Jared was born in Yuma, Arizona, began his formal dance training with Yuma Ballet Theatre. Over the course of 21 years Jared has studied, taught, and served as Ballet Master at Burklyn Ballet Theatre. He has also worked with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and Sheryl Crow. Jared danced professionally with Ballet Quad Cities and Ruidoso Dance Ensemble, where he served as Ballet Master. His guest work includes Ballet Yuma, Gliech Dances, Rouses Point Fete de Danse, Ketchikan Theatre Ballet and Patty Harper Dance. Jared’s choreography has been chosen for Regional Dance America four times. Jared served as Artistic Director of Yuma Ballet Theatre. He has been with WAB for 10 years and now serves as Artistic Director.

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. She attended summer programs at Kirov Ballet Academy, Pilobolus Institute and received a full scholarship to Burklyn Ballet Theatre. Brianna graduated from The Boston Conservatory Cum Laude with a BFA in dance. She has been with WAB since 2014. As Associate Artistic Director, Mrs. Mesa teaches all levels of ballet as well as all levels of modern dance. She also helps choreograph in all productions and has had her work chosen at RDA Festival. As costume mistress, she oversees all costume fittings, alterations, and designs for performances.

Dagny brings a vast amount of experience as a professional dancer and instructor to the WAB studios. Dagny began dancing at a young age at Ballet Academy East in New York and continued her training at Pacific Northwest Ballet and Boston Ballet leading up to her career as a professional dancer. Dagny performed professionally with Sarasota Ballet and Indianapolis Ballet in roles as a demi-soloist, soloist and principal dancer. Her teaching and choreography experience spans many years with different schools. Dagny joins WAB to teach all levels of ballet and to assist with choreography and productions. 

Allison began dancing at age three and continued training into her junior high, high school, and collegiate years both in the studio and on school dance teams. She has won state choreography awards, attended various dance workshops and dance intensives, choreographs for local dance teams, and loves taking class whenever possible. Alllison graduated from the University of Arkansas- Fort Smith with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood Education and taught at the secondary level for four years. She currently serves as a teen executive director for the Miss River Valley, Western Arkansas, Apple Blossom pageant while staying home with her first child. Allison teaches tap, hip- hop, and Drill Team Prep at WAB.

Amy joined the Western Arkansas Ballet staff 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. Amy enjoys spending time with family, exploring the outdoors, reading, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Kortney joined the Western Arkansas Ballet staff 2017. She recently was promoted to Administrator. Kortney earned an Associate degree from UAFS and worked in accounting at Golden Living for nine years. She has one daughter that has danced at Western Arkansas Ballet since 2018. She assists in a wide range of office administration tasks and Academy communications including social media activity. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her two dogs. Kortney has been involved with dance for several years and looks forward to continuing as a team/staff member at Western Arkansas Ballet.