Staff and Faculty
Artistic Director -- Hannah Gestwick
An MSB alum, Hannah Gestwick began her ballet training with the Joan Izzo Academy of Dance. Her first MSB stage performance was "The Nutcracker" in 2002, in which she danced as a Polichinelle. Hannah continued her dance training at MSB until graduating in 2013. Notable roles include Clara, Dahlia, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in MSB's "The Nutcracker" and Athena in MSB's "Pandora's Box". While dancing at MSB, Hannah trained with the Kirov Academy of Ballet in DC and performed at the Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center with the Maryland Youth Ballet. Hannah was captain of the Centreville High School Dance Team and attended the Virginia Governor's School for Visual and Performing Arts summer program.
Hannah graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Systems and Information Engineering. As part of her accompanying Dance minor, Hannah developed her expertise with classes in ballet, modern, jazz, improvisation, composition, dance history, and dance production. She performed and choreographed in faculty, guest artist, and student pieces featured in the UVA Drama Department's dance concerts. Hannah attended and performed UVA faculty works at the American College Dance Association regional conferences.
Hannah has taught high school and adult ballet classes at Wilson School of Dance in Charlottesville, VA. Hannah has been teaching, directing, and choreographing at MSB since 2019.
Hannah's Mission Statement
I believe that Dance brings out the raw truth of our humanity. Movement is a shared language that guides us to express, relate, and understand one another regardless of where we are from, where we are currently, or where we are going. It provides the vocabulary to connect our minds, heal our hearts, and move our souls. As I learned to dance, MSB became my second home. I cherish the shared memories, relationships, and experiences from my time as a student. To teach and direct in the same classroom I grew up in was once only a dream. With this opportunity, I aspire to promote the same inclusive, encouraging, and inspiring environment that molded me into the dancer I am today. I look forward to growing with you!
An MSB alum, Hannah Gestwick began her ballet training with the Joan Izzo Academy of Dance. Her first MSB stage performance was "The Nutcracker" in 2002, in which she danced as a Polichinelle. Hannah continued her dance training at MSB until graduating in 2013. Notable roles include Clara, Dahlia, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in MSB's "The Nutcracker" and Athena in MSB's "Pandora's Box". While dancing at MSB, Hannah trained with the Kirov Academy of Ballet in DC and performed at the Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center with the Maryland Youth Ballet. Hannah was captain of the Centreville High School Dance Team and attended the Virginia Governor's School for Visual and Performing Arts summer program.
Hannah graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Systems and Information Engineering. As part of her accompanying Dance minor, Hannah developed her expertise with classes in ballet, modern, jazz, improvisation, composition, dance history, and dance production. She performed and choreographed in faculty, guest artist, and student pieces featured in the UVA Drama Department's dance concerts. Hannah attended and performed UVA faculty works at the American College Dance Association regional conferences.
Hannah has taught high school and adult ballet classes at Wilson School of Dance in Charlottesville, VA. Hannah has been teaching, directing, and choreographing at MSB since 2019.
Hannah's Mission Statement
I believe that Dance brings out the raw truth of our humanity. Movement is a shared language that guides us to express, relate, and understand one another regardless of where we are from, where we are currently, or where we are going. It provides the vocabulary to connect our minds, heal our hearts, and move our souls. As I learned to dance, MSB became my second home. I cherish the shared memories, relationships, and experiences from my time as a student. To teach and direct in the same classroom I grew up in was once only a dream. With this opportunity, I aspire to promote the same inclusive, encouraging, and inspiring environment that molded me into the dancer I am today. I look forward to growing with you!
Assistant Teacher -- Abi Seifried
Abi Seifried is a current Advanced level student at Mia Saunders School of Ballet. She began her dance training at age 2 in the fall of 2009 at Tiny Dancers. Her first MSB show was as a Polichinelle in the 2012 production of MSB's "The Nutcracker". As well as being an MSB student, Abi is currently a Senior at Centreville High School. She is also a member of Fairfax High School's academy dance program. Abi loves sharing her passion for dance with younger students and is so excited for the year to come!
Assistant Teacher -- Abby Carpenter
Abigail (Abby) Carpenter is a current Advanced level student at Mia Saunders School of Ballet. She began her MSB training at the age of 5. Her favorite memory from MSB is receiving a rose from Clara in her first show of "The Nutcracker". Abby is a current Senior at Centreville High School and participates in school activities such as being captain of the Dance Team and managing for the Swim and Dive team. Abby is excited to dance with the Intermediate I class!
Assistant Teacher -- Inaaya Malik
Inaaya Malik is a current Advanced level student at Mia Saunders School of Ballet. She began to train at MSB at the age of 6 and her first recital at MSB was “The Firebird”. Inaaya's favorite part of being a dancer at MSB are all of the friends she has made along the way. She loves how she can be part of a community of dancers who all share the same passion! Inaaya is currently a Sophomore at Centreville High School and engages in many after school clubs and activities. Inaaya is so excited to share her devotion to dance with the younger students, and she cannot wait to help them grow!
