Board of Directors

Born and raised in Sacramento, Alyssa was immersed in the arts beginning in early childhood. She attended her first ballet class at the age of seven at the Crockett Dance Studio under the tutelage of the Sacramento Ballet’s Founding Artistic Director Barbara Crockett, and continued training with Crockett and at the San Francisco Ballet School until she joined the Sacramento Ballet Company in 1982. Alyssa danced with the company for seven years under the direction of Crockett, and with Artistic Director Ron Cunningham during his first season with the Ballet. Her fondest memories include realizing her childhood dream of performing the role of Clara in The Nutcracker at the Community Center Theater, and meeting sixteen of her biggest idols from the American Ballet Theater, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, when the Sacramento Ballet co-sponsored them in 1985. This momentous year also marked the inception of the Sacramento Ballet’s Outreach Program, which allowed Alyssa and fellow company members to extend the Ballet’s reach into schools and communities which otherwise would not have had the opportunity to experience the joy of dance.

Alyssa graduated from UC San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in Mammalian Physiology and Neuroscience, and a minor in Theater Literature and an emphasis in Art History. She worked as a Senior Research Technician and Lab Manager at The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego. She continued to earn a certification in Clinical Trials Administration from UC San Diego, and worked as a Clinical Trials Manager and Regional Development Director for a North Carolina-based company.

After joining the Sacramento Ballet Board in February of 2017, Alyssa is extremely honored to now serve as President for an organization so dear to her heart. Alyssa’s family has been a supporter and patron of the Sacramento Ballet for over four decades.

Alyssa resides in Carmichael, California with her husband and two children.

Partner, Hurst Brooks Espinosa, LLC

Jean Kinney Hurst brings unique and varied policy expertise in complex state and local fiscal matters to HBE clients. As a founding partner of Hurst Brooks Espinosa, LLC, Jean assists public and private sector clients with legislative issues associated with state and local finance, state budget, governance, elections, and revenue and taxation, among others.

During her 15 years as a legislative representative for the California State Association of Counties, she has developed a reputation as a tenacious problem-solver, respected advocate, and effective strategist. She has been intimately involved in all aspects of major local government fiscal policy changes, including negotiation of the securitization of $1.2 billion in “borrowed” local agency property taxes in 2009 and negotiation of the constitutional protections for 2011 realignment contained in Proposition 30 (2012).

Additionally, Jean has worked on four statewide ballot measure campaigns from pre-campaign activities – including polling, focus groups, language development, and legal and fiscal analyses – to campaigns, including fundraising, media strategy, and voter outreach. Jean also has extensive experience working with national, state, and local media, including print, television, and radio.

Jean holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration from California State University, Sacramento, in addition to a Bachelor of Science With Honors from the University of California, Davis.

Jean grew up in Fresno County and married her high school sweetheart. She has three daughters and resides in Yolo County.

“Usefulness, whatever form it may take, is the price we should pay for the air we breathe, and the food we eat, and the privilege of being alive.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Ballet has always held a fascination for me with its physical power disguised as grace and beauty, its amazingly creative choreography, and its use of all music genres. What’s not to love! I‘ve been a patron and supporter of the Sacramento Ballet for over 20 years. Being useful in any way I can to continue the vitality of the company and to encourage more people of all ages and backgrounds to experience this amazing art form is a privilege.

As co-owner of the cultural resource firm Far Western Anthropological Research Group over the past three decades, I helped document and advocate for the history and prehistory of hundreds of archaeological sites in the western United States. We were also very successful in sharing our most intriguing findings with the public through booklets, videos, signage, and curriculum, working closely with Native Americans. During this time and currently, I feel particularly “useful” as chair of the James. A. Bennyhoff Memorial Fund, supporting pioneering archaeological research. I also served as a volunteer First Responder for 17 years, driving engines and dealing with fires, sickness, and vehicle accidents at all hours. Perhaps my most cherished useful time has focused on helping animals in need by fostering, adopting, and working with horses, dogs, and cats to provide them with the best lives possible. I also make myself useful at the UC Davis Raptor Center, Yolo County Animal Shelter, and fire-evacuation facilities.

