About Us: Artistic Staff
Mike Verdon (Director)
Mike has a 20 year history with Garden City Ballet (GCB). In 1990, Jan Snow asked Mike to play Herr Drosselmeyer for his first time, and he was asked to reprise the role again in 1992 and 1993. Mike was cast as Doctor Coppelius in GCB’s production of Coppelia in 1991, and as the doll maker in GCB’s 1994 production of La Boutique Fantasque. Perhaps his most rewarding role was playing opposite of one of Missoula’s favorite actors, Severt Phileo, as stepsisters in GCB’s 1992 production of Cinderella. Years later, Mike was thrilled to join the company again playing one of his all time favorite roles, Herr Drosselmeyer, in the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 productions of The Nutcracker. In addition to his many acting roles with Garden City Ballet, Mike runs a theater company in Virginia City, Montana. He will bring all of this experience to his new position as Director of the 2011 Nutcracker.
Colleen Rosbarsky (Choreographer) has been teaching ballet and jazz locally for the past 15 years. She received a BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah, which she attended on a full tuition scholarship. She has additionally trained at Ballet West Conservatory and on MDAA scholarships at Stage 7 San Diego and Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago. She performed as a company member with Utah Ballet, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Garden City Ballet and Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre. In 2001 and 2010, Colleen was awarded the MDAA teaching fellowship.
Michele Antonioli (Choreographer) is an Associate Professor in the University of Montana School of Theater and Dance, teaching ballet, pointe, kinesiology and pedagogy. She studied professionally with the Harkness Ballet School and the School of American Ballet before dancing with the Houston Ballet and the Frankfurt Opera Ballet. She has a B.A. in Geology and an M.F.A. in Ballet from Texas Christian University. She has directed the Garden City Ballet's productions of Cinderella and The Nutcracker.
Jordan Dehline (Choreographer) has been performing, choreographing, and teaching in Missoula for six years. She has a BFA in Dance Education and Choreography/Performance from the University of Montana. She performed as a company member with Headwaters Dance Company, the CoMotion Dance Project, and Plateau Ballet Repertory Theatre of Washington. Ms. Dehline currently teaches modern and ballet at Ballet Arts Academy, in Missoula County Public Schools as part of the Montana Model Dance Education Program (MoDE), and is adjunct faculty at UM.
Kelley Durbin (Choreographer) is the CEO and Founder of Mismo Gymnastics. She trained in classical ballet for 11 years and gymnastics for 14 years. Kelley's energy and enthusiasm will be a fun addition to the Russian variation. She is very excited to be a new member of the choreography team, and feels honored to be a part of this year's production.