Our Faculty
QUALITY DANCE INSTRUCTION SINCE 1983.
CECCHETTI METHOD OF BALLET
CCA LICENSED AND CERTIFIED TEACHERS
All faculty of the Ballet Conservatory-Dance Centre are certified/licensed dance educators!
Pirkko S. Lawlor, LCCA, CICB, FDM, School Artistic Director/Owner, teacher
A native of Finland, Mrs. Lawlor began dance studies there in the Russian Method, achieving soloist status. She performed and taught on the Chicago North Shore for thirty years, where she owned a private school in Lake Forest, Illinois. She also taught for world renown choreographer, Gus Giordano, in his principal studio in Evanston, Illinois. Pirkko is nationally recognized for the creation of superior teaching materials, master classes for seminars and conventions; her authorship and production of the nationally popular “ A Child’s World of Dance with Pirkko” continues to be a mainstay in America. She has cofounded two Cecchetti Council of America teaching chapters, in Chicago and Florida, and she is a CCA National Examiner and teacher-training specialist. Pirkko is a professional licenciate of the Cecchetti Method of ballet and a national examiner for the Cecchetti Council of America.
Kaarlo J. Lawlor, FCCA, CICB, School Director/Teacher
Lawlor was one of the founders of the BCDC in 1983. Kaarlo is a professional Advanced Grade VII Fellow Licentiate of the Cecchetti Method of ballet and a member of Cecchetti International of Classical Ballet (CICB). Kaarlo has performed with the Ballet Royal (Orlando), Florida Ballet Theatre and Concert Ballet Theatre of Central Florida. He has been a national ballet examiner for the Cecchetti Council of America since 1998. Kaarlo is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a B.A. in communications and an A.S. degree in Physical Therapy.
Michael P. Lawlor, Stott Certified Pilates Instructor/Teacher
Mikki earned a BA in music/theatre and dance from Florida Southern College. He has studied the Cecchetti Method of Ballet and holds a Grade Level IV Teacher’s certification. He is a master instructor of The Pilates Method of Contrology for over 15 years. Mikki performed with the FSU Dance Repertory Group. Mikki was co-artistic director to Vital Spark performing arts ensemble from 1996-2001. Performing professionally with Busch Gardens of Tampa and Walt Disney World for 15 years. Mikki has been teaching and performing at the BCDC for 31 years.
Ricci Keown, FDM, Teacher
Ricci began dance instruction with the Lawlor family at the BCDC at the age of nine. Ricci had the opportunity to perform as part of Erika Lawlor Schmidt’s groups Uptown Dance and Vital Spark. Ricci also travelled around the country as an assistant for Dance Olympus. As a student, Ricci passed Cecchetti levels grade I through grade V. Ricci is a graduate of Florida Souther College with a BA in Education. Ricci has worked with the Continuing Education Dance Masters Program at the University of Wisconsin. She is also a member of Florida Dance Masters. Ricci has taught for the BCDC for 15 years.
Laura Salzlein, CCA, Teacher
Laura began dancing at the BCDC at the age of six under the direction of the Lawlor family and Ricci Keown. As a student, Laura passed student Cecchetti Grades I- VI, and performed in a dance troupe “A Step In Time” that performed throughout Central Florida. Laura is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America with a professional level V teacher’s certification. She is a graduate of Webber University and is a practicing Certified Public Accountant. Laura has been on the BCDC faculty for 12 years.