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.
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 student Cecchetti Grades I- V. Ricci is a graduate of Florida Southern 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 since 2003.
Laura Salzlein, CCA, Teacher/Studio Management Team
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 Certified Public Accountant. Laura has been on the BCDC faculty since 2006.
Emma Burman, Teacher/ Studio Management Team
Emma began dancing at BCDC at the age of 13. As a student, Emma studied the Cecchetti Method of Ballet and passed student Cecchetti Grades I- VI. She also holds a Grade Level III Teacher’s certification. Emma spent two years living in Dallas, Texas as a jazz and contemporary trainee with Joffrey Ballet School, where she competed in YAGP regional and national competitions. Emma is a STOTT Pilates certified instructor. She has been a BCDC faculty member since 2023.
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.
Lilly Argueta, Teacher
Lilly was born and raised in Florida, where where began dancing at the age of five. She has trained in many styles such as ballet jazz, contemporary, pointe, and modern. She started her training at BCDC where she trained until 2020. While she was at Ballet Conservatory, she passed her student level I-VI Cecchetti Exams. She began dancing at ME Dance School in 2020, where she was a member of both the Studio Company and ME Ballet Company from 2020 to 2022. She joined Dance Theatre of Orlando in 2023 and is a current company dancer. She returned to Ballet Conservatory to pursue her Cecchetti Grade Level I Teacher’s certification and taught in the 23-24 school year. She is very excited to cultivate bright young dancers with a passion for what they do.
Mireille Johnson, Teacher
Mireille began dancing at BCDC at the age of 7. She has also studied dance with Ballet Magnificat, in Jackson, Mississippi. As a student, Emma studied the Cecchetti Method of Ballet and passed student Cecchetti Grades I- VI. She also holds a Grade Level II Teacher’s certification. Mireille has been teaching at BCDC since 2022.
Tiana Maslanka, Teacher
Tiana, born and raised in Hawaii, began dancing at the age of 4. She has studied many styles of dance, leading to her earning her MFA in dance performance and choreography, specializing in modern dance. In 2003, she placed 2nd in the Pacific Northwest Lindy Hop Championship Jack and Jill competition. She spent 5 years as a principal dancer with Kanopy Dance Company in Madison, WI before moving to Florida. She currently works as a puppeteer and performer at Disney, and is an alaka’i with halau hula Kaleooka’iwa. This is her first year teaching at BCDC.
Katy McGillin, Business Manager-Studio Management Team
Katy has been taking adult dance classes at BCDC since 2014. She earned a BA in history and a M.Ed. in Secondary Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida. She has been a certified middle school teacher of social studies, math and theatre since 2010. Prior to teaching, Katy worked as a casting assistant in NYC for an Emmy-award winning casting director, as well as office jobs in a variety of fields to include chiropractic care, hazardous waste, and law. She currently teaches and directs at St. Joseph Catholic School in Winter Haven.