Our Faculty
Kelsey King: Owner and Artistic Director
Kelsey King began dance training extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip-hop, and pointe at a young age. She quickly gained recognition for her strength, flexibility, and stage presence, which she now works hard to instill in her students. As the Artistic Director, Owner, and Head Teacher at MPAC, she uses the knowledge she gained through her professional-level certification with Dance Masters of America to provide her students with the best education possible.
The award-winning choreography Kelsey continues to set on her students, both individually and in groups, has made her a recognized choreographer. She’s a sought-after master teacher in studios statewide, such as Broadneck High School Dance Company, the Anne Arundel County Dance Ensemble, and the Anne Arundel County School system. She actively choreographs for our Elite Dance Company, our in-house pre-professional group of dancers.
Kristy Cooke: General Manager
Kristy Cooke has been part of our dancing family since 2009. She has taken on multiple roles throughout the years. During her time as a teacher, Kristy attended three American College Dance Festivals, so she could grow as a leader and bring new knowledge and choreography ideas to her students after spending time with professionals from all over the United States.
In 2013, Kristy graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, with a degree in Dance Education. She then completed two years of teacher training through Dance Masters of America at Buffalo University and is certified to teach Zumba to children and adults. Additionally, she was a member of Anne Arundel Community College’s Dance Company and spent many years performing with MPAC’s professional dance company, Essenza.
Kristy was promoted to general manager in 2015. As a result, she has grown close to many of our dance families. She loves interacting with our students and parents daily, and to her, our studio is a home away from home.
In 2013, Kristy graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, with a degree in Dance Education. She then completed two years of teacher training through Dance Masters of America at Buffalo University and is certified to teach Zumba to children and adults. Additionally, she was a member of Anne Arundel Community College’s Dance Company and spent many years performing with MPAC’s professional dance company, Essenza.
Kristy was promoted to general manager in 2015. As a result, she has grown close to many of our dance families. She loves interacting with our students and parents daily, and to her, our studio is a home away from home.
Anton T. Wilson: Director of Ballet Curriculum
Born in Annapolis, Anton T. Wilson began his study of dance with Anne Waugh Allen and Edward D. Stewart before receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the North Carolina School of the Arts. He has performed with Ballet Theatre of Maryland; Parnassus Dance Theatre, Japan; Djazzex, Holland; Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo; Martita Goshen’s Earthworks; and Jennifer Muller/The Works, New York, among others.
Anton has taught, choreographed, and toured internationally for 28 years. He was a 2007 and 2009 recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council’s Individual Artist Award for choreography. Additionally, Anton was one of the four selected to initiate the Four Steps Forward choreography project in The Hague, Holland. Locally, he has choreographed productions for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Vivente.
In addition to workshops and masterclasses, Anton currently teaches at the Baltimore School for the Arts and the Kirov Academy of Ballet. He also maintains his lifelong involvement in equestrian competitions.
Florian Rouiller: Master Teacher
Florian Rouiller is a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer who received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the John Cranko School in Stuttgart and performed with the Stuttgart Ballet in Sleeping Beauty and Giselle. Upon immigrating to the US, Rouiller danced with Merce Cunningham Dance Company as an apprentice. He also performed principal and soloist roles with the Ohio Ballet, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Chicago, Ballet International Eldar Aliev, Ballet Metropolitano de Caracas, Ballet Contemporanea de Caracas, and Goteborg Ballet.
Florian has a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Maryland and has choreographed and performed in the original productions of Profondeur Inconnue and Wave. He was the recipient of choreographic prizes at YAGP and the Korean National Competition. Lois Greenfield’s book “Moving Still” also featured him. Florian was a guest teacher at the Kirov Academy in Washington DC for their Summer Programs in 2005, 2008, and 2015. Apart from this, he served as a visiting artist at UMBC in the Fall of 2013 and taught at TWSB in 2006 and 2017.
Florian teaches and choreographs in the DC metropolitan area at the Peabody Dance Institute, Washington Ballet School, and CityDance Conservatory. He is very excited to start teaching this year at MPAC and training our gifted students.
Florian has a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Maryland and has choreographed and performed in the original productions of Profondeur Inconnue and Wave. He was the recipient of choreographic prizes at YAGP and the Korean National Competition. Lois Greenfield’s book “Moving Still” also featured him. Florian was a guest teacher at the Kirov Academy in Washington DC for their Summer Programs in 2005, 2008, and 2015. Apart from this, he served as a visiting artist at UMBC in the Fall of 2013 and taught at TWSB in 2006 and 2017.
Florian teaches and choreographs in the DC metropolitan area at the Peabody Dance Institute, Washington Ballet School, and CityDance Conservatory. He is very excited to start teaching this year at MPAC and training our gifted students.
Patrick Harrington: All Levels, All Genres
Bio coming soon!
Ben Prescott: Acrobatics Instructor and Fitness Coach
Ben Prescott earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and his Master of Science degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion with a concentration in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention from the University of Maryland. He is the Assistant Director of the University’s Gymkana Troupe, a gymnastics-based performance and outreach program in the School of Public Health.
Additionally, Ben is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He has more than a decade of experience in teaching gymnastics and acrobatics. During his time at MPAC, he has trained our students, maintained their safety, and prevented injury, making him fully qualified to be our acrobatics instructor.
Additionally, Ben is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He has more than a decade of experience in teaching gymnastics and acrobatics. During his time at MPAC, he has trained our students, maintained their safety, and prevented injury, making him fully qualified to be our acrobatics instructor.
Angie Prescott: Aerobics Instructor and Physical Therapist
Bio coming soon!
Michael Gellert: Vocal Department Director
Michael Gellert comes to MPAC with vast musical experience. He most recently served as the Director and Musical Arranger of the 110-voice women’s acapella chorus Harbor City Music Company, an award-winning chapter of the worldwide singing organization Sweet Adelines. Currently, he is teaching vocal instruction at the Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park.
Michael performed in the Baltimore Opera Company as a chorus member and secured several supporting roles, including Wagner in Faust, Gregorio in Romeo and Juliet, and the Marquis in La Traviata. He performed in over 40 operas, culminating in 120 performances at the Opera Company. Since he began his private study in Baltimore and Gettysburg with Forrest Barrett in 1973 and in Washington with Todd Duncan, Michael has had a steady stream of voice students of all ages.
Michael performed in the Baltimore Opera Company as a chorus member and secured several supporting roles, including Wagner in Faust, Gregorio in Romeo and Juliet, and the Marquis in La Traviata. He performed in over 40 operas, culminating in 120 performances at the Opera Company. Since he began his private study in Baltimore and Gettysburg with Forrest Barrett in 1973 and in Washington with Todd Duncan, Michael has had a steady stream of voice students of all ages.
Andrew "Rex" Kennedy: Acrobatics Coach
His name is Andrew, but most people know him as "Rex." He has been teaching, coaching, and performing acro/gymnastics in the state of Maryland for about 9 years. During that time, he has been a gymnastics teaching assistant at the University of Maryland, instructed youth and adult acro classes at Saturday Program, been a Senior Staff Member at Gymkana Summer Camp, and provided acro classes at the Maryland Performing Art Center in Severna Park. Prior to that, Rex was a performer with the Gymkana Troupe at the University of Maryland. He is looking forward to helping the amazing staff at Maryland Performing Arts Center build and refine the skills of our dancers.
