Leadership & Staff
Amy Seiwert enjoyed a nineteen-year performing career dancing with Smuin, Los Angeles Chamber, and Sacramento Ballets. As a dancer with Smuin, she became involved with the “Protégé Program,” where Michael Smuin was her mentor. She retired as a dancer from Smuin in 2008. That same year, Celia Fushille named her Choreographer in Residence, a position she held for a decade. She is the recipient of numerous choreographic awards, including a “Goldie” award from the San Francisco Bay Guardian in 2010, which described Seiwert as the Bay Area’s most original dance thinker, “taking what some consider a dead language and using it with a 21st-century lingo to tell us something about who we are.”
In 2017 Seiwert’s first full-evening work, “Wandering,” set to Schubert’s Winterreise, was commissioned by the Joyce Theater in New York. The NEA and Kennedy Center have also supported Seiwert’s works. A former Artist in Residence at ODC Theater, she has also served on the Artist Faculty for Jacob’s Pillow’s Contemporary Ballet program. Her creations are in the repertory of Smuin, ODC/Dance, BalletX, Ballet Austin, and AXIS Dance, as well as Washington, Atlanta, Oakland, Kansas City, Colorado, Louisville, Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, American Repertory, and Milwaukee Ballets.
Lori Laqua brings 30+ years of experience to her role as Managing Director of Smuin Contemporary Ballet. Laqua oversaw the renovation of Smuin Center for Dance, the organization’s permanent home, which joined the rehearsal studios and administrative offices under one roof for the first time. Laqua previously served as project manager for the design and construction of the ODC Dance Commons and the ODC Theater during her 20 years there. She is especially pleased to have kept Smuin dancing during the pandemic having utilized the CARES Act and grant programs to help retain employees and to present programming on new platforms. Laqua holds a PhD (ABD) and MArch in Architectural History from the University of Virginia, a MA in Art History from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a BA in History and Art History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Laqua joined Smuin in 2017.
Amy London received her training in her hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, from Karen Alwin and Shauna Bereska. She danced with Hartford Ballet, Diablo Ballet, and Smuin Ballet. Her favorite Smuin roles included: Eternal Idol, Q.a.V., and Hearts Suite. She has served on faculty for schools throughout the Bay Area and as Artistic Coordinator at Marin Ballet, where she has choreographed more than 20 works. As Smuin’s Principal Rehearsal Director, she enjoys preserving Michael Smuin’s legacy, as well as collaborating with and being the caretaker of the works of Val Caniparoli, Trey McIntyre, Amy Seiwert, Ma Cong, Helen Pickett, Adam Hougland, Choo-San Goh, and Jiří Kylián. As the inaugural Education Program Director for Smuin Center for Dance, she launched its successful community engagement, outreach, and class programming.
A former dancer with Smuin, Benjamin now serves as Rehearsal Director, teaching, staging, rehearsing, and coaching the Company Artists. Benjamin teaches ballet around the city and in the East Bay, and acts as creative producer and art director on various projects outside of Smuin. Benjamin holds a M.A. in Arts Administration from Goucher College.
Annika Presley, originally from the Netherlands, has over 18 years of experience in non-profit arts administration. She has been a crucial member of the senior leadership teams of esteemed companies such as AXIS Dance Company, Noorani Dance, and Amy Seiwert’s Imagery.
With an M.A. in Sign Language Linguistics and ten years of experience bringing dance to people with disabilities, Presley brings a deep commitment to accessibility to the organization. As Operations Manager, she is responsible for the day-to-day operations and serves as a bridge between the artistic and administrative side of Smuin, allowing her to combine her passion for management and coaching to build a work environment and company culture where everyone can thrive.
Mariana Michaels, originally from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, graduated from the University of Southern California Kaufman School of Dance with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Business Entrepreneurship. Her professional dance experience includes dancing for Ballet RED, Barak Ballet, and Festival Ballet Theatre. Additionally, Mariana is a recognized founding artist of Gala de Danza Mexico, which started with performing annually since its inception in 2013 and ultimately progressed to being involved in the year-long planning, execution, and oversight of Gala de Danza. Prior to joining Smuin, Mariana also served as Director of Grant Programs for ASSE International Student Exchange Programs.
