ABOUT STAPLETON

Exceptional Training Open to Everybody

Founded in 1988, Stapleton School of the Performing Arts is Marin County's home for inclusive dance and theatre education, public performances, wellness, and community arts.

FOUNDER

Rooted in the Tradition of San Francisco Ballet

Virginia Stapleton trained at the San Francisco Ballet School under American ballet pioneers Willam and Lew Christensen, and toured with the San Francisco Ballet and Opera before founding Stapleton in 1988.

Her vision — professional-caliber training paired with genuine care for each student as a whole person — still defines Stapleton today. What began with a handful of dancers now trains more than 450 students across ballet, theatre, and musical theatre.

OUR FACULTY

Learn from Artists Who’ve Lived It

Our students train with working professionals — the mentors, choreographers, and performers who make a Stapleton education distinct.

EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Wilhelmina Frankfurt

Former New York City Ballet dancer under Balanchine and Robbins.

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Jenny Boynton

Actor, director, and founder of Marin Musical Theatre Company.

LEADERSHIP

Board of Directors

Biotechnology

Natalie Holles

President

An executive and board-level leader from the Bay Area biotech world, with a passion for building community through effective leadership.

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A member of the Stapleton community since 2015, Natalie first got involved as a Nutcracker parent volunteer. She brings years of Bay Area biotechnology experience at the executive and board level, along with a passion for building community through effective organizational leadership. She lives in Kentfield with her husband and three daughters.
Wealth Management

Brian Addington

Treasurer

A Certified Financial Planner and RBC Managing Director advising families, businesses, and non-profits — and a Nutcracker party dad.

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Brian is a Certified Financial Planner and Managing Director at RBC Wealth Management in San Francisco, where his team advises families, businesses, and non-profits. A proud father of three — including two longtime Stapleton dancers — he even appeared in last year's Nutcracker as a party dad, and is a member of the San Francisco Estate Planning Council.
Law & The Stage

Betsie Diamond

Secretary

A retired legal professional and lifelong performer — sixteen years with the Stapleton Theatre Group — who knows the arts from the inside.

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Betsie is a retired legal secretary who spent fifteen years in PG&E's Law Department and taught Business Education at the College of Marin and Indian Valley Colleges. A lifelong performer, she has tap danced and appeared in musical theatre since 1998 — including sixteen years with the Stapleton Theatre Group — giving her firsthand love and understanding of the performing arts. She holds business degrees from West Virginia University and has called Kentfield home for forty-five years.
Financial Services

Betty Lee

Board Member

A regional manager and UC Berkeley alum who champions women in business and community volunteerism across Marin.

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Betty is a Regional Manager for Cetera Investors and a Marin working mom whose daughter has danced at Stapleton since 2015. A UC Berkeley graduate and former board member of the California Alumni Association, she is active in organizations that support women in business and community volunteerism.
Finance

Katrina Sent

Board Member

A former Rothschild investment banker and private family-office investor with a record of building inclusive communities.

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A member of the Stapleton community since 2016 and a Nutcracker parent volunteer, Katrina brings extensive financial experience as a former Rothschild investment banker and private family-office investor, along with a record of fostering inclusive communities and fundraising for Marin schools. She lives in Tiburon with her husband and three children.
Equity Research

Jennifer Pinnick Kehoe

Board Member

Years of experience across global investment management and banking, paired with a history of community fundraising.

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A member of the Stapleton community since 2023 and a parent volunteer, Jennifer brings years of equity research experience across buy-side investment management and sell-side global investment banking, plus a background in San Francisco community volunteering and Marin school fundraising. She lives in Sausalito with her husband and daughter.
Human Capital

Julie Person

Advisor

A former Chief People Officer to multiple biotech companies, with deep expertise in leadership and organizational growth.

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Julie has supported Stapleton in an advisory capacity since early 2024, bringing deep expertise in human capital strategy and leadership development as a former Chief People Officer for multiple biotechnology companies. She volunteers with Berkeley's Dorothy Day House and serves on the Saint Mary's College Business School Advisory Board.