Artistic Direction
Our directors bring different perspectives to the table, but we’re united by a love for artistic expression, technical skill, and meaningful ways to give back to the community while moving the art of ballet forward.
Amber Golden loves to teach all styles of dance, but specializes in contemporary/improvisation movement. She grew up in Walled Lake before attending Wayne State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance. Following graduation, she worked as a free-lance dance artist in New York City until moving to Salt Lake City as a member of an immersive performance company. She worked as a choreographer/performer for electro-pop violin group, NuClassica. Amber traveled as a photographer + videographer for dance competitions such as NYCDA & OnStageNY. She has worked with and performed works by many artists such as Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Mark Caserta, Larry Keigwin, Ron De Jesus and more. She has performed at venues including the Joyce Theater (NYC), Park Avenue Armory (NYC), Ailey American Dance Center Theater (NYC), Kennedy Center of Performing Arts (Washington, DC), Detroit Music Hall, Detroit COBO Center, Detroit Institute of Art, Theater Thalia (Suriname, South America) and Libby Gardner Concert Hall (SLC, UT). Amber has taught at various organizations such as University of Utah, Westminster University, Ballet West Academy as well as many studios across the Metro-Detroit area. Now transitioned into the classroom as a full-time teacher, pouring into the students has been nothing short of incredible. Miss Amber has been part of EBC since the very first year, serving first as a choreographer and later taking on more responsibility with the company. Her artistic vision has helped EBC dancers develop their artistry and tap into their greatest potential.
Miss Hope - Artistic Director
The company is led by Artistic Director Hope Daniel, whose passion for teaching and decades of experience shape the heart of the organization. As a teacher, she trained in various methods, including the Vaganova method and the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum. A certified ABT® NTC teacher, she is also certified in both Progressing Ballet Technique and the Perfect Pointe method, bringing over forty years of experience across ballet, pointe, tap, ballroom, and jazz dance. Her education includes teacher training and mentorship from esteemed instructors John White and David Howard, and ballet training with Evelyn Kreason in Michigan, Marcia Dale Weary in Pennsylvania, and Anita Kristina in Paris, France.
Hope attended classes at RDA and NARB Festivals growing up, with legendary master teachers including Robert Joffrey, David Howard and Bruce Marks. She was a member of Michigan Ballet Theatre, under the direction of Evelyn Kreason. A former RDA dancer herself, she is deeply committed to providing her students with opportunities that foster both artistic growth and personal well-being. Her former students have gone on to careers on Broadway, at theme parks around the world, on cruise ships, in concert dance companies, in film and television, at Radio City Music Hall, and with Cirque du Soleil.
Miss Janette - Financial Director
Supporting the artistic mission of the company is Janette Ulmer, fellow visionary and board member. Janette brings 25 years of professional business experience combined with a unique blend of analytical expertise, creativity, and heart to Etudes Ballet Company. Her passion for costuming and production sparked a collaborative partnership with Miss Hope, leading to the establishment of Etudes Ballet Company as a nonprofit company. Janette graduated with a degree in Applied Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics and Physics from Illinois State University. Janette believes in educating the whole student to help them become not only great dancers, but successful people.
Janette and Hope believe strongly in educating the whole student, developing not only outstanding dancers, but confident, capable, and successful individuals. Together, Hope and Janette lead Etudes Ballet Company with integrity, vision, and care —providing world-class training and meaningful artistic opportunities.
Miss Amber - Assistant Company Director
Miss Emily - Assistant/Jr. Company Director
Originally from Spring Lake, Michigan, Emily Kelly began her dance journey at the age of three and quickly developed a passion for performing, earning numerous awards and titles throughout her competitive career. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance Pedagogy from Oklahoma City University, where she trained under esteemed faculty in a diverse range of dance styles. During her time at OCU, she performed with both the American Spirit Dance Company and the Star Dance Company.
Following graduation, Emily has focused on her teaching career, working with dance studios and theatres across the country. Her professional experience includes roles with Kismet Theatre in Oklahoma, Cookeville Children’s Theatre, and The Ned Children and Teen Theatre in Tennessee. Dedicated to inspiring and mentoring young performers, Emily continues to share her knowledge and passion for the arts with our Junior Company members.