Our teachers are certified with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and are required to complete a training program to prepare experienced students for annual RAD examinations.  The Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) covers a range of subject areas in professional studies as well as practical teaching requirements, and each teacher must pass a series of exams themselves to be accepted into the certified RAD teaching community, and awarded Registered Teaching Status (RTS)

Lindsay Zetter Lucas, RAD RTS: Owner, Artistic Director began her training in dance at three years old, and began with ABSA at five, completing RAD exams through Advanced 1. Growing up she performed locally, attended a variety of prestigious summer intensives, and trained under a teacher from School of American Ballet. A choreographer at heart, she led dance teams throughout high school and college. Earning a B.S. in Arts Management through Indiana University, she earned her RAD Registered Teaching Status after graduation, and 2011 immediately began teaching and choreographing for ABSA. As the performance director, she is the choreographer, set designer, and stage manager for every show. She formed a successful Junior Company within ABSA that provided additional performance opportunities, including collaborations with the Annapolis Opera, New Year’s Eve dinner theater shows, and Winter showcases. She has worked as a choreographer for the Colonial Players, Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre and The Gilman School, and has been the dance instructor and choreographer at The Key School since 2015.

Eileen Razzetti, RAD RTS: Director Emerita and Founder Eileen Razzetti’s ballet training and professional performing experience took place in New York City at the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo Ballet School, the Yurek Lazowski School for Character Dance, and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet School. She also earned a degree in design from the Fashion Institute of Technology at the State University of New York. Prior to establishing ABSA, she was a ballet instructor with the Peabody Conservatory and St. Paul’s School in Baltimore, Georgetown Ballet School in Washington, DC, and the Ballet Theater of Maryland. She opened her first ballet school in Severna Park in 1974 and established ABSA at Maryland Hall in 1989.

Gabriela D’Andrea, ARAD RTS began her training at Cisne Negro Dance Studio in São Paulo, Brazil where she obtained her Advanced Foundation. After completing her B. Sc. in Biology, she moved to Boulder, CO and went back to dancing and teaching. Under the direction of Ms Vera Stephenson, RAD Examiner, she passed RAD exams Advanced 1 and 2 while also teaching. She completed her Certificate of Higher Education: Dance Education with the RAD in 2017 and earned the Registered Teaching Status in 2019. She prepared students for exams in Rome for 3 years at Accademia del Balletto before moving to Maryland. In 2022 she completed the level 1 teacher training in Rambert Grades syllabus for contemporary dance. She has joined ABSA in 2020 and currently teaches ballet and creative dance at the Greenbelt Dance Program.