Meet Our Movement Collective Faculty
Former professional dancers and dedicated educators, the people who will guide your dancer with intention, artistry, and genuine care.
Performed on the world's stages. Devoted to your dancer.
Alexandra Kunis
Alexandra Kunis is a former professional ballerina, educator, and mentor whose career has spanned performance, arts education, and film. Trained at the School of American Ballet under renowned faculty including Kay Mazzo, Suki Schorer, and Susan Pilarre, she later graduated summa cum laude from St. Mary's College of California with a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts. Alexandra performed professionally with Los Angeles Ballet and New Chamber Ballet before serving as Director of the Children's Division at Los Angeles Ballet. A certified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor, she has coached dancers for YAGP, ADC/IBC, and UBC, and has also worked as a trainer, coach, and on-set technique interpreter for the Academy Award-winning film Black Swan and as a movement consultant for Disney's Oz the Great and Powerful.
Alessandra Ball James
A former professional ballerina whose career spanned nearly two decades with leading ballet companies in the United States and Europe, including Charlotte Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and Spain's Compañía de Danza Víctor Ullate. Throughout her career, she performed a wide-ranging repertoire of classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works while developing the artistry, discipline, and technical excellence that define professional ballet. Recognized early for her exceptional promise, she was awarded the prestigious Princess Grace Award. Today, Alessandra brings her extensive performance experience and passion for mentorship to the next generation of dancers.
James Kopecky
A professional dancer, choreographer, and educator whose career has spanned performance, choreography, and higher education. After earning a BFA in Dance from Butler University, he danced professionally with Ballet San Jose and Charlotte Ballet, performing a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire while also serving in rehearsal and staging leadership roles. His choreographic works have been commissioned by professional companies, universities, and arts organizations across the country, and he was selected to participate in the inaugural Ballet Choreographic Institute at the University of Utah. James currently serves as Adjunct Faculty at Winthrop University and continues to teach, choreograph, and mentor dancers throughout the Charlotte area.
Sarah Hayes Harkins
She enjoyed a distinguished 17-season career with Charlotte Ballet, performing principal roles in classical masterworks and contemporary works by world-renowned choreographers. Her experience also includes choreography, rehearsal direction, teaching, and coaching. She has performed at The Kennedy Center, The Hollywood Bowl, throughout Europe, and at the renowned Chautauqua Institution, where she was an artist-in-residence for ten summer seasons. A North Carolina native, Sarah trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts before joining Charlotte Ballet (then North Carolina Dance Theatre), which remained her artistic home throughout her professional career. In 2021, Sarah co-founded TangoCLT with dance partner Matthew Seneca, followed by The Long Room, a community event space dedicated to performances, private events, and dance.
Steffi Thomas
Steffi Thomas is a native of England who trained at the Central School of Ballet in London. She has performed with companies including the English National Ballet, Scottish Ballet, the National Ballet of Ireland, and Peter Schaufuss Ballet, as well as in film productions and at venues around the world. Steffi enjoys teaching dancers of all ages and levels, from beginners to pre-professionals. She is committed to helping each student build strong technique, confidence, and a genuine love for ballet. Many of her students have continued their training at respected ballet schools and into professional ballet companies. Steffi is also a certified Pilates instructor with a passion for strength training and injury prevention. She incorporates these principles into her classes to help dancers develop safely and reach their individual potential. Steffi has been teaching for over 20 years and believes ballet is about more than technique—it is about developing artistry, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for dance in a positive and encouraging environment.
Joshua Seibel
Joshua Seibel began dancing in Yuma, Arizona at the age of 9 under the direction of Thom Clower. After 2 summer courses in San Francisco, he was accepted into the year-round academy at Houston Ballet. With a year of training, and 2 years of second company in Houston Ballet II, Seibel was able to compete in the Prix de Lausanne and gain entry into Houston Ballet as a corps member at just 16. Josh has also danced with Ballet Memphis, Ballet San Jose and BalletMet doing a variety of principal and corps roles in many contemporary and classical pieces. Josh has been teaching since his early years in Houston and now teaches locally in Matthews, NC. He wishes to share his experiences and technique to help dancers gain placement into schools and companies of their dreams.
