Annette Hagopian - Artistic Director Ms. Hagopian received her dance training in her homeland of England. She holds teaching examination certification in Ballet, Modern, and National Dance, awarded by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance. She also holds the Advanced Executant Ballet Examination Certificate awarded by the Royal Academy of Dancing, late President Dame Margot Fonteyn. After performing professionally with a Modern Ballet company in Europe, Ms. Hagopian has gone on to teach for over twenty years.  Ms. Hagopian created the Triangle Academy of Dance in 1994 and serves as Director and faculty member. Triangle Academy of Dance prides itself in being a leader in the arts and culture communities of Cary and Raleigh. The Academy has a multi-national enrollment of over 1000 students. Their Summer Camp program is known nationwide.  In 1998, Ms. Hagopian formed the Carolina Youth Ballet, a non-profit youth ballet company to provide serious students with the opportunity to perform with professional guest dancers in full length staged ballets.  The company performs twice a year at the Progress Energy Performing Arts Center, including The Nutcracker to sell out crowds.
	Kristin Diamondidis - Director of Children's Ballet Kristin Diamondidis began her dance education at age six. Her early training was with Irene Fokine in Ridgewood, NJ, where she danced in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Les Sylphides. After moving to Connecticut, she trained with Alexei Tchernichova. Mrs. Diamondidis trained at the David Howard Dance Center in New York under David Howard. She also attended summer programs with The Joffrey Ballet and the Boston Ballet. While in Boston, she performed professionally with the Boston Ballet. Kristin has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. There, she danced solo roles in Paquita, Ventana, and Coppelia. While in Pennsylvania she also performed with the Lake Erie Ballet in numerous classical and contemporary works. Mrs. Diamondidis has been creating choreography and teaching for Triangle Academy of Dance since 1998. Ms. Diamondidis is looking forward to continuing her work with the Children’s Ballet Program.
	Tamara Manukovskaya - Dance Instructor Tamara is from Russia. She graduated in 1996 from the Saratov Choreographic College and was invited to join the Primier Theatre under the direction of Yuri Grigorovich, the legendary director of the Bolshoi Ballet. She danced in many well-known ballets in the 1996-1997 ballet season including The Nutcracker, Giselle, Chopiniane, Don Quixote, Esmeralde, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Raymunda. In September 1998 she left her homeland and moved to the United States and joined the Christian worship ballet company, Renaissance Ballet under the direction of Olga Tarasova in Apex N.C., where in addition to classical ballet, she danced folk and modern pieces.
	Marie Middleton - Jazz Instructor Marie Middleton began dancing at the age of eight, studying modern jazz, modern dance (Horton Technique), African dance, tap and ballet. She trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York City for five years before joining the Alvin Ailey American Summer Institute as an intern in 1992. Marie graduated from Penn State University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Penn State she was the Artistic Dance Director of Nommo Performing Arts Center. Marie was a member of the regional NA'ADE in Philadelphia, performing traditional African Dance and Modern Dance from 1995 to 1997. She performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City as a member of the Rosemarie Lindt Dance Company during the 1998-1999 season.
	Megan Laeng Copeland - Jazz Director, Instructor Ms. Megan started her training at the age of 4 in Durham, N.C. under the instruction of Sharon Bullock at Dance Arts Unlimited.  There she was trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, pointe, and tap for 14 years.  During this time, she had the opportunity to appear and dance on "Star Search".  She attended East Carolina University where she received a BFA in dance. Upon graduation, she moved to Los Angeles, California, and trained in jazz and lyrical under Darryl Retter and Linda Bernabei-Retter, and was also a member of their Pro Dance Company.  After moving back to North Carolina, she taught dance and drama at Daniels Middle School in Raleigh.
	Maggie Lloyd-Ewing - Dancer, Choreography, Instructor Miss Maggie is an independent dancer and choreographer.  Her work has been performed at The New York State Summer School for the Arts, Brown University, Rhode Island College Dance Series, and in cities such as Philadelphia, New York City, and Seattle. She has danced with Pacific American Balllet Theatre, Cavanaugh and Dancers, Heidi Henderson's Elephant Jane Dance, and with several independent choreographers.  She has taught Ballet and Modern technique at Rhode Island College, Brown University, Pomona College, and The New York State Summer School for the Arts, as well as at many private studios.   Maggie has trained at the North Carolina School for the Arts, The Hungarian National Ballet, The Merce Cunningham Dance Studio, and she holds a BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts.  Maggie lives in Southern Pines with her four year old son, Jasper. Please join us in welcoming Miss Maggie as our newest staff member for the 2007 season.
	Paul Geldston - Dancer, Choreographer, Instructor Paul Geldston comes to us from New York City with numerous years of teaching and choreography experience.  Paul has received training in tap, ballet, jazz, and modern dance.  Paul has been teaching in New York City since 1986 until present at many renowned studios, including Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Bronx Dance Theatre, and Roper Records. Paul has performed and choreographed for various Equity Showcases; "Forty Second Street", and "Anything Goes"; Summer stock performances; "Music Man" and "Evita" are all included in his many performing credits.   Paul has taught all ages and levels ranging from grades kindergarten through 12.