Meet The BDS Instructors

Buffa Hargett – (Owner, Director)
Buffa has a dance background that includes ten years in Europe and over fifty 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 forty years, she has directed the studio and managed a staff of twenty-five dedicated professionals.  She created the Burke Civic Ballet in 1993 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 – (Owner, Director)
Melissa graduated with honors 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 where she was a soloist.  She choreographed for University productions and studied Modern, Ballet, Dance Composition and Dance History.  After graduating, Melissa was an Information Technology Specialist with IBM consulting with State Street Bank and Sallie Mae.  Dancing at Buffa’s since the age of three, she began as an assistant teacher in her teens and danced in the Burke Civic Ballet’s Nutcracker and Dance Company performances. She runs the Burke Civic Ballet’s Nutcracker, as well as schedules and coordinates the studio’s Competitions and Conventions with Dance Company, Diamonds, Crystals and Rhinestones year-long activities. In addition to teaching, work includes scheduling and coordinating over 130 classes per week and developing and presenting shows throughout the year, especially the year-end recitals  Further education includes Vaganova ballet seminars, University of the Arts program in ballet, Dance Teacher Conferences and numerous yearly conventions and Nationals. She was awarded “Excellence in Dance Education” by Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention and her pieces have received top honors at competitions such as NRG, DMI, NYCDA, Jump, Nuvo and The Dance Awards.  The studio was also just awarded the NRG Future Foundation Award. Melissa feels so blessed to be able to continue Miss Buffa’s vision of a studio where all dancers are welcome – recreational or competitive – and that all who dance here know they have a dance home with those who love and support them no matter where their future takes them.    

Karlyn Ankrom –Karlyn has an extensive background in dance and choreography, having been a member, choreographer, and president of the Mozaic Hip Hop Dance Team at James Madison University, where she performed at various venues in the area. She spent three years teaching hip hop and jazz in Harrisonburg, VA while getting her degree. During her studies at Buffa’s from age 3-18, she was part of the Dance Company, took on multiple roles with the Burke Civic Ballet, and served as a teacher’s assistant. Here, she absorbed invaluable lessons on managing a dance classroom—a skill she utilizes in her own teaching today. Karlyn also held the position of captain for the Lake Braddock Dance Team during her junior and senior years. She is delighted to teach at Buffa’s, sharing her passion for the arts with students from tiny dancers to teens since 2010. Outside of the studio, Karlyn channels her creativity as the CEO of her own social media agency, Oh Snap! Social. Karlyn enjoys life in Bristow, VA, with her husband and daughter, balancing family life with her professional pursuits in dance and digital marketing.

Liesl Rinke Balatsenko – Originally from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Liesl Rinke Balatsenko began her training at Lascu School of Ballet where she had the opportunity to study under numerous well know dancers and instructors. She continued training and performing at Orlando Ballet, later joining the professional company under the direction of the late famed, Fernando Bujones. She competed in The Paris International Ballet Competition and performed with Russian Ballet Orlando before joining Ballet Internationale in Indianapolis and working with world-renowned Irina Kolpakova and many other international ballet stars. With Ballet Internationale, she toured the United States and China. Moving to Virginia led to joining Manassas Ballet Theatre, where she performed principal roles and was later invited by Russian Ballet Orlando to tour South America, performing Cinderella. She has danced in all the major ballets, from Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle and Nutcracker, to A Thousand and One Nights and so many in between. She has taught in the Northern Virginia area for more than 15 years and is beyond blessed to be the mother of seven beautiful, crazy children.

Victoria Bartlett –Victoria is a Maryland native and a 2016 graduate of Goucher College in Baltimore, MD where she finished Magna Cum Laude with a BA in dance and a minor in psychology. She received the majority of her training at Glen Burnie, MD’s Edna Lee Dance Studio where she later taught ballet/pointe, jazz, contemporary/lyrical as well as choreographed for the school. She was invited as a guest artist by Howard County Ballet in 2013-2015 to dance the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. Ms. Bartlett spent the 2016-2017 season with the Charlottesville Ballet where she danced several corps de ballet roles. In 2017 she joined Manassas Ballet Theatre where she has danced the lead role of Lucy in Dracula and many other wonderful roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. Victoria is very excited to be teaching at Buffa’s Dance Studio!

