Mrs. Briana Hofer is an Orlando native who brought her incredible talent to our studio community 15 years ago and now serves as our Artistic Director and Lead Instructor! Her lifelong dance journey began with twelve formative years at James Dance Center, where she competed, earned scholarships, and performed extensively throughout the community. Briana later earned a Dance Performance degree from Valencia College, gaining invaluable experience choreographing and performing with the Valencia Dance Theater. She also holds a Magna Cum Laude degree in Sport and Exercise Science from UCF, giving her a specialized, in-depth knowledge of strength and conditioning for our dancers. Prior to CBB, Briana was part of our studio family, where she spent eleven wonderful years sharing her expertise as a senior instructor at Cambridge School of Ballet. Outside the studio, Briana is a devoted wife and mother of four whose ultimate passion is helping her students pursue excellence in their training for the glory of God.

Mrs. Katie Dresbach is an Orlando native who discovered her dual passions for dance and faith at a young age. Her extensive formal training spans both the Balanchine technique at Orlando Ballet School and the Vaganova Method at the Russian Academy of Ballet Alafaya. Before freelancing across Central Florida, Katie enjoyed a six-year professional career with Ballet Fedotov, performing principal roles in classics like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Grounded in ministry, she also completed studies at Jesus School and House of Bethany Worship Academy, actively serving with the Jesus Image Worship Team. Katie joined the faculty at City Beautiful Ballet in 2023, instantly falling in love with our students and the vision behind our school. She is full of expectancy for all that the Lord will continue to do through our studio community!

Ms. Chloë Mora began her rigorous dance journey in Virginia, training extensively in the French ballet style at the Northern Virginia Dance Academy. Her dedication quickly led to incredible opportunities, including starring as Clara in The Nutcracker and being invited into the professional Asaph Ensemble by age sixteen. After relocating to Orlando, Chloë continued her training with Integrity Dance Company, further deepening her lifelong appreciation for faith-based dance education. Having ministered everywhere from local churches to the National Youth Convention—where her worship dance troupe won a National Merit award—she views every performance as a heartfelt offering to the Lord. Chloë is passionate about both the technique and artistry of ballet, and she is eager to help our City Beautiful Ballet students discover dance as a beautifully expressive act of worship to their Creator.

Ms. Hannah Lehman grew up in Florida, and began dancing at the age of 8 under the instruction of Glenda Langford at Glenda’s Dance Center. After four years of ballet and contemporary training, she began dancing with Cambridge School of Ballet at age 12 under the instruction of Stephania Rogers, Briana Hofer, and Chandra Judy. Hannah has since trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, and lyrical, as well as dancing for Cambridge School of Ballet and City Beautiful Ballet’s senior companies. Hannah’s favorite ballet is the Nutcracker, and has had opportunities to perform solos such as Mother Ginger and Spanish Chocolates. Hannah is passionate about teaching the next generation of dancers how to build strength, endurance, and artistry as they learn to glorify God through the art of dance.

We are excited to welcome Orlando native Ms. Olivia Whelan, who brings a wealth of knowledge to our studio after beginning her lifelong dance journey at age three and formally training at Cambridge School of Ballet under the guidance of mentors like our own Briana Hofer. Her extensive performance background includes dancing cherished principal roles like Aurora and Clara with the CSO Ballet Junior Company, as well as taking the stage in Central Florida Ballet’s productions of The Nutcracker. Olivia discovered a deep passion for teaching a decade ago and has since instructed students of all ages across multiple styles, even earning recognition for co-directing and choreographing an acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. She holds a Master of Occupational Therapy from AdventHealth University, and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology with a Dance minor from UCF, where she frequently performed at the Dr. Phillips Center and debuted original choreography focused on positive body image. Above all, Olivia’s approach to dance is deeply rooted in her faith, embodying the beauty of Psalm 28:7 as her heart “leaps for joy” and she uses movement to praise the Lord as her ultimate strength and shield. With her deep understanding of both the art and science of movement, we are absolutely thrilled to have Olivia inspiring the next generation of dancers here at City Beautiful Ballet!

We are delighted to welcome Ms. Elizabeth Moran, an experienced instructor who brings eight years of Florida teaching experience and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Alabama to our studio. During her collegiate career, she performed extensively with the Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre and apprenticed with Sanspointe Dance Company, later traveling nationally to manage events for the Celebration Talent Dance Competition. Deeply committed to glorifying God through movement, Elizabeth has served as a guest artist for local ministries like Discovery Church and Faith Assembly, performing across a wide range of styles to beautifully share His story. She also holds specialized certifications in Mat Pilates and Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT), bringing exceptional cross-training knowledge to support our dancers’ technical development. Outside the studio, Elizabeth enjoys photography, videography, and learning how to fish, and we are so blessed to have her passionate, faith-filled heart joining the City Beautiful Ballet family!

Hudson Virkler has danced on and off since he was six, after he saw his older sisters taking class, but started taking it seriously four years ago, and has been using it since then as an avenue for worshiping the Lord. He has attended City Beautiful Ballet for four years, and has been in Company for two. He attended Ballet Magnificat!’s Summer Dance Intensive the past two years, achieving the Pre-Professional Level the second year, playing the role of the Father in their “The Prodigal’s Journey.” When he’s not dancing,  you can find him running his own local landscaping business, and at the piano working on his next Rachmaninoff piece. He also loves to act in local theater productions, bringing comedy into whatever role he plays.

Talia Martinelli hails from a long line of classically trained dancers and began her own training at just two years old! After relocating to Orlando, she trained extensively across multiple styles at Cambridge School of Ballet under the guidance of mentors like our very own Briana Hofer, earning lead roles in The Nutcracker and performing in their highest Company level for over three years. Talia’s dedication to the performing arts also extends to Circle Christian School’s Musical Theater Company, where she is pursuing an Arts Honors Diploma and frequently lands lead dance roles, most recently serving as Assistant Dance Captain for The Little Mermaid. Always seeking to grow in her craft, she even spent this past summer training with the professional Christian dance company Ballet Magnificat in Mississippi. Talia is overjoyed to be teaching at City Beautiful Ballet this year and cannot wait to see how the Lord will beautifully use her experience and passion to inspire our students!