Faculty

Kathleen Riker

Pointe, Advanced Level, Pre-Professional Program Director - Owner - Riverside Ballet Arts

Associate Artistic Director - BRAVA

Kathleen began her dance training in 1979 at Riverside Ballet Arts. She also studied at the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts in Alberta, Canada, Ballet West, and Stanley Holden’s Dance Center in Los Angeles. She appeared as a guest Artist at UCR’s Faculty Dance Concert in Pas De Quatre, and was a member of the Modern Dance Ensemble headed by the late Frank Aguiree. Kathleen performed in the Premiers of R. Clinton Rothwells works Concerto in G Minor and The Snow Queen. Under the direction of Glenda Carhart and David Allan, Kathleen was a company member of California Riverside Ballet where she performed the roles of the Silver Fairy and Crystal Fairy variations in Sleeping Beauty as well as, Tarantella, Chopin, Classical Symphony and Raymonda. 

In David Allan’s Nutcracker Kathleen performed in the roles of, Frau Silberhaus, Snow Fairy, Spanish, Arabian, Mirlitons, Waltz Soloist and Dew Drop Fairy. She also performed in David Allan’s works, Pastel and ETC!  Kathleen was the Ballet Mistress for CRB from 1997 - May of 2010 and was promoted to Associate Artistic Director for BRAVA in 2010 to present day. She became a partner at Riverside Ballet Arts LLC in 2019 where she continues as Director of the Advanced Technique training program & Pointe Classes. Kathleen teaches all levels of ballet including all pointe classes. RBA is near and dear to Kathleen’s heart as this is where she met her husband Leland Riker in 1983.

Joëlle Hensley Brown

Administrator - Owner - Riverside Ballet Arts

Administrative Assistant - BRAVA

Joelle Brown began dancing at Riverside Ballet Arts at 3 years old under the instruction of her mother Glenda Carhart. She stopped her formal ballet training at age 14 to do softball. At the age of 15 she began learning the inner workings of the ballet and by 16 began working as an assistant to her sister, Jeralyn Fetter. Joelle took on the position of RBA Administrator in 2014 when the school moved into the new location. Joelle became Administrative Assistant for Brava in 2023. 

Chloë Riker - Shah

Choreographer, Creative Movement - Intermediate Pre Professional Program Director - Owner - Riverside Ballet Arts

Ballet Mistress - BRAVA

Chloë is a native of Southern California. Chloë began dancing at Riverside Ballet Arts at 4 years old where she studied Classical Ballet technique under Glenda Carhart & her mother Kathleen Riker. She has also studied under Damian Diaz, Michel Gervais & David Allan. 

Chloë was the captain choreographer for Beaumont Senior High School's theater department starting in 2013. She choreographed the following full-length musicals; The King & I, The Sound of Music, The Fiddler on the Roof, and Les Misérables. After graduating in 2017, she was hired back to choreograph The Music Man. In 2023 she was hired to choreograph Mama Mia where she was nominated for the Lucy Arnaz award for Best Choreography. She returned in 2024 as Choreographer of West Side Story where she was nominated again for Best Choreography.

Chloë performed in David Allan’s Nutcracker  for 18 consecutive years in various Corps de Ballet & Character Roles. These roles include: Frau Silberhaus, King Rat, Courtier, Waltz & Snow Understudy. She later taught & rehearsed David’s choreography for the intermediate Corps de Ballet & children's roles and was promoted to Ballet Mistress in 2019. 

Chloë became a partner at Riverside Ballet Arts LLC in 2019 where she continues as Director of the schools beginning through intermediate training programs including: Creative Movement, Children’s Ballet Technique or Level Classes, Adult Ballet,  Musical Theatre Jazz classes & more. She’s enjoyed mentoring young adult advanced dancers in assisting and eventually teaching at RBA.

  • Katie Warren

    Contemporary Dance Instructor, Intermediate & Advanced Ballet Instructor.

    RBA & BRAVA Pre Professional Alumnae.

    Katie began her ballet training at Riverside Ballet Arts in 2010. In 2015 she attended the Boston Ballet summer intensive program. Katie danced multiple Soloist roles in David Allan’s Nutcracker such as Snow Queen, Arabian, Spanish, Chinese, and several Corps de ballet roles. She is a current Intermediate & Advanced Ballet instructor & teaches Int./ Adv. Lyrical & Contemporary Dance at RBA.

  • Evelyn Iha

    Beginning Ballet Levels & Adult Ballet Class Instructor.

    Level 7 RBA Student & Pre Professional Dancer with BRAVA.

