Meet the Director

Emily Hrones Umland grew up in Needham and trained at Boston Ballet School. She then enjoyed a seven-year career as a professional ballet dancer with Nevada Ballet Theatre and Boston Ballet. Since 1997, she has directed and taught her Children's Summer Ballet program in Needham. In May 2001, she retired from the stage and expanded her program to form Charles River Ballet Academy, where she she is the principal teacher.

Meet the Other Teachers!

Erika Lambe-Holland trained at Boston Ballet School and School of American Ballet and went on to dance professionally with Miami City Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Boston Ballet. She has served on the faculty of Boston Ballet School, Walnut Hill School, and Boston Arts Academy.

Robin Buratowski trained with San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Regina Karoly in Italy, and the Virginia Ballet Company. She also studied ballet at Goucher College where she performed ballets staged and choreographed by Jean-Pierre Bonnefous.