Carol Ennis

Carol Ennis had a versitile dance background and professional experience. She extended her ballet training in her teen years and persue her passion for dance through performance, choreographing and teaching in many arenas. Having had the privilege of studying with many of the great ballet masters of the 20th century, she decided to open her own school in 1967 with a strong focus on ballet.

Outgrowing the first school, located at 2313 Perkiomen Ave.the school then moved to 1701 Fairview St. in east Reading, which was soon joined by a school in the west in Sinking Spring. In 2005 the Academy was asked to become the first arts partner in the newly renovated Goggleworks Center for the Arts and has remained there to this date. The focus of the studio and staff has always been on good training. The Academy now offers over 35 classes a week in tap, jazz, modern, classical ballet and pointe. Students 3-18 as well as adults enjoy its many fine teachers and interesting classes.

Ms. Ennis founded the Berks Ballet Theatre in 1976 and the non-pofit dance ensemble has remained a vital force in the Berks County arts scene. The school feeds the company which holds high standards for all dancers and offers all qualified dancers the opportunity to perform in the yearly Nutcracker as well as others performances in repetoire, the classics and contemporary work. After 30 years as its Artistic Director, Ms. Ennis remains somewhat active as the Founding Director.

Ms. Ennis recieved the Girl Scout woman of the year award in 2002, is past secretary of Regional Dance America Northeast, former program director and ballet examiner of Dance Masters of America, tri-state chapter, a graduate of Albright College and member of many local arts organizations.

Mary Ann Brendlen

Mary Ann began dancing at Berks Ballet Theatre (BBT) in 1983, and has been teaching there for 17 years. She teaches 3 - 7 year old students ballet, tap and tumbling. Prior to joining BBT, Mary Ann worked at Pied Piper Nursery School as their Ballet Mistress for 13 years. Over the years, she has appeared in BBT's Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and has been a party parent in the Nutcracker for over 20 years. Mary Ann loves dance and music and enjoys sharing this with children.

Marguerite Wegman

Marguerite “Miss Marguerite” Wegman is one of our dance instructors at The Dance Academy of Berks Ballet.  She began her dance training with Carol Ennis at the age of nine, studying Ballet, Tap and Jazz.  In 1976, she became one of the first principal and corp dancers of “La Petite Ballet Company,” which was founded under the direction of Carol Ennis.  This company is currently known as, “Berks Ballet Theatre.”
Over the years, she danced the lead roles in two original ballets written and choreographed by Carol Ennis.  She also performed in the ballets “Cinderella” and “The Nutcracker”, dancing such roles as the Snow Queen, snow and flower corp and a party parent.  During those years, she participated in dance competitions and attended several DMA Dance Conventions in New Jersey and New York City.
Miss Marguerite began teaching for Carol Ennis in 1977 and has remained on staff for the past 32 years.  Currently, she teaches Preschool classes and various levels of Ballet, Tap and Jazz.  She specializes in teaching children ages 3 -12.  In addition to regular classes, she offers a Summer Dance Camp for children ages 8 -11.  Miss Marguerite truly enjoys teaching here at “The Academy.”  She is looking forward to working with your child this year!

Kelly Barber

Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Kelly Barber received her early training at the Academy of Berks Ballet Theatre under the direction of Carol Ennis. She went on to join Berks Ballet Theatre, becoming a soloist with the company. Ms. Barber attended summer programs at Burklyn Ballet Theatre, Pennsylvania Ballet and was awarded a Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts scholarship. In 1995 she joined Ballet Theatre of Maryland under the direction of the late Edward Stewart and was promoted to soloist the following year. She was featured in such ballets as Swan Lake, Rite of Spring, Dracula, Carmina Burana and Le Corsaire. After returning to Pennsylvania, she joined the faculty of Berks Ballet and became the company's Artist in Residence. Recent performances have included the RDA National Festival in 2007, Sugar Plum Fairy in BBT's 2007 Nutcracker. Kelly was made Associate Director of the company in 2006 and then became Artistic Director in 2007. She teaches ballet and pointe full time at the Dance Academy

Amy Scatchard

Amy Scatchard is a native of Berks County and began dancing at the age of 4 with Berks Ballet Theatre. Having begun her dance training under Marguerite Wegman and Carol Ennis, she continued to study at BBT with excellent teachers such as Cherie Noble, Nana Badrena, and Jody Anderson-Miller. While a student, Amy performed many lead roles such as Dew Drop, Marzipan, and Spanish in the Nutcracker, the Diamond Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, and Nikya in La Bayadere. Amy also performed many original choreographic pieces working with choreographer such as Jessica Lang, Christopher Flemming, Kanji Segawa, and Cherie Noble. As a choreographer, Amy has contributed to numerous BBT ballets, as well as creating new works on a Regional level for Regional Dance America Northeast. Amy is currently a ballet and jazz teacher at the Dance Academy and is the Associate Director for the ballet company.