Leadership at TBC

Jill Gibson began her dance training in Tucson, AZ at the age of 3, under the direction of Linda Walker at the Academy of Ballet. Thanks to the training she received there, she continued on to dance with Tucson Regional Ballet for several seasons before moving out of state. After moving to San Diego in 2007, Ms. Gibson decided to pursue her BA in Dance from UC San Diego. During her time at UCSD, she had the privilege to study under and work with distinguished artists such as Patricia Rincon, Judy Sharp and Eric Geiger. Upon her graduation in 2010, she was awarded with the Stewart Prize in Choreography for her work "Mind. Body.Body. Mind...Spirit." 

Ms. Gibson is an American Ballet Theatre Certified Instructor, who has successfully completed all levels (Pre-Primary through Level 7) of the ABT National Ballet Training Curriculum. She is also a fully certified Progressing Ballet Technique & Progressing Contemporary Technique Instructor. Additionally, she has completed multiple certifications from Perfect Form Physiotherapy, under the tutelage of Lisa Howell; including specialty training in Flexibility & Hypermobility, as well as Pointe Preparation & Instruction.

As Director and Owner of The Ballet Company in San Diego, CA, Ms. Jill offers performing arts training for students ages 4+ in Classical Ballet, Progressing Ballet Technique, and Contemporary Dance. She has been training & coaching dancers in the Greater San Diego area for over a decade. 

In 2022, Jill also established The Performing Company, a non-profit 501(c) organization dedicated to helping young dancers pave the way for their futures in the arts industry, whether as a performer, or in higher education performing arts programs. She looks forward to continuing to expand this program and to working hard to help support young dancers in reaching their goals in the arts! 

Her main goal as an educator is to follow in her teachers’ footsteps and share her passion for proper and safe dance technique with her students in a way that excites them about dance, as well as builds constructive stepping stones for success in their years to come! 

Emma Stenger has been on staff at The Ballet Company since its founding in 2021. Raised in San Diego, she began dancing at age three, where she fell in love with the art form. In 2017, she furthered her training under the instruction of Jill Gibson, with a focus on the ABT National Training Curriculum, Dance Pedagogy, and Classroom Management. During this time, she also worked as a teacher, choreographer, and rehearsal and production assistant, gaining experience beyond ballet technique alone.

Ms. Emma graduated from Elon University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Science and minors in Dance Performance & Choreography and in Exercise Science. At Elon University, she trained formally in modern technique and worked with guest choreographers Lee Edwards, Ilya Kozadayev, and Janice Rosario. She also studied lighting design and stage management, presented undergraduate research, and completed her Progressing Ballet Technique certification. In 2024, she danced with State Street Ballet as a Trainee under the direction of Megan Philipp and Meredith Ventura, completing her certification in Dance Education.

Now, Ms. Emma divides her time between San Diego and Santa Barbara. At TBC, she serves as Studio Administration Manager and Guest Faculty, and continues to support Ms. Jill as Production Assistant throughout the season. In Santa Barbara, she is pursuing her professional career with Novus Contemporary Ballet as a Company Member and has recently taken on the role of Director of Trainees, mentoring pre-professional dancers in their final years of training.

She is thrilled to be able to share her experience and expertise with TBC’s students when she returns throughout the season.

Ms. Abby Foster has been a member of the Resident Faculty at The Ballet Company since its formation in 2021. She currently serves as Rehearsal Director and teaches students of all ages and levels in Ballet, as well as Jazz and Tap within the Primary, Children’s, and Pre-Professional Divisions.

Abby has been training under the tutelage of Ms. Jill Gibson since 2017 through TBC’s Teacher Apprentice Program, where she has continued to develop her teaching education across multiple genres. While her foundation and primary focus is ballet and early childhood dance education, Abby also serves as a resident choreographer for TBC productions and enjoys teaching electives to students of all ages.Abby began dancing at the age of eight and continues to train in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Modern, and Contemporary when she has the time in her schedule. She is a Senior Company dancer with The Performing Company and has had the opportunity to perform at Regional Dance America’s National Festival in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Abby holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from National University, building upon her Associate’s Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Grossmont College. Her education and experience have strengthened her passion for nurturing young dancers and creating a positive, encouraging environment where students can grow both in and beyond the studio.

Abby loves working with all of the students at TBC and is excited to continue growing as an educator, choreographer, and Rehearsal Director. She looks forward to many more years of inspiring dancers and contributing to the continued growth and success of The Ballet Company and The Performing Company.