Since 1980
The Company
Meet the faculty who teach and direct Valley Dance Theatre's productions.
Valley Dance Theatre was founded by Betsy Hausburg and Penny Tomasello to give talented local dancers real performance opportunities — and to bring affordable, professional-quality ballet to the Tri-Valley. We're the resident ballet company of the 500-seat Bankhead Theater.
The Company operates on a volunteer basis and has provided professional-quality productions to the Tri-Valley for over 40 years. Every year we stage two productions: the full-length Nutcracker each holiday season, and a spring showcase, Spring Rep, spotlighting local talent and original choreography — both performed with our own live pit orchestra.
Leadership
Artistic Director & Faculty
Betsy Hausburg
Artistic DirectorCo-founded VDT in 1980. BA cum laude in Dance, Butler University; performed with Syracuse Ballet Theatre and Hartford Ballet. Also VDT's principal costumer and seamstress.
Madison Adkins
Assistant DirectorA VDT alumna who rose from "mouse and rosebud" to soloist roles including Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy. Masters in Modern European History, San Jose State.
Virgil Angulo
InstructorFormer Oakland Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet and Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo dancer; teaching Tri-Valley students for over 16 years.
Michelle Wolfe
InstructorBio coming soon.
Genoa Sperske
InstructorBA in Dance & Drama, UC Irvine. Choreographer and ArtsBridge America honoree.
Meera Memula
Junior FacultyVDT alumna since age three, now teaching the lower division while attending St. Mary's University.
Alana Bourguet
Junior FacultyVDT alumna since age three; danced Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy and Black Swan.