Ballet Chesapeake Leadership & Faculty
Kait Weber - Executive Director & Principal
Kait Weber received her early dance training at The Dance Center, the official school of Brandywine Ballet, where she studied under an esteemed ballet faculty including Donna Muzio, Cherie Noble, Nana Badrena, Patricia Brown, and Martha Chamberlain. She later expanded her ballet education at Washington Ballet, the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Goucher Dance, and the Wilmington Academy of Dance.
Kait earned her BFA in Dance Performance and her BA in Mass Communications from Towson University, where she was an honors scholarship recipient and graduated cum laude. During her time at Towson, she trained under distinguished faculty like Dennis Price, Catherine Horta-Hayden, Runqiao Du, and Vincent Thomas. She performed with the Towson University Dance Company, dancing lead roles in The Nutcracker and appearing in a wide range of classical and contemporary works.
Kait taught throughout the Baltimore region before joining Ballet Chesapeake in 2010 as Executive Director. Her dance leadership has been pivotal in expanding the organization’s pre-professional training programs, elevating its artistic vision, and strengthening community partnerships. Under her guidance, Ballet Chesapeake has evolved into a leading regional institution, dedicated to fostering artistic excellence and creating a welcoming, community-centered environment.
Sarah Brown - Managing Director
Sarah Brown received her early dance training through Towson University's Children's Dance Division, Rage Box Contemporary Dance Center, and Carver Center for Arts & Technology. She continued her education at Point Park University's Conservatory of the Performing Arts as a Jazz Dance major, where she participated in master classes with renowned artists including Sonya Tayeh, Desmond Richardson, and members of Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Sarah later earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from Towson University. She also spent four years performing with the Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders, serving as team captain for two seasons.
Sarah has been a part of Ballet Chesapeake since 2019 and currently serves as Managing Director. She enjoys combining her background in dance and public relations to help support the organization's mission and foster a welcoming environment for dancers and their families.
Hans Nelson, DFCCA - Artistic Director
Mr. Nelson began his training under Joyce Morrison and continued full-time at the School of American Ballet (SAB) in New York City with Andrei Kramarevsky (principal dancer, Bolshoi Ballet). He then completed the Apprentice Program at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC, under Vladimir Djouloukhadze (principal dancer, Bolshoi Ballet). Following this, he attended the Ecole-Atelier Rudra Béjart in Lausanne, Switzerland, under the training of Azari Plisetski (soloist, Bolshoi Ballet). At the Vail International Dance Festival in 2000, he studied with Jacques Namont of the Paris Opera Ballet School and Pyotr Pestov of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy.
Following intensive coaching with Pamela Moore and Cara Drower of the Cecchetti Institute, Mr. Nelson was awarded the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). He is currently a Diploma Fellow of the Cecchetti Council of America (CCA) and is a past recipient of the Jane Caryl Miller Scholarship. Additional teaching experience includes The Washington School of Ballet and Mercersburg Academy.
Mr. Nelson is an ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 and Partnering of the ABT National Training Curriculum (NTC). His previous pupils have completed NTC student examinations, achieving the following levels of distinction: Merit, Honors, and High Honors. He continues to attend professional development classes and workshops at ABT.
Brianna Dregier - Marketing & Events Coordinator, Faculty
Brianna Sheridan Dregier is a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer, photographer, and creative marketing professional with more than eight years of teaching experience. A Maryland native, Brianna graduated from Dance Moves Studio of Dance in 2014 before earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Shenandoah Conservatory, graduating Summa Cum Laude. After college, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by performing professionally at Walt Disney World Resort and later at Universal Orlando Resort, where she entertained audiences from around the world.
Throughout her teaching career, Brianna has been dedicated to helping dancers build strong technique, confidence, and a lifelong love of dance. She teaches ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, acro, and musical theatre, creating a positive and encouraging environment where every student is challenged to grow both as a dancer and as an individual. Brianna believes dance is about more than mastering steps—it is about developing discipline, artistry, resilience, and confidence that extends far beyond the studio.
Outside of the studio, Brianna has a passion for photography, social media, and marketing. She enjoys helping small businesses grow their brands through creative content, storytelling, and visual marketing while capturing life's most meaningful moments behind the camera. She is honored to be part of the Ballet Chesapeake family and looks forward to inspiring the next generation of dancers both in and out of the studio.
