meet the staff
meet the staff
MISS HOPE
Owner, Founder,
CEO
Hope MacDonald is an author, motivational speaker, and CEO of Bella Ballet and Empower by Bella Ballet. She is blessed to empower over 1000 children weekly through dance while teaching core values such as confidence, leadership, empowerment, kindness, anti-bullying, and positive body image to young women. Hope has an extensive background in business, marketing, musical theater, poms tap, jazz, and ballet – she has gained experience through her studies at the Shenandoah Conservatory with a concentration in Musical Theater and Dance. She is a member of The International Dance Educators Association & working toward her certification in Youth Protection Advocates in Dance.
She was a four-time nominee and recipient of the prestigious Cappie Award for “Best Female Dancer” and “Best Choreographer,” presented at the esteemed Kennedy Centre in Washington DC. She has performed at various local venues including the Olney Theatre and Kennedy Centre, where she starred as “Cosette” in Les Misérables, “Reno” in Anything Goes, and “Halie” in Buried Child. She has performed and choreographed in more than 25 musicals.
Bella Ballet and has received various awards including, 2023 "Best Dance Studio" Washington Family Magazine, 2023 "10 Consecutive Years Best of Gaithersburg Business Hall of Fame, 2022 Finalist "Best Children's Dance Studio" Bethesda Magazine, 2022 Finalist "Best Dance Classes" Washington Parent Magazine, 2021 "Best Ballet Classes" Expertise Magazine, 2021 "Best Children's Ballet School, Maryland" Global Health & Pharma, 2020 “Best Dance Studio” Montgomery Magazine, and 2019 "Small Business of the Year" Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce.
Philanthropic work is extremely important to her; since the creation of Bella Ballet and Empower by Bella Ballet she has had the honor of working with over 70 local and national non-profits organizations in an effort to give back to the community and help children all over the world. These charities include Make A Wish Mid-Atlantic, Comfort Cases, The Tree House, The Rainbow Shelter, Nourish Now, and Shared Hope.
When she’s not trying to make the world a better place she’s spending time with her husband Brad, her family, and her little chihuahua, California.
MISS JACKIE
Executive Director
Miss Jackie is our Executive Director as of 2020. Since starting at Bella Ballet part-time in 2015 she has grown with the studio and our students. Teaching is a passion of hers and loves all of her students. In addition to lead teaching, Miss Jackie heads all of our community events, philanthropic drives and community business connections.
Being a mom of two young boys who love dinosaurs and video games, she is able to get her fix of pink, sparkle and tutu's each day at the studio. "Bella Ballet has really given me the confidence to be a strong woman and a leader. I am so proud to be able to instill these life changing characteristics into our students on a daily basis!
MISS MICHELLE
Director of Operations
Miss Michelle began dancing when she was 4 years old. As she will tell you, it’s been in her blood since she was born! Her first learned dance was the Salsa. Her Latin culture has brought her so much diversity in dancing. While in high school she was able to participate in hip-hop and step competitions. She has always been able to adapt to any music. She always gives 100%, she’s able to fail and get back up!
Since joining the Bella Ballet team she has used her platform to inspire our girls of the new generation. She uses dance to build their confidence and all over the best version of themselves. “Personally building the relationships with our beautiful dancers has been such a sweet treat while watching them grow into beautiful and confident girls. It’s the best feeling a teacher could have!”
MISS CAROLINE
Director of Education
Teams Co - Director
Miss Caroline is originally from Warrenton, Virginia and has been trained in a wide variety of dance genres for the past 21 years. She attended Radford University and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in 2019. Since then, she has danced professionally with Virginia National Ballet, Saltare in Elementis Dance Collective, Bone and Fiddle Arts Collective, and Aru Dell’Arte Dance Company.
Caroline’s choreographic works have been presented at Radford University, the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia, and the 2019 ACDA Mid-Atlantic South Regional Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. She both choreographed and performed for the 2019 ISEA symposium in Gwanju, Korea, and the Sungsoo Art Gallery in Seoul, Korea. Caroline has a strong passion for teaching and has been educating young dancers for seven years.
She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Bella Ballet family!.
