The Academy of Classical Ballet

Sandra Hahs has been teaching ballet, pointe, pre-pointe, and variations for 17 years. She began studying ballet in Portugal with the Royal Academy of Dance method. During this time, she acted as a teacher’s assistant and helped prepare students for the RAD exams. Sandra later went to study ballet at the Escola Técnica de Profissionais de Bailado (TechnicalSchool of Dance Professionals) before joining the Portuguese Companhia Nacional de Bailado (National Company of Ballet). She danced with the company for three years in the corps de ballet, and performed in classical ballets as well as more  contemporary works. As a teacher, Sandra has not only worked and subbed for dance studios, but she also taught in a private school setting. Sandra is certified by the American Ballet Theatre ® (ABT) National Training Curriculum from Pre-Primary to Level 7.

Sarah Stevens is a movement educator specializing in classical ballet, Gyrotonic, and Pilates. She formerly danced ballet professionally in the Bay Area, performing in a diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary productions throughout her career. She is certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, and has years of experience presenting a wide range of ages and levels for ballet exams with ABT, earning recognition as an ABT NTC Fellow in 2024. Sarah is also a licensed Gyrotonic trainer and Classical Pilates instructor, and often incorporates Gyrotonic and Pilates principals in her ballet teaching. She is passionate about helping students build strength, confidence, and longevity both in and beyond the studio.

Faith Robinson is a dance artist based in San Jose, California. Faith has her BFA in Dance at San Jose State University. Within her schooling Faith has worked with numerous professional companies through the University Dance Theater, including 2nd Best Dance Company, Doug Gillespie, and David Dorfman Dance. In 2023 Faith performed in multiple showcases as an extension of SJ Dance Co in a piece titled “For Now”, choreographed by Kyleigh Brine. In 2025 she collaborated with dancer and choreographer Luis Isiordia on a dance film titled “Effigy”. Robinson also has experience in directing spaces as she was rehearsal director for the UDT Spring showcase in 2025 titled, “Flourish” where she assisted director Chafin Seymour. She has debuted four works at San Jose State. Her work, “Round and Round and Circles” was performed at the 2025 ACDA Northwest Conference Gala in Modesto. She had the opportunity to present a second work, “Due to Please” at the recent 2026 ACDA adjudication in Las Vegas. Robinson incorporates theater dance throughout her practice, encouraging vocal work within her movement styles. She uses improvisation as a dance practice and a way to curate choreography and phrasework. Her teaching styles include contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, jazz, and improvisation. Faith is taking over AOCBallet’s adaptive dance program, Boundless Ballet. Faith’s intention and goal in dance education is to be inclusive to all movers and to motivate young minds to build, focus, and create!

Joelle Wong is a classically trained ballet instructor who began dancing at age five under Crystal Petzel at AOC Ballet. Throughout her training, she performed in bi-annual productions, with Coppélia and Snow White among her favorites. In addition to performing, Joelle has spent six years teaching and assisting dancers of diverse ages and levels, and she currently supports neurodivergent students through AOC Ballet’s Boundless Ballet program, emphasizing inclusive and adaptive instruction.