Meet the Instructors
Kristiana Bell, Director
Kristiana Bell has been dedicated to the fine art of ballet for over twenty-five years and has studied modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, character, hip-hop, and musical theatre at Loyola University New Orleans, Tulane University, North Carolina School of the Arts, Nashville Ballet, and various studios in Baldwin County. While working as a professional dancer, Kristiana graced the stages with Ballet Pensacola and Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Maryland’s premiere professional ballet company. As a soloist of Ballet Pensacola, she had the honor of performing as the Bird in the original cast of A Nightmare Before Christmas, choreographed by Richard Steinert; and, during her time at Ballet Theatre of Maryland, she danced in Aladin, The Nutcracker, and Swan Lake, choreographed by Diana Cuatto.
While earning her Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a Dance Minor from Loyola University New Orleans, Kristiana performed such roles as Arora from The Sleeping Beauty, Nikiya from La Bayadere, and Queen Mekhmene Banu from A Legend of Love, among many other lead roles. Along with gaining the title of Loyola’s Dancer of the Year twice, she also won the Junior Philharmonic Society of New Orleans’ overall honor, The John Tobin Award. At age 17, Kristiana was named Baldwin County’s first Distinguished Young Woman (formerly known as Jr. Miss). In the scholarship program, she won the Talent, Fitness, and Self Expression categories along side the overall title. She went on to choreograph for the prestigious program and has now been involved with the program for over ten years. With her guidance, her students continue to win talent merits, among many other awards and scholarships.
With over ten years of classical piano training and as a member of the National Piano Guild, Kristiana strives to inspire artistic flair with respect to rhythm and sensitivity to musical variations. Over the past decade, she has taught the Vaganova method of ballet at Loyola Preparatory Ballet, and been the Ballet Mistress of multiple studios in the Baldwin County area.
Samantha Kate Hammer Gilson, Instructor
Samantha Kate Hammer Gilson is a dedicated and experienced instructor who brings a wealth of dance training and teaching expertise to her role. Samantha's dance journey began in her youth, with training at prestigious institutions such as Dance Arts, All About Dance, Ms. Adrienne’s Dance Studio, and Extreme Gymnastics. Her formal education includes a Bachelor of Science in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education from the University of Kentucky, where she also actively participated in the university's dance team and earned numerous awards.
Samantha has a diverse teaching portfolio that spans multiple disciplines, including ballet, jazz, hip hop, and conditioning. Since 2023, she has been an integral part of the Classical Ballet Academy and Theatre, where she serves as a Level 1 Assistant Instructor and Substitute Instructor. Her previous experience includes being a high school math and chemistry teacher at Pearson Virtual Schools and Opelika High School, where she also coached the competition cheer team and choreographed dance routines.
In addition to her teaching credentials, Samantha boasts an impressive performance history. She has played prominent roles such as the Rat King in "The Nutcracker" and the Evil Queen in "Little Snow White" at Classical Ballet Academy and Theatre. Her accolades include numerous awards from her time as a varsity cheerleader and dance team member at the University of Kentucky.
Samantha’s extensive training, combined with her teaching and choreography experience, make her a passionate and skilled ballet instructor, dedicated to nurturing and developing the talents of her students at the Classical Ballet Academy and Theatre.