Hetty Thompson, Owner & Artistic Director

Hetty is the owner and artistic director of Prelude Conservatory. Classically trained in Ballet, Modern, Choreography, and Improvisation, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from Belhaven University. She has been teaching dance for 15 years and also has extensive experience in dance performance and choreography. She is a mom of four and is passionate about providing safe environments where students can pursue excellence in technique while also accessing dance as a means of prayer, self-expression, and joy.

Michael Thompson, Growth & Development Logistics Manager

Michael is responsible for web design, marketing and promotions, public relations, bookkeeping, recital props, and business growth. Using skills honed through years of experience in various fields, he helps ensure Prelude Conservatory is run as efficiently as possible. “I love working as a team with my wife. I take care of the technical challenges and problem solving so she can focus on her vision for what the studio needs to be. We make a great team.” Michael is also a work-from-home Dad.

Abigail Carrigan, Senior Instructor

Abigail began dance lessons at age three. She has studied under Ms. Nancy Steele at MUW and with Ms. Tracy Thompson at Ballet Magnificat! School of the Arts in Jackson. She had the special opportunity of touring with Light of the World Ballet Company in southwestern China and graduated from the Ballet Magnificat! Professional Trainee Program in 2009. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s in TESOL from Portland State University. Joining Prelude Conservatory feels like coming home because she taught ballet and pointe in its early days in the 2000s and again in 2012 and 2013.

Sarah Sterner, Senior Instructor

Sarah has been dancing for 16 years and is a graduate of Baltimore Ballet School of Maryland. She has performed in lead and solo roles in productions of The Nutcracker, Paquita, and La Bayadere. She also has experience in modern, contemporary, jazz, and tap. Sarah is a vet student at CVM, and is excited to pursue her passions for teaching and choreography at Prelude Conservatory. 

Alyssa Palmer, Instructor

Alyssa began dancing at the age of three at the Teuller School of Dance in Logan, Utah. She is trained in both classical and lyrical ballet as well as tap, jazz, and modern. She has competed in both group and solo competitions and while in college was club president and instructor for Utah State University’s Ballet & Dance Club. She moved to Starkville to teach Floral Design at MSU, and is thrilled to be continuing her passion for ballet as an instructor at Prelude Conservatory.

Eliza Artigues, Instructor

Eliza has attended Prelude Conservatory for fourteen years. She has been an assistant teacher at Prelude for four years, and has spent a year assisting for the Starkville Christian Home Educators ballet classes. She is excited to teach and guide her students to not only better their knowledge and technique in dance, but also to find joy in praising our Lord Jesus Christ through the art of dance.

Bella Oswalt, Junior Instructor

Isabella started dancing at age three and has been dancing at Prelude Conservatory for 11 years. She is beginning her twelfth year of dance and her fourth year of Motif, Prelude Conservatory’s premier ballet company. She has been an assistant teacher for 3 years and is excited to teach children how to move their bodies in a way that glorifies God.

Mackinzie Smith, Junior Instructor

Mackinzie has been dancing at Prelude Conservatory for twelve years and has called the studio home since she was three years old. Over the past three years, she has had the joy of both assisting and training to teach classes and is excited to step into a bigger teaching role this year. Mackinzie is passionate about helping her students grow—both in their dance technique and in their confidence—while encouraging them to use their gifts to glorify the Lord. 

Chelsey Callahan, Teacher’s Assistant

Chelsey has been dancing since the age of two. She trained at Northstar Dance Center and Fremont Ballet School through her freshman and sophomore years of high school before moving to Mississippi, where she continued her training at Meridian Ballet and danced with Encore Dance Company during her senior year. With several years of teaching and assisting experience, Chelsey is passionate about helping young dancers build confidence, strong technique, and a love for dance. She is excited to share her passion and create a positive, encouraging environment for every student.

Hadley Howell, Senior Instructor

Hadley is trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, and tap. She minored in Dance Performance at USM and has a Master’s degree in Communication Studies. She has studied with Ballet Mississippi, Ballet Metropolitan, Ballet Magnificat, and has attended the International Ballet Competition’s SDI, Pensacola State’s SDI, and SERBA. Hadley has previously taught dance for The Dance Studio of McComb and the Southwest Mississippi Youth Ballet Company. She was inducted into the USM Student Community Service Hall of Fame in 2021 for her service to those with special needs. Hadley is currently the Luckyday Coordinator at MSU and the faculty advisor for the Special Olympics Unified Club at MSU.

Sarah Vaughan, Instructor

Sarah began her dance journey at this very studio during it's inception in the early 2000’s. It was here that she developed a love for ballet and a deep passion for teaching. She quickly realized how much joy she found in helping dancers grow — not just in technique, but in confidence and character. After several years away bring a mom, Sarah is thrilled to return “home” to Prelude Conservatory to use her decade plus of teaching experience to guide young dancers in the beauty and discipline of ballet and encourage them to glorify the Lord through their dancing.