Conservatory Faculty
Diane Brown
Ariana Costantiini
Ariana Costantiini
Diane Brown's early ballet education began at the Ellen Price Eckhardt Ballet School, where she studied ballet as a child. In 1983, she started teaching ballet and creative movement for the Jarrettsville Recreation Council, demonstrating her commitment to dance leadership in her community. She also studied modern dance at the Baltimore Co
Diane Brown's early ballet education began at the Ellen Price Eckhardt Ballet School, where she studied ballet as a child. In 1983, she started teaching ballet and creative movement for the Jarrettsville Recreation Council, demonstrating her commitment to dance leadership in her community. She also studied modern dance at the Baltimore County Gifted and Talented Camp under Leslie Weiss Timos, as well as jazz and tap at the Wally Saunders Dance School. During this time, she received training in ballet from notable instructors Edward Stewart and Barbara Miller. In 1982, she was invited to join the Wally Saunders Dance Company, performing with them until 1984. That same year, Miss Diane began her studies at Towson State University on a dance scholarship, where she was an integral part of the Towson State University Dance Company. As a dance major, she deepened her ballet education with Edward Stewart, Camille Izard, and Helene Brezeale, and explored modern dance with Andrea Lewis and Dottie Fried, while also studying jazz with Patty Corday. After undergoing knee surgery, she decided to pivot her major and earned a bachelor's degree in Health Science with a minor in Psychology in 1988, focusing her coursework on anatomy and physiology, early childhood development, and program planning. In addition to her role as a health and wellness counselor, she contributed her expertise by teaching ballet, jazz, and creative movement at Harford Dance Center before joining the ballet faculty at the Dance Conservatory in 2000.
Ariana Costantiini
Ariana Costantiini
Ariana Costantiini
Recreational Program: Arianna Costantini received her dance training at Forest Hill Dance, where she developed a strong foundation in ballet education. Growing up as an active member of the dance production community with Harford Dance Theatre and The Danse Macabre, she also cultivated her skills in dance leadership. A graduate of Towson
Recreational Program: Arianna Costantini received her dance training at Forest Hill Dance, where she developed a strong foundation in ballet education. Growing up as an active member of the dance production community with Harford Dance Theatre and The Danse Macabre, she also cultivated her skills in dance leadership. A graduate of Towson University with a BS in Theatre Arts and Electronic Media & Film, Arianna currently serves as the Education Operations Manager at Everyman Theatre and is an instructor at Forest Hill Dance. In addition to these roles, she contributes to various musical theatre productions and owns a princess party business. Outside of her dance and theatre projects, Arianna also passionately works with animals, always striving to bring empathy, passion, and a positive attitude to everything she does.
Deborah Engerman
Ariana Costantiini
Deborah Engerman
Pre-Professional Program Deborah Engerman began her ballet education early on with the Baltimore Ballet under the guidance of Wendy Robinson in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) tradition, successfully passing her graded exams. Her classical studies also include significant training with esteemed ballet faculty such as Petrus Bosman, David
Pre-Professional Program Deborah Engerman began her ballet education early on with the Baltimore Ballet under the guidance of Wendy Robinson in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) tradition, successfully passing her graded exams. Her classical studies also include significant training with esteemed ballet faculty such as Petrus Bosman, David Keener, and Christine Hennessy. While pursuing her BA in International Policy at Dickinson College, she continued her ballet education with the talented instructors at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Ms. Engerman’s dance training encompasses the Vaganova Technique, French Methodology, and the Dance Education Program at Towson University. She has staged renowned ballets including The Nutcracker and Act II of Swan Lake. Dancers trained by Ms. Engerman have excelled in their careers, earning professional contracts and performing with prestigious companies such as Universal Ballet, ABT, Complexions, The Washington Ballet, The Vienna Opera Ballet, the Boston Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Inc, Texture Ballet, and Hubbard Street, as well as on Broadway. Additionally, she has provided dance leadership as a coach to several dancers competing successfully in international ballet competitions, including The Prix de Lausanne, the Varna IBC, and The Youth America Grand Prix. Notably, her student Adrienne Canterna won the Junior Gold Medal at the 1998 Jackson USA International Ballet Competition. Currently, Ms. Engerman is pleased to continue training dancers in MD and PA while living with her husband and two dogs in South Central PA.
