Samantha Koon
Director + Founder
Samantha serves as the Director of Reflections Dance and Owner/Director of Ballet Refreshed, bringing a distinguished background in classical ballet, contemporary dance, choreography, and dance education to her work.
Her extensive training includes the American Ballet Theatre, Louisville Ballet, GSA Kentucky, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, and Cincinnati Ballet. She has been awarded full scholarships to many prestigious programs, including the Grand Premiere Invitational, Aurora Bosch Intensive, Indianapolis Ballet Academy, Charlottesville Ballet Academy, and Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre Academy.
A graduate and former company member of Kentucky Ballet Theatre, Samantha continued her artistic training following graduation through the Royal Ballet’s International Training Centre and New York’s Ballet Arts Center for Dance, further expanding her experience and refining her craft.
Samantha is also an accomplished choreographer and is honored to celebrate her fifth consecutive summer as a choreographer for Ballet Under the Stars.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Samantha transitioned to full-time dance education and mentorship, dedicating herself to cultivating the next generation of dancers through rigorous training, artistic development, and a deep commitment to excellence.
Eric Smith
Instructor
Eric began his dance training as a competitive dancer, where his dedication earned him the distinguished title of Mr. Teen Dance of America. Eric developed a particular passion for classical ballet and partnering, studying pas de deux with professional dancers from both Cincinnati Ballet and Louisville Ballet.
As a sought-after guest artist and partner,
Eric has worked with numerous dance studios and organizations, frequently performing principal partnering roles in full-length productions. His performance credits include serving as a Cavalier in The Nutcracker and portraying the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. He has also collaborated with The Ashland Ballet, United Talent, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Ballet, and many other studios throughout the region.
Eric brings a high level of professionalism, enthusiasm, and positivity to every studio he enters. He is passionate about creating a supportive environment for dancers and helping students develop confidence, artistry, and strong partnering skills.
Eric is excited to be joining Ballet Refreshed as one of the Pas De Deux and Male Technique instructors.
Rumi Chang
Instructor
Born and raised in South Korea, Ms. Rumi brings a lifelong passion for dance and performance to our K-Pop classes. She began acting and dancing at just 4 years old and also trained as an ice skater, developing the discipline and artistry that continue to inspire her teaching.
After moving to the United States, Miss Rumi joined the LCHS Dance Team, where she helped her team earn a 2nd Place finish in competition.
Her experience in both Korean performance culture and competitive dance allows her to create fun, energetic, and authentic K-Pop classes for students of all levels.
In addition to teaching dance, Miss Rumi is currently pursuing her studies at the UKY College of Engineering. She enjoys encouraging her students to work hard, express themselves with confidence, and have fun while learning new skills!
Stephanie Ramos
Instructor
Stephanie is an entrepreneur, dance educator, and pageant coach with a passion for helping others discover their confidence, talents, and potential. She majored in Physical Wellness Management with a minor in Dance at Eastern Kentucky University and has been dancing for over 20 years. Throughout her training, Stephanie has studied Latin, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, and Ballet.
Stephanie has also been deeply involved in the pageant world since the age of 17.
Her accomplishments include being crowned 2013 Miss Kentucky Motor Speedway, 2012 Miss River City America, and Miss Lexington America 2013. She has competed in both the Miss USA and Miss America systems and, in 2017, proudly won the title of Miss Kentucky United States before placing in the Top 10 at Miss United States. She was also honored as Miss Puerto Rico Sweetheart, where she received the Talent Award.
With more than seven years of experience owning and operating her own dance studios in Lancaster and Harrodsburg, Kentucky, Stephanie brings a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to every student and client she works with.
For Stephanie, dance is more than just movement, it is a way to express yourself, build confidence, promote a healthy lifestyle, and, most importantly, have fun!
Sakura Yamashita
Instructor
Sakura's dance training includes year-round pre-professional study at the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, as well as serving as a ballet major at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA). She has also participated in numerous summer intensives, including programs with Radford University, Dance Masters of America, West Virginia University, Next Generation Ballet, Bluegrass Youth Ballet, Lexington Ballet, and Kentucky Ballet Theatre.
Sakura continued her academic and artistic studies as a Dance Major at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2023. Following a PCL injury and subsequent surgery, she transitioned from pursuing dance at the collegiate level and transferred to WKU, where she is currently pursuing a degree in Health Sciences.
Throughout her competitive career, Sakura earned numerous honors, including being crowned Miss Dance of the Bluegrass and receiving Grand Champion titles at both MADI and SS&P. Her extensive performance experience includes portraying featured roles such as the Sugarplum Fairy, Arabian, Snow Queen, and Clara in multiple productions of The Nutcracker.
Although her injury brought her performance career to a pause, Sakura found a new way to share her love of dance through teaching and choreography.
Sakura brings her genuine love for dance into every classroom and is excited to continue inspiring the next generation of dancers through Ballet Refreshed!
Alaina Sandlin
Jr Instructor
Alaina is a dedicated student with a dream of becoming a professional ballerina one day.
She brings professionalism, enthusiasm, and a wonderful attitude to every class she attends.
Alaina especially enjoys working with younger dancers and helping them learn the fundamentals of ballet and tap.
Outside of the studio, Alaina can often be found crocheting, sewing her pointe shoes, or helping our younger dancers sew and care for theirs!
Alaina has had the opportunity to attend several summer intensives, including Milwaukee Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet. She has also been accepted into programs such as Cary Ballet Conservatory.
Alaina is excited to share her love of dance with her students this year!
Danielle Ansiel
Instructor
Danielle Ansiel was born in Glendale, California, and has always nurtured a passion for the art of dance. She began her classical ballet training at eleven, and expanded her studies into contemporary dance years later. Since then, she has continued to develop her artistry through training at the Gloria Deo School of the Arts, Kentucky Ballet Theatre (KBT), and competing in the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix.
She currently dances with Kentucky Ballet Theatre’s professional company as a trainee, where she has had the opportunity to perform professional company roles in productions including Dracula and Don Quixote.
In addition to her performance career, Danielle serves as an instructor for KBT Academy’s Lower School, where she enjoys sharing her love of dance with younger students and helping them build a strong technical and artistic foundation. Danielle has a heart for using her God-given gift of dance as an expression of worship and a means of glorifying God.
She is excited to join Ballet Refreshed and looks forward to inspiring and encouraging her students through both her teaching and her passion for the art of dance!
Juliana Cobb
Instructor
Coming Soon!
Directors & Staff
Welcome to the Ballet Refreshed team. More information and staff members to be announced soon!