Curriculum Vitae
Sueann Townsend
35 High Street Apt #5 Amherst, MA 01002
Mobile: +1 702 349 4231
Email: satownsend@earthlink.net
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Stabilized a 40 year old ballet school/performing arts organization that was on a downward
trajectory in enrolment and attendance by assessing local demographics, projected demographic
trends, reallocating existing financial resources for greater effectiveness, and significantly
reorganizing the scheduling, frequency, and nature of classes and performances to better meet
the needs of students and audience members.
Improved the quality of performances for the performers by crafting and producing shows that
showcase the performers at their individual best, provide opportunities for performers to grow
into new skills, and provide opportunities to test themselves in the established repertoire as well
as take part in the creation of exciting new works.
Improved the quality of the audience experience by crafting and producing shows that provide an
engaging whole as well as respect the time commitment and attention span of the local
audience.
Increased the number of performances per season and subsequently the organization
experienced an increase in ticket sales and attendance.
Launched and implemented the "Ballet for All!" initiative, an outreach program designed to
encourage participation in ballet classes by individuals of all ages and skill levels. This program
includes master classes for pre-professional students, adult dancers at all levels, and inner-city
underserved youth.
Increased adult student participation from approximately 15 participants to over 80 participants
over the span of three years. Subsequent income increase of 500% in adult student tuition.
WORK HISTORY
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2012-Present: Executive Director, Amherst Ballet, Amherst, MA
2008-2012: Senior Instructor of Classical Ballet, Amherst Ballet, Amherst, MA
1998-2008: Freelance Performer, Instructor, Theatrical Technician, and Production Management
Dancer: Ballet Theatre Internationale, Santa Fe, NM - First Soloist
Solstice Dance Theatre, Las Vegas, NV - Company member
American Dance Co., Las Vegas, NV - Principal Dancer
Nevada Ballet Theatre, Las Vegas, NV - Guest Artist
Featured Ballerina for various corporate events
Instructor: Kravenko Dance Academy/Kravenko Youth Ballet, Backstage Dance Studio,
Fern Adair Conservatory of the Arts, ABC Dance Studio, School of the Nevada
Ballet Theatre
Ballet Mistress/Company Teacher: Ballet Theatre Internationale, American Dance Co.
Theatrical Technician: I.A.T.S.I Local 720 - Electrician, Spot Op, Video Wall Engineer,
Video Wall Operator
Production Management: Encore Productions, Las Vegas, NV
Repeat Corporate Clients included Toshiba, Kimberly Clark, IBM
1996-1997: Dino Kartsonakis Show, Branson, MO / Rendy Lovelady Production Management
Featured Ballerina
Prior to 1996: Company Dancer, Freelance Guest Artist, and Instructor
Company Dancer: Louisville Ballet, Louisville, KY - Corps de ballet, Demi-soloist
Dance Theatre of Long Island, Port Washington, NY - Company member
Ramzi El-Edlibi Dance Company, New York, NY - Principal Dancer
Afterimages Dance Company, Louisville, KY - Principal Dancer
Guest Artist Engagements: Connecticut Ballet, Sayville Ballet, Albano Ballet,
Ft. Worth Opera, National Grand Opera, Kentucky Opera,
Thoughtforms Dance Company, American Music Festival
Instructor: Ramzi El-Edlibi Dance Company - Men's Ballet Instructor
Afterimages Dance Company - Company Teacher, Co-Director ADC II
Afterimages School - Director and Principal Instructor of Classical Ballet
EDUCATION
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Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen, MI
Graduate, Fine Arts Award in Dance
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New York Conservatory, New York, NY
Trained with Vladimir Davidov, Hector Zaraspe, Ali Pourfarroukh, Sallie Wilson,
Nicholas Orloff, Igor Youskevitch (Pas de Deux), Ramzi El-Edlibi (Middle Eastern)
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
B.A. Humanities
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
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Vaganova Teacher Training Workshop, Berlin, Germany
Bournonville Workshop with Karina Elver of the Royal Danish Ballet
Independent Study of the Vaganova Syllabus with Monika Rostomian, Graduate of the Vaganova
Choreographic Institute Teacher Training Program
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
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Windows OS, MS Word, Excel, Outlook
Audio Editing
Video Recording and Editing
Costume Construction
Technical Theatre including Lighting Design, Light Board operation, Spotlight operation, Video
Wall programming and playback
PERSONAL INTERESTS
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Music (Classical, Jazz, Middle Eastern)
Mathematics
Languages (German, Russian, Arabic)
REFERENCES
Available upon request.