Anya Ivanova
Megan Montalvo
Megan Montalvo
Diane Brown's early ballet education began at the Ellen Price Eckhardt Ballet School, where she studied ballet as a child. In 1983, she started teaching ballet and creative movement for the Jarrettsville Recreation Council, demonstrating her commitment to dance leadership in her community. She also studied modern dance at the Baltimore Co
Diane Brown's early ballet education began at the Ellen Price Eckhardt Ballet School, where she studied ballet as a child. In 1983, she started teaching ballet and creative movement for the Jarrettsville Recreation Council, demonstrating her commitment to dance leadership in her community. She also studied modern dance at the Baltimore County Gifted and Talented Camp under Leslie Weiss Timos, as well as jazz and tap at the Wally Saunders Dance School. During this time, she received training in ballet from notable instructors Edward Stewart and Barbara Miller. In 1982, she was invited to join the Wally Saunders Dance Company, performing with them until 1984. That same year, Miss Diane began her studies at Towson State University on a dance scholarship, where she was an integral part of the Towson State University Dance Company. As a dance major, she deepened her ballet education with Edward Stewart, Camille Izard, and Helene Brezeale, and explored modern dance with Andrea Lewis and Dottie Fried, while also studying jazz with Patty Corday. After undergoing knee surgery, she decided to pivot her major and earned a bachelor's degree in Health Science with a minor in Psychology in 1988, focusing her coursework on anatomy and physiology, early childhood development, and program planning. In addition to her role as a health and wellness counselor, she contributed her expertise by teaching ballet, jazz, and creative movement at Harford Dance Center before joining the ballet faculty at the Dance Conservatory in 2000.
Megan Montalvo
Megan Montalvo
Megan Montalvo
Recreational Program: Arianna Costantini received her dance training at Forest Hill Dance, where she developed a strong foundation in ballet education. Growing up as an active member of the dance production community with Harford Dance Theatre and The Danse Macabre, she also cultivated her skills in dance leadership. A graduate of Towson
Recreational Program: Arianna Costantini received her dance training at Forest Hill Dance, where she developed a strong foundation in ballet education. Growing up as an active member of the dance production community with Harford Dance Theatre and The Danse Macabre, she also cultivated her skills in dance leadership. A graduate of Towson University with a BS in Theatre Arts and Electronic Media & Film, Arianna currently serves as the Education Operations Manager at Everyman Theatre and is an instructor at Forest Hill Dance. In addition to these roles, she contributes to various musical theatre productions and owns a princess party business. Outside of her dance and theatre projects, Arianna also passionately works with animals, always striving to bring empathy, passion, and a positive attitude to everything she does.
Clara Garcia
Megan Montalvo
Clara Garcia
Pre-Professional Program Deborah Engerman began her ballet education early on with the Baltimore Ballet under the guidance of Wendy Robinson in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) tradition, successfully passing her graded exams. Her classical studies also include significant training with esteemed ballet faculty such as Petrus Bosman, David
Pre-Professional Program Deborah Engerman began her ballet education early on with the Baltimore Ballet under the guidance of Wendy Robinson in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) tradition, successfully passing her graded exams. Her classical studies also include significant training with esteemed ballet faculty such as Petrus Bosman, David Keener, and Christine Hennessy. While pursuing her BA in International Policy at Dickinson College, she continued her ballet education with the talented instructors at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Ms. Engerman’s dance training encompasses the Vaganova Technique, French Methodology, and the Dance Education Program at Towson University. She has staged renowned ballets including The Nutcracker and Act II of Swan Lake. Dancers trained by Ms. Engerman have excelled in their careers, earning professional contracts and performing with prestigious companies such as Universal Ballet, ABT, Complexions, The Washington Ballet, The Vienna Opera Ballet, the Boston Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Inc, Texture Ballet, and Hubbard Street, as well as on Broadway. Additionally, she has provided dance leadership as a coach to several dancers competing successfully in international ballet competitions, including The Prix de Lausanne, the Varna IBC, and The Youth America Grand Prix. Notably, her student Adrienne Canterna won the Junior Gold Medal at the 1998 Jackson USA International Ballet Competition. Currently, Ms. Engerman is pleased to continue training dancers in MD and PA while living with her husband and two dogs in South Central PA.