Originally from the Bay Area, Ellen Gaintner worked at Nashville Ballet and San Angelo Civic Ballet before joining Smuin in 2016. A classically trained ballet dancer, she was a member of Nashville Ballet 2 from 2008-2010.
Jason Hertenstein comes to Smuin after completing six seasons with the Oakland Athletics’ Box Office Department. Previously, in East Central Illinois, Jason had accumulated over 25 years of “customer first” sales experience in varying fields. Jason has also been a local volunteer with West Contra Costa School District, Boy Scouts of America, and briefly with YSA Tiny House Empowerment Village. In Jason’s free time you find him traveling, eating, and celebrating with his family four pack and friends.
Sonja is a Berkeley native with a background in contemporary and classical ballet. She danced professionally in the Bay Area and New York from 2016 to 2023, dancing for some wonderful companies, including Sharp and Fine, Liss Fain Dance, and The Mark Foehringer Dance Project. She got her first job in marketing in 2021, and is now thrilled to be putting her marketing talents to use for Smuin Contemporary Ballet.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Ben Estabrook specializes in translating dance to the screen. He has directed and shot dance films that have screened at Cinedans, Dance on Camera, Dance Camera West, and other festivals across the globe. His collaborations with Amy Seiwert include the dance films Organized Hope, Just So, and Veronica & Vincent. During the pandemic, he brought ballet to the screens of dance lovers as the digital content producer at San Francisco Ballet.
He has taught screendance at UC Berkeley, Saint Mary’s College, and the University of Utah, and has given guest lectures and workshops at Stanford University, Young Artist Platform of Dance in Beijing, Southwest University in Chongqing, Mills College, and Brigham Young University. As co-founder of the San Francisco Dance Film Festival, he also serves as its technical director.
His interest in screendance led him to the University of Utah, where he studied under Ellen Bromberg and graduated with an MFA in Film & Media Arts and a Graduate Certificate in Screendance in 2014. He is thrilled to once again be living in San Francisco where he cheers on the Warriors with his wife and immerses himself in VR in his spare time.
Coral is a self-proclaimed CRM whisperer with a love for clean data and well-organized spreadsheets. As Development Operations Manager, she manages the team’s tech stack, streamlines workflows, and makes sure donor engagement isn’t just efficient but meaningful. With a background in fundraising, communications, and nonprofit technology, she’s worked in the nonprofit space since 2014 for organizations like the Junior League of Dallas and Educational First Steps, handling everything from major fundraising events to behind-the-scenes systems that keep nonprofits thriving.
When she’s not crunching numbers at Smuin, she volunteers her expertise to help other nonprofits get their data, systems, and donor outreach in top shape. She firmly believes that a little organization (and a lot of tea) can make the nonprofit world go round.
She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington and is a native of the Rio Grande Valley area in Texas.
Erin McMahon is originally from Houston, Texas, where she trained under Caryn Stoll, Kathleen Waltz and Mary Beth Arrlington before attending Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. Erin attended the University of Utah where she received her BFA in Ballet, BS in Economics and minor in Modern Dance. She performed both modern and classical works as a guest artist with Salt Lake City Ballet. Erin has danced professionally with Central West Ballet, Roanoke Ballet Theatre, Mark Foehringer Dance Project, and Mannakin Theatre and Dance. Erin has taught at many studios including Ballet West summer intensive, Kingsport Ballet summer intensive, Central West Ballet Academy, HaoExpression, and at Depelchin Children’s Center where she taught underprivileged children ballet. She is also a 200 Hour Yoga Certified Teacher and Rhythm Works! Integrative Dance Certified Teacher where she has taught Sensory Ballet to children on the Autism spectrum.
A proud fifth generation San Franciscan, Helene is delighted to have landed at Smuin upon re-entry into the workforce. A former tech support supervisor, she spent two decades as a stay at home mom and is now translating her many years of customer service and Momager skills into running Smuin’s Studio Rentals program and maintaining their beautiful headquarters. In her free time you may find her hanging out with one or both of her sons, going down an ancestry research rabbit hole, or in her garden.