Jennifer Baxter –Jen’s love of dance started at age three when she was a student at Buffa’s Dance Studio. Her daughter started dancing at Buffa’s at the age of three as well and it was such a wonderful moment for Jen to experience and share with her. Buffa’s was such an important part of her growth and development as a young child and teen and she came back as an instructor to share those ideas, inspirations, ideals, discipline, and self-awareness with other young dancers. Jen is the Director of Advancement at Immanuel Christian School, where her two children, Aidan and Reagan, attend. She is also the Head Coach for the School Dance Team. Jen received a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications from Emerson College and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Psychology from Virginia Tech. She was a member of the Virginia Tech dance team, the High Techs, and was Co-Captain her senior year. She was also the Assistant Dance Team Coach at W.T. Woodson High School – where she was a member of both the Precisionettes dance team and varsity cheerleading squad. Jen is excited to be back at Buffa’s for another year!

Linda Boyle – Linda has been a part of Buffa’s Dance Studio as a student, assistant instructor and instructor since the studio opened in 1980. In addition, she has worked with the Burke Civic Ballet since its inception in 1993. She was the head coach for the Lake Braddock Varsity Dance Team for 15 years. During the day she works full time for an event management company. Linda is proud to have seen her three daughters grow up dancing at the studio and in the Burke Civic Ballet. She is very pleased to be teaching at Buffa’s and to continue passing on her love of the art to generations.

Emma Bradley – Emma grew up and trained in the Northern Virginia area where she fell in love with dance and the power that movement has to transform lives – as it has hers, and for which she is truly grateful. Emma is going into her 15th season teaching and judging with NRG Dance Project on their 18 city US tour. She apprenticed with Conteur Dance Company in Toronto, Canada and has had the privilege of teaching and choreographing throughout the United States, Australia and Canada including NRG Australia’s 5 city tour of Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne. She has also taught and judged at Australian Dance Festival in Sydney, Australia. Aside from dance, Emma is Fluid Yoga Certified and holds a Graphic and Digital Design Certification through The Parsons School. Emma was named by Dance Spirit Magazine as one of the top 15 competition dancers to watch, was a Cover Model Runner-Up and was featured in their “Flying Solo” article about her choreography. Her training includes American Ballet Theater, The Kirov Academy of Ballet, Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet 360, BodyTraffic and Sidra Bell Dance New York. Performance experience/work includes Conteur’s “Fill in the Blanks” at The Winchester Street Theater in Toronto;
Industry in Sydney, Australia; Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet 360 and 180 Installations directed by Alexandra Damiani; Capezio 125th Anniversary Gala at City Center in NYC; Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles; Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala at Skirball Center in NYC. Emma is currently the Artistic Director of Buffa’s Dance Studio Ensemble and Assistant Director of The Burke Civic Ballet, a non-profit ballet company going into its 31st Season.

Moira Fagan – Moira started dancing at Buffa’s in 2003 and continued until graduating High School. During this time she was a member of their various competition groups including Dance Company and Ensemble. Moira also participated in the annual Burke Civic Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker for many years as well as joined the Lake Braddock Dance Team. She then went graduated with a Conservatory Degree in Dance Theatre from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Moira is so excited for this upcoming year and can’t wait to join the wonderful faculty in sharing her love of dance with everyone!

Laura Fong -Laura grew up in Pittsburgh, PA where she was part of a competitive dance company and also 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 worked and trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Dance New Amsterdam and Broadway Dance Center. Since returning to Northern VA, she has performed locally with dance companies such as Dancevert and DancEthos. Laura has taught at Buffa’s Dance Studio since 2009, and her choreography has won top awards at national and regional competitions for choreography, high score, critics choice, high voltage and most entertaining, among others. Laura is inspired by the many talented dancers, teachers, and choreographers at Buffa’s! She is thankful to be a part of this wonderful studio and share her love of dance!

