Faculty
Our Director and Founder
A retired artist, seasoned ballet instructor, coach, and fellow "ballet mom" herself, gathers over two decades of experience nurturing young dancers. Cody’s passion for the art form is evident in her dedicated pursuit of professional artistic excellence.
Cody's ballet journey started with her apprenticeship at the School of San Jose Cleveland Ballet under the tutelage of Dennis Nahat and Roni Mahler. Her dedication to the art form as a young artist provided her experiences and training in classical techniques of French and Vagonava methodologies, Character, Modern, Pas de Deux and Flamenco.
After graduating from the San Jose Cleveland Ballet, Cody embarked on a professional dance career, performing with renowned companies San Jose Cleveland Ballet, Ballet San Jose, California Ballet Company, City Ballet SD, San Jose Youth Ballet, Peninsula Ballet Theater, Oakland Ballet, Artifact Dance Project and even independently on projects affiliated with Lines Ballet PD and Dawson Dance. This versatility allowed Cody to excel in both classical and contemporary genres.
Cody's passion for sharing her knowledge and nurturing young talent led her to transition from artist to instructor. She has served as a ballet coach for various institutions, instilling in her students a deep understanding of clean, internationally supported ballet technique and preparing each student as a “whole dancer” to be ready for a career in the industry. She has also been a sought-after choreographer, creating prize-winning works for organizations and competitions across the western United States.
Cody has coached countless students for prestigious competitions like YAGP, California Dance Classics, ADC/IBC, and is a prize-winning instructor through the Young Arts Program. She has helped students secure scholarships and acceptances to prestigious national and international ballet schools. Her students have been placed for both summer and year-round in coveted programs at institutions like The Rock School for Dance Education, San Francisco Ballet School, School of American Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, Zurich Dance Academy, European School of Ballet, Princess Grace Academy, The Royal Ballet School, and The John Cranko School and Paris Opera Ballet School.
Cody's dedication to her students goes beyond technique. She emphasizes that each student will discover and embody their "whole dancer" by learning to live with the foundational priorities that are required to thrive in the professional ballet world.
Today, Cody continues to provide expertise as a director, principal teacher, and mentor.
With her family by her side, Cody remains committed to her passion for ballet, eager to guide the next generation of dancers.
Wellness Coordinator & Classical Instructor Jaclyn Sartore
Jaclyn's Teaching Philosophy:
"As a dance educator, my mission is to guide dancers in developing not only their technical abilities, but also a deeper understanding of their bodies, minds, and artistic voices. I believe sustainable dance training must be holistic—supporting physical health, mental well-being, and personal growth in equal measure.
With a foundation in classical ballet and an academic background in Dance Science, Psychology, and Sport Management, I approach teaching through both an artistic and scientific lens. I believe informed dancers are empowered dancers. By integrating principles from Pilates, yoga, and wellness education into my work, I aim to create an environment where dancers can explore movement with intention, reduce injury risk, and build long-term resilience.
I strive to cultivate a space where discipline and curiosity coexist—where dancers are encouraged to ask questions, listen to their bodies, and take ownership of their learning. My goal is not only to shape strong technicians, but to mentor self-aware, mindful artists who understand that their value extends far beyond the studio or stage.
In every teaching environment, my commitment remains the same: to educate, inspire, and support dancers in becoming capable, confident movers—both as artists and as individuals."
The MASTA Method
Degagé Classical Conservatory is pleased to collaborate with Jaclyn Sartore to offer the MASTA Method, an intentional movement and conditioning approach designed to support dancer development, longevity, and performance.
The MASTA Method is a structured training system that integrates Pilates principles, alignment-based conditioning, mindful strength work, and repeatable movement patterns to support how dancers organize and sustain movement. Rather than focusing solely on outcomes or aesthetics, this method emphasizes how the body supports technique—helping dancers build clarity, efficiency, and confidence that carries directly into class, rehearsal, and performance.
Developed by Jaclyn Sartore, the MASTA Method is grounded in principles of mind–body connection, alignment, stability, transferability, and artistry. Training is individualized, age-appropriate, and designed to complement classical ballet technique rather than replace it.
Through this collaboration, dancers at Degagé Classical Conservatory have the opportunity to engage in movement sessions that support technical growth while prioritizing sustainable training practices and long-term dancer wellness.
Jaclyn Sartore
Inspiring Mindful Movement.
