Our Team

Meet the Staff

Award-winning instructors who know your child by name and nurture their potential.

Miss Hope

Owner, Founder & CEO

Hope MacDonald is an author, motivational speaker, and CEO of Bella Ballet and Empower by Bella Ballet. She empowers over 1000 children weekly through dance while teaching core values such as confidence, leadership, empowerment, kindness, anti-bullying, and positive body image. She was a four-time nominee and recipient of the prestigious Cappie Award for "Best Female Dancer" and "Best Choreographer" at the Kennedy Centre. Bella Ballet has received numerous awards including 2023 "Best Dance Studio" Washington Family Magazine and 2019 "Small Business of the Year" Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce.

Miss Jackie

Executive Director

Miss Jackie has been with Bella Ballet since 2015, growing with the studio and students. In addition to lead teaching, she heads all community events, philanthropic drives and business connections. As a mom of two young boys, she gets her fix of pink, sparkle and tutus each day at the studio.

Miss Michelle

Director of Operations

Miss Michelle began dancing at age 4 with the Salsa, and her Latin culture has brought diversity to her dancing. In high school she participated in hip-hop and step competitions. She uses dance to build students' confidence and help them become the best version of themselves.

Miss Caroline

Director of Education & Teams Co-Director

Originally from Warrenton, Virginia, Miss Caroline has trained in dance for 21 years. She graduated magna cum laude from Radford University with a BFA in Dance and has danced professionally with Virginia National Ballet and other companies. Her choreographic works have been presented at ACDA conferences and internationally in Korea.

Miss Quinn

Empower Manager & Competition Teams Director

Originally from Canada, Miss Quinn is a former professional ballet soloist and award-winning choreographer. A graduate of École Supérieure de Ballet du Québec, she has performed leading roles including Swanhilda, The Sugarplum Fairy, and Myrtha with companies including Virginia National Ballet. Her choreography has earned multiple top awards and national championship titles.

Miss Abbigayle

Bella Ballet Manager & Community Manager

Born and raised in Colorado, Miss Abbigayle began ballet training at age 8 and has trained at prestigious intensives with Ballet Magnificat and Ad Deum Dance Company. She is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and as a pointe shoe fitter. Her mission is to create a joyful, supportive environment for dancers of all abilities.

Miss Khiana

Assistant Manager & Lead Teacher

Khiana holds a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University and is an alumna of the Baltimore School for the Arts. She has performed with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, VCU DanceNow, and The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater as the lead Snow Queen in The Nutcracker.

Miss Micaela

Teacher & Bellas Dance Company Choreographer

From Pleasanton, California, Miss Micaela started dancing at age 3. She competed on her high school pom team, winning two National Championships, and was a member of the Division I dance team at Baylor University. She choreographs for the Bellas Dance Company.

Miss Ella

Teacher

Ella grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland and studied at Metropolitan Ballet Theatre. She trained at Point Park University Conservatory in Graham, Horton, Cunningham, and Gaga techniques. She has appeared with Glade Dance Collective and continues to collaborate on local creative projects.

Miss Jordan

Teacher

Miss Jordan is a recent graduate from Elon University, studying Elementary Education and Theatre Arts. She founded Elon Muses show choir and is executive director of Ovations Theatre junior company. She is a two-time BroadwayWorld.com nominee for best director and choreographer.

Miss Cailyn

Teacher

A recent graduate from Virginia Tech with dual degrees in Sociology and Criminology, Miss Cailyn has danced since age 2. She served on the Dance Company at Virginia Tech executive board for three years and worked as a lead choreographer for company performances.

Miss Lydia

Concierge

Born and raised in Montgomery County, Miss Lydia brings a lifelong connection to the community. She takes great pride in creating an environment where every student feels welcomed, encouraged, and excited the moment they walk through the doors.

Miss Kelley

Concierge

Miss Kelley is a lifelong lover of dance and musical theater, and a dedicated dance mom with backstage skills that have survived countless competitions. Her performance background includes ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, and poms.

Miss Kendall

Co-Teacher

A senior at Northwest High School and 4-year varsity poms team member, Miss Kendall started dancing at Bella Ballet at age 4. Her team took first place in the Division 2 MCPS Pom County Championship. This is her third official year teaching.

Miss Laini

Co-Teacher

Miss Laini is a junior at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, where she is captain of the Pom and Dance team. She travels to Florida to compete at NDA nationals. Before joining Poms, she was a competition dancer trained in multiple styles.

Miss Hailey

Co-Teacher

Miss Hailey is on the Empower Ensemble Dance Team and has danced since age 3. She is trained in Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary. She has performed at the White House, in Cherry Blossom Parades, and at Wizards Games.

Miss Karina

Lead Teacher

Miss Karina brings years of professional dance experience to the studio. Her expertise in contemporary and modern dance helps students develop artistry and technical precision while building confidence through movement.

Miss Leah

Lead Teacher

Miss Leah brings warmth and expertise to every class. With years of professional dance training and teaching experience, she creates an encouraging environment where students can explore their love of dance while developing strong technical foundations.

Join Our Team

We're always looking for passionate dance educators. If you share our commitment to empowering young dancers, we'd love to hear from you.