BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2024/25 SEASON

BECKY YACHT-YHAP - VICE PRESIDENT

HEATHER BOYLAN - SECRETARY

Our Board Secretary whose journey spans continents, cultures, and classrooms. Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Heather’s passion for storytelling and connection led her to study English Literature at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Today, she combines her academic background with a wealth of life experiences to help govern CSB. Heather is a lifelong educator with a deep passion for urban education and English as a second language. Her warm, engaging style made her a beloved English teacher at Woodward High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, before she moved to Boulder, Colorado. In Boulder, she pursued her PhD in Educational Foundations, Policy, and Practice at CU, enriching her teaching philosophy with kindness, empathy, and a belief in the transformative power of education. While in Colorado, she taught ESL at Summit High School and shared her adventurous spirit by teaching snowboarding in Summit County. Later, as a professor and program coordinator for Metro State’s ESL teacher education program, Heather inspired hundreds of new teachers across CU, Metro State, Adams State, and Colorado Mountain College.

After embracing global adventures and building a niche as a wedding celebrant in Bali, she now brings her rich international perspective and heartfelt connection back to Colorado. Since returning to Colorado, Heather has rekindled her passion for making meaningful connections. Heather is busy re-adapting to life in the US. She cherishes time with family, friends, and her furry companions and is in the early stages of planning a small residential housing project in Longmont Old Town. She also plans to continue in education, as she has accepted a teaching position in the St Vrain Valley School District for the 2025-2026 school year. As the board secretary of Centennial State Ballet in Longmont, she continues to support community and creativity.

ELIZABETH FRIEL- BOARD MEMBER

Beth Friel deeply appreciates the role of performing arts in our culture.  Beth is honored to join the CSB board in supporting the joyful, longstanding CSB community, which includes an excellent technical ballet school and a beautifully artistic ballet company.  Beth was drawn to CSB by the teachers and choreographers here, who have not only inspiring dance biographies and high expectations for everyone in the studio, but also the warmth and lightheartedness that foster a love of performing and a friendly culture among dancers and their families.  This mix of care and creativity leads CSB to produce uniquely uplifting and high quality ballets, telling meaningful stories that touch the lives and hearts of dancers and our broader community.  

Beth is a school attorney and managing partner at Caplan & Earnest, a well-respected law firm with more than fifty years of service to institutions and individuals across Colorado. 

 Beth’s practice supports educational institutions and boards in a variety of education law matters, emphasizing negotiation, counseling, and litigation in matters involving students with disabilities.  Prior to joining Caplan & Earnest, Beth served as a staff attorney at the Colorado Association of School Boards, and she maintains a keen interest in providing high quality professional development for public school district leadership and school professionals.  

Beth received her Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame, and her Juris Doctorate degree from Boston University’s School of Law.  She danced throughout her childhood with Marilyn's Danceworks in Illinois and for four years with the University of Notre Dame's Irish Dancing Club.  Beth has five young children, two of whom are ballerinas with Centennial State Ballet.

MANDY KNEER- TREASURER

CANDY CAMPBELL- BOARD MEMBER

LAZLO HUNT - PRESIDENT

Lazlo Hunt has an MA in Special Education and Educational Leadership. He began his career in education teaching special education with a focus on students with emotional disabilities. He has spent the past 15 years serving as Director of Special Education and Principal. He has extensive experience in budgeting, human resources, and strategic planning. He relies upon his education and leadership experience to support as a board member.

Lazlo has two daughters that have danced with LDTA and CSB over the past 5 years although his since they were each about three years old. Before joining CSB, his daughters had mostly competition dance studio experience. His family was excited to join the CSB family when they moved to Longmont in 2018. Lazlo has been volunteering for multiple opportunities from load out to front of the house. Lazlo is committed to the mission of CSB for our performers and our community.