The Team

Conrad Useldinger | Artistic Director

In 2019, Conrad received an MA in Theatre Practices from Artez Hogeschool voor de Kunsten (NL), where he was a recipient of the Artez Scholarship. In 2015, he received a BFA in Dance from Belhaven University (USA) where he was a recipient of the Belhaven Dance Scholarship.

Over the course of his training, Conrad learned ballet under the tutelage of Caleb Mitchell (Houston Ballet), Ravenna Tucker (Royal Ballet), Laura Morton (Milwaukee Ballet), and of course his mother (San Francisco Ballet) among others.

Since 2021, Conrad has been back in Santa Cruz where he has staged classics like The Nutcracker as well as new works like his original adaptation of Appalachian Spring (2023)

Melanie Useldinger | Chair of the Board

After dancing in the corps of San Francisco Ballet under Michael Smuin, as well as with Dance Theatre of Kansas, Melanie spent many years teaching ballet in different studios in Santa Cruz County. Since 2012, she has staged many classical ballets including The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Swan Lake, and Cinderella.

Board of Directors

Marc Freed | Vice President & Secretary

Kathy Sherman | Chief Financial Officer

Stacey Ely | Vice President of Fundraising

Laura Kreuger

Javonne Kreuger