joined The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago in November 1996. She was a scholarshipstudent at The Joffrey Ballet School for their 1988 summer program.
Prior to joining The Joffrey, Brown was a soloist with Tulsa Ballet Theatre
(1988-94). In 1989, she performed the pas de deux in Arthur Mitchell’s THE GREATEST: THE
FIRST KISS and in the “Dance of the Hours” pas de deux from COPPELIA. Brown
danced the lead Cancan in GAITE PARISIENNE, Frou Frou in THE MERRY WIDOW, Sweetheart in
THE MIGHTY CASEY, and the Ballerina Doll in STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER. As a member of the
company, she appeared on television in Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt. Brown
has also performed in THE NUTCRACKER with Pennsylvania Ballet (1987) and Delta Festival
Ballet (1994), as well as guesting in operas at the University of Iowa.
Brown began studying ballet at age three in Iowa City. There, she
was taught by Francoise Martinet, who became instrumental in her dancing career.
“Francoise taught me not only technique and styles from her own experiences as a
former Joffrey dancer, but many other valuable lessons in discipline, dedication, and
professionalism, as well,” Brown says.
Brown continued her studies at the National Academy of Arts, a
performing arts high school in Champaign, Ill. She attended many of The Joffrey’s summer
programs in both Iowa City and New York, and studied with the School of Pennsylvania
Ballet from 1987 to 1988.