Who We Are

Benjamin Sterling Cannon,
Executive & Artistic Director

Mr. Cannon is a native of the Southbridge community, and is the grandson and nephew of Wilmington Jazz legends Millie Cannon and Lem Winchester. He was awarded the Helena Antonova Scholarship by James Jamieson,  studied dance exclusively at the Academy of the Dance, toured in Jamieson's iconic Lecture Demonstration, and

performed in the Academy's annual production of The Nutcracker before embarking on an eclectic professional career in the arts, spanning over 30 years.  While attending Delcastle Technical High School, Mr. Cannon starred opposite film legend Burt Lancaster in the ACLU film In Pursuit of Justice, and was offered to join The North Carolina Dance Theater (now Charlotte Ballet) as a Soloist, by the late Artistic Director and Choreographer Salvatore Aiello. Benjamin chose to graduate high school, and joined the company a year later, performing and originating roles in Aiello's innovative, theatrically driven works: The Rite of Spring, Carnival of the Animals, Clowns & others, Journey, Senza Fretta, and The Nutcracker, among others. Intentional about becoming a "triple threat" artist, he moved to New York City to study acting at Playwrights Horizons Theater School, and studied voice with Kurt Peterson ("Rolfe" in the film The Sound of Music).

  • He made his Broadway debut as the comically maniacal Banzai in Disney's The Lion King, and has starred in regional, national, and touring productions of Blues in The Night, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, A Chorus Line, The Who's Tommy, and Smokey Joe's Cafe to name a few.

    Mr. Cannon is a highly sought multidisciplinary Arts Educator, Director / Choreographer, and Producer. He has led and created arts programming for The VSA New Jersey, The Haddonfield Theater Arts Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The McCarter Theater, The Christina Cultural Arts Center, and Washington College, among many. He directed the compelling drama "Stick Fly", by Lydia R Diamond at Detroit's Meadow Brook Theater, and collaborated with Grammy Nominated artist Urie Caine, and Barbara Walker to pen " Stuff Happens" for Caine's Plastic Temptation album and European tour.

    Mr. Cannon was appointed Executive and Artistic Director of The Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance in 2020, the first African American in the organization's 65+ year history. He proudly takes the mantle of continuing the legacies begun by the founding Executive and Artistic Directors of The Wilmington Ballet and The Academy of the Dance.

Teaching Artist Collective

  • Karen Hostler

    Ballet Teaching Artist
    Wardrobe Mistress

    Wilmington, Delaware

    Philosophy - “Don’t just do it - Dance it !!!”

    Training - Stella Hobson- Arden Delaware (Former Ballet Russes dancer), Marc levy Dance Center, Anna Marie Dance Studio

    Mrs. Karen is a dedicated and passionate dance teaching artist who has become a staple in Delaware's ballet community. Known for her well sought-after adult ballet classes, Karen’s teaching is a testament to the belief that you can learn anything you put your mind to. Many of her students have gone on to become professional dancers, a reflection of her impactful teaching.

    In addition to her teaching, Mrs. Karen has served as the wardrobe mistress for the Wilmington Ballet for many years, expertly costuming tutus and ensuring that every Nutcracker performance is perfectly outfitted. Mrs. Karen has taught at other dance institutions such as the Marc Levy Dance Center and Anna Marie Dance Studio. She has been with the Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance for over 15 years!

  • Anya Ward

    Ballet Teaching Artist

    Wilmington, Delaware

    Philosophy - “ I teach ballet to challenge and inspire my students. Integrity, confidence, the joy of movement and ballet technique are the core of my classes.”

    Training - Washington School of Ballet, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and School of American Ballet

    Mrs. Ward danced with New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Geneva Ballet, and she was Artistic Director of Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware. Mrs. Ward owned and operated her own ballet studio in Center City Philadelphia for 12 years, and has been teaching locally ever since.

  • Debbie Coupe

    Royal Academy & Tap Teaching Artist

    Wilmington, Delaware

    Philosophy - “Dance is my happy place and my goal is to inspire a love of dance to all regardless of age”

    Training - Anna Marie Dance Studio

    As a performer Mrs. Coupe has appeared in the local Best of Broadway Shows with Greer Firestone. She has choreographed for St. Edmond's Academy for 24 years in addition to choreographing for Shoestring Productions of Brandywine Valley's Summer Showcase touring camp since 2012.

    Mrs. Debbie has taught tap at The Movement Workshop for 31 years, and at the YMCA and Aldersgate with a focus on ballet, jazz and tap. Since 2014, Ms. Debbie has overseen the summer programs at Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance for our youngest aspiring dancers.

