Annelise Straw studied at the Kirov Academy of Ballet, The Art of Classical Ballet (Magaly Suarez), and with Suzanne Farrell. She spent summers as a student with Bolshoi Ballet, Joffrey, Orlando Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and The Richmond Ballet. Mrs. Straw danced professionally for Florida Classical Ballet and The Richmond Ballet, performing soloist roles in Paquita, Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Serenade, Le Corsaire, Coppelia, among many others. She was also part of the creation of new works. Classically trained in the Vaganova syllabus, Annelise brings a foundation of strong technique coupled with her background dancing under experts of Balanchine and the Cuban School. Mrs. Straw has taught ballet to pre-ballet through advanced students and believes that the discipline, communication skills, work ethic, and ability to collaborate fostered in ballet class can help students their whole lives, in the studio and beyond.