Chancey Morgan
She began her dance training in Southampton, England, where she studied ballet, modern, and tap, represented Team England in international competitions, and earned both silver and bronze medals. She continued her education at Bird College on scholarship before completing her teaching qualifications and working with respected dance schools throughout the United Kingdom. Since relocating to Charlotte, Chancey has combined her passion for dance and fitness as a dance educator, fitness instructor, and NASM Certified Personal Trainer, bringing a unique understanding of movement, strength, and body awareness to her students.
Hilary Kossack
An E-RYT 500 certified yoga instructor and Charlotte native. After discovering yoga in her early twenties, she completed her 500-hour teacher training with Bikram and Rajashree Choudhury in Los Angeles, followed by a 200-hour Vinyasa training with Shiva Rea. She has also studied with respected teachers including David Swenson, Kino MacGregor, Andrey Lappa, and Desiree Rumbaugh. Passionate about making yoga accessible to everyone, Hilary especially enjoys working with beginners and helping students experience the physical and mental benefits of a lifelong yoga practice.
Kristina Switzer
Kristina is a passionate group fitness instructor with over 6 years of experience teaching clients in various fitness styles. Her classes are designed to help clients move with intention, improve body awareness, and leave feeling stronger than when they walked in. With a background in dance, she's excited to blend the fluidity and grace of dance with the strength and precision of Pilates. She strives to make every client feel welcomed, supported, and empowered. Whether you're stepping onto the mat for the first time or continuing your Pilates journey, Kristina hopes you'll leave each class feeling stronger, more confident, and excited to move again.
Jo House
Jo has a 15 year history in competitive dance with her hometown studio, traveling across the country competing in local and national level competitions. She trained with South Carolina based studios including Central Carolina Performing Arts Center and Stepping Out. Currently, she practices as a dedicated perinatal professional and community advocate with extensive experience supporting families through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early caregiving. Jo is a Certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula, passionate about helping caregivers feel informed, empowered, and supported, with work that emphasizes mental health and overall wellness. With a history in dance and a current expertise in postpartum wellness, she will blend and bring them together in Babywearing Ballet.
Samantha Custer
Samantha Custer is a RYT-200 yoga instructor with a modern, breath-led teaching style focused on clear cueing, mindful movement, and feel-good flow. Her classes are designed to be both energizing and grounding, while creating space for students of all experience levels to move without pressure or perfection. Coming from a background in healthcare communications, she's passionate about building welcoming environments where people can reconnect with themselves and their community. Outside the studio, she enjoys live music, book club, binge-worthy TV, and a good iced latte.
The people behind the studio.
Robin Link
Robin Link serves as the Finance Lead for Movement Collective, bringing extensive experience in finance and business strategy. She began her career as a management consultant with Deloitte, where she developed the initial strategic plan for the Cain Center for the Performing Arts. Robin later served as a Finance Director for several manufacturing companies. Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, she moved to Charlotte after earning her graduate degree from the University of Notre Dame. Robin and her husband are raising their two young children in Charlotte and are passionate about building a vibrant arts community where young people can thrive.
Lex Bixler
A fashion enthusiast and creative at heart, Lex has always felt at home in artistic communities. She earned her degree in Fashion Merchandising from East Carolina University before spending two summers living in Florence and Milan, working with the Italian fashion showrooms Le Bonitas and AseSTANTE, where she gained valuable insight into the international fashion industry. Those experiences broadened her perspective and continue to shape who she is today. Before joining Movement Collective, Lex held retail management roles, most notably with Anthropologie, where she developed a passion for visual merchandising and exceptional guest experiences. Though her ballet slippers haven't been laced up since childhood, Lex's love for dance has only grown. She's honored to support the Movement Collective community and is always happy to help however she can.
Dr. Noelle Williams
Dr. Noelle L. Williams is a strategic and wellness advisor to Movement Collective. She is currently a radiation oncologist in Charlotte, North Carolina and a former professional ballet dancer with Atlanta Ballet. She trained in St. Petersburg, Florida, and spent her summers studying at the School of American Ballet and the Chautauqua Institution.
Brielle Ferrante
Brielle Ferrante serves as a Marketing Advisor, bringing extensive experience in strategic brand development and high-performance team leadership. She began her career at Verizon, then served as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company. Brielle later built the marketing function at DroneUp, a drone delivery and services start-up, and founded Finn & Sage, a marketing strategy consulting firm, before becoming Chief Marketing Officer at Smith + Howard. Originally from Bridgewater, New Jersey, she earned her Bachelor's degree from Elon University and MBA from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business. Brielle is passionate about fitness, movement, and building communities where young people and families can flourish.