Our Instructors

Lisa Sutton -- Founder, Artistic Director & Award-Winning Ballet Instructor & Coach

Lisa Sutton, Founder & Artistic Director of Burbank School of the Ballet, is an award-winning instructor, who has been recognized for her work with dance students for decades. Ms. Sutton’s high standards, eye for detail, and regard for artistry is reflected in her students’ excellent technique and performance skills. Her students have been recognized with highest honors by Youth America Grand Prix, Music Center Spotlight Awards and by the popular dance conventions -- NUVO and JUMP.

Ms. Sutton began dancing as a young girl in Bethesda, Maryland. After being spotted at a local parks and recreation program, Ms. Sutton was asked to attend Maryland School of the Ballet where she trained throughout her childhood.  As a young adult, she attended intensives at American Ballet Theater. But it was a trip to Costa Rica, where she participated in a dance outreach project for children, that she realized that her true calling was teaching. 

Ms. Sutton started her dance program in Burbank in 1996. Since then, the program has developed into an award-winning studio that has mentored many fine young dancers. Several have been recognized for their excellence receiving awards including: Youth America Grand Prix’s Grand Prix Award and Hope Award; Music Center's Spotlight Finalists and Winner. This Summer, Ms. Sutton’s long-time student, Natalie Krakirian, was accepted to participate in the International Ballet Competition where Ms. Krakirian made it to the 2nd round.

Ms. Sutton's students have been accepted to dance programs, including: American Academy of Ballet, ABT, The Ailey School, Bolshoi Ballet, Colburn Dance Institute, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, the Rock School, San Francisco Ballet, State Street Ballet, Harid Conservatory, Nation Ballet of Canada, Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy, Ballet West, Walnut Hill, UC – Irvine and Gelsey Kirkland Academy.

Ms. Sutton’s approach is traditional – with a focus on discipline, excellent technique and proper physical development.  As a result, her students experience important lessons that not only develop character, but healthy, bright young dancers.

In 2009, as a tribute to the support she received as a young dancer, Ms. Sutton started Burbank Youth Ballet Company (www.burbankballet.org), a nonprofit organization devoted to nurturing young dancers and inspiring dance appreciation within the community through education, scholarships and community outreach.

Michelle Clow -- Performance Team, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical & Contemporary

Originally from San Jose, California, Michelle Clow moved out to Los Angeles to pursue dancing and acting in 2000. She has been dancing from the age of three years and is proficient in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical/modern, and jazz. After graduating college with a major in massage therapy /sports medicine she decided get back into the two things she loves the most -- teaching young souls and choreographing brilliant masterpieces. Michelle believes every masterpiece you dream up is just a portrait or story to your heart.

Starting at the young age of 17 years, Michelle caught the teaching bug and has been teaching dance and choreographing for the last 13 years. She currently teaches dance to kids from the ages of 3 yrs- adult as well as directing nationally ranked competitive hip- hop, jazz, lyrical, cheer and song teams throughout California for both high school and studio dance teams. Michelle’s classes are uplifting and eclectic -- making it fun for any age. “Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another” -- one of her favorite quotes -- really gives you a sense of what will happen when taking one of her classes.

Some of Michelle’s personal professional achievements are dancing on various dance teams such as the San Jose Sabercat “SaberKittens”, LA Avengers “A-team”, and Anaheim Arsenal “A-List”. Other places that you might have seen her are on American Dreams or Boston Public as well as performing on various award shows like the MTV movie awards. She has also been in many music videos for artists such as Gwen Stephani, Billy Corgan, and Angie Stone. Michelle is also theatrically trained and has been in such stage performances such as Alice in Wonderland, Annie, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Once On This Island. She has studied under the likes of Benny Smith, Barbara Bengford, Carol McCallum, Jane Carter, Robert Shultz, Dante7, Nick Zborowski, and Kevin Maher to name a few.

This California native will be sure to make you cut a rug…Be sure to come check her out!!!!

Alexa Fung -- Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical & Stretch & Condition

Alexa Fung has been dancing since the age of 6 in various styles including jazz, contemporary/lyrical, tap, ballet, and ballroom, while specializing in hip hop. She has studied under various teachers and choreographers including Michelle Clow, Jayson Wright, Leslie Scott, Matt Tseng, Teresa Espinosa, Phlex, Tony Czar, Chuck Maldonado, and Tucker Barkley to name a few. Currently with DDO Artists Agency, Alexa’s professional credits include Nickelodeon’s “Victorious” & “Big Time Rush”, Justin Bieber, and Clipper’s Basketball. She has performed in Carnival Choreographer’s Ball with Anthony Thomas’ Rhythm Nation and will currently appear in Gina Starbuck’s Art4Life Cancer Benefit Show, choreographed by Leslie Scott. She has been honored to receive various scholarships and awards throughout her career thus far, including full-ride scholarships to Monsters of Hip Hop Dance Convention, LA Danceforce, Urban Legends Dance Convention, and iHollywood. Currently, Alexa attends Cal State Northridge, majoring in broadcast journalism.

Karen Tobey -- Voice & Acting Coach

Karen Tobey has been a music and acting teacher for over 35 years and a professional singer and actress since the age of 3. An award-winning educator, her expertise lies in both teaching fundamentals of music and drama to all children as well as refining the most professional young actors and singers in "show business." Having launched over 90 careers in film, television and theatre, Karen's roster includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt (NY Times best top 25 actors, 2005), Juliette Lewis (Academy Award nominee), Bree Larson (Hoot), Brendan Thicke (Dennis the Menace) and Blake Ewing (first youth Star Search Champion). No matter who she's teaching, however, her main goal has never changed. Karen believes if you teach children how to excel at something they love, you will greatly increase their self-image and, therefore, change their life forever. Karen teaches the whole child. She doesn't only teach techniques to make them talented, but she also works on attitudes, work ethics and philosophies. She wants to be sure that any child she works with is not only an exceptional talent, but an exceptional, happy role model. She feels the path to happiness is to work hard and maintain integrity and humility.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Eastern Michigan University where she taught for one year before moving to Colorado to work on her Master's Degree at the University of Colorado, Boulder. While in Colorado, she worked as a elementary music teacher at Ralston Elementary School in Golden. After three years at Ralston, Karen moved back to Los Angeles and started her own performing arts school, Child Arts Yamaha School for the Performing Arts.

During Karen's career she has directed over 75 musicals from hit Broadway shows to pilot previews to original shows for children, has been a music consultant for talent agencies, and a manager and vocal coach. She currently is co-owner of Colorado Children’s Theatre in Evergreen, Colorado and a private voice & acting coach. She loves teaching small children how to feel wonderful about themselves and showing more experienced children how to take their skills to the highest level possible.