KEITH ROBINSON
Keith Robinson has been teaching dance for over 30 years. He teaches ballet and partnering for the School of Robinson Ballet as well as at the Belfast Dance Studio in Belfast. He is on the dance faculty of the School for the Performing Arts at the University of Maine in Orono. Keith is also a certified PTR tennis instructor at the Armstrong Tennis Center in Bangor.
maureen robinson
Maureen Robinson began her teaching career in 1975 at the Severn School of Dance in Camden, Maine. For many years she taught ballet at Studio I in Millinocket and the Belfast Dance Studio in Belfast. Maureen teaches ballet of all levels and pointe for the School of Robinson Ballet. She also gives dance movement classes to the clients of Amicus’ Penobscot Valley Industries and Ralph Leek Elders programs. Maureen participated in the National Dance Institute Teacher Training program in NYC. She currently teaches dance in three public schools, the Airline School in Aurora as well as the Dedham School in Dedham and the Suzanne Smith School in Levant, both of which are a part of the ACHIEVE programs.
Stevie McGary
Originally from Bangor, Stevie grew up dancing for Robinson Ballet. She graduated with a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University where she studied with Robert Battle, Geri Houlihan, Scott Putman, and Arnott Mader, among others. In addition to being the Artistic Director, Stevie is also a faculty member at the School of Robinson Ballet. She is a teaching artist for the ACHIEVE Program, an in-school/after-school dance program aimed at fostering self-esteem and confidence in third and fourth-grade students. Stevie has completed the National Dance Institute Teaching Artist Training program in New York City.
Dale Robertson
Dale started dancing (tap and ballet) at the age of 8. In 1970, she was cast as Clara in the Maine State Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker under the direction of Polly Thomas. Dale was a soloist and also a founding member of Robinson Ballet. On Saturday mornings, Dale teaches Creative Movement, Intro-to-Dance, and Tap/Ballet for the School of Robinson Ballet. Dale resides in Brewer with her son.
Nick Cormier
Nick’s dancing began when his friend (now wife) dared him to sign up for a jazz class at Studio One in Millinocket. He stayed highly involved at his hometown studio all the way through graduating from Stearns and took on an Instructor position through college. Nick joined Robinson Ballet Company in the fall of 2007 and danced several roles in their production of “The Nutcracker” from 07-10, and danced in the spring shows from 08-11. After graduating college, Nick married his high school sweetheart and they moved to Germany for a 3-year military tour. While his wife worked at Landstuhl Medical as an army nurse, Nick became actively involved in the community and got a grant through the military to open up a small studio on base. He taught all levels in Jazz, Ballet, and Tap for several months until the government furloughed. He found a German Dance Studio off base where he and 30 of his students enrolled at and he taught multiple levels of contemporary jazz and ballet there for the remainder of his time overseas. Nick and his family are now back in Maine and he couldn’t be more excited to be back with Robinson Ballet Company.
Velstara Vardamis
Velstara Vardamis has been part of Robinson Ballet since 2017. Velstara grew up in Bangor, Maine and has been dancing since the age of 4. She has attended the ballet summer programs of Ballet Chicago and Miami City Ballet, as well as dancing regularly at Thomas School of Dance. Velstara has studied many varieties of dance including ballet, pointe technique, tap, jazz, and contemporary. She looks forward to teaching young dancers at Robinson Ballet in the styles of ballet, pointe, and tap and is grateful to be able to share her love of dance with others.
Nicholas Powers
Nick found his passion for dancing growing up in Millinocket, Maine at Studio One Dance Center. He trained there in jazz, tap, and hip hop. Throughout high school he was involved in the performing arts and competed in show choir and one act plays. Nick continued his love for the arts at the University of Maine and was Vice President of Hip Hop Club and spent his free time rehearsing and choreographing with his peers before graduating in 2022. A few of Nicks hobbies are yoga, traveling, and fitness training.