Who We Are
The mission of Miami Valley Ballet Theatre is to educate, inspire, and connect through dance. We are dedicated to providing high-quality instruction rooted in both technical excellence and artistic expression while sharing the rich cultural history of dance with our students and audiences. We believe the arts should be accessible to all and are committed to building an inclusive, supportive, and community-centered environment.
From a Shared Vision to Center Stage
At MVBT , our productions are made possible through the collaboration of a highly qualified and passionate faculty whose experience spans academia, professional performance companies, choreography, costume construction, and arts education. Working together, our staff creates immersive and visually stunning productions that provide students with meaningful artistic opportunities throughout the year.
From handcrafted costumes custom-tailored to each dancer, to original choreography thoughtfully created for the strengths and individuality of our students, every detail is approached with creativity, professionalism, and care. With multiple full-length productions presented annually, our dancers gain invaluable performance experience while becoming part of ambitious and memorable artistic works that reflect the heart of our studio community.
The Minds Behind the Magic
Michelle Davis
Michelle Davis serves as the Artistic Director of Miami Valley Ballet Theatre, where she shapes and oversees the organization’s artistic vision, guiding both its creative direction and long-term development. With a Master’s degree in Education, she brings a strong pedagogical foundation to her leadership, blending artistic excellence with a deep commitment to learning, growth, and student development.
Michelle is passionate about building meaningful, transformative experiences for dancers of all ages and levels, both inside and outside the studio. Her work emphasizes not only technical and artistic training, but also the development of confidence, discipline, and creative voice. She believes dance should be both rigorously taught and deeply human in its impact, serving as a space for expression, connection, and personal discovery.
Lydia Kim-Davis
Lydia Kim-Davis serves as the Assistant Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer of MVBT , where she helps shape and lead the company’s artistic vision. Deeply involved in the creative direction of MVBT, Lydia choreographs original works and full-length productions, designs costumes, develops performance concepts, and collaborates across all aspects of production to create immersive and meaningful artistic experiences for dancers and audiences alike.
Known for her imaginative storytelling and interdisciplinary approach to dance, Lydia’s work blends technical excellence with creativity, theatricality, and emotional depth. Through her leadership and artistic guidance, she strives to create productions that challenge, inspire, and celebrate the individuality of every student performer.
Teresa VanDenend-Sorge
Teresa is a dedicated educator within Miami Valley Ballet Theatre, bringing extensive experience in dance education and a student-centered approach to her work. She plays a key role in expanding MVBT’s outreach initiatives, particularly through the organization’s growing partnership with the Boys & Girls Club, where she helps make high-quality dance education more accessible to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with the arts.
She also supports the continued development of the Without Limits program, contributing her expertise to its ongoing growth and impact. Through her leadership, Teresa helps strengthen MVBT’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and community engagement, while fostering confidence, creativity, and discipline in the students she teaches.
Silver Donor - $50-$100
Silver donors play a vital role in supporting the mission and growth of Miami Valley Ballet Theatre. As a thank you for their generosity, Silver supporters receive name or business recognition in our official performance playbill, celebrating their commitment to the arts within our community.
In addition, Silver donors are entered into a special drawing for the MVBT Donor Gift Basket, featuring curated items and exclusive surprises from the organization.
Through their support, Silver donors help make high-quality dance education and performance opportunities possible for MVBT students and audiences alike.
Gold Donors - $120-$500
Gold donors provide an even greater level of support to Miami Valley Ballet Theatre and receive all Silver donor benefits, including name or business recognition in the performance playbill, entry into the MVBT Donor Gift Basket drawing.
In addition, Gold donors are invited to MVBT’s exclusive Donor Celebration Night, featuring hors d’oeuvres, a special performance by MVBT students, and the opportunity to mingle with board members and connect more closely with the organization’s leadership and artistic community.
Platinum Donors - $500+
Platinum donors are among the most generous supporters of Miami Valley Ballet Theatre and receive all Silver and Gold donor benefits, including playbill recognition, entry into the MVBT Donor Gift Basket drawing, and an invitation to the Donor Celebration Night featuring hors d’oeuvres, a student performance, and time with board members.
In addition, Platinum donors receive special recognition during curtain speeches at MVBT performances, highlighting their leadership and meaningful impact on the organization. Their support is acknowledged as an essential part of sustaining MVBT’s artistic programming, education initiatives, and community outreach efforts.