Ekaterine Bezirgani, Artistic Director of Twin Cities Ballet Company

Originally from the Republic of Georgia, Eka trained with the Moscow Academy of Dance and Moscow Academic Choreographic College, earning a Graduate Artist of High Ballet and Teaching Diploma. She also trained with the Tbilisi Ballet Academy School, acquiring the rank of prima ballerina with the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Eka has danced all over the world as a principle dancer and guest artist, performing an extensive repertoire including Odette/Odile from Swan Lake, Swanhilda from Coppelia, Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker, and the title roles in Giselle and Paquita. She has also danced principle roles in La Bayadere, La Sylphides, Don Quixote, Porgi and Bess, and Romeo and Juliet.

Since joining Twin Cities Ballet, she has produced The Nutcracker, La Sylphides, Cinderella and The Sleeping Beauty.

Eka is the Artistic Director of the Twin Cities Ballet Company. 

Lisa Henry, Artistic Director of Twin Cities School of Dance, Artistic Director of Competition Team 

Lisa graduated from Rockford College with her bachelor of fine arts (BFA) in dance. She owned her own dance studio in Sterling, Illinois for a number of years prior to joining Twin Cities School of Dance. Lisa also created the Performance Company now known as the Competition Team which performs in several community events, travels, and competes. Lisa created the group to teach dancers how to stand out in the crowd and to allow dancers an opportunity to choreograph their own dances. Many of her students are also active in local theater, cheer, dance, and pom teams.

Her philosophy on dance goes beyond pointing your toes. Miss Lisa believes that dance is a great way to build confidence and discipline in children and one of the best ways to stay active in your youth. Lisa also states, “You don’t’ have to be the best, you just have to try your best”! Lisa credits her self-confidence and enthusiasm to having a wonderful role model. At least once every year her students will hear the words of Lisa's late mother, "Confidence, you have to have Confidence."

She is a very enthusiastic teacher with the spunk and drive to motivate dancers.

Lisa is also employed at Heartland Bank and has been with Twin Cities School of Dance since 1996.

Jacee Henry, Artistic Director of Ascension Dance Company

Born in Bloomington, Illinois Jacee began taking ballet lessons at the age of 2 at Twin Cities School of Dance. As a young student she enjoyed taking Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, and Latin jazz. Jacee is also a previous member of TCSD’s Ballet Company, Performance Team, and Repertory Company. Through competing across the midwest she has received awards for her excellence in dance, flexibility, and intensity in performance quality. 

Once Jacee began high school she decided to explore outside of her hometown to attend workshops, intensives, and conventions. Some of the most accredited intensives she has trained at are the original Commercial Dance Intensive, U of I’s summer program, and Ballet Chicago. At 16 she began teaching and choreographing for TCSD. She has since choreographed for many dancers and studios. Jacee has recently been awarded “Excellence in Choreography.” 

During her college years she moved to Chicago to train at Ballet Chicago’s pre-professional studio company directed by Daniel Duell. This program gave her experience in George Balenchine’s technique and repertoire. Through this program she also got to work with renowned professors such as Patrica Blair, Simone Messmer, Ted Seymour, and Joshua Ishmon. 

Currently she is founding a new program at TCSD (ADC/ Ascension Dance Company). Ascension Dance Company is a pre-professional program for teen dancers with a strong emphasis on technique, stage presence, and artistry. Jacee also teaches ages 2-18 in various styles such as Acro, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre.

Jenna Mamer:  Assistant Director of Competition Team

Jenna relocated to Bloomington from New York City in 2014. While in NYC, Jenna performed with Aaron McGloin Dance Company. She also trained with Nicole Wolcott (Keigwin + Company) and frequented Dance New Amsterdam where she took class from a variety of contemporary dance instructors.  

Jenna holds a bachelors of fine arts in dance from Arizona State University. There she had the opportunity to study with several outstanding instructors; most notably, Nina Watts (Jose Limone Dance Company), Claudia Murphy (Trisha Brown Dance Company), Doug Varone (Doug Varone and Dancers) and Elizabeth Johnson (Liz Lerman Dance Company). 

Jaycee Spivey is a San Antonio, Texas native who recently moved to Bloomington/Normal to attend ISU. She started dance at the age of 13 and has trained in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, Pom, and clog. She has been apart of various high school and competitive dance teams, ending her high school season with Jens Dance Spot, allowing he the opportunity to compete and take class across Texas.

When she’s not dancing, Jaycee is a history education major/athletic coaching minor at Illinois State, and teaches group fitness classes at the ISU recreation center.