I love the ballet! Despite (or maybe because of) my decidedly average dance ability, I have always been mesmerized by dance performances. Watching talented dancers master their art brings me joy.

We all benefit from having a professional ballet company within Sacramento. A thriving arts community is integral to Sacramento’s unique identity as a city. The ballet presents grace and athleticism in perfect rhythm. It may seem intimidating at first, but I’ve enjoyed learning more about ballet as a subscriber over the years. My goal is to introduce more people to ballet so they can fall in love with it as I have.

I’m honored to be a Sacramento Ballet Board Member to help it further its mission. I hope to see you at a performance!

Matt Donaldson, a licensed physical therapist, is an ardent supporter of the Sacramento arts scene. He joined the board in September 2017.

Ken Fry joined the Board of Directors in 2017 and currently holds the position of Endowment Committee Chair. He also contributes as a member of the Finance Committee.

Over the years, Ken has developed a profound appreciation for ballet, specifically emphasizing the preservation and celebration of our local institution. With a legacy spanning 70 years, Ken recognizes the Sacramento Ballet as an indispensable thread in the community’s fabric. The ballet not only strives to captivate a diverse audience but also undertakes crucial outreach endeavors.

Professionally, Ken founded Genesee Scientific Corporation in 1995, which emerged as a leader in the life science research supply sector. After guiding Genesee for 27 years, Ken stepped down as CEO and presently serves on Genesee’s Board of Directors while engaging in other business endeavors.

When not involved in supporting the Sacramento Ballet, Ken can be found working on his family truffle farm, practicing yoga, or beekeeping.

Jennifer Hemmer of Hemmer & Barr is a family law specialist practicing in Sacramento and surrounding counties since 2009.  She and her law partner, Jill Barr, are passionate about helping people through a difficult time in their lives, dealing with divorce, custody, property division and support issues.  Prior to attending law school, Jennifer had a 15-year career in sports and entertainment marketing, working for the U.S. Soccer Federation, the NBA/WNBA, and Visa.

Additionally, Jennifer has been an avid patron and supporter of the performing arts and theater in New York City, San Francisco/Berkeley, and Sacramento for over three decades.  She is very excited to be involved with the Sacramento Ballet and believes that the organization has an important role to play in education and entertainment in the Sacramento region.

Jennifer has a B.A. from UC Berkeley, a Masters of International Affairs from Columbia University, and a J.D. from McGeorge School of Law.  She is married to a German broadcast journalist and they have two college-aged children.

I fell in love with ballet at age five when my grandmother took me to see Firebird performed by Denver Ballet. That was it, I wanted to learn to dance. My mother told me that I danced around the house on my toes for weeks following the ballet. I got my wish and was fortunate to train under Madame Alice Uhlen Von Gregory after she and her husband escaped from behind the Iron Curtain and came to Denver in 1956. I trained under her until my family moved to Sacramento. After moving to California, I did not continue with ballet, but I never lost my love for ballet.

I am currently retired but previously worked in healthcare in the field of health information management. I worked at local hospitals, medical clinics, and health plans. In 2004, several partners and I started a business to perform payment integrity audits
for health plans. After 20 years, we sold the business in 2024.

I now enjoy spending time with my daughter and two grandsons, my two Boston Terriers (Grace and Frankie), traveling with friends and reading. When I travel, I always try to see a local ballet. This year it is the Paris Ballet at the Palais Garnier. I cannot wait!

As so many have, Paul was introduced to Sacramento Ballet when he was taken to a Beer and Ballet
performance. From there, he became a passionate subscriber and supporter, enamored by the
beauty and athleticism of the performances.
Paul has had an expansive business career including public accounting, several entrepreneurial
ventures, and business advisory.  He was a CPA with a master’s degree in taxation.  He believes
his combined business background and love of dance will be useful in support of the
organization’s mission.
He and his wife enjoy swing dancing, yoga, traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and
family, especially their four grandchildren.