Emily Samuels
Ashley Spears
Ashley Spears
Diane Brown's early ballet education began at the Ellen Price Eckhardt Ballet School, where she studied ballet as a child. In 1983, she started teaching ballet and creative movement for the Jarrettsville Recreation Council, demonstrating her commitment to dance leadership in her community. She also studied modern dance at the Baltimore Co
Diane Brown's early ballet education began at the Ellen Price Eckhardt Ballet School, where she studied ballet as a child. In 1983, she started teaching ballet and creative movement for the Jarrettsville Recreation Council, demonstrating her commitment to dance leadership in her community. She also studied modern dance at the Baltimore County Gifted and Talented Camp under Leslie Weiss Timos, as well as jazz and tap at the Wally Saunders Dance School. During this time, she received training in ballet from notable instructors Edward Stewart and Barbara Miller. In 1982, she was invited to join the Wally Saunders Dance Company, performing with them until 1984. That same year, Miss Diane began her studies at Towson State University on a dance scholarship, where she was an integral part of the Towson State University Dance Company. As a dance major, she deepened her ballet education with Edward Stewart, Camille Izard, and Helene Brezeale, and explored modern dance with Andrea Lewis and Dottie Fried, while also studying jazz with Patty Corday. After undergoing knee surgery, she decided to pivot her major and earned a bachelor's degree in Health Science with a minor in Psychology in 1988, focusing her coursework on anatomy and physiology, early childhood development, and program planning. In addition to her role as a health and wellness counselor, she contributed her expertise by teaching ballet, jazz, and creative movement at Harford Dance Center before joining the ballet faculty at the Dance Conservatory in 2000.
Ashley Spears
Ashley Spears
Ashley Spears
Recreational Program: Arianna Costantini received her dance training at Forest Hill Dance, where she developed a strong foundation in ballet education. Growing up as an active member of the dance production community with Harford Dance Theatre and The Danse Macabre, she also cultivated her skills in dance leadership. A graduate of Towson
Recreational Program: Arianna Costantini received her dance training at Forest Hill Dance, where she developed a strong foundation in ballet education. Growing up as an active member of the dance production community with Harford Dance Theatre and The Danse Macabre, she also cultivated her skills in dance leadership. A graduate of Towson University with a BS in Theatre Arts and Electronic Media & Film, Arianna currently serves as the Education Operations Manager at Everyman Theatre and is an instructor at Forest Hill Dance. In addition to these roles, she contributes to various musical theatre productions and owns a princess party business. Outside of her dance and theatre projects, Arianna also passionately works with animals, always striving to bring empathy, passion, and a positive attitude to everything she does.
Sofia Tsanova
Ashley Spears
Sofia Tsanova
Pre-Professional Program Deborah Engerman began her ballet education early on with the Baltimore Ballet under the guidance of Wendy Robinson in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) tradition, successfully passing her graded exams. Her classical studies also include significant training with esteemed ballet faculty such as Petrus Bosman, David
Pre-Professional Program Deborah Engerman began her ballet education early on with the Baltimore Ballet under the guidance of Wendy Robinson in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) tradition, successfully passing her graded exams. Her classical studies also include significant training with esteemed ballet faculty such as Petrus Bosman, David Keener, and Christine Hennessy. While pursuing her BA in International Policy at Dickinson College, she continued her ballet education with the talented instructors at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Ms. Engerman’s dance training encompasses the Vaganova Technique, French Methodology, and the Dance Education Program at Towson University. She has staged renowned ballets including The Nutcracker and Act II of Swan Lake. Dancers trained by Ms. Engerman have excelled in their careers, earning professional contracts and performing with prestigious companies such as Universal Ballet, ABT, Complexions, The Washington Ballet, The Vienna Opera Ballet, the Boston Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Inc, Texture Ballet, and Hubbard Street, as well as on Broadway. Additionally, she has provided dance leadership as a coach to several dancers competing successfully in international ballet competitions, including The Prix de Lausanne, the Varna IBC, and The Youth America Grand Prix. Notably, her student Adrienne Canterna won the Junior Gold Medal at the 1998 Jackson USA International Ballet Competition. Currently, Ms. Engerman is pleased to continue training dancers in MD and PA while living with her husband and two dogs in South Central PA.