MISS QUINN
Empower Manager
Performance and Competition Teams
Director
Originally from Canada, Miss Quinn Fieldstone is a former professional ballet soloist and award-winning choreographer with a passion for inspiring the next generation of dancers. A graduate of the prestigious École Supérieure de Ballet du Québec’s post-graduate program in 2 years instead of 3, she has performed leading roles including Swanhilda in Coppélia, The Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Myrtha in Giselle, Kitri in Don Quixote, Emerald Soloist in Aladdin, a Step-sister in Cinderella and more with companies including Jeunesse Classique Ballet, Ballet Ouest de Montréal, and Virginia National Ballet.
Miss Quinn has attended numerous elite summer intensives on full scholarship, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Joffrey Ballet in both New York City and San Francisco, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She has also competed at national and international levels, earning top placements at prestigious events such as Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). As a teacher and choreographer, she brings creativity, precision, and heart to every class, helping students find confidence, artistry, and joy in their movement.
Her choreography has earned multiple top awards and national championship titles at national and international competitions, and she has created works for Georgetown University Dance Company as a guest teacher and choreographer. When she’s not in the studio, Miss Quinn loves watching funny videos, any and all dogs, and treating herself to ice cream!
MISS ABIGAYLE
Bella Ballet Manager
Community & Philanthropic Manager
Birthday Party Manager
Abigayle Burkholder-Nunez was born and raised in Colorado, where dance has always been a profound and integral part of her identity and cultural expression. At the age of eight, she began formal ballet training at the Institute of Dancing Arts. Her passion for dance continued to grow, and by the age of 12, she was studying Ballet, Pointe, and Contemporary at A Time to Dance. It was there that she discovered a deep love for teaching, working closely under the mentorship of Catherine Frates, Director of A Time to Dance.
Abigayle has trained at several prestigious dance intensives led by world-renowned ballet and modern dance companies. She attended Ballet Magnificat’s four-week summer intensive in both 2016 and 2017, where she had the opportunity to learn and perform repertoire choreographed by Jiri Vorobsky. In 2018, she participated in the Ad Deum Dance Company’s Spring Intensive, studying under esteemed artists including Randall Flinn, Alicia Graf Mack, and Vincent Hardy.
While attending Colorado Mesa University (2017–2019), Abigayle performed in numerous student-choreographed works and had the honor of representing the university at the American College Dance Association (ACDA) Conference in Spring 2018. She has performed works choreographed by Amanda Benzin, Gabrielle Cahill, Ann Sanders, and Marilyn & Sekou Sylla.
Abigayle is a versatile and accomplished performer, choreographer, and educator. She was part of the founding team of Reverent Rhythms, an international dance ministry and school of the arts, where she served as Assistant Director and toured nationally with the professional company.
With over a decade of experience, Abigayle brings a wealth of knowledge and training to her teaching. She is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and is a certified pointe shoe fitter through The Pointe Shop. She has directed numerous student productions and recitals, and has choreographed works across various styles, age groups, and levels of ability.
Abigayle is committed to cultivating strong, healthy dancers in both body and spirit. Her mission is to create a joyful, supportive environment where movers of all ages and abilities can grow in confidence, grace, and passion for the art of dance.
MISS KHIANA
Assistant Manager
Lead Teacher
Khiana Gilmer is a passionate and versatile dancer with extensive experience in jazz, contemporary, and classical styles. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University of the Arts and is a proud alumna of the Baltimore School for the Arts.
Khiana has participated in performances with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, VCU DanceNow, EMIA Dancing Beyond, The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and in The Nutcracker as the lead Snow Queen. She has also trained under and performed works by Norbert De La Cruz, Maleek Washington, Janice Rosario, Eric Rivera, Earl Mosley, Winston Dynamite Brown, Alicia Graf, Meredith Rainey, and Danielle Diniz.
Known for her expressive movement, technical strength, and captivating stage presence, Khiana is equally passionate about teaching and mentoring young dancers. She loves inspiring the next generation to explore their artistry and express themselves through movement as she too grew her love for dance beginning at 6 years old. She is proud and excited to be apart of your dancers journey!
