Michelle Holmes-Bello
Artistic Director/Principal Dancer
Mrs. Bello is an internationally acclaimed artist who presents audiences with heartfelt character portrayals. Proir to dancing with the USA Ballet, Mrs. Bello danced with the Empire State Ballet, and the MBC Ballet, rising from corps to principle dancer. Mr. Dementjev and Yuri Vedeeneve (honored artist of Russia) favored her interpretation of Giselle as "The Giselle of a prima ballerina".
Mrs. Bello has had several choreographers create roles on her, including the lead in "America", Gretel in "Hansel and Gretel", and Anna in "Arbeit Macht Frei". Her first choreographic endeavor, "Rhapsody", where the females never go off of pointe, challenges the dancers, while enthralling the audience. Her choreographic flare has continued with her neo-classical "The Mind", and "Groovin".
Mrs. Bello's training has been with the National Academy of Arts, Ingeborg Poehlert, Robert Joffrey, National Ballet of Canada, and personal coaching from Yoko Ichino, David Nixon, and Alexander Dementjev.
Mrs. Bello's teaching experience began as an assistant to Dorothy Lister at the Joffrey Ballet School of New York, prior to joining the staff of MBC of Chicago in 1987. She is also the innovator of a Preparatory Pointe Workshop teaching pointe students the techniques necessary for safe and effective pointe work. She has taught master classes throughout the United States and has been instrumental in the success of the lecture demonstrations and community outreach events presented by the USA Ballet.
Dr. Kenneth Bello
Resident Choreographer /Principal Dancer
Dr. Ken Bello continues his family lineage, which begun four generations ago at the Maryinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia, captivating audiences with his show-stopping Russian dance from the “Nutcracker” or the camp officer in his original ballet concerning the Holocaust “Arbeit Macht Frei”. Dr. Bello is one of today's finest partners and compared to that of the famed Anton Dolin by the late great Ruth Page. Ken’s unique choreography has been featured on PBS. His diverse approach to his ballets makes every one a new experience for the audience and dancer.
Dr. Bello has served two years on the Dance Panel for the Illinois Arts Council and is instrumental in USA Ballet’s mission of reaching the youth in arts and education.
"Reaching tomorrow's audiences today is a must or there is no purpose in training tomorrow's dancers today." He has an extensive teaching background in a variety of styles and has spent numerous years teaching dance history and giving lecture demonstrations throughout the United States and Canada.
Martin J. Piecuch
Music Director and Conductor 
Maestro is world renowned as a conductor who can bring the best out of every orchestra or ensemble he conducts. Joining the USA Ballet in 1993, Martin immediately used his wonderful abilities as conductor and bandleader in Dr. Ken Bello's "Slide Me Some Skin.” Maestro also does dual duty being the Music director of the U.S. Congressional Philharmonic in Washington, D.C. Martin is also highly sought after as guest conductor from Krasnyarsk, Russia to Czech Republic to Danville, Illinois and places in between.
Maestro Piecuch has a rich past receiving his Masters Degree from Catholic University, he has served as conductor at such prestigious places including U.S. Marine Crops Band, White House Dance Band, Wolf TRAP, American Light Opera, Washington Symphony, National Symphony and has taught at schools such as Catholic University, Howard University, St Mary's College, Calverton School and Queen Anne School. Martin's intensity and quest for artistic perfection is a perfect fit with Artistic Director Michelle Holmes-Bello and Resident Choreographer Dr. Ken Bello.
Natalia Moreno
Ms. Moreno was born in Argentina. She graduated from the Instituto Superior de Arte del Tratro Colon. In 1994 she won a Gold medal at the Latinoamericana Competition in Buenos Aires. Ms. Moreno has been a soloist for the Teatro Municipal de Asuncion (Paraguay). She has danced with the Novo Hamburgo Dance Festival (Brazil), the Ballet de Camara de Santiago (Chile) and the Ballet Municipal de Chile. Her strong and precise footwork brings clarity to roles requiring petite allegro. Ms. Moreno is noted for her portrayal of the Princess in “Princesses Who Live on the North Star”.
Tarasina Masi
Ms. Masi has trained with USA Ballet Academy and Universal Ballet Academy (formerly Kirov Academy), was a Bronze and Gold medalist in the Youth America International Grand Prix, and a Finalist in the South African International Ballet Competition, Cape Town, South Africa. Her first choreographic endeavor premiered in August of 1996 entitled "A Piece of Royalty" when she was the age of 61/2. Her second piece "Three Little Pigs" was premiered in the spring of 1999 during USA Ballet’s extensive tours and has since turned into a full evening ballet. Ms. Masi’s second full length work "Princesses Who Live on the North Star" premiered in the spring of 2004.
Mai Okubo
Prior to moving to New York City to study at Broadway Dance Center and the Joffrey Ballet School, Ms. Okubo trained at the Kishi Ballet Studio in her home country of Japan. She placed in the National Ballet competition in Japan in 2001.
Takuto Ono
Mr. Ono came to USA Ballet from the NBA Ballet Company of Japan and Ballet Long Island of New York. He is an accomplished dancer receiving scholarship awards from the Interlochen Arts academy and the San Francisco Ballet School Summer Program. He is a wonderful technician and amazes audiences with his powerful jumps.
Yuki Tokuda
Ms. Tokuda trained with the Joffrey Ballet School and the Boston Ballet Summer Dance Program. She has performed contemporary pieces by Marilyn Russo and Jun Ishii as well as many of the classical pas de deux. Her home country is Japan.
Saki Ozawa
Ms. Ozawa trained with the National Theatre Ballet School, Australian National Theatre Ballet School, Chiba City Junior Ballet Compnay, and the Kayomafune Classical Ballet School. She placed in the Australian Dance Creation Competition in 2004 and the All Japan Ballet Competition in 2003.
Kie Konishi
Ms Konishi began her official ballet training when she was three years old. At age sixteen, she entered the Kyoto Ballet Academy where she continued her studies. During her time at the Kyoto Ballet Academy, she also danced with Arima Ballet Company. In 2004, upon her graduation, Ms. Konishi moved to NYC and continued her studies at the Jeffrey Ballet School. Prior to dancing with USA Ballet, she performed with Rahway Dance Theatre in New Jersey.
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