Ann Derby
Artistic Director

Mrs. Derby began her training in Petaluma under Mary Paula, then director of Petaluma School of Ballet. She continued her studies at San Francisco Ballet, dancing with Marin Ballet, Rhebus Modern Dance Company and Sonoma County Ballet Company.

She has two Bachelor of Arts Degrees from San Francisco State University in Dance and Technical Theater and has taught dance for many years in Sonoma County, purchasing Petaluma School of Ballet in 1982 and becoming director of Petaluma City Ballet (now North Coast Ballet California) in 1985.

Zoura O’Neill
Co Artistic Director

Zoura began her training in Petaluma and continued training at San Francisco Ballet. She performed Nutcrackers and spring concerts with San Francisco Ballet, and then performed with Marin Ballet before beginning her teaching career in 1981.

She has choreographed numerous works for NCBC dancers over the years.

Kathryn Phimister
Assistant to the Artistic Directors

Kathryn Phimister is a Primary and Academy Division teacher at Petaluma School of Ballet. She began her dance training at Petaluma School of Ballet and has received additional training from San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Sacramento Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet School. Kathryn was also a senior member of North Coast Ballet California, performing such roles as Swanhilda in Coppelia, Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty, and The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. She supports NCBC in its professional level training and performance quality as well as the life long lessons (and friends!) that come from being a dancer. In her spare time she enjoys Giants baseball, going on road trips and snuggling with her dogs, Sophie and Stella.