KT Graham, Smuin’s longtime Production Director, passed away in early November 2025. She joined Smuin Ballet in 1997 after working as Production Stage Manager and Lighting Designer for Lewitzky Dance Company in Los Angeles, as well as Technical & Lighting Director for Washington Ballet in Washington, D.C. with whom she toured extensively both nationally and internationally. She also engages in freelance projects and has particularly enjoyed serving as Production Stage Manager for Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, Dances from the Heart benefits for The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation, and for the National Dance USA showcase in 2012.
Remembering KT Graham
KT (Kathryn Tagg) Graham of Vallejo, CA died 11/06/2025 following a car accident and extensive hospital stay. KT was born in Richmond, VA on 6/13/1958 to Rev. Randolph W. Graham and Janis Smith Graham. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother, Randy. She is survived by her sister, Stella Graham-Landau (Mary), her brother, Jack, her nieces, Brittany Graham, Savannah Ramirez (Peter), and Ellie Graham-Landau, Savannah’s children, Isabelle, Watson, and Bode, her former partner, Leslie Ann Jones, and her cats, Missy Sparkle and Binx. KT leaves behind a wonderful family of friends with Smuin Ballet and dance companies and women’s music across the country.
KT majored in philosophy and theater arts at William and Mary College. She began working in sound and lighting design right out of college, including jobs with Washington Ballet, Lewitzky Dance Company, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, and women’s music festivals. She joined Smuin Ballet in San Francisco in 1997 where she worked as production director.
KT was generous and feisty with a mind for detail. She was a chef extraordinaire and loved to cook for friends. She was a writer, a voracious reader, and a knitter who loved making gifts for dancers’ new babies. She drew and designed full-sized labyrinths. She briefly ran a used book store in Oakland, CA, loved libraries, and collected Encyclopedia Britannica sets.
Thank you to everyone who helped KT navigate her life and hospitalization following her accident. KT was very grateful for your support. And, to all her friends, she loved you fiercely.
Celebrations of KT’s life will be held in Richmond, VA on Dec. 6, 11AM, in the fellowship hall at St, Mark’s Episcopal Church, 520 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. The church is accessible and has free parking in the back. Friends are invited to share your thoughts and memories about KT. As soon as they are available, details about San Francisco celebrations will be posted at https://www.smuinballet.org/people/kathryn-t-graham/.
The performance of Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet on Friday, December 19, at 7:30 pm, at the Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA will be dedicated to KT. For more information, please contact Ellen Gaintner, Marketing Director, at egaintner@smuinballet.org.
To remember KT, please become an organ donor, adopt an animal, donate to animal charities, support the arts, and give a book to a library.
David Justin is a multidiscipline artist focusing on the collaborative performing arts of dance, opera, music, theatre and design. Before returning to the Bay Area, David served in academia for seventeen years between the Conservatory of Music and Dance, UMKC and as a tenured professor at University of Texas at Austin, TX where he was head of the BFA program, co-producer of the David Mark Cohen New Works Festival, and founding Artistic Director of the American Repertory Ensemble. David has also held posts as Ballet Master in Residence at Kansas City Ballet, Executive Artistic Director for NWA Ballet Theatre and Artistic Director of Ballet Wichita. Formerly a principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet, a soloist with San Francisco Ballet and beginning his career with Boston Ballet, David holds a Master’s degree in Dance in Education and the Community from the University of Birmingham, England.
Michael is a professional lighting designer for dance, theatre, operas, and musicals. Since joining Smuin Ballet in 2004, he has designed the lighting for The Christmas Ballet, The Turntable, Be Here Now, If I Were a Sushi Roll, Tutto Ecceto il Lavandino, Oh, Inverted World, and Fly Me to the Moon, as well as many other Smuin productions. He also designs lighting for other performance companies throughout the Bay area, where his designs have won a Theatre Bay Area award and a Shelly Award. His past designs have also been nominated for an Isadora Duncan Award and BATCC Awards. www.Michaeloesch.com
