In 2007 Mary celebrated her twentieth anniversary as a Board Member with LakeCities Ballet Theatre, and has served as President of the Board since 1994. Being actively involved with LBT from near it's conception, Mary has been influential in guiding this company from a small, promising dance group to one of the largest, most successful arts organizations in the North Texas area. One of her greatest achievements with LBT was the introduction of world renowned guest artists into LakeCities Ballet productions. A life-long supporter of the arts, Mary has been a member of the Greater Lewisville Arts Council since 1992, three of those years as their Chairman, and now serves as Secretary to the Arts Council.

As Mary continues to strive for the further development and success of LakeCities Ballet, one of her many aspirations for the company is to see it one day, go-on-the-road, taking LBT's Nutcracker to smaller towns in Texas. It is clear and evident that without the unwavering support of Mary, this ballet company and the arts in general in this area would not be where they are today, and for that we are grateful to Mary Neel.

Kelly Lannin has been Artistic Director of LakeCities Ballet Theatre since 1989. She was a charter member of LBT in 1984 and became involved as a dancer, choreographer, teacher and then as an active board member committed to seeing the company grow. As Artistic Director, Ms. Lannin made enthusiastic plans to increase the company's classical and contemporary repertoire by staging full-length classics that audience members would recognize and appreciate, yet introduce the contemporary work of fresh and innovative choreographers as well. Ms. Lannin's dream for LBT was to choreograph and create LBT's own Nutcracker production so that local students and audience members did not have to venture into Dallas or Ft. Worth to perform or enjoy this favorite holiday classic. This dream became a reality in 1991 with the support of a committed Board of Directors and many amazing local volunteers who made costumes, built sets and props and raised the necessary funds. Ms. Lannin was also instrumental in developing a working relationship with Maestro Adron Ming and the Lewisville Lake Symphony bringing another level of professionalism to LBT's Nutcracker production. She also began the tradition of contracting professional guest artists such as Damian Woetzel and Julie Kent to inspire LBT dancers to grow as artists, to thrill local audiences, and to heighten the community's awareness of the arts. Ms. Lannin was honored with an Angel Award from the Lewisville Arts Council for volunteering her talents to the community and was commended by the former Honorable Mayor Bobbie Mitchell for the outstanding quality of LBT productions. In 2002, Ms. Lannin was honored to be the first recipient of the Arts Council's "Community Angel Award" for bringing recognition to the City of Lewisville through the Arts. Ms. Lannin has dedicated her time and talents to LBT for the past 25 years. Her vision, passion, and commitment to her dancers have been the foundation for LBT's growth and success.

Judy has been a member of the Board of Directors for several years and served as the LBT Guild president for two years in the past. She has been a Guild member for many years as well as valuable, active volunteer for LBT. Judy was awarded the 2006 Greater Lewisville Arts Council's Angel Award for her dedicated devotion to LBT and to the arts in her community. Her association with Ballet Conservatory and LBT began in 1991 when her daughter, Tessa (then 3), began ballet at Ballet Conservatory with Kelly Lannin. Tessa, who just finished her freshman year of college, has retired from LBT after one year as an adult member. Judy is the mother of five grown children and the grandmother of 2 and 3/4 grandchildren. She hopes to enjoy several more years with LBT before retiring to the desert southwest with her husband of 38 years, Steve.

Karen has been involved with LBT and the studio for over 13 years, and was sworn in as our newest Board Member in September of 2006. During the decade that her daughter danced, Karen and her husband Tim were not only ardent volunteers and supporters of LBT, but Tim also performed. Tim performed 5 seasons in LBT's production of The Little Match Girl and then performed in LBT's Nutcracker for the premier in 1991, and again in 1992. Family, friends, and LBT were stricken the summer of 1993 with Tim's untimely passing. The 1993 Nutcracker was dedicated to Tim Westphal. Karen however, continued her involvement and today is one of the leading supporters of all the arts in the Lewisville area. In 2005, Karen became a member of the Greater Lewisville Arts Council. In January of 2007 Karen was named Chairman of the Greater Lewisville Arts Council, and has been nominated to serve in the position again in 2008. Among Karen's numerous goals as a Board Member of LakeCities Ballet Theatre, she has affirmed that her priority is to bring more members of the community, and the other arts groups in particular, to experience the local grandeur that is LakeCities Ballet.

Shanon Tate joined the board of LBT in 2008 as Secretary and LBT 2 representative. As a dance instructor and Director of LBT2, Shanon is committed to educating students and the general public about dance and the arts in the community. She has worked throughout the metroplex as dancer and educator for the past 20 years and is thrilled to be a part of this board, which supports the artistic excellence of LBT.