Inaaya Malik is a current Advanced level student at Mia Saunders School of Ballet. She began to train at MSB at the age of 6 and her first recital at MSB was “The Firebird”. Inaaya's favorite part of being a dancer at MSB are all of the friends she has made along the way. She loves how she can be part of a community of dancers who all share the same passion! Inaaya is currently a Sophomore at Centreville High School and engages in many after school clubs and activities. Inaaya is so excited to share her devotion to dance with the younger students, and she cannot wait to help them grow!
Business Manager -- Taylor Gestwick
A graduate of the University of Virginia and a budding dancer himself, thanks to his numerous The Nutcracker appearances and featured role as Hilarion in Giselle, Taylor Gestwick runs our business operations, to include logistics, registration, and tuition. Please contact Taylor with any student account inquiries at taylor@miasaundersballet.com.
About MSB
The School
The Mia Saunders School of Ballet was established in the Centreville-Clifton Area in 1987. The studio has suspended wood floors, ballet barres, and mirrors. Classes are taught in the Russian style. Students develop grace, good body carriage, and flexibility through an integrated program which includes classical technique, proper body alignment, and French terminology. Advanced students learn dance history, rhythmic analysis, and choreography. Lyrical dance is offered to students from Intermediate II through the Advanced level.
Performances
Each winter, the Mia Saunders School of Ballet proudly continues its winter tradition of performing as a gift for others. The students perform in "The Nutcracker" and their parents contribute their talents towards the production side of the performances, making this a family and community event. The proceeds from these events have gone to such worthy charities as the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and Inova Children's Hospital, among others.
In the Spring, the Mia Saunders School of Ballet presents an all-student Spring Recital. Past productions include "The Dancing Princesses", "The Firebird", "Neverland Fairies", and most recently "Cinderella."
Our Founder
Mia Saunders is a second-generation dancer. She began training at her mother's Margery Carroll School of Ballet in New Jersey. When she was 8 years old she was accepted into the School of American Ballet in New York City. At age 12, she earned a scholarship with the Garden State Ballet in Newark, New Jersey.
Mia received her professional training in New York City at the American Ballet Theatre School under the direction of Madame Maria Swoboda, Leon Danielian, Jurgen Schneider, and Patricia Wilde. She has also trained under such notables as Finis Jhung, Edward Villella, and Margot Fonteyn. Her professional credits include the positions of soloist with the Denver Civic Ballet under the direction of Milenko Banovitch; Ballet Mistress of the Monmouth Civic Ballet in Red Bank, New Jersey; and Teacher/Choreographer for the Children's Ballet Program at Hartnell College in Salinas, California. In addition to her ballet training, Mia holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Dance. Mia Saunders retired in 2019 after more than 30 years of dedication to sharing the art of dance.
Mia's Mission Statement
I sincerely believe that dance is an extension of education created to stimulate the body as a whole. I seek to provide training to children because I believe that by connecting the mind, body, and soul in dance class it will help them to improve every aspect of their lives. To partake in dance classes is an educational experience that will benefit children throughout their years. As Plato once said, "The purpose of education is to give to the body and soul all the beauty and all the perfection of which they are capable."
The Mia Saunders School of Ballet was established in the Centreville-Clifton Area in 1987. The studio has suspended wood floors, ballet barres, and mirrors. Classes are taught in the Russian style. Students develop grace, good body carriage, and flexibility through an integrated program which includes classical technique, proper body alignment, and French terminology. Advanced students learn dance history, rhythmic analysis, and choreography. Lyrical dance is offered to students from Intermediate II through the Advanced level.
Performances
Each winter, the Mia Saunders School of Ballet proudly continues its winter tradition of performing as a gift for others. The students perform in "The Nutcracker" and their parents contribute their talents towards the production side of the performances, making this a family and community event. The proceeds from these events have gone to such worthy charities as the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and Inova Children's Hospital, among others.
In the Spring, the Mia Saunders School of Ballet presents an all-student Spring Recital. Past productions include "The Dancing Princesses", "The Firebird", "Neverland Fairies", and most recently "Cinderella."
Our Founder
Mia Saunders is a second-generation dancer. She began training at her mother's Margery Carroll School of Ballet in New Jersey. When she was 8 years old she was accepted into the School of American Ballet in New York City. At age 12, she earned a scholarship with the Garden State Ballet in Newark, New Jersey.
Mia received her professional training in New York City at the American Ballet Theatre School under the direction of Madame Maria Swoboda, Leon Danielian, Jurgen Schneider, and Patricia Wilde. She has also trained under such notables as Finis Jhung, Edward Villella, and Margot Fonteyn. Her professional credits include the positions of soloist with the Denver Civic Ballet under the direction of Milenko Banovitch; Ballet Mistress of the Monmouth Civic Ballet in Red Bank, New Jersey; and Teacher/Choreographer for the Children's Ballet Program at Hartnell College in Salinas, California. In addition to her ballet training, Mia holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Dance. Mia Saunders retired in 2019 after more than 30 years of dedication to sharing the art of dance.
Mia's Mission Statement
I sincerely believe that dance is an extension of education created to stimulate the body as a whole. I seek to provide training to children because I believe that by connecting the mind, body, and soul in dance class it will help them to improve every aspect of their lives. To partake in dance classes is an educational experience that will benefit children throughout their years. As Plato once said, "The purpose of education is to give to the body and soul all the beauty and all the perfection of which they are capable."