Hilary Tone Forslund—Originally from Los Angeles, Hilary has been dancing since the age of three and teaching since she was 19. She is a product of Retter’s Academy of Dance (now RAD Dance) under the direction of Darryl Retter and Linda Bernabei-Retter, and was a member of the nationally-ranked Rhythm Machine Dance Company for six years. She has trained with such greats as Brian Friedman, Laurie Johnson, Gregg Russell, Marla Bingham, Suzy Miller, and Andy Blankenbuehler. She was an assistant for Tremaine Dance Convention, NYCDA, and DanceMakers Inc., and Captain of the Santa Clara University Dance Team for two years. From 2013-2020, she was a member of the Capitol Movement Dance Company in Washington, DC, and she completed three international tours performing for US military in Italy, Turkey, Djibouti, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Hilary feels fortunate to have been part of the Buffa’s dance family since 2012, and appreciates sharing her love of dance and its many life lessons with her students. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Spanish from Santa Clara University and a Masters of Public Diplomacy from the University of Southern California. By day, Hilary is the Chief Marketing Officer for the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) She lives in Hyattsville, MD with her husband, two children, and rescue cat.

Karissa Grady – From the age of 5 years old, Karissa grew up dancing at Buffa’s and absolutely loved it! Participating in the Burke Civic Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker was, and still is, one of her favorite times of the year. She competed with Dance Company and Ensemble, graduating in 2017. She then joined the administrative staff, and she then began teaching classes in 2020. Karissa graduated in Spring 2024 from George Mason University with a Bachelors of Science in Special Education and a minor in Dance Appreciation, and is now a first year teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools. She is so grateful to be able to continue sharing her love for dance with her students during this next exciting chapter

Nikki Gambhir – Nikki’s dance journey began at Buffa’s where she started classes at age 3 and was later a Dance Company member and soloist with the BCB. Currently, she dances with the Laura Edwards Dance Company and District Tap, and formerly with Culture Shock DC, Tappenstance, and Classical Repertory Dance Theatre. She is a former director of Hip Hop company DCypher Dance, and founding director of youth Hip Hop company Urban Impact. Nikki has performed with Cirque du Soleil, with the Broadway cast of Hairspray at the White House, and as a backup dancer for 80’s pop star Tiffany, the Flaming Lips, and Kicking Daisies. She has choreographed and performed for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, the White House Easter Egg Roll, and National Dance Day with Nigel Lythgoe. Nikki was a guest choreographer at Georgetown University and Oberlin College. Television appearances include BET’s 106 & Park and she was a featured dancer in the Bollywood movie, Ta Ra Rum Pum. She choreographed Wilson High School’s musical Hair, which won a Cappie award for Best Musical. Nikki has taught in MCPS for several years and was a teacher at Albert Einstein High School and at Bullis School in MD. She believes that the arts are essential to the community and is thrilled to teach at Buffa’s, where she hopes to nurture the artist in everyone.

Jamee Lyons —Jamee grew up dancing at Buffa’s. After graduating from Robinson Secondary, she attended East Carolina University where she majored in Music Education and Music Therapy.  After college, Jamee moved back to Burke and taught Music at Cherry Run ES. After several years she pursued Master’s in Counseling, and is currently in her 21st as a school counselor. Jamee is so excited to be back at Buffa’s as a teacher, to share her love of children, music, and dance!

Lisa Mitchell —Buffa’s has always been Lisa’s dance home, where she took her first class at age 3. She danced through her elementary years and after graduating from Robinson Secondary, continued her training at Radford University where she minored in dance with focus in jazz, ballet, and pointe. After graduating from RU with her BA in English, Lisa began teaching at Buffa’s while continuing her education at GMU. She earned her elementary teaching license and taught in local public and private elementary schools for 7 years before becoming the proud mom of 4 kids – two of whom are Buffa’s dancers, too! She is so happy to continue sharing the love and happiness of dance with our community’s young dancers.

