ALISHIA CARVELLI - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & OWNER
Alishia Carvelli, born in San Diego, started training in ballet at the age of 3. She was always musically inclined and loved to dance. Her primary training was from City Ballet of San Diego and Balletiquette Dance Studio. She also studied with American Academy of Ballet, California Ballet, Philadanco, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Complexions. Alishia has studied under artists including Steven and Betsy Wistrich, Sylvia Boaz, Mignon Furman, Milton Myers, David Howard, Gelsey Kirkland, Donald Lunsford, Finus Jhung, and many others. Over her years in training she also became skilled in Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and Horton-based Modern.
While in San Diego she performed with City Ballet of San Diego's 2nd Company for two years and at least 13 years performing in their annual Nutcracker. When Balletiquette opened, Alishia performed such roles as Giselle and the Sugar Plum Fairy with the Balletiquette Dance Theatre Co. At the age of 12 Ali started assist teaching, which turned into choreographing staging ballets, and a regular teacher position at a very young age. When she graduated from Horizon Jr. and Sr. High School in 2009 she attended San Diego Mesa College where she grew her skills in dance and choreography. While in college she was selected to showcase her choreography in two school shows. During this time Alishia was planted in San Diego's community, volunteering at South Clairemonts Kids Camp, teaching dance at The French American School, performing in Jean Isaacs Trolley Dances, competing in the Youth American Grand Prix, choreographing for high school airbands and drama productions, training in pilates under the late Julian Littleford, subbing dance classes, and dancing with Rock Steady, The Rock's dance ministry.
Wanting a change of scenery Alishia ventured to New York where she joined Philadanco's 2nd Company performing with them and other small companies like Johannes Wieland's. She learned a lot about people and what a business needs to be successful while working and living the fast paced life in New York. After living in New York for almost three years she decided to come back to her home town with a mission to take on much more responsibility at Balletiquette, become pilates certified, and bring a fresh new attitude towards the studio in order to build on the legacy her mother, Sylvia Boaz, has created.
SYLVIA BOAZ - FOUNDER
Sylvia Boaz, Owner and Artistic Director of Balletiquette is known by many in the dance world for her grace, determination and love of dance.
Sylvia, a born New Yorker, started her dance career with world renowned artistic director, educator, choreographer and dancer Arthur Mitchell at Dance Theatre of Harlem. In New York, Sylvia trained with Arthur Mitchell, Karl Shook, and Tania Leclercq, David Howard, John Barker, and Tom Adair. After leaving New York she traveled to Washington D.C. where she trained with Mary Day of the Washington Ballet Co. and others local artists. Sylvia trained Vaganova with John Barker at the School of Classical Dance in New York.
Sylvia’s dance experience includes; dancing with the Hudson Valley Dance Theater Company in Poughkeepsie, NY, and with the District of Columbia City Ballet in Washington DC. She also danced with City Ballet of San Diego from 1994 to 2000, performing in Carmina Burana, Carmen, Midsummer’s Night Dream, "Giselle" Act II, and the annual Nutcracker.
Sylvia attended Howard University focusing in Elementary Education and later received her bachelor’s degree in Education at Southern Illinois University. During this time she spent 10 years active in the US Navy, where aside from her job as an Aircrewman, she traveled all over the world and took Ballet classes in Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, Norway, England, Japan, Italy and more. It was during this time in her career, she decided to one day open her own dance studio. While still working for the Navy she made this dream come true with a leap of faith and the support of her family. She has now retired from the Navy and is fully invested in the studio.
Sylvia’s mission is to provide children and adults with the opportunity to learn and experience the discipline of dance, joy of the performing arts, and the strength of pilates.
It is the devotion to education and the love of God that makes her many experiences in life so successful. She hopes to see you thrive at the studio she created to share her love through movement!
MEGAN DONALDSON - TEACHER
Megan Donaldson is a 23 year-old Dance Artist and Teacher who recently graduated from the University of Arizona's prestigious BFA Dance program. In which she trained rigorously in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz as well as completing a Minor in Education. During her time in the BFA program, Megan performed repertoire such as Balanchine's Four Temperaments as well as original work alongside Broadway's Liz Calloway. Before traveling West, Megan grew up on the East Coast taking workshops from Broadway casts such as Hamilton and Cats in addition to training under Wyndee McGovern. More recently, you could've spotted Megan performing in the winning piece of San Diego's Young Choreography Showcase & Prize. Megan is now ecstatic to share her experience and continue to learn through her students.