Our " Wellness Team"
Holly Neiman is affiliate with Andrews Sports and Orthopedic
Nadine Creel Owner and founder GotKnots Medical Massage Clinic
Nadine Creel Owner and founder GotKnots Medical Massage Clinic
Holly Nieman
MS, LAT, ATC, EMT, CES
Dance Sports Medicine Coordinator
Children’s Health Andrews Institute
O: 469-303-2508
C: 972-768-9564
7211 Preston Road | Mailstop Suite 1200 | Plano, TX 75024
Nadine Creel Owner and founder GotKnots Medical Massage Clinic
Nadine Creel Owner and founder GotKnots Medical Massage Clinic
Nadine Creel Owner and founder GotKnots Medical Massage Clinic
At GotKnots, a strong mission to provide compassionate, medically centered massage therapy for both pediatric and adult patients, focusing on pain relief, wellness maintenance, and mental health support. We are dedicated to enhancing the overall well-being of the client through personalized care, combining therapeutic touch with a deep u
At GotKnots, a strong mission to provide compassionate, medically centered massage therapy for both pediatric and adult patients, focusing on pain relief, wellness maintenance, and mental health support. We are dedicated to enhancing the overall well-being of the client through personalized care, combining therapeutic touch with a deep understanding of each individual's needs to foster long-term health and healing.
Sophia Muntyan Founder of Ballet Hotline
Nadine Creel Owner and founder GotKnots Medical Massage Clinic
Sophia Muntyan Founder of Ballet Hotline
Ballet Hotline serves as a supportive platform for dancers to delve into their mental and emotional landscapes:
* Encouraging the understanding that self-worth is not tied to achievement.
* Assisting in managing casting, corrections, and external comparisons with out falling into negativity.
* Fostering emotional resilience alongside phys
Ballet Hotline serves as a supportive platform for dancers to delve into their mental and emotional landscapes:
* Encouraging the understanding that self-worth is not tied to achievement.
* Assisting in managing casting, corrections, and external comparisons with out falling into negativity.
* Fostering emotional resilience alongside physical skill development.
Sophia has had the privilege of working with dancers of all ages-from young children to seasoned professionals-within studio settings, community mental health programs, and on stage. Ballet Hotline's mission is to connect the mind with physical movement, enabling dancers to express themselves authentically without compromising their sense of self.
Zone Chiropractic Clinic Plano
Zone Chiropractic Clinic Plano
Sophia Muntyan Founder of Ballet Hotline
At Zone, Dr. Jennifer helps our dancers to balance things and resets areas of the body that can neurologically and physically be out of place. If there are muscle imbalances, neurological
pinches, headaches or tightness due to our rigorous training, Zone helps to reset our dancers, prevent injury and optimize development.
Zone Chiropracti
At Zone, Dr. Jennifer helps our dancers to balance things and resets areas of the body that can neurologically and physically be out of place. If there are muscle imbalances, neurological
pinches, headaches or tightness due to our rigorous training, Zone helps to reset our dancers, prevent injury and optimize development.
Zone Chiropractic provides our dancers with the "Zone Technique". This is a technique that focuses on balancing the brain and spine to help the body heal itself efficiently. There are 6 zones, each connected to a different system in the body. When all zones are in harmony, our dancers are at their best.
Ms.."K" Sartore
Zone Chiropractic Clinic Plano
Ms.."K" Sartore
Karon, "K" Sartore is a Traditional Yoga instructor, meditation teacher, therapeutic nutritionist, and holistic wellness practitioner dedicated to helping dancers build a strong foundation for both artistic excellence and lifelong health. Her work emphasizes the vital connection between breath, movement, nutrition, recovery and nervous sy
Karon, "K" Sartore is a Traditional Yoga instructor, meditation teacher, therapeutic nutritionist, and holistic wellness practitioner dedicated to helping dancers build a strong foundation for both artistic excellence and lifelong health. Her work emphasizes the vital connection between breath, movement, nutrition, recovery and nervous system regulation-supporting dancers in developing strength, endurance, resilience, and body awareness from the inside out.
Drawing from years of study in Traditional Yoga, pranayama, meditation, therapeutic nutrition and holistic wellness, K teaches practical tools that help dancers breathe more efficiently, improve energy utilization, enhance focus, support recovery, and cultivate healthy movement patterns. Her approach integrates authentic yogic principles with an understanding of human physiology, creating strategies that naturally complement the demands of classical ballet training.
K believes that exceptional performance begins long before stepping onto the stage. The quality of each breath, the nourishment we provide our bodies, the ability to regulate stress, and the awareness we bring to movement all influence a dancer's strength, endurance, confidence, and longevity. Her goal is to empower dancers with lifelong skills that support not only technical performance but overall health and well-being.
Whether working with young dancers or seasoned performers, K believes that caring for the whole person-not just the dancer-creates the strongest foundation for growth, confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of dance.
Applications & Auditions Closing Soon!
We are thrilled to offer 1 more spot for our 26/27 roster! Join us and find the environment that and philosophy that makes the difference. Please contact us here for audition information.
Make the change today!