Ilara Pritchard — Ilara started dancing at Buffa’s at the age of five and dance quickly became a large part of her life. During her time at Buffa’s, she took part in competition groups starting in Rhinestones in elementary school and ending her senior year as a member of Dance Company and Ensemble. Ilara also participated in the annual Burke Civic Ballet production of the Nutcracker and the annual choreographer showcase which paved the way for choreographic work that she went on to do in college. Ilara is a recent graduate of Miami University where she studied Architecture and dance and is excited to continue to share her love for dance at the place where her love first blossomed.

Hannah Reedy —Hannah is originally from Lititz, PA and her love of dance began at age 3. She was a member of the competition company at New Line Revue (now called Dance Dynamix) from the age of 6 until she graduated high school. Growing up she received extensive training in ballet, lyrical, jazz, pom, contemporary and acro. In 2016, Hannah graduated from Lebanon Valley College with a degree in Political Science and Global Studies. During college she continued dancing and served as Vice-President of the LVC Dance Team. It was during this time she found her second passion: teaching dance. Most recently, Hannah was on faculty at James School of the Dance Arts in McLean, VA for 7 years. Hannah is also entering her second season as the Head Coach of the Varsity Dance Team at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Aside from dance, Hannah works at the Brookings Institution and has a M.A. in International Education from George Washington University. Hannah is entering her 10th year teaching dance and is so excited for her 1st year at Buffa’s! She can’t wait to share her passion, and teach the next generation of dancers!

Katie Storch – Katie graduated from George Mason University in the Spring of 2014 with a degree in Tourism and Events Management and a minor in Psychology. While at Mason she was a member of the Masonettes, the George Mason Dance Team, which ranked Top 3 in the nation all four years that she was with them. She started dancing at Buffa’s when she was 4 years old and has found it hard to leave ever since. She is ecstatic to be able to teach her own students at the studio she has called home for so many years and continue to spread her love for the arts and dance. Katie has also loved the recent addition of teaching adults and loves connecting with them to help them discover/rediscover their passion for dance and performing – dance is for everyone! Her daughters, Ellie and Lucy, are students at Buffa’s which has been so special and full-circle. Their baby sister Ruby joins them this year as well taking her first Buffa’s dance class!

Bryana Trupo — Bryana began dancing at the age of 3 in her home state of New
York. She continued her study of dance into college where she was a member of
the SUNY Geneseo Dance Ensemble and Geneseo Knightline Dance Team, ballet intensive programs, and received in-depth tap training with SUNY Brockport director of dance, Santo Giglio. She taught classes at local dance studios for five years during this time, where she learned to incorporate creative movement, ballet, tap and jazz into children’s classes to foster an early love of the arts, which remains one of her passions! Bryana has a degree in Childhood and Special Education, taught in Fairfax County Public Schools and currently teaches Preschool. Bryana shares the love of dance with her daughter, Chloe, who is a student at BDS.

Brienne Tyler – Brienne has been teaching dance since 2018, and has been teaching at Buffa’s since 2022. While attending UVA, she taught dance lessons, choreographed and performed as a member of the Virginia Dance Company and as the lead instructor of the University Salsa Club. Brienne earned her Yoga Sculpt certification in 2022, and she is currently teaching at MIYU in Falls Church. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, taking dance classes at local studios, and Latin social dancing. Brienne grew up dancing at Buffa’s, and in high school, she was a member of Buffa’s Dance Company and was captain of the Lake Braddock Golden Girls. She is grateful to have the opportunity to continue sharing her love of dance with students at Buffa’s!

Kathleen Wiggins – Kathleen began dancing at Buffa’s when she was 5 and has loved being part of the Burke Civic Ballet and Dance Company. Now stepping into her 17th year at Buffa’s, she cannot wait for another awesome year at the studio! During the day she is a student at NVCC studying Theater, while also working as a dancer and model along the East Coast.