a coach to the St. Stephen's Dance Team, has taught jazz and hip hop, and became a Certified Zumba Fitness Instructor.  Tina began working alongside Ms. Mock as Executive Assistant in 2006.

choreography demonstrator for his South Florida Master Classes.  Ms. Mock has studied with Frank Hatchett, Keith Clifton, Randy Allaire, Jacqueline Hill, Rhonda Miller, Gregg Russell, Aurey Reitz and Thymme Reitz in Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop.   Before the commencement of Florida Ballet Arts Academy in 2000, Ms. Mock taught and choreographed for the former Florida Ballet Arts School, West Florida Ballet in Oldsmar, and BJ's School of Dance in St. Petersburg. In 1994 and 1995, while dancing with Classical Ballet Theatre, she served as the Ballet and Lyrical coach to the Olympic Gymnast Trainees in Gaithersburg, MD.  Since returning to Sarasota, Ms. Mock has maintained a large privately coached clientele and a faithful following of students who travel from as far away as St. Petersburg, FL, Jonesboro, Tennessee, Washington D.C. and McLean, Virginia to study with her at Florida Ballet Arts Academy.  
 
Ms. Mock is the founder and director of Imaginique Contemporary Ballet, a professional company based out of Florida, is a regular Master Teacher for Unity Dance Ensemble, a professional company based out of Los Angeles and for San Diego Ballet in San Diego, CA, serves as Conductor of Auditions and Audition Site Liaison-Coordinator for Nutmeg Conservatory in Connecticut, and is a Certified Zumba Dance Fitness Instructor who conducts nationwide classes.  Her extensive training in classical ballet has given her the opportunity to study in the methods of Vaganova, Cecchetti, and the style of Bournonville.  She trains her students under the strict pedagogy of the Vaganova Syllabus. 

ALYSON PRAY
 BALLET MISTRESS

Alyson Pray began dancing in Cherry Hill, NJ at the age of eight. She went on to train at the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Kirov Academy, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. In 1999, Alyson became a member of the Sarasota Ballet, and in 2002 she was promoted to Soloist. There, she performed the roles of Odette in Swan Lake, Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker and Toro in Carmen. After five years in Florida, Alyson continued her professional career with the Pennsylvania Ballet. During her time in Philadelphia, she danced several Balanchine ballets including Concerto Barocco, Serenade, Theme and Variations, Western Symphony, and Ballo de Regina. She also had the opportunity to perform Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Twyla Tharp's Push Comes to Shove, Jerome Robbins' The Concert and Paul Taylor's Company B. Alyson has also been teaching ballet for ten years and has worked with students of all ages. She recently returned to Sarasota to join her husband, Nathan, who is a violist with the Sarasota Orchestra