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 23 years. Her vision, passion, and commitment to her dancers have been the foundation for LBT's growth and success.

A member of the Board of Directors since 2002. Tom continues to strive to bring LakeCities Ballet to the forefront of the ballet attending audiences and the community at whole, by pushing LBT to the maximum of it's potential. Working closely with other Board Members, the Artistic Staff, and Production Staff, Tom's goals of keeping it unique, different, fresh and new remain unwavering. Tom is a recipient of the 2001 Greater Lewisville Arts Council's Angel Award, but still he says his greatest reward is watching the beauty of a ballet that he helped to produce.

Laura has been a member of the Board of Directors for three years and is currently serving as the Board Secretary. She brings to this Board her experience of the many years she spent on the Board of Directors of the Greater Lewisville Area Soccer Association. An avid volunteer in many areas of hers and her daughters lives, Laura's organizational skills and her experience in gathering corporate donations has proven invaluable to LBT. Laura is always ready to help in any area of LBT or LBT productions and states, " I just love to volunteer and I love what LBT does." The Board of Directors is extremely appreciative for her many contributions.

Judy has been a member of the Board of Directors for one year and served as the LBT Guild president for the prior two years. 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.

Polly became a member of the board in 2008 in the role of Development. Her experience from a corporate background enables Polly to use her skills of development of contracts and proposals and apply them to LBT in her committed quest for corporate sponsorship and grant support. Polly consistently amazes the board with her creative ideas on fundraising and her devotion to the continuous growth of the art of dance LBT provides in our community. Prior to becoming a board member, Polly was an active volunteer and Guild member for five years chairing several fundraising events. Polly is married to Armando Pardo who also volunteers his time for LBT, and they are the parents of Charles and Victoria. The Board of Directors is very excited to have Polly as member of the board not only because of the skills she brings to the company, but also because of her love of the theatre. She has said that, "because of LBT, a family can attend a performance with world-renowned artists without leaving their neighborhood. In today's economy, that is a rich gift!"