Teachers and Guest Artists
Gina Farrar: Co-Artistic Director
Gina Farrar is a lifelong ballet enthusiast, having discovered her love for the art form at the age of six when she saw a performance by the Bolshoi Ballet. Originally from Georgia and South Carolina, Gina danced with the Charleston Ballet Company for five years before attending college. She continued to practice ballet seriously while in college and upon moving to New York City in the 1980s, where she studied under esteemed teachers such as those from the American Ballet Theatre School, David Howard, Finis Jhung, Leanne Plane, Ernie Pagnano, Jackie Villamil, Julie Stocker, and Setsuko Maruhashi.
Despite pursuing a career in education as a high school math teacher, psychologist, and school leader, Gina never abandoned her passion for ballet, except for a recent 10-year hiatus due to job demands and injury recovery. She was thrilled to discover the Blanco Ballet community, where she found young dancers with excellent technique and performance abilities in a vibrant and supportive environment.
Gina and her husband Alan now reside in Blanco with their cherished dog, cats, and chickens.
Gina Farrar is a lifelong ballet enthusiast, having discovered her love for the art form at the age of six when she saw a performance by the Bolshoi Ballet. Originally from Georgia and South Carolina, Gina danced with the Charleston Ballet Company for five years before attending college. She continued to practice ballet seriously while in college and upon moving to New York City in the 1980s, where she studied under esteemed teachers such as those from the American Ballet Theatre School, David Howard, Finis Jhung, Leanne Plane, Ernie Pagnano, Jackie Villamil, Julie Stocker, and Setsuko Maruhashi.
Despite pursuing a career in education as a high school math teacher, psychologist, and school leader, Gina never abandoned her passion for ballet, except for a recent 10-year hiatus due to job demands and injury recovery. She was thrilled to discover the Blanco Ballet community, where she found young dancers with excellent technique and performance abilities in a vibrant and supportive environment.
Gina and her husband Alan now reside in Blanco with their cherished dog, cats, and chickens.
Amber Lee: Teacher for Creative Dance and Primary Levels of Ballet
Amber fell in love with was dance from a very young age. Her Nana started teaching her as soon as she could walk. She attended dance classes yearly starting at 2 years old and has had experiences in many genres of dance including performances in the Houston and Austin areas until she was 24. She learned numerous styles of dance such as ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop, team pom, military and more. When she entered high school, she became a Hi-Stepper for Dripping Springs High School. She loved being a part of the drill & dance team. She high-kicked her way through high school, competing in various styles each spring and led her team as Spirit Leader for two years.After graduating high school she attended Angelo State University and then Texas State University where she pursued her degree in education and dance. In 2011 she fulfilled her lifelong dream of getting married to her high school sweetheart, Brian. They now have three children, Ethan, Nolan and Lexi and moved to Blanco in 2019. She has kept her passion for dance through the years teaching her own kids and is so excited now to join the Blanco Ballet Team to see other dancers bloom.
Amber fell in love with was dance from a very young age. Her Nana started teaching her as soon as she could walk. She attended dance classes yearly starting at 2 years old and has had experiences in many genres of dance including performances in the Houston and Austin areas until she was 24. She learned numerous styles of dance such as ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop, team pom, military and more. When she entered high school, she became a Hi-Stepper for Dripping Springs High School. She loved being a part of the drill & dance team. She high-kicked her way through high school, competing in various styles each spring and led her team as Spirit Leader for two years.After graduating high school she attended Angelo State University and then Texas State University where she pursued her degree in education and dance. In 2011 she fulfilled her lifelong dream of getting married to her high school sweetheart, Brian. They now have three children, Ethan, Nolan and Lexi and moved to Blanco in 2019. She has kept her passion for dance through the years teaching her own kids and is so excited now to join the Blanco Ballet Team to see other dancers bloom.
Amy McMain: Teacher for Primary and Level 1 Ballet
Amy McMain was born and raised in the Houston area. She started taking ballet and tap at Rachel's Dance Studio when she was five years old and continued her training for 25 years. She was a member of her high school drill team, The Tex-Anns, at Sam Rayburn High School. She has taken dance classes at Houston Dance Academy & Delia Stewarts Dance Company in Houston, as well as summer intensives at Broadway Dance Center and other studios in New York City. She has been fortunate to have taken dance and ballet classes from many international and renowned teachers as well as attended many dance conventions and competitions.
Amy moved to Blanco in 2000 with her family and children. She has worked for the Blanco National Bank and then the Hondo National Bank for the last 22 years. In 2020, she married Cory McMain and expanded her beautiful family. She is so happy to be teaching with Blanco Ballet in order to share her passion and joy for classical ballet. And, many of you might also know her as the mom of Blanco Ballet's very own Madison Fenley.
Amy McMain was born and raised in the Houston area. She started taking ballet and tap at Rachel's Dance Studio when she was five years old and continued her training for 25 years. She was a member of her high school drill team, The Tex-Anns, at Sam Rayburn High School. She has taken dance classes at Houston Dance Academy & Delia Stewarts Dance Company in Houston, as well as summer intensives at Broadway Dance Center and other studios in New York City. She has been fortunate to have taken dance and ballet classes from many international and renowned teachers as well as attended many dance conventions and competitions.
Amy moved to Blanco in 2000 with her family and children. She has worked for the Blanco National Bank and then the Hondo National Bank for the last 22 years. In 2020, she married Cory McMain and expanded her beautiful family. She is so happy to be teaching with Blanco Ballet in order to share her passion and joy for classical ballet. And, many of you might also know her as the mom of Blanco Ballet's very own Madison Fenley.
Ava Hermes: Student Assistant Teacher
Ava became a student with Blanco Ballet the summer before her sophomore year in high school. She had been fascinated with ballet since she was a little girl and was able to fulfill her dream of becoming a dancer when she found Blanco Ballet. She has taken beginner through advanced ballet classes, assisted teaching Creative Ballet and Level 1 ballet classes, and passed her Level 1 & 2 combined studio exam. She is currently attending Lyndon B. Johnson High School in Johnson City, where she participates in various other performing arts; she is an award-winning actress with LBJ’s One Act team, third-year varsity cheerleader, and a soloist for both the Eagle band and color guard. Her dream is to attend college and be an early-childhood educator, and she is forever grateful to be a part of such a loving and inclusive ballet school.
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Rachelle Reveley
Rachelle has danced with Blanco Ballet from its beginning. Rachelle attained the Cecchetti Elementary professional level of ballet (Level 5). She performed in Blanco Ballet's productions as lead characters in Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Beatrix Potter. Rachelle also teaches dance at the Dripping Springs YMCA. She is currently pursuing a Nursing degree and studies in dance at Colorado Christian University. Rachelle will continue to teach and choreograph with Blanco Ballet as one of our guest artists.
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