Faculty

Megan Allman

Megan Allman, originally from Columbus, Indiana, graduated from Indiana University in 2026 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is also a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, and was part of the Lilly Scholarship Network at Indiana University. Ms. Allman began her dance journey at the age of nine, training at Dancers Studio Inc. in Columbus, Indiana, where she performed works by Alma Wiley, Stuart Coleman, and David Hochoy (staged by Liberty Harris). At Indiana University, she continued to expand her artistry by performing in works choreographed by Elizabeth Shea, Stafford C. Berry Jr., Iris Rosa, Christian Claessens, Christa Smutek, and Selene Carter. In 2024, she made her choreographic debut with her work “Nepenthe”,  and in 2026, debuted her piece “Nowhere / Elsewhere”. She has further enriched her training through summer intensives with Dance Kaleidoscope (2024) and Hubbard Street Dance Company (2025, 2026). Ms. Allman looks forward to continuing her growth as both a performer and choreographer, and is excited to join the CIAoD family! 

Paul Appleman

A native of Houston, Texas, Paul Appleman began his formal dance training at Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy. During his dance education, he had the opportunity to train in the work of influential choreographers and artists including Doug Varone, Garth Fagan, Jiří Kylián, Ohad Naharin, Mark Morris, and David Dorfman, later going on to perform works by several of these artists.

Throughout his career, Paul has worked extensively with Regional Dance America companies, particularly throughout the Southeast. He served as School Director of Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, where he also taught for six years, helping develop and mentor pre-professional artists.

While living in Atlanta, Paul founded Atlanta Dance Project, a professional modern dance company, serving as its Founder and Artistic Director. During this period, he also performed and taught with Atlanta Ballet, further expanding his work as both a professional artist and dance educator.

Paul’s career later took him internationally to Panama City, Panama, where he managed and directed STEPS: Panama, the city’s largest ballet academy.

After returning to Houston, Paul served as Director of Dance Education at KIPP Sharpstown, combining his professional dance experience with his commitment to arts education. He subsequently rejoined Houston Ballet, focusing on education and community outreach and expanding access to dance beyond the traditional studio and stage.

In addition to his extensive background in dance and education, Paul holds professional certifications in health education, personal training, and exercise physiology. He is currently completing his Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree, bringing together his knowledge of human movement, health, and occupation with the skills developed through a lifetime of ballet training.

As he transitions into occupational therapy, Paul continues to draw upon the discipline, creativity, body awareness, adaptability, and understanding of human movement that ballet has instilled throughout his career. He hopes to use this unique combination of artistic and clinical perspectives to enrich the lives of the clients and communities he serves, helping individuals engage more fully and independently in the activities that give their lives meaning.

Audrey Burdick

Director of Preschool Division

Carmel, Indiana, native Audrey Burdick danced with Central Indiana Academy of Dance and Central Indiana Dance Ensemble from 2011 until she graduated from Carmel High School in 2018. During her tenure with CIDE, Audrey had the privilege of dancing in numerous CIDE productions. Her favorite roles include Sugar Plum Fairy and Arabian in The Nutcracker and the Dove in Snow White. Audrey also had the honor of attending numerous summer intensive programs including Boston Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, American Ballet Theater, And the Washington Ballet.

Upon Graduating high school, Audrey attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. While at CCM Audrey was cast in George Balanchine’s ballet Serenade, but unfortunately never got to perform due to COVID. After her sophomore year at CCM, Audrey accepted an offer to dance with the Cleveland Ballet. She spent two years as a trainee before being promoted to full-time company member.  While at Cleveland Ballet, Audrey had the opportunity to dance in The Nutcracker, Alice, Don Quixote, A Midsummer Nights' Dream, and Swan Lake.

Audrey is very excited about the opportunity to return to CIAoD as a faculty member and cannot wait to see what this year holds for both her and the dancers she has the privilege of training.

Anna Davis

Youth America Grand Prix Director

Youth Director, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble

A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Anna Davis began her training at the Maryland Youth Ballet under the instruction of legendary teachers, Hortensia Fonseca and Michelle Lees. She continued her training on scholarship at Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C., where she had the opportunity to perform the leading roles of "Cupid" in Don Quixote and "Clara" in The Nutcracker.

In 2014, Ms. Davis attended the School of American Ballet's summer program in New York City on full scholarship and was subsequently invited to attend the prestigious year round program. While there, she performed with the New York City Ballet, New York Choreographic Institute, and in the School of American Ballet Workshop. Ms. Davis was also one of the select students chosen to perform in the School of American Ballet's famed Lecture-Demonstrations, performing excerpts from Swan Lake, Jewels, and other Balanchine ballets. Ms. Davis also had the opportunity to teach young dancers at the School of American Ballet during the last two years of her training.

Other training Ms. Davis has received includes summer intensives on full scholarships at Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Carolina Ballet. Davis is also a 2-time Youth of America Grand Prix New York City finalist, performing classical variations from Giselle, Coppelia and Paquita. In addition, she has trained in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and has completed multiple exams with distinction. Ms. Davis graduated Summa Cum Laude from Liberty University with an Associate of Arts Degree.

Anna then went on to join the Indianapolis Ballet. During her professional career she danced numerous roles in Balanchine's Serenade, Allegro Brilliante, 4 Temperaments, Who Cares, Valse Fantasie, and Raymonda Variations, The Nutcracker, Carmen, Paquita and Swan Lake, as well as numerous community outreach programs including Indy Classrooms.

