Faculty Biographies

Marisa Roth, Owner, Ballet, Tap and Jazz began her early training under the direction of Carol Jakes at the Northwest Ballet School. She was also a member of the NWB Company. She attended Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania, receiving her B.A. in Dance with a Teaching/Choreography concentration. Marisa danced with the Lake Erie Ballet Company for three years. She is currently in her sixth year on staff at the NWB School. She is the secretary on the Board of Directors for MDAA* and was also the managing director of the Northwest Dance Troupe. She is the business manager of the NWB school as well assistant to the director. Marisa and her husband Mike live in Kalispell.

Natalie Molter, Ballet has studied extensively with the Ballet Met, Pennsylvania Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet. Her early training was received at the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts studying under Franchon Cordell and the late Duncan Noble and Melissa Hayden. She has toured with the Hungarian National Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theater. Natalie pulls from her diverse background when teaching and is looking forward to another excellent year of dance! She is in her forth year on staff at the NWB school. She is the promotional director and new manager of Big Sky Dance Fashions dance shop. Natalie lives in Columbia Falls with her husband Neil and son Mason.

Stacy Jacobson, Hip Hop and Modern graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA in contemporary dance. She has studied under the teaching styles of Jose Limon, Lar Lubovitch and Paul Taylor. She has studied at The Broadway Dance Center in New York where she learned the latest in Hip Hop, Jazz and Funk. Stacy lives in Whitefish and is currently in her forthyear on staff at the NWB School. She will start teasching in January 05.

Claire Stanfill, Tap is currently a senior member of the "Feat by Feet" tap company. She continues her dance education by attending MDAA* workshops. Claire is an enthusiastic instructor and teaches the intermediate and advanced level tap students at the DAC. She has studied under great masters such as Brenda Buffalino, Steve Zee and Jeannie Hill. Claire lives in Bigfork and looks forward to another year of dance.

Tess Fitsgerald, Hip Hop has studied tap, ballet, jazz, and hip hop extensively. She has been a member of "Feat by Feet" pre-professional tap company for six years and furthers her dance education by attending MDAA workshops. She has studied with the finest hip hop legends including Mr Wiggles and Marty Kindelka to name a few. Tap masters include Dr Jimmy Slyde, Diane "Lady Di' Walker and many more. Tess lives in Whitefish and is excited to start her first year of teaching at the NWB School. Welcome Tess!