~ ABOUT ~
International Dance, LLC. was founded as the School of International Dance by Christina Heimlich in 1962. The school is directed by Elizabeth Hawkins. Our instructors are Miss Elizabeth, Miss Becca, Miss Jena, Miss Sarah, and Miss Misha.
Within the school we have a group of advanced dancers called "The Christina Heimlich Dancers." They perform and carry on the traditions that uphold the standards of our founder.
We want to take this opportunity to let you know a little more about our program. As a student, your child will learn about pre-ballet or ballet, creative movement as well as international folk and character dance. Some classes also study tap and jazz. Participation in our classes will encourage development of motor coordination skills, balance, partnering, flexibility, strength, concentration, independence, creativity through use of imagination, poise, posture, rhythm, discipline - all while having fun and learning about music and dance.
Elizabeth Hawkins
~ Owner/Director/Instructor ~
Artistic Director, Elizabeth Hawkins studied under both Founder Christina Heimlich and former Artistic Director Lisa Filipy for 10 years as an elite Christina Heimlich Dancer. She continued her dancing career at Shenandoah University where she studied under Robyn Schroth and Pamela Saxon and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She rejoined International Dance in 2012.
"Miss Elizabeth," as her students call her, is an accomplished director, choreographer, and seamstress. In addition she has 20 plus years of working with and inspiring children. Her love of dance, choreography, music and teaching shows in everything she does.
Sarah Stewart
~ Instructor ~
Sarah Stewart has professional dance and teaching experience. She danced at The Washington School of Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, and The Virginia Ballet, where she studied classical Russian technique with Oleg Tupine and Tania Rousseau.
She also performed with Arlington Dance Theatre. Seeking to share her love of dance with a new generation of students, Sarah co-founded Balancé Ballet in 2005, with her mother, Marla Boulter. Balancé Ballet was acquired by International Dance in August 2016.
Jemily Hayek
~ Instructor ~
Jemily danced for 20 years at International Dance and was an elite Christina Heimlich dancer. She danced at the International Children's Festival, as well as with the Bishop O'Connell Royalette Dance Team. She taught at several dance centers in the DC metro area and later was a finalist at the National Dance Team Championships in Walt Disney World and danced in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Jemily recently graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor's degree in Criminology, Law, and Society. During her time at GMU she also studied under several renowned instructors from the Mason Dance Company including Luis Torres of the Washington Ballet.
Misha Mlejova
~ Instructor ~
Misha is a professionally and classically trained ballet soloist from the Czech Republic and Slovakia where she shared the stage with Russian stars such as Ilse Liepa, and others. She is a member of the Slovak National Theatre and D.J.K Tyl in Pilsen and has taught Vaganova style ballet since 2009.
She likes musical theatre, jazz, ballet, modern dance and fashion shows but what she really loves is teaching and choreographing children of all ages.
Lisa Filipy
~ Ballet Master/Consultant ~
Ballet Master Lisa Filipy was trained as an elite Christina Heimlich Dancer. She performed ballet, character, and folk dances for world leaders as well as countless others at The White House, The Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap and many other venues.
She studied character and Russian dancing under Ludmilla Gregoreava (student of the great Igor Moiseyev), and received formal training with The Joffrey Ballet, Washington Ballet, Miami City Ballet and the Royal Canadian Ballet.
Inspired by Christina Heimlich, Miss Lisa has carried on International Dance traditions for 45 years and as its Former Artistic Director, she is best known for loving and inspiring generations of dancers and looks forward to inspiring many more.
Jena Jones
~ Instructor ~
Jena has been dancing for 24 years! While lyrical/contemporary and tap are her favorites, she has been trained in all styles. Jena has danced on competitive dance teams for 11 years where she won multiple titles on local, state and national levels. She has performed at many venues, including The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. She has a passion for dance and loves sharing that passion with her students.
Jena graduated with a BA in theatre from Limestone College. It was there she met her husband. They got married shortly after she graduated and relocated to the NOVA area. They now have a beautiful 1 year old daughter who Jena hopes will one day have the same love for dance she has.
Jena is so excited to be a part of the International Dance team and watch as each of her students grow and improves over the years!
Andrea Borrelli
~ Instructor ~
Andrea is thrilled to be dancing and teaching again. After dancing for 15 years with International Dance as a Christine Heimlich dancer, Andrea went on to dance for the Seton Hall University Dance Team. Her dance experience includes ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, Irish dance, and musical theater dance and choreography.
Currently, Andrea is pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Marymount University and is interning with the Arlington County Child Advocacy Center. She will be graduating in December and hopes to continue working with children and families.
Rebecca Craig
~ Instructor ~
Becca’s training from ages 12-18 was strictly Vaganova Ballet and Character Dance. At University of Central Oklahoma, Becca studied and taught modern, contemporary, jazz, choreography, and theatre. There, she made it her mission to help dancers become stronger both physically and mentally. She received a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in theatre arts from UCO in 2015 before venturing off to London, UK where she recently graduated with her MFA in Dance Choreography.
Currently, Becca is completing a Technical Theatre internship at Dance Place in London. Becca is thrilled to be in the US again with loved ones and teaching at International Dance!