Pete Mckernan - President
A commitment to Wichita’s expanding dance opportunities is the driving force behind Pete McKernan's contribution to Metropolitan Ballet. He’s seen first-hand how ballet has positively impacted his daughter’s life – not only by building her self-confidence, but also by helping her develop relationships with others and providing a social environment to build strong morals and character.
Pete has worked in the Wichita Aviation Industry for 37 years in various levels of Management. He enjoys golfing, watching sports and spending time outdoors when time allows.
He currently serves on the Rainbows United Board of Directors as well as the Vestry of his church.
Lillian Bartlett - Treasurer
Lillian was introduced to dance in high school, but it was her young daughter that introduced her to the magical world of ballet through the tradition of The Nutcracker. For more than 20 years, Lillian has volunteered in the ballet community, from back stage monitor to creating costumes, headpieces and props, to providing head shots and performance photography. Even now that her daughter is a professional dancer in Chicago, Lillian is committed to the ballet community in Wichita and the surrounding areas. She loves the community of working toward a goal bigger than all of us - growing dancers into wonderful people!
Lillian has a degree in Business Administration from Friends University as well as Associate Degrees from Wichita State and Emporia State Universities. She established Bartlett PhotoArt in 2010, providing performance photography for Wichita State University, Ballet Wichita, and Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts, as well as freelance and portrait work. She also began a bookkeeping business in 2003 and maintains several local business clients. Lillian has also had the privilege to be able to volunteer for multiple organizations including her church, Girl Scouts, and Music Theatre of Wichita. Providing her unique skills to Metropolitan Ballet inspires her creativity and helps to fulfill her passion for the arts.
Lanelle McKernan - Secretary
Lanelle was introduced to the ballet community by her daughters more than 12 years ago. During this time, she has witnessed the growth, devotion and endless hours Jill Landrith selflessly gives to her dancers, the community and her student’s families. Lanelle is an active member in her church, serving in leadership for it's Altar Guild. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing; after numerous years working in surgical areas of Wesley Medical Center, she now serves the Goddard Public School system as a school nurse.
Lanelle was drawn to serve humbly and readily by the richness in skill, intense knowledge and love of the art that Jill Landrith inspires.
KATIE WHEELER - DANCER REPRESENTATIVE
Katie was first introduced to dance when she was 13. She took multiple dance classes including tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and ballet at Wichita Children's Theatre and Dance Center and Jill Landrith School of Dance. She danced in numerous Nutcracker performances under our Artistic Director, Jill Landrith. To this day, one of her favorite memories is the day she got her first pair of pointe shoes. After graduating high school, she took a break from dance to pursue a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She now works as an SLP in local SNFs. Since graduating college, Katie has continued her love for ballet by taking weekly ballet classes, performing as a Party Parent in The Nutcracker, volunteering during Metropolitan Ballet fundraisers, and managing the social media platforms for Metropolitan Ballet.
Katie is committed to creating a positive and fun community for all dancers. She is passionate about sharing the beauty of ballet with others and using her creative talents in the world of ballet.
CLAIRE COVER
Claire began dancing at age three and studied ballet through high school with Jill Landrith, performing in The Nutcracker and other productions during her eight years dancing with Ballet Wichita.
After leaving Wichita to study literature and begin a family, she recently returned and is excited to offer support to Metropolitan Ballet by serving on the Board of Directors. Her experiences as a young dancer helped to begin a life-long dedication to the power of art and storytelling, and she believes it is important that these opportunities continue to be available to dancers and audiences in Wichita and the state of Kansas.
MONICA CRABB
Bio coming …
Marie Hand
Marie began a lifelong love of classical ballet in 1975, and trained under June Landrith in Wichita, Kansas. She danced as a member of Metropolitan Ballet of Wichita until 1982, at which time she began her medical education. She passed on her love of dance to her younger sister, and later to her 5 daughters, who also performed for Metropolitan Ballet/Ballet Wichita, training with Nancy Hervey and Jill Landrith.
In all, Marie and her family have been closely connected to ballet in Wichita for a span of over 4 decades, and she is looking forward to many more with the new Metropolitan Ballet!
Erin StaggenbORG
Erin began dancing at the age of three under June Landrith in Topeka, Kansas. She continued her study of ballet over the course of 20+ years with June, Linda Virr-Niemackl, and Joyce Yagerline at Kansas State University. In her dance career, she’s performed in numerous classical ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Cinderella; as well as a soloist in Les Sylphides and Aurora in Sleeping Beauty.
Erin holds a B.S. from Kansas State University and a J.D. from Baylor University School of Law. She has practiced law for over 10 years all over Texas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Erin is currently working in the industry of Class Action and Mass Tort Settlement Administration.
Erin hopes to pass on her love of dancing to her children and help to provide opportunities to other young aspiring dancers.