    Evelyn began her ballet training at Riverside Ballet Arts when she was 3 years old.  She danced for many years advancing through the beginning & intermediate level training programs. Evelyn was trained in classes taught by; Glenda Carhart, Kathleen Riker, Damian Diaz and Elizabeth Updegraff.  She began assisting classes at RBA at 16 years old taught by Chloë Riker-Shah where she learned and trained for 3 years.  Evelyn has been dancing and training as an advanced dancer en pointe for the last 9 years and has danced various Soloist and Corps de Ballet roles in David Allan’s Nutcracker such as; Spanish, Mirliton, Columbine doll, Waltz Corps de Ballet & Soloist, Snow Corps de Ballet & Fairy & most recently Snow Queen.

    Evelyn is currently a level 7 dancer and an instructor for the Beginning Ballet training program and the Adult Classes at RBA. She is currently attending Riverside City College as a full time student and will be transferring to California State University, Long Beach fall of 2025, majoring in kinesiology. 

  • Emma Riker

    Receptionist, Beginning Level Ballet Assistant Instructor, Official RBA & BRAVA Artist.

    Level 7 RBA Student & Pre Professional Dancer with BRAVA.

    Emma began her ballet training at Riverside Ballet Arts when she was 2 years old. She danced for many years advancing through the beginning & intermediate level training programs.  Emma was trained in classes taught by; Glenda Carhart, Kathleen Riker & Damian Diaz.

    Emma has been dancing as an advanced dancer en pointe for the last 3 years. She has danced various Corps de Ballet & Soloist roles in David Allan’s Nutcracker such as; Mirliton, Columbine Doll, Waltz Corps de Ballet & Soloist & Snow Corps de Ballet.  Emma is currently a level 7 dancer & the Receptionist at RBA’s front desk. She also assists with the Beginning Level Ballet Classes and is the Official Artist for RBA & BRAVA’s Custom Merchandise and Logo Art.

  • Kylee Moats

    Floating Ballet Instructor, Creative Movement Instructor & Body Conditioning Instructor.

    Kylee Moats is now founder and director of Ryze by KAI Kinesthetic Art Initiative after many years of performing and touring the world with Cirque du Soleil as an aerial straps specialist, acrobat and dancer. Higher education includes Oklahoma City University studying ballet under the direction of Jo Rowen, Kylee was selected to be a part of The American Spirit Dance Company, Spirit Liturgical Company, and Pep Dancers at OCU; ballet and contemporary at Point Park College summer dance programs; Circus Arts in Canada at the National Circus School of Montréal, receiving her Diploma of National Circus School Studies with a specialization in aerial straps and contortion. Kylee has continued her education earning a Career Technical Education credential in Arts, Media & Entertainment through the L.A. County Office of Education and the University of San Diego; as well as a teaching certificate through Acrobatic Arts, a global comprehensive training program for teachers to safely teach AcroDance. Alongside her performance career, Kylee has always taken great joy in helping others in their journey in performance art and professional development in the way of teaching, coaching and artistic counseling. During the pandemic, Kylee taught professional development courses online for performance arts students and aspiring professionals. Kylee has enjoyed contributing time toward developing workshop programs benefiting at-risk youth with Cirque du Monde. She has also been very grateful to have taken part as a solo aerialist and dancer in Gilles Ste Croix’s project of Les Nouveaux Cavaliers, Saka as well as Tokyo Disney Sea, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Celebrity Cruises; special events with such companies as Cirque Éloize, Prodigium, and the One Drop Foundation. Additionally, Kylee spent time teaching aerial acrobatic dance, choreography, and professional development at Encore School of Performing Arts. Kylee is now a creative, enthusiastic leader of Contemporary Acrobatic Dance and Performing Arts Education. She appreciates the blending of diverse students and artists and enjoys teaching students to reach their full potential within their artistry, helping students and studios practice safe, fun floor and suspended acrobatic dance.

  • Dylan Petersen

    Jazz Instructor, Beginning Level Ballet Instructor

    Level 7 RBA Student & Pre Professional Dancer with BRAVA.

    Dylan began her ballet training at Riverside Ballet Arts when she was 2 years old.  She danced for many years advancing through the beginning & intermediate training programs. Dylan was trained in classes taught by; Glenda Carhart, Kathleen Riker, Damian Diaz & Elisabeth Updegraff.  She studied at Ballet Arizona’s & Ballet West’s Summer Intensives and recently studied abroad in Europe.  Dylan has been dancing as an advanced dancer en pointe for the last 6 years.  She has danced various Corps de Ballet & Soloist roles in David Allan’s Nutcracker such as; Chinese, Spanish, Mirliton, Columbine Doll, Waltz, Snow & most recently Snow Queen.  Dylan is currently a level 7 dancer & has instructed in the Beginning Ballet training program & Beginning/Intermediate Jazz classes.