MISS MICAELA
Miss Micaela has come to Bella Ballet all the way from Pleasanton, California. She began her dance story at age 3, and hasn’t stopped dancing since! Miss Micaela is trained in a variety of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary, and has been teaching these styles to all ages for over 5 years. She also competed on her high school pom team, winning two National Championships, and was a member of the Division I dance team at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Miss Micaela is one of our choreographers for the Bellas Dance Company, and absolutely loves helping Bella Ballet families behind the scenes to provide the best possible customer service! She is so grateful to still be a part of the Bella Ballet family from all the way in Pennsylvania, and loves to come back to Maryland frequently to see all of our amazing students and families
MISS ELLA
Teacher
Ella Rommel grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where she began her dance training in ballet, jazz and modern techniques. She studied at Metropolitan Ballet Theatre in Rockville, working with educators including Elizabeth Odell Catlett, Katerina Rodgaard, Iren Chaspher, Shady Mohamed, and Elizabeth Gaither of The Washington Ballet. She continued expanding her technical foundation through summer intensives with Ballet West, ArtÉmotions, Carolina Ballet, and the Point Park International Program.
Ella later trained at Hope Garden Ballet Theater under Frances Ichijo, studying the Vaganova method and performing both classical and contemporary repertory.
During her time at Hope Garden, she discovered her love of teaching ballet and became a part-time instructor while studying in the pre-professional program. She went on to study dance at the Point Park University Conservatory Program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, training in Graham, Horton, Cunningham, and Gaga techniques with faculty such as Jesse Factor, Jason McDole, and Judith Leifer-Bentz. Her time there deepened her appreciation for the expressive potential of movement and further developed her choreographic voice.
Now based in the Washington, DC area, Ella teaches and performs throughout the region. She appeared with Glade Dance Collective as part of the NACHMO DC January Challenge, was a guest artist in Essence Dance’s original production Not Our First Goat Rodeo, and performed in the A Place to Dance Festival, working with local dancers and choreographers. Ella continues to collaborate on local creative projects and is passionate about building community through dance, fostering expressive and thoughtful movement, and bringing that same artistry into her teaching.
MISS JORDAN
Teacher
Jordan Kelberg (She/her) is beyond thrilled to begin her post grad career at Bella Ballet! Jordan is a recent graduate from Elon University, studying Elementary Education and Theatre Arts. Jordan founded, directed, and starred in her college's premier show choir, Elon Muses. Jordan is the executive director of the junior company of Ovations Theatre in Gaithersburg, MD. Jordan was a chief choreographer in her college's dance club, Elon Danceworks. Jordan has choreographed numerous productions such as "Cabaret," "Seussical, "Legally Blonde" and more! In high school, Jordan was an officer of Best Buddies, a nationwide organization to accommodate students with special needs and abilities.
For the past six months, Jordan interned at Miss Kim's Dance studio in Burlington, NC. Finally, Jordan studied African dance at Elon and in Accra, Ghana, performing and learning from the University of Ghana. Jordan is so excited for this opportunity to create and grow. Jordan is a two-time BroadwayWorld.com nominee for best director and choreographer for her productions "Legally Blonde"(2022) and "Beauty and the Beast" (2023).
MISS CAILYN
Teacher
Miss Cailyn is a recent graduate from Virginia Tech Polytechnic Institute and State University. She graduated with honors with a dual degree in Sociology and Criminology. Miss Cailyn has danced since she was two years old and has trained in a variety of different styles, including: ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, pom, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary. During high school, she was a member of her school’s dance team and colorguard, serving as dance captain her senior year. During this time she began teaching at her local studio, teaching ages from five years old to adults. In college, she joined the Dance Company at Virginia Tech and served on it’s executive board for three consecutive years. As a board member, she taught open classes, company classes, and worked as one of the lead choreographers for company performances. With her company, she has performed as a halftime show performer for men and women’s basketball, for philanthropic galas, and for Virginia Tech sponsored fundraising events.
Miss Cailyn works as a co-teacher and occasionally helps out as a lead teacher. This is her first year with Bella Ballet and Empower and she is so excited for what this year has in store!!
MISS LYDIA
Concierge
Miss Lydia, born and raised in Montgomery County, brings a lifelong connection to the community and a heartfelt dedication to supporting families and young dancers. Growing up in the area has given her a deep understanding of the values, diversity, and spirit that make the community so special, and she carries that appreciation into everything she does at Bella Ballet.
