Vanessa is the founder of Vitality Ballet and a former professional dancer with 24 years of classical training. Originally from New Jersey, she has performed with ballet companies around the country including the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Connecticut Ballet and Colorado Ballet. Vanessa danced the majority of her career with the Saint Louis Ballet, under Gen Horiuchi, a former principal dancer of the New York City Ballet under George Balanchine. There she performed soloist and principal roles for eight years before retiring due to an injury. Vanessa was also on faculty with the Saint Louis Ballet School, and has taught at numerous ballet schools across the country.

Vanessa is also a certified Group Fitness Instructor (ACE-GFI) with a certificate in Senior Fitness. With the goal of helping bring dance to adults of all ages, Vanessa also runs Vitality In Motion bringing adaptive dance to older adults in senior living and retirement settings.

• Rachel Bodi (Ballet 314, Missouri Ballet Theatre)
• Ashley Stettes (Ballet 314)
• Elizabeth Lloyd (Saint Louis Ballet)
• Tiffany Mori (Saint Louis Ballet)
• Brenna Housman (Pilates Instructor)