KAci Foster

Kaci Foster is a passionate ballet dancer and instructor based in Carmel, Indiana. She is currently a trainee with Indianapolis Ballet and teaches at the Indianapolis School of Ballet. Her dance journey began at the age of three when her mother enrolled her in classes to channel her energetic spirit. What started as a childhood activity quickly grew into a lifelong passion, as Kaci fell in love with the artistry, discipline, and dedication that ballet demands.

As the daughter of an Army servicemember, Kaci moved frequently throughout her childhood. While the constant relocations presented challenges, they also taught her adaptability, resilience, and versatility—qualities that have helped shape her into a well-rounded dancer.

Around the age of ten, Kaci began assisting her teachers with younger students, an experience that sparked her love for teaching. As she became more focused on pursuing ballet professionally during her teenage years, she realized she was equally passionate about mentoring the next generation. Inspired by the profound impact her own instructors had on her growth as both a dancer and a person, Kaci strives to create that same positive influence for her students.

Throughout her training, Kaci has studied at several respected institutions, including The Columbus Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, The Austin Dance Conservatory, Yvonne Chouteau Oklahoma City Ballet School, and Indianapolis Ballet. She is excited to begin a new season teaching at Central Indiana Academy of Dance and looks forward to sharing her knowledge, inspiring young dancers, and helping them grow both artistically and personally.

Abby Milhorn

Abby is a passionate and experienced dancer with over 20 years of training and performance experience. She began dancing at just 2 years old at the Oglebay Institute School of Dance in her hometown. At 14, she moved to New Jersey to continue her training with the prestigious New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, then went on to dance in New York City with the renowned Manhattan Youth Ballet. At 17, Abby relocated to Orlando, Florida, where she danced with the Orlando Ballet before joining Ballet Tessera, a company known for blending classical and modern styles.

At 21, Abby began teaching at the Orlando Ballet School, where she discovered her love for sharing dance with the next generation. In addition to teaching, she performed professionally at Universal Studios Orlando in the entertainment department. With a strong foundation in ballet, modern, and stage performance, Abby brings energy, dedication, and joy to every class. Her mission is to inspire dancers of all ages to grow in both skill and confidence through high-quality instruction and a love for the art of dance.

Megan Tillman (Hustel)

Ballet Mistress and Communications Coordinator, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble

Megan Tillman (Hustel) is from Carmel, Indiana. She began her pre-professional training with Suzann DeLay at the Central Indiana Academy of Dance and Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She went on to earn her BFA in Ballet Performance from the Department of Ballet at the University of Utah. There, Megan was a member of Utah Ballet and Ballet Ensemble where she performed in various contemporary works and classical ballets, most notably as Russian Girl in George Balanchine’s Serenade, and Swanhilda in René Daveluy’s Coppelia.

During her eight seasons with Ballet Arkansas, Megan was featured in works by renowned choreographers Ma Cong, Yoshito Sakuraba, Mariana Olivera, Chris Stuart, and Kiyon Gaines. She appeared in featured roles in Michael Fothergill’s Chiaroscuro, Ink, Dracula, and most recently in the world premiere of Sleepy Hollow as Katrina. Megan additionally had the privilege of performing in George Balanchine’s Who Care’s? and Glinka Pas de Trois, and in classical favorites including as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Odette in Swan Lake, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Swanhilda in Coppelia, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop Fairy, and Snow Queen in The Nutcracker.

A dedicated educator, Megan taught ballet at multiple studios in the Central Arkansas area for seven years, serving as the Ballet Director for Blackbird Academy of Arts and Rock City Dance Center Conway and most recently the Associate Artistic Director for Tupelo Ballet in Tupelo, Mississippi. Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, Megan is passionate about helping dancers enhance their stability, posture, and overall well-being.

After years of performing and teaching across the country, Megan is thrilled to be returning to Central Indiana Academy of Dance and Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She looks forward to passing on the tradition and love of ballet to the next generation of dancers.

Paul Tillman

Rehearsal Director, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble

Paul Tillman is from Dallas, Texas. He began his pre-professional training with Dallas Ballet Company under the direction of Judy and Brent Klopfenstein. Tillman then trained at Boston Ballet’s pre-professional division. Tillman joined Ballet Arkansas in 2009 and has performed classic works such as Kenneth Macmillan’s “Romeo and Juliet Balcony Pas de Deux”, Agnes de Mille’s “The Other Pas de Deux”, Christopher Wheeldon’s “The American Pas de Deux”, Gerald Arpino’s “Birthday Variations” and George Balanchine’s “Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux”, “Valse Fantaisies”, and “Donizetti”. He has also been featured in original choreography by Flockworks, Ma Cong, Chris Stuart, Harrison McEldowney, Greg Sample, Darrell Moultrie, Kiyon Gaines, Mariana Oliveira and many others. In addition to performing, Tillman has choreographed a number of original pieces for Ballet Arkansas, “Gymnopedies” and “Chaconne” (both in collaboration with Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Interim Artistic Director, Geoffrey Robson.), “Chimera”, “Awanyu”, “Umbra”, and “Echo”. He has also choreographed and directed an original full length “Peter Pan” ballet for Blackbird Academy of Arts. 

Tillman taught dance in the Central Arkansa area for over 12 years and was was the Education Director at Rock City Dance Center in Little Rock. Most recently he was the Associate Artistic Director of Tupelo Ballet in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Tillman is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. He is very excited to join the CIAoD faculty, and looks forward to working with such dedicated staff and students!