Julie Kent (dancer) Ballet Theatre II summer school and the School of American Ballet. She took the stage name Julie Kent at the suggestion of Mikhail Baryshnikov. Kent joined American Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in 1985, became a member of the company's corps de ballet in 1986, was promoted to soloist in 1990, and to principal dancer in 1993. She is known as a skilled dramatic dancer. She was often partnered with ABT Principal Ethan Stiefel, even co-starring with him in the film Center Stage. Her roles with the Company include the Girl in "Afternoon of a Faun", the title role in
Kansas City Ballet in dance and theater for over 40 years as a performer, administrator, festival director, dance presenter, teacher and consultant. In 2018, the Kansas City-based Nonprofit Connect organization named Mr. Bentley its Nonprofit Professional of the Year. Devon Carney became KCB’s Artistic Director in 2013. A native of New Orleans, Mr. Carney was a long-time principal dancer and Ballet Master with the Boston Ballet. He also toured extensively throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe, and Asia with ballet notables such as Rudolf Nureyev, Fernando Bujones, and Cynthia Gregory. Prior to coming to KCB, Mr. Carney served as the Associate Artistic Director