Riet Velthuisen

Riet is both the founder and director of the Continental Ballet Company. She is a native of Holland and has danced professionally with several European ballet companies, including the Dutch National Ballet. Riet studied classical ballet in Amsterdam, the Hague and Paris.

After working as ballet mistress in Memphis and Florida, she moved to the Twin Cities with her family. In 1987, she began teaching in Bloomington and in 1988 formed the Continental Ballet Company.

Riet’s primary work is with the Company Dancers conducting all rehearsals and directing all productions. She passes on her European style which is evident in the dancers who have trained with her. On several occasions she has accompanied dancers to Holland to share her European heritage and training with them.

Maureen Haworth

Maureen is a fellow member of the National Association Teachers of Dancing, in ballet, modern and tap. She is an advanced member of the Royal Academy of Dancing, the only accredited R.A.D. teacher in Minnesota. She is also an advanced member of the ISTD, an examiner, adjudicator and lecturer. Born Manchester England. Mauren is a former faculty member of Ballet Arts and Minnesota Dance Theatre, founding member of the Frankfurt English Speaking Theatre, Germany. She also owned ballet schools in Manchester, London and Frankfurt and is a Board member of Theatre Unbound.

Elizabeth Ippolito

(Bio coming soon)

Ted Southern

Ted trained in Minneapolis with Frank Bourman and later joined Minnesota Dance Theater.   He danced professionally with Washington Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theater and American Rep. Ballet. For 3 seasons he had the opportunity to tour Japan performing classic and comedic roles with Ballets Grandiva. Ted teaches Company class and performs with Continental Ballet Company.

Stephanie Heston

Stephanie Heston is originally from Topeka, Kansas and enjoyed a 15 year career as a professional ballerina performing all over the United States as well as internationally. Throughout the years Ms. Heston has taught classical ballet to all levels and all ages at various schools around the country and enjoys choreographing original works for students. From 2009-2011 she served as Artistic Director of North Ballet Academy and Youth Company in Rogers, MN where she developed a comprehensive 10 year ballet syllabus loosely based on the Vaganova Method and created a full length original production of “The Nutcracker” that was well received by critics and audiences alike. Ms. Heston is passionate about sharing her experience, knowledge and love of classical ballet with the next generation of dancers and is excited to join the faculty at Continental Ballet Company.