Meet our world-class staff of instructors

Katie Stasse

Artistic Director
School Principal

With over 20 years experience as a dance educator, Katie has trained many professional dancers in the Vaganova method at the School of Russian Ballet in Orlando. She received her training from Vadim Fedotov and Irina Depler - principal dancers from the Kyiv National Opera and performed as a principal dancer for the Fedotov Ballet, Dallas Neo-Classical Ballet and Contemporary Ballet Dallas - her exquisite record as a successful educator is unparalleled in Northwest Arkansas

David Sanders

Executive Director
Advanced Ballet Instructor

David began his training in Fort Worth Texas with North Central Ballet. After attending the University of Arizona as a dance major, he joined State Street Ballet in California as an Apprentices and has since enjoyed a 12 year career as a freelance dance performer and educator. He also has a background in business administration and logistics, with 7 years experience as a successful business administrator.

Arno-Stin Tsembenhoi

Ballet Instructor 
Men's Technique
Contemporary

A graduate of The Kyiv National Ballet Academy, Arno brings extensive knowledge in the Vaganova Method for men’s dance technique as well as an exquisite background in contemporary performance and choreography

Anastasya Rodina

Ballet Technique
Pre Pointe
Pointe

A graduate of The Kyiv National Ballet Academy, with an bachelor’s degree in choreography and teaching from the Kherson State University, Nastya brings an expertise in classical technique, conditioning and performance

Blake Worthey

Modern Dance
Improvisational Dance

An Arkansas Native, Blake received his BFA in modern dance from UA Little rock and has trained extensively in modern and improvisational dance. He brings his well-loved improvisational dance classes to our offerings at Mt. Sequoyah and can also be seen performing alongside OBT!