Jermaine Thornton - Executive Director
Jermaine Thornton began his dance training with lyrical jazz and ballet at Port Saint Lucie High School. After graduation, he received a dance scholarship to Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, Florida. While there, Jermaine began his formal studies in classical ballet, Graham, Cunningham, and Limon modern dance technique under the instruction of Molly Magee as well as guest ballet faculty, Loretta Miller. Jermaine was invited by the USF Dance Department to pursue a BFA degree in Dance Performance. During his time at USF, Jermaine has performed in numerous works choreographed by USF faculty as well as guest choreographers. Artists include Bill T. Jones, Doug Varone, Jennifer Archibald, Leah Cox and James Kinney to name a few. He has also had the opportunity to perform abroad at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, UK. In addition to concert dance, Jermaine has also been fortunate to perform in musicals and operas that have aided him in his growth as an artist. Such productions include Camelot, The Music Man, The Pearl Fishers, The Merry Widow and La Traviata.
Beyond his performing career, Jermaine has taught for various arts education organizations throughout the state of Florida. He has had the privilege to work with The American Stage Theater Company, Gulfshore Ballet, Xplosive Dance Academy, Skyra Studios, The Sarasota Opera Company’s Youth Opera Workshop, Dance Unlimited & Dance Central. He has also had the opportunity to work with students and staff at Harrison School for The Arts and Rochelle School for The Arts.
In furthering his studies in business, Jermaine attends workshops and seminars conducted by the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. He is a part of the Leadership Lakeland Class 38 and serves on the Advisory Board of Harrison School for The Arts, The Lakeland Mayor's Council for The Arts and Board for Lakeland Vision.
Jermaine Thornton began his dance training with lyrical jazz and ballet at Port Saint Lucie High School. After graduation, he received a dance scholarship to Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, Florida. While there, Jermaine began his formal studies in classical ballet, Graham, Cunningham, and Limon modern dance technique under the instruction of Molly Magee as well as guest ballet faculty, Loretta Miller. Jermaine was invited by the USF Dance Department to pursue a BFA degree in Dance Performance. During his time at USF, Jermaine has performed in numerous works choreographed by USF faculty as well as guest choreographers. Artists include Bill T. Jones, Doug Varone, Jennifer Archibald, Leah Cox and James Kinney to name a few. He has also had the opportunity to perform abroad at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, UK. In addition to concert dance, Jermaine has also been fortunate to perform in musicals and operas that have aided him in his growth as an artist. Such productions include Camelot, The Music Man, The Pearl Fishers, The Merry Widow and La Traviata.
Beyond his performing career, Jermaine has taught for various arts education organizations throughout the state of Florida. He has had the privilege to work with The American Stage Theater Company, Gulfshore Ballet, Xplosive Dance Academy, Skyra Studios, The Sarasota Opera Company’s Youth Opera Workshop, Dance Unlimited & Dance Central. He has also had the opportunity to work with students and staff at Harrison School for The Arts and Rochelle School for The Arts.
In furthering his studies in business, Jermaine attends workshops and seminars conducted by the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. He is a part of the Leadership Lakeland Class 38 and serves on the Advisory Board of Harrison School for The Arts, The Lakeland Mayor's Council for The Arts and Board for Lakeland Vision.
Molly Ahler - Academy Director
Ballet Instructor
Molly Ahler was born in South Korea and raised in Tempe, Arizona. At the age of ten she began her training with Nadja Langenhorst at Jeanne’s School of Dance. During her pre-professional training, Molly was a part of Yen Li Chen’s “The Nutcracker '' dancing the role of Snow Queen and Dew Drop. She also briefly danced with the pre-professional company, Ballet Etudes. Molly's passion for teaching developed at age 14 as an assistant to her mentor and teacher, Nadja Langenhorst. At age 15 she began teaching at Jeanne’s School of Dance. Molly taught ballet and lyrical at Jeanne’s for 7 years. Her training then continued at the University of Arizona where she received her BFA. Upon her graduation, Ms. Ahler received a contract with Florida Dance Theatre where she has had the distinguished privileges of performing in New York City at the APAP conference at the Lincoln Center and at Battery Park. During her sixteen years of teaching, Ms. Ahler has taught Master Classes and Summer Intensives in both Florida and Arizona.
In her role as Academy Director of Florida Dance Theatre, Molly aims to continue to share her passion and love for dance with the next generation of young artists. As a certified Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor, her methods incorporate a well-rounded approach to dance training while utilizing an educational foundation in kinesiology.
Ballet Instructor
Molly Ahler was born in South Korea and raised in Tempe, Arizona. At the age of ten she began her training with Nadja Langenhorst at Jeanne’s School of Dance. During her pre-professional training, Molly was a part of Yen Li Chen’s “The Nutcracker '' dancing the role of Snow Queen and Dew Drop. She also briefly danced with the pre-professional company, Ballet Etudes. Molly's passion for teaching developed at age 14 as an assistant to her mentor and teacher, Nadja Langenhorst. At age 15 she began teaching at Jeanne’s School of Dance. Molly taught ballet and lyrical at Jeanne’s for 7 years. Her training then continued at the University of Arizona where she received her BFA. Upon her graduation, Ms. Ahler received a contract with Florida Dance Theatre where she has had the distinguished privileges of performing in New York City at the APAP conference at the Lincoln Center and at Battery Park. During her sixteen years of teaching, Ms. Ahler has taught Master Classes and Summer Intensives in both Florida and Arizona.
