Melissa Bierstock
Owner, Director, Teacher

began her dance training with Anne Hebard at the age of four. She performed principal roles in CBT’s productions for over 10 years. Her classical training included study at The North Carolina School of the Arts, Marin Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet and Joffrey Ballet Schools and with master teachers Anne Hebard, David Howard, Melissa Hayden, Maria Vegh and Kevin Pugh. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in dance history from Bard College. In 1996, Melissa moved to Toronto, Canada where she performed in both contemporary and classical ballet before joining the faculty of Toronto’s prestigious school, Dance Teq at the invitation of principal dancer Kevin Pugh. Melissa has owned various pilates studios in Canada and New York, taught for the University of Toronto and was a pilates coach to numerous members of the National Ballet of Canada. Melissa returned to New York in 2004 to teach for the Anne Hebard School of Ballet and was rehearsal mistress for CBT under the direction of Anne Hebard from 2004- 2017. That year, she became the owner and director of the Anne Hebard School of Ballet. (now Ballet School of Kingston) Melissa is honored to have taken on the role of Artistic Director for Catskill Ballet Theatre from her mentor, Anne Hebard, upon her retirement in 2020. After steering the company through the pandemic, Melissa’s on stage directorial debut occurred this past spring, when CBT presented Alice In Wonderland to record audiences here at our home, the Ulster Performing Arts Center.