Lydia loves providing exceptional customer service to our Bella Ballet families. She takes great pride in creating an environment where every student feels welcomed, encouraged, and excited the moment they walk through our doors. Whether she is greeting dancers with a warm smile, assisting parents with questions, or guiding new families through their first experience at the studio, Lydia ensures that each interaction is meaningful and memorable.
She is truly grateful to be a part of both the Bella Ballet and Empower by Bella Ballet families. She cherishes the opportunity to contribute to a space where confidence, creativity, and personal growth flourish every single day.
MISS KELLEY
Concierge
Miss Kelley is a member of our concierge team! She's a lifelong lover of dance and musical theater, and a dedicated dance mom with backstage bun skills that have survived a waterpark. Her performance background includes ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, and poms! For the past decade, she’s cheered, chauffeured, rhinestoned, and rallied two competitive dancers through recitals, nationals, and countless at-home rehearsals.
When she’s not at the studio, Kelley is working on her first book, conquering the daily New York Times Wordle, or spending time in the kitchen, on the yoga mat, or with a good novel---always with a great playlist.
MISS KENDALL
Co Teacher
Miss Kendall is a current senior at Northwest High School, and is a 4 year member and 2 year officer of their varsity poms team. She started dancing at Bella Ballet when she was 4 years old, and has is trained in pom, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, and tap. She is now dancing at her high school football game halftimes, basketball halftimes, and county pom competitions. During her sophomore year, her team took first place in the Division 2 MCPS Pom County Championship!
This is Kendall’s third official year teaching, but she was previously a junior assistant! She is very excited to continue her teaching position and share the love of dance that was instilled in her when she was younger.
MISS LAINI
Co Teacher
Miss Laini is a junior at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, where she is the captain of her Pom and Dance team. With her team, she performs at football games as well as traveling to Florida to compete at NDA nationals. She is also a member of her school's concert performance dance company.
Before joining Poms, she was a competition dancer and trained in hip hop, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and ballet.
She loves sharing my passion for dance with the kids at Bella Ballet and watching them grow over the year!
MISS HAILEY
Co Teacher
Miss Hailey is currently a student at Northwest High School, and is on the Empower Ensemble Dance Team. She started dancing at 3 years old, and has fallen in love with the craft. She is trained in various styles such as Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary. She has performed at the White House, in Cherry Blossom Parades, and at Wizards Games, as well as at many conventions and competitions.
This will be Hailey’s first year as a Co-Teacher, but previously she was a Junior Assistant for 4 years. She is extremely eager to teach younger children dance skills and the life lessons that have come with her experiences through the years.
MISS KARINA
Miss Karina was born and raised in Ukraine and moved to the US after graduating from college. She has been dancing ever since she can remember herself. One of her very first memories is dancing with her mom in the living room to some fun music, later followed by her joining a real ballet class. Ever since then, Miss Karina could not imagine her life without dance.
Throughout school and college Miss Karina was always on the dance team and has experience in different dance styles such as ballet, hip hop, Ukrainian, Russian and German folk dance, social Latin dances. Miss Karina is also a trained Zumba instructor and used to teach Zumba classes at the local gym.
“I am very grateful to have an opportunity to share my love for dance with little Bella Ballet dancers and help them to build self-confidence through dance!
MISS LEAH
We are honored to have Leah Velasquez as a part of Bella Ballet staff since 2016! “It is a wonderful place to work!” says Miss Leah. Her roles at Bella have been administrative, special events and co-teaching. I love seeing all the dancers express themselves through dance, but especially the ones who are nervous, find confidence in themselves and bust a move!! Such a joy!!
I am also a fitness instructor and just recently competed in my first CrossFit competition! Life is full of opportunities.
Contact Us
ADDRESS & HOURS
215 Kentlands Blvd, Gaithersburg MD 20878
Monday: 10 AM - 8 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 8 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM - 8 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 8 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 8 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Come see what all the hype is about! Call us today at (301) 970-3488 to book a free trial class, or email us at [email protected]. We’re here to serve and are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Opening Hours
Monday: 10 AM - 8 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 8 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM - 8 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 8 PM
Friday: 10 AM - 8 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
