YELENA HOLT
DIRECTOR/HOLT BALLET CONSERVATORY
Yelena Holt has been an educator and dance instructor in Nevada County since 1980. With a background in dramatic and musical theater, classical ballet from Crockett School of Dance and Sacramento Ballet, and a State of California Credential and Masters in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley, Mrs. Holt has nurtured Nevada County’s young dancers in achieving exemplary skills, not only in dance but in all walks of their lives. In 1987 Mrs Holt instituted the dance program at Bear River High School, Grass Valley, California and in 1994 Mrs. Holt accepted the invitation from Nevada Union High School to transfer to their campus in order to build a dance program. Over the next 16 years Mrs. Holt created and sustained the outstanding program of the Nevada Union High School Dance Department. After her retirement from public school education in 2010, Mrs Holt saw a need to direct the training in the dance arts for both younger and older students. With 35 years of experience in developing dancers, Yelena Holt, through Holt Ballet Conservatory, aims to guide the next generation of Nevada County aspiring dance artists in the training and opportunities they need in order to become beautiful dancers and empowered people. Holt Ballet Conservatory promises not only to train young people in the magical skills of dance technique, but to also create opportunities for the trained dancers to showcase their talents. Holt Ballet Conservatory takes the level of exemplary art that Yelena Holt created for the Nevada Union High School District to the next level of professionalism.