Michele Plescia - Artistic Director,
Instructor
Michele Plescia studied ballet with Bristol Ballet’s founder
and director, Constance Hardinge, beginning her studies at age
seven. At age eight, she was one of a handful of Bristol students
selected by Maria Tallchief, founder of Chicago City Ballet,
to receive a Ford Foundation Scholarship to continue her ballet
studies. Later Michele attended Sullins College as a dance major,
under the direction of Madame Valentina Belova. Afterward, Michele
was a member of a professional company in Arlington, Virginia,
directed by Carmen Matte, former Prima Ballerina of the National
Ballet of Washington, D.C. Michele has worked with Robert Barnette,
Val Deacon, Ben Stevenson, and David Howard, among others. She
has performed various roles in “The Nutcracker”, “Quatre
Vignette”, the “Don Q. Pas de Deux”, “Les
Sylphides”, and other original works. 
Michele received her teaching certification from the prestigious
Royal Academy of Dance, headquartered in London, England, in
2002. The internationally recognized Royal Academy of Dance is
the world’s largest ballet examining and training organization.
Michele passed the certification with merit.. Academy members
have described her as a gracious and unassuming lady, as having
a good eye for correction, as having a good rapport with her
students, and as having high standards in demonstrating technique.
Prior to returning to Bristol, Michele has spent the last twelve
years teaching in the Chicago area, Many of her students have
gone on to join regional companies and/or to major in dance in
college.
“Michele is a master teacher. She is clear, concise,
and commanding without being overbearing. She focuses the class
motifs for her students, and her use of imagery is stellar.” – Tanya
Picard, Chicago Master Teacher and Choreographer
Hannah Foster - Student Assistant
Hannah is a senior at Abingdon High School and has been taking
ballet for thirteen years. In addition to taking classes at Bristol
Ballet Company, Hannah 
enjoys being an assistant teacher at Bristol
Ballet. Last spring she assisted with the Primary and Ballet
One classes and this year is helping with the Pre-Ballet class. “I
enjoy teaching ballet because I love to see the students learning
the skills that I learned years ago. Knowing that what I am teaching
them will help them with their continuance of ballet and that
I am affecting their lives in a positive way warms my heart.”
Arynn Carswell – Student Assistant
Arynn was born and raised in Bristol, TN and is currently a
junior at Tennessee High School. In her free time she enjoys
reading, spending time with her two older sisters, being outside,
and getting involved with activities around school. “Growing
up, it was always a dream of mine to become a ballerina. Although
I started classes later in my life than most, I have found that
it is not too late to make my dream come true. I have truly
enjoyed learning ballet in my own class, as well as assisting
with the younger girls.”
