FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
San Jose Dance Theatre announces Marianna Kombou as our new School Director!
SAN JOSE, Calif. – July 15, 2026– San Jose Dance Theatre (SJDT) is proud to announce the appointment of Marianna Kombou as its new School Director. This leadership milestone marks another significant step forward in SJDT’s 60-year legacy of providing high-caliber ballet training and professional-level productions to every child passionate about dance in the San Jose community.
Kombou brings more than 18 years of ballet teaching experience and over 25 years of professional performance and arts leadership to SJDT. Trained in the renowned Vaganova Method, she began her professional ballet education at the Bishkek State Ballet School before continuing her studies at the Saint Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts. As a former professional dancer with the Tuvan State Music & Drama Theater, her background serves as a powerful catalyst for the organization’s continued growth.
“Her passion for excellence and commitment to nurturing each dancer makes her an extraordinary addition to our SJDT team and furthers our desire to demonstrate that there’s a place for everyone in dance,” says Board President John Torrey. “After finding overwhelming success with our production of Alice in Wonderland and our 60th Anniversary of The Nutcracker, we knew that it was important to build on that success by strengthening SJDT’s commitment to our students and to art in the Silicon Valley.”
As School Director, Kombou will lead the educational vision of SJDT’s academy, overseeing curriculum development, student progression, faculty mentorship, and the continued growth of our training programs. Drawing on her expertise in Classical Ballet, Character Dance, Historical Dance, and Floor Barre, she will help cultivate a comprehensive training environment where discipline, artistry, confidence, and musicality flourish together. Her commitment to technical excellence, thoughtful mentorship, and the holistic development of every dancer will ensure SJDT students continue to receive the highest standard of ballet education while inspiring the next generation of artists.
“I am delighted to welcome Marianna,” said Nicole Haskins, Artistic Director of SJDT. “From our initial meeting, I knew we shared a distinct vision for the future of the organization and would make a fantastic team. By blending our distinct approaches, we will be able to further elevate the training and artistic opportunities we provide our dancers at San Jose Dance Theatre.”
Enrollment Now Open
Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is currently open, with classes officially beginning August 17. San Jose Dance Theatre invites prospective students to discover more at our Open House August 8th and learn more about this exciting new chapter.
Elevate your training and discover your potential at San Jose Dance Theatre. www.sjdt.org