  • Hannah Snyder

    Ballet Teaching Artist

    Wilmington Ballet

    New Castle, Delaware

    “Dance is an expression of your inner Heartbeat”

    Training -Landenberg Ballet Theater, Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance.

    Mrs. Snyder performed in the Nutcracker with Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance dancing the roles of Toy Doll, Clara, Chinese, Spanish, Snow and Waltz Corp among others. She also performed such roles as Lilac Fairy Variation and Pas-de-tois of Sleeping Beauty.

    Company Member and soon after First Soloist in Glorify Performing Arts from 2018-2022 under director Melody Stanert. Hannah has performed leading roles in original works of Glorify Performing Arts such as Alive In Us, Taistella and Come Alive.

    Hannah began as a student teacher assistant at Landenberg Ballet Theater, later moving to Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance where she became a Teaching Artist. Mrs. Snyder also taught for Beautiful Feet Dance Ministries and Stage Lights Dance Academy.

  • Rachelle Rafailedes

    Jazz & Modern Teaching Artist

    Massillon, Ohio

    Philosophy -"Technique is a tool to unlock your artistry."

    Training - The Juilliard School, Springboard Danse Montreal, Theatre Dance Centre

    Mrs. Rachelle has been a professional dancer for over 14 years. She began her career with A.I.M by Kyle Abraham and then danced with L.A. Dance Project, under the direction of Benjamin Millepied, where she was also a Rehearsal Director. Rachelle is currently a freelance artist and has guested for Keigwin + Company and Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, among others.

    In her 17 years as a teaching artist, Rachelle has taught for A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, L.A. Dance Project, Everybody Dance LA!, and Wilmington Ballet Academy plus countless masterclasses and lecture demonstrations worldwide.

  • Miguel Quinones

    Contemporary & Modern Teaching Artist

    New York, New York

    Training - Miami (FL) Conservatory, now known as the Thomas Armour Youth Ballet, Joe Michaels studio with the New Image Dance Ensemble, At New World School of the Arts

    Shortly after graduating he danced with the Parsons Dance company from 2005-2011. Miguel has also performed at several gala’s in Indianapolis and Houston, as well as nationally and internationally. Miguel has worked with artists such as; David Parsons, Robert Battle, Monica Bill Barnes, Donald McKayle, Michael Uthoff, Arthur Mitchell, Nicholas Andre, Mark Stuart, Shea Sullivan, Greg Dolbashian, and many other artists. He has taught both ballet and Parsons style contemporary master classes while on tour all over the United States and internationally. He is currently living in Philadelphia, to continue his career in dance education and choreograph. He is currently teaching at, Institute of Dance Artistry, and Ballet 180. Miguel is also dancing for "Sharp Dance" and "Pages to Pirouettes."

  • M. Amber Spivey

    Modern Teaching Artist

    Newark, Delaware

    Philosophy - “When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else. This is not just a grab-bag candy game.” - Toni Morrison

    Training - Long Island University, PHILADANCO, The Ailey School

    Ms. Spivey is a 2023 Artist Opportunity Grant Recipient, which afforded her the chance to attend the Horton Teacher Conference and study with Master Teacher Ana Marie Forsythe at the Ailey School. Amber is a former member and soloist with [Danco II] PHILADANCO’s Apprentice Company performing at the Kennedy Center, Kimmel Center, and the Academy of Music. She has been a freelance teaching artist at Heidi’s Academy of the Performing Arts, Delaware Arts Conservatory, Dance4Life, and she started a dance program at the Walnut St. YMCA. Ms. Spivey is also the owner I.AM. ART N Motion, LLC a performing arts management company.

Alumni

  • Ellen Rosa

    Dance Department Chair, Idyllwild Arts Academy, California

  • Lateef Williams

    The Royal Ballet of Flanders

  • Kimberly Cilento

    Washington Ballet

  • Benjamin Sterling Cannon

    Executive & Artistic Director Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance

  • Kamani Abu - Ailey ll

  • Antonia Rae Daugherty - Roanoke Ballet Theater

  • Susan Stroman

    Tony Award winning Director & Choreographer

  • Tina Fehlandt

    Founding member and Mark Morris Dance Group muse

  • Judith Jamison

    Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater student of founder James Jamieson at The Philadelphia Dance Academy (formally the University of the Arts)

  • Akua Noni Parker

    Former Principal Dancer Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Dance Theater of Harlem

Our legacy lives on through these and many other notable alumni: