INSTRUCTORS

Esther Hansen
Executive & Artistic Director

Esther Hansen is a dance educator, choreographer, and former professional dancer based in Ukiah, California. She currently serves as Executive and Artistic Director of Mendocino Ballet, where she is committed to nurturing strong technical foundations and creative growth in dancers of all ages. She returned to the organization in 2022, resuming her teaching role and continuing her long-standing connection to the school where she first trained.

Her choreographic work has been presented through regional and national platforms, including Waiting for Daylight, which was selected for performance at the Regional Dance America National Festival in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Esther’s training includes classical ballet technique in both the Vaganova and Cecchetti methods, developed through her studies at Mendocino Ballet under Mary Knight Morris, Trudy McCreanor, and Susan Wilcox. At age 16, she was invited to train with American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive program, further shaping her classical foundation.

She went on to perform with Artesan Dance Company, a contemporary and modern fusion company that toured internationally, including performances in Paris, France, and at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival’s Inside/Out Series. During this period, she also studied acting and dance theatre under Diane Venora, deepening her approach to performance and artistic expression.

In addition to her dance background, Esther is a certified Pilates instructor through the Long Beach Dance Conditioning program, with a focus on biomechanics and therapeutic movement. She is also certified in 4Pointe Level 1 Training, supporting dancers in pre-pointe preparation, pointe work, and rehabilitation.

As an educator and director, Esther’s teaching philosophy emphasizes strong classical technique, mindful physical training, and creative exploration. She believes in fostering discipline, collaboration, and self-expression while supporting each dancer’s individual potential.

Ballet School Instructors

JESSICA HOWLETT

Jessica Howlett has been studying ballet and modern dance since she was six, with training in both Vaganova and Royal Academy of Dance methods. She has studied all over the country with teachers such as Robert Guy Desrosiers, Jillana, and Violette Verdy, and in the Bay Area with Wendy Diamond, Kaori Ogasawara, and Nicole Liboiron.

Jessica will be teaching a variety of classes including Adult Ballet, as well levels Beginning I & II in our Ballet School.

PALOMA RODRIGUEZ

Paloma has been teaching with the Mendocino Ballet for the last few years. Her joy and enthusiasm for dance and creative movement is contagious. She also collaborates with the dance program at Mendocino College and has a passion for dance theatre. She has choreographed several works for both film and stage on dancers in the college program and dancers here at the Mendocino Ballet.

Youth Program Teachers

MINDY KELLEY

Mindy Kelley grew up with a deep love and appreciation for dance, beginning classes at

age three and continuing through around age twenty. Over the years, she trained in ballet,

pointe, jazz, tap, and modern dance. She is also an experienced early childhood educator

with several years working with young children in Waldorf education. Mindy brings her

love of movement and her understanding of early childhood development into the

classroom, creating a warm, playful environment where young dancers can build

confidence, explore movement, and develop their own love of dance.

GWENDOLEN LIAWA-MCKAY

Gwendolyn has been dancing since she was three years old and has spend most of her life immersed in the art. She trained at Lakeport Dance Center under Antoinette Goetz, where she not only learned valuable lessons but also found lifelong friendships and a true passion for dance. While earning her AA in Theatre from Mendocino College, Gwen continued performing in both dance and theatre productions, deepening her love for the art and the power of teamwork. She believes dance is transformative- not just for the body, but for the mind and soul.

STUDENT TEACHERS

REAGAN FROST

Reagan is 17 years old and has been dancing with the Mendocino Ballet since she was 3 years old. She is now in the Company and has been a student of the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive in San Francisco as well as Ballet West. She is excited to be teaching our upcoming dancers, and share her love of ballet.

This is Reagan’s third year student teaching, as is continuing to teach on Thursdays for Pre-Ballet.

JOCELYN TORRES

Jocelyn is 17 years old and has been dancing with the Mendocino Ballet since she was 3 years old. She enjoys teaching and passing along her love of ballet and creative movement to the students in her classes. She is excited to teach this summer at our Summer Dance Camp!

Jocelyn has been teaching for 4 years now as a student teacher and is excited to be teaching new classes this year!