Every dancer deserves Roses at the end of their performance. 

The Fairfax Ballet Company is a volunteer-based board with only the Executive Director and the Artistic Director receiving monetary compensation.  There are no employees of the Company.

 

The Fairfax Ballet Company

Executive Board 2025-2026

Meet Our Executive Board:

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Andrea Cook (Artistic Director) – Andrea, a Fairfax County native, and Chantilly High School alum, is currently the Academy Administrator at the Fairfax Academy for Communications and the Arts, after directing the dance program for nine years.  After receiving her BFA in Dance Performance, with a concentration in jazz from Point Park University, Andrea moved to New York City to pursue dance performance and teaching opportunities.  During her time in New York City, she danced with PushFactor Dance Company and Undertoe Dance Project worked for the New York International Ballet Competition and taught dance classes at the New York Kids Club.  She also served on the faculty of and was a judge for, DanzJam Conventions in the New England area.  Her work has been featured in numerous companies and as part of choreography festivals in Pittsburgh, New York City, and the Washington, D.C. area, in addition to local theatre companies.  She has had the privilege of working with dancers at various youth companies, including setting both ballet and contemporary works for the Fairfax Ballet.

 

Karla Petry (Executive Director) – Karla became the Executive Director of The Fairfax Ballet Company in 2011.  In her youth, she attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for many summers and worked in professional theaters in Michigan and South Carolina.  Karla has worked as a costumer in Hollywood, California; South Carolina, and the various Ballet companies where her children studied dance.  Karla has a working knowledge of lighting, backstage operations, stage-craft, and business operations and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University for Recreation and Youth Leadership.  She gained leadership experience through her service on a number of Air Force Officers’ Spouses Club Boards as President, Ways and Means, and Financial Chairperson.

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Rachael Pobst (President) -  Rachael is the mother of two teenagers, so she brings an endless amount of energy and an expertise in organization to the helm of the FBC board. Rachael grew up in a military family and graduated from high school in Fairfax County. She earned her undergraduate degree in Education from Kutztown University in PA and a master’s degree in Technology in Education from George Mason University in VA. Rachael grew up dancing, swimming, diving, and enjoying equestrian pursuits. Rachael currently resides in Fairfax County, where she works as a first grade teacher in the public school system. Her kids are her world, and she is so proud of who they are. Rachael’s daughter has been at Russell School of Ballet since 2016 and a member of the Fairfax Ballet Company since 202

 

Kelly Ross (Vice President) - Kelly is honored to bring her background in public education, law, and the arts to the FBC board. She earned a BFA in Dance Education on scholarship from East Carolina University and a Juris Doctor from Florida State University, as well as post-graduate certificates from Shenandoah University and the University of Virginia. Kelly currently serves as an administrative hearing officer for Fairfax County Public Schools, and was previously an elementary librarian, an English teacher, and an assistant public defender. She has performed with Ballet Pensacola, Greenville Civic Ballet, Voci Dance Company, Cirque USA, and Walt Disney Entertainment in addition to producing, choreographing, and managing productions on stages of every size. Kelly has been teaching dance and yoga for over twenty years, enjoys participating in the adult dance program at RSB, and will likely be found backstage at any FBC performance. Kelly and her husband reside in Fairfax County, where they are the most devoted fans of their musical son and dancing daughter.

 

Ashley DeSesso (Secretary) –  Ashley has been a parent at and supporter of the Russell School of Ballet and the Fairfax Ballet since her daughter began dancing seven years ago.  While not knowing much about the dance world previously, she has expanded her role at the school over time, working in both the front office and as the volunteer coordinator for several performances.  Ashley received her undergraduate degree and masters' degrees at the University of Mary Washington in 2006 and 2007 and has worked in education for almost 16 years.  During this time she was a member of various PTA organizations and served on one organization as secretary. She currently works for Fairfax County Public Schools' central offices as an ESOL Resource Teacher which continues to support the organizational skills and familiarity with various digital platforms needed for the role of secretary.  Ashley and her family reside in Loudoun County and her eldest daughter dances ballet, jazz, musical theater, and modern at the Russell School of Ballet

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Marissa Fattorini (Treasurer) – Marissa has participated and supported the dance community for over 35 years. Marissa began her journey with dance at the age of 3 after her mom recognized her joy imitating dance routines from various movies. She completed 15 years of ballet rooted in the Royal Academy of Dance program while growing up in New Jersey. She expanded into a love of modern and jazz that continued through her college career in Washington, DC at The George Washington University. While at college, Marissa began transitioning to her business career majoring in Economics and minoring in Psychology. Marissa built a professional career across the past 17 years specializing in account management, customer success, and new program launches across financial services and healthcare industries. Today, Marissa serves as Vice President of Membership Advisory Services at The Health Management Academy based in Northern Virginia working with the nation's largest Health Systems and Healthcare Industry Partners. She resides in Fairfax County with her husband and two young daughters who are embarking on their own dancing journey at The Russell School of Ballet.

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