Founder, Artist & Cultural Strategist

Tatiana Wills is a renowned photographer, creative director, and entrepreneur with deep roots in the worlds of visual art and dance. After nearly two decades photographing celebrated artists and choreographers—and with a daughter dancing professionally at one of the top ballet companies in the U.S.—Wills aims to reimagine what a ballet company can be: world-class, innovative, and financially sustainable.

Her past roles include Director of Photography at Society6, a major platform for independent artists, and her work has been featured in Time magazine’s “What’s Next in Culture” issue. She brings her experience from both commerce and culture, including her connection to Luna Luna, the iconic art amusement park co-founded by her husband, to build a visionary home for ballet in Los Angeles.

Associate Executive Director, Westside School of Ballet

Adrian Blake-Mitchell is a trailblazing ballet artist, educator, and program leader whose work spans performance, education, and cultural advocacy. As Associate Executive Director of Westside School of Ballet, he oversees the school’s acclaimed men’s training program and leads special initiatives including the Trainee Program in partnership with Los Angeles Ballet, where he is also a guest artist and coach.

A history-making graduate of the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg—the first Black dancer to do so in the school’s 275-year history—Adrian went on to perform internationally as a Soloist with the Mikhailovsky Theatre. He has appeared in leading roles across both classical and contemporary repertoire, partnering some of the world’s most celebrated ballerinas.

In addition to his work at Westside Ballet, Adrian serves as Director of Artistic Programming for the inaugural World Ballet Festival and has judged for prestigious competitions including Youth America Grand Prix, Ballet Connection (Tokyo), and The Music Center’s Spotlight Awards. A passionate advocate for equity in the arts, he founded Dance in Color, a nonprofit championing diversity in professional dance, and Dance to Dreams, an initiative bringing ballet to underserved youth.

Adrian’s creative reach extends into fashion and media, having modeled for Gareth Pugh during New York Fashion Week and appeared in Paris Vogue, embodying the intersection of classical elegance and contemporary culture.

Serial Entrepreneur & Business Development Strategist

Elyse is a dynamic business leader and serial entrepreneur with a proven track record of building and scaling companies across healthcare, acoustical engineering, and private equity sectors. With a background in nursing, she launched the Midwest’s first nurse-owned medical management firm specializing in catastrophic injury care. The company quickly expanded across Michigan, gaining media recognition and setting new standards in interdisciplinary rehabilitation services.

Her entrepreneurial drive led her to Texas, where she founded and sold a successful hearing aid business with multiple locations. Later, in Southern California, Elyse served as Director of Business Development for Veneklasen Associates, guiding the acoustical design firm through rapid international growth and multiple acquisitions. Under her leadership, the firm contributed to high-profile, award-winning projects—including the $1.4B Tom Bradley Terminal Expansion at LAX—and expanded its footprint across the architectural and engineering industries.

Currently, Elyse is Director of Investor Relations at Solyco Capital, a boutique private equity and venture capital firm, and serves as an advisor to the UK-based Innovative Healthcare Management Group. She also consults CEOs and growth-stage companies on scaling, M&A strategy, and emerging market opportunities.

A passionate mentor and philanthropist, Elyse is active in organizations such as Rotary LA5, Children of the Night through Create Now, and SMPS. She’s committed to empowering youth, women, and future leaders in business and life.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Elyse enjoys the arts, travel, creative writing, and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

Arts Administrator, Educator & Strategic Consultant

Evan Swenson is a dynamic arts leader, educator, and former professional dancer with more than two decades of experience across the dance, entertainment, and business sectors. His career has included performing with renowned companies such as Houston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, and BalletRED, as well as commercial work in film, television, and live performance.

Offstage, Evan has distinguished himself as a forward-thinking arts administrator and consultant. As Managing Director of BalletRED, he led operations, development, and programming, helping to expand the company’s footprint and artistic impact. His strategic approach to marketing, financial management, and organizational leadership has supported sustainable growth for multiple arts institutions navigating today’s competitive cultural economy.

Currently, Evan serves as Director of Orza Representatives and Sales Growth at Orza Brand, where he brings his business acumen to national sales strategy and team development. In addition, he continues to teach and mentor emerging dancers at institutions including Westside Ballet, Long Beach Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet School, with a focus on bridging rigorous technique with real-world career preparation.

Evan is completing his BA through the LEAP Program at St. Mary’s College of California, deepening his commitment to arts advocacy, leadership, and innovation. Through every facet of his work, he remains dedicated to advancing the field of dance and empowering the next generation of artists and arts professionals.

Artist and Educator

Erin Rivera-Brennand is a celebrated dancer, movement specialist, and mentor whose career spans more than two decades with companies such as Texas Ballet Theater (formerly)Fort Worth/Dallas Ballet, Bruce Wood Dance Company, Ohio Ballet and Los Angeles Ballet. Known for her compelling performances in Balanchine, Tudor, Welch, and Stevenson ballets, Erin brings both depth and versatility to her artistry.

Trained at North Carolina School of the Arts and under ballet legends from NYCB and ABT, she continues to work nationally as a guest artist while also shaping young dancers through her role as faculty for the Los Angeles Ballet & Westside School of Ballet Trainee Program. Erin is a certified GYROTONIC® Trainer and Pre-Trainer, bringing an innovative, holistic approach to movement training. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children, where she continues to perform, teach, and inspire.