In her role as Academy Director of Florida Dance Theatre, Molly aims to continue to share her passion and love for dance with the next generation of young artists. As a certified Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor, her methods incorporate a well-rounded approach to dance training while utilizing an educational foundation in kinesiology.
Stefan Dolbasian - Artistic Director - Resident Choreographer
Tap Dance Instructor
Contemporary Instructor
Born and raised in NYC, Stefan Dolbashian began his dance training in tap at the School at Stepson Broadway. He then furthered his training studying at the Alvin Ailey School and Steps on Broadway‘s Pre-Professional Programs on full scholarship while simultaneously attending LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. After attending one year at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, Stefan began his first season with Florida Dance Theatre. After three seasons at Florida Dance Theatre, he danced for Peridance Contemporary Dance Company for a year and half, dancing works by Igal Perry, Enzo Celli, Ohand Naharin, and Dwight Rhoden. He has created five works on FDT, two of which have been presented at the APAP conference in NYC.
Tap Dance Instructor
Contemporary Instructor
Born and raised in NYC, Stefan Dolbashian began his dance training in tap at the School at Stepson Broadway. He then furthered his training studying at the Alvin Ailey School and Steps on Broadway‘s Pre-Professional Programs on full scholarship while simultaneously attending LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. After attending one year at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, Stefan began his first season with Florida Dance Theatre. After three seasons at Florida Dance Theatre, he danced for Peridance Contemporary Dance Company for a year and half, dancing works by Igal Perry, Enzo Celli, Ohand Naharin, and Dwight Rhoden. He has created five works on FDT, two of which have been presented at the APAP conference in NYC.
Denton H. Gay
Ballet Instructor
Modern Dance Instructor
Denton began dancing around the age of 10 in his hometown of Abaco, Bahamas. There were no official dance classes on the island so he would watch YouTube videos and mimic movements. He went on to receive formal dance training and education at Palm Beach Atlantic University where he earned his BA in Dance with a minor in Business Administration in 2014. In pursuit of a dance career, he relocated to Lakeland and garnered a placement with Florida Dance Theatre in 2014. Over the last decade, Denton has cultivated his training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Contemporary dance disciplines. His teaching trajectory began in 2014 at Carousel in Plant City, followed by joining Florida Dance Theatre’s faculty in 2016. Denton is deeply passionate about his art and wishes to use every opportunity, no matter the platform given, to share his love of dance with the world.
Ballet Instructor
Modern Dance Instructor
Denton began dancing around the age of 10 in his hometown of Abaco, Bahamas. There were no official dance classes on the island so he would watch YouTube videos and mimic movements. He went on to receive formal dance training and education at Palm Beach Atlantic University where he earned his BA in Dance with a minor in Business Administration in 2014. In pursuit of a dance career, he relocated to Lakeland and garnered a placement with Florida Dance Theatre in 2014. Over the last decade, Denton has cultivated his training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Contemporary dance disciplines. His teaching trajectory began in 2014 at Carousel in Plant City, followed by joining Florida Dance Theatre’s faculty in 2016. Denton is deeply passionate about his art and wishes to use every opportunity, no matter the platform given, to share his love of dance with the world.
Jordan Raybon
Ballet Instructor
Elite Ensemble Coordinator
Leaps & Turns Instructor
Jordan Raybon has been teaching dance for the past 8 years. She has taught classes in the disciplines of Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary as well as leaps and turns. She received very versatile training growing up attending both competition focused dance schools as well as a classical ballet school in Tampa, America's Ballet School. She has
taught at several dance schools in the greater Tampa Bay area and polk county. Jordan has also been choreographing competition pieces for numerous dance teams, earning high score overall awards and an outstanding choreography award in 2018. This will be her second season on faculty at Florida Dance Theatre as well her 8th season as a
company member with the professional company. Jordan is so very humbled to be able to share her passion with her students and make a positive impact on the youth of today.
Ballet Instructor
Elite Ensemble Coordinator
Leaps & Turns Instructor
Jordan Raybon has been teaching dance for the past 8 years. She has taught classes in the disciplines of Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary as well as leaps and turns. She received very versatile training growing up attending both competition focused dance schools as well as a classical ballet school in Tampa, America's Ballet School. She has
taught at several dance schools in the greater Tampa Bay area and polk county. Jordan has also been choreographing competition pieces for numerous dance teams, earning high score overall awards and an outstanding choreography award in 2018. This will be her second season on faculty at Florida Dance Theatre as well her 8th season as a
company member with the professional company. Jordan is so very humbled to be able to share her passion with her students and make a positive impact on the youth of today.