Jared born in Yuma, Arizona, began his formal dance training with Dancer’s Workshop at the age of 17 in Yuma and joined Yuma Ballet Theatre as a member in 2000. He has studied on scholarship and danced at Burklyn Ballet Theatre for more than 15 summers dancing the roles: Le Corsaire Pas De Deux, Harlequinade Pas De Deux, Espada in Don Quixote, Drummer Boy in Graduation Ball, and Peasant Pas in Giselle, as well as many contemporary works. Jared has also worked with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and Sheryl Crow.

As an award winner for his choreography at Burklyn Ballet Theatre for his dance “Lucha con el Toro” in 2003, he has continued to choreograph for Burklyn Ballet since 2005. He has choreographed commissioned works for companies in Great Falls, Montana; Orange, Connecticut; and Phoenix, Arizona. Jared has recently been Ballet Master for Ruidoso Dance Ensemble in Ruidoso, NM as well as dancing lead roles in Nutcracker and Birbanto in Le Corsaire.

Jared has taught classes and had original works performed at Regional Dance America National and Regional Festivals. Jared teaches Ballet III and above as well as Jazz at all levels.

Brianna is originally from Minot, North Dakota, where she began her formal dance training at the Rinat Mouzafarov’s Institute of Dance and Ballet Theatre. Mrs. Mesa attended summer programs at The Kirov Ballet Academy, The Pilobolus Institute and received a full scholarship to Burklyn Ballet Theatre. At Burklyn Ballet Theatre, she performed solo roles in classical works such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Paquita, and Graduation Ball, Harlequinade and La Bayadere Grande Pas de Deux. Brianna was the recipient of The Boston Conservatory Merit and the Jan Veen Scholarships, and she graduated from The Boston Conservatory Cum Laude with a BFA in dance.

In 2012, she joined Ballet Quad Cities as a full company member. For the 2013-2014 season, Brianna was a principal company member with Ruidoso Dance Ensemble, where she performed Sugar Plum Fairy, The Lonely Cowgirl in Rodeo, and Medora in Le Corsaire. 

Mrs. Mesa teaches all levels of ballet from 3 year olds to adults as well as all levels of modern dance.  As costume mistress, Mrs. Mesa oversees all costume fittings, alterations, and designs for performances. 

Allison began dancing at age three with Dance Unlimited in Van Buren, Arkansas. She continued training into her junior high and high school years in the studio and on school dance teams. She has won state choreography awards, attended various dance workshops and dance intensives, currently choreographs for local dance teams, and loves taking class whenever possible. While attending UAFS, she was a member of UAFS Pom, serving as co-captain and captain, and serves within the Miss Arkansas Organization as the reigning Miss Apple Blossom and the former Miss UAFS. Allison graduated from the University of Arkansas- Fort Smith with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood Education and will graduate in 2022 with a Master of Education in English. She is entering her second year teaching English and Journalism at Chaffin Middle School. She is very excited to join the faculty at Western Arkansas Ballet to combine her love of teaching and dance in a professional and positive environment!  Allison teaches levels one and two of tap and hip hop, as well as adult tap.

Amy joined the Western Arkansas Ballet staff as Administrator in 2021. Mrs. Willadsen is a trained social worker with over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Her experience includes the expansion and development of homeless shelters, emergency assistance, and domestic violence intervention programs in Tennessee and oncology support programs in Arkansas. She is excited to bring her knowledge and experience to WAB. Originally from Wisconsin, she has called Fort Smith home since 2013. She is married and mother to one daughter. Mrs. Willadsen enjoys spending time with family, exploring the outdoors, reading, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Kortney joined the Western Arkansas Ballet staff as the Administrative Assistant in 2017. She is originally from New Jersey, but Arkansas has been her home for twenty plus years. She earned an associate degree from UAFS and worked in accounting at Golden Living for nine years. After that, she decided to become a stay at home mom to her daughter. She plays an important role at WAB. She greets you at the front desk or when she answers the phone.  She assists in a wide range of office administration tasks and Academy communications including social media activity.