Jeffrey Schwarzschild was born and raised right outside of Philadelphia. He received a B.A. from Vassar College and, in 1997, his J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law. Following law school, he spent several years practicing law in San Francisco (with a break from the direct practice of the law for almost two years to perform international business development activities for one of his firm’s clients).

After 5 years as a Deputy Attorney General, Jeffrey, in 2011, became the Chief Counsel for the California Conservation Corps (CCC) – the oldest and largest conservation corps in the country.  He has remained in that capacity ever since and takes great heart in helping the CCC further its mission of protecting and enhancing California’s natural resources and communities while empowering and developing young adults through hard work and education.

Jeffrey moved to Sacramento in 2003, where he fell in love with the city and its dynamic and diverse performing arts community – particularly the Sacramento Ballet.  He and his wife (Daniela Stoutenburg of Schuering & Doyle, LLP) have been long time subscribers and supporters of the Sacramento Ballet and he looks forward to engaging with the organization as a board member.

Ann Siprelle has been a balletomane since she saw her first ballet, Romeo and Juliet, performed by the American Ballet Theatre as a stunned high school student. She pursued ballet and modern dance as a young adult, both as a dance student and attendee at as many performances as possible.Since moving from the East Coast to Sacramento in 1987, she has been a Sacramento Ballet fan, and a season subscriber for decades. She looks forward to bringing more people to see the Ballet and become subscribers and donors.

Professionally, Ann has been a partner at Best Best & Krieger for 38 years as an attorney representing cities, special districts, and joint powers agencies. In the process of winding down her practice, she looks forward to spending more time supporting the Ballet and other arts organizations. She was formerly a board member of Capital Stage Company.

She lives in Sacramento and has two adult sons whom she sees regularly. She enjoys hiking, cycling, working out, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends. She is still trying to learn to pirouette.

Tina Marie’s love for Sacramento Ballet and the performing arts spans over 35 years, since she attended her first live performance of The Nutcracker in 1988. Two of her children, Natalie and Joseph, danced in The Nutcracker as part of the children’s cast for six years. They continue to share her passion for dance, art, and cultural events to this day.

She is a retired Police Lieutenant, who served the City of Stockton community for more than 28 years. Her visionary leadership style created a harmonious work environment through teambuilding and personal development strategies for her personnel to participate in succession planning as well as building partnerships with the community by collaboratively implementing successful community policing strategies for the best public safety practices.

Her passion to serve the community expanded to volunteering for a variety of organizations in the arts, medical, and education sectors for more than 23 years. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. She lives in Galt, California.Tina Marie’s motto mirrors that of what the art of ballet brings to life: “Always be graceful and eloquent in your pursuit of life.”

Founding Artistic Director of the Sacramento Ballet
Barbara Crockett, dancer and teacher extraordinaire, joined the San Francisco Ballet, the first ballet company in the United States, in 1936. Her husband and two daughters also danced with the San Francisco Ballet. In 1945, the Crockett family moved to Sacramento to begin the Crockett Dance Studio, and Sacramento Civic Ballet Company, which laid the foundation for Sacramento Ballet in 1954.

Crockett is respected internationally for her legendary teaching prowess and was also awarded a California State Senate Resolution under Senator Darrell Steinberg for her achievements and contributions to the arts in Sacramento. Crockett was also instrumental in establishing the Regional Dance in America (RDA), Pacific Region. RDA provides pre-professional dancers and budding choreographers, including many in areas not served by professional dance companies, training and scholarship opportunities necessary to develop their talents into international stature.

Crockett’s students have gone on to dance in companies all over the world including The Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theater, San Francisco Ballet, Ballett Frankfurt/The Forsythe Company, Houston Ballet, and Sacramento Ballet. Crockett continues to remain an inspiration to dancers worldwide.