Studio R Ballet
About

Artistic Staff & Studio Tour

Studio R Ballet (SRB) is dedicated to superior ballet training and technique. Ballet is the basis of all dance and is valuable to all physical activities. It teaches discipline and dedication while cultivating a respect for the fine arts. We are committed to providing a reasonably strict yet nurturing and safe environment for our students to study ballet—where they will develop self-esteem, self-discipline, and physical strength and flexibility as they find joy in dancing and an invaluable sense of accomplishment. SRB also strives to produce professional-level artists and technicians. We invite you to join in the rise of one of Arizona's finest classical ballet schools.

The Faculty

Artistic Staff

The Artistic Staff at Studio R Ballet is composed of world-class professional ballet instructors that provide classical ballet training for dancers of all ages. Under the artistic direction of studio founder Robbin Elowe our team educates, nurtures, and inspires beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers of all ambitions, recreational through professional. Click a picture below to learn more about each of our talented artists.

Robbin Holley-Elowe

Robbin Holley-Elowe

Founder & Artistic Director

Founder and Artistic Director of Studio R Ballet. Trained on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet and danced professionally with Ballet West, Ballet Arizona, and others. Over 30 years of teaching at an elite level.

Learn More

Robbin Holley-Elowe

Founder & Artistic Director
Sarah Carr

Sarah Carr

Introductory Division Head

Trained under Robbin Elowe at SRB since 2010 and a member of the BYU-Idaho dance program. Heads SRB's Introductory Division and performs adult roles in SRB productions each year.

Learn More

Sarah Carr

Introductory Division Head
Paola Hartley

Paola Hartley

Ballet Instructor

Former soloist with Ballet de Santiago and Ballet Arizona. Trained at UNC School of the Arts and has performed leading classical and Balanchine roles internationally.

Learn More

Paola Hartley

Ballet Instructor
Ilir Shtylla

Ilir Shtylla

Ballet Instructor

Originally from Albania. Principal dancer with Azerbaijan Opera Ballet Theatre and Ballet Arizona, soloist with Carolina Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre. Trained on full scholarship at SAB and The Rock School.

Learn More

Ilir Shtylla

Ballet Instructor
Heather Haar

Heather Haar

Ballet Instructor

Twelve-year professional career including seven seasons with Ballet Arizona and five with Nevada Ballet Theater. Trained in Hawaii and Hartford. Now passionately teaches and choreographs.

Learn More

Heather Haar

Ballet Instructor
Kylee Peterson

Kylee Peterson

Pre-Ballet & Formal Division Instructor

First-class student of Studio R Ballet and longtime performer. Now teaches Pre-Ballet and lower Formal Division levels and currently resides with her husband and son in the Mesa area.

Learn More

Kylee Peterson

Pre-Ballet & Formal Division Instructor
Monika Peltz

Monika Peltz

Ballet, Jazz & Tap Instructor

Professional dancer with Ballet Iowa, Iowa Dance Theatre, and Vine Street Ballet. Bolshoi Ballet Teacher Certification Level 1, with deep training in Bournonville and Vaganova techniques.

Learn More

Monika Peltz

Ballet, Jazz & Tap Instructor
Rachel Esplin Freeman

Rachel Esplin Freeman

Ballet Instructor

Trained under Russian masters including Yanina Cwyinska and Richard Cammack. Performed with University of Utah and Ballet West and earned the William F. Christensen Scholarship.

Learn More

Rachel Esplin Freeman

Ballet Instructor
Alejandro Mendez

Alejandro Mendez

Guest Artist & Instructor

A guest artist and instructor at Studio R Ballet. Full biography coming soon.

Learn More

Alejandro Mendez

Guest Artist & Instructor
Nayon Iovino

Nayon Iovino

Guest Artist & Instructor

A guest artist and instructor at Studio R Ballet. Full biography coming soon.

Learn More

Nayon Iovino

Guest Artist & Instructor
Robbin Holley-Elowe

Robbin Holley-Elowe

Founder & Artistic Director

Founder and Artistic Director of Studio R Ballet. Trained on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet and danced professionally with Ballet West, Ballet Arizona, and others. Over 30 years of teaching at an elite level.

Learn More

Robbin Holley-Elowe

Founder & Artistic Director
Sarah Carr

Sarah Carr

Introductory Division Head

Trained under Robbin Elowe at SRB since 2010 and a member of the BYU-Idaho dance program. Heads SRB's Introductory Division and performs adult roles in SRB productions each year.

Learn More

Sarah Carr

Introductory Division Head
Paola Hartley

Paola Hartley

Ballet Instructor

Former soloist with Ballet de Santiago and Ballet Arizona. Trained at UNC School of the Arts and has performed leading classical and Balanchine roles internationally.

Learn More

Paola Hartley

Ballet Instructor
Ilir Shtylla

Ilir Shtylla

Ballet Instructor

Originally from Albania. Principal dancer with Azerbaijan Opera Ballet Theatre and Ballet Arizona, soloist with Carolina Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre. Trained on full scholarship at SAB and The Rock School.

Learn More

Ilir Shtylla

Ballet Instructor
Heather Haar

Heather Haar

Ballet Instructor

Twelve-year professional career including seven seasons with Ballet Arizona and five with Nevada Ballet Theater. Trained in Hawaii and Hartford. Now passionately teaches and choreographs.

Learn More

Heather Haar

Ballet Instructor
Kylee Peterson

Kylee Peterson

Pre-Ballet & Formal Division Instructor

First-class student of Studio R Ballet and longtime performer. Now teaches Pre-Ballet and lower Formal Division levels and currently resides with her husband and son in the Mesa area.

Learn More

Kylee Peterson

Pre-Ballet & Formal Division Instructor
Monika Peltz

Monika Peltz

Ballet, Jazz & Tap Instructor

Professional dancer with Ballet Iowa, Iowa Dance Theatre, and Vine Street Ballet. Bolshoi Ballet Teacher Certification Level 1, with deep training in Bournonville and Vaganova techniques.

Learn More

Monika Peltz

Ballet, Jazz & Tap Instructor
Rachel Esplin Freeman

Rachel Esplin Freeman

Ballet Instructor

Trained under Russian masters including Yanina Cwyinska and Richard Cammack. Performed with University of Utah and Ballet West and earned the William F. Christensen Scholarship.

Learn More

Rachel Esplin Freeman

Ballet Instructor
Alejandro Mendez

Alejandro Mendez

Guest Artist & Instructor

A guest artist and instructor at Studio R Ballet. Full biography coming soon.

Learn More

Alejandro Mendez

Guest Artist & Instructor
Nayon Iovino

Nayon Iovino

Guest Artist & Instructor

A guest artist and instructor at Studio R Ballet. Full biography coming soon.

Learn More

Nayon Iovino

Guest Artist & Instructor
Our Space

Our Studio

Conveniently located in East Mesa, our studio is a blend of contemporary and traditional design featuring spacious, column-free dance studios, a comfortable waiting and lobby area, and great student amenities. Click each picture below to learn more about that space.

Request a Tour