ABOUT LYBC
OUR STORY
​Liberty Youth Ballet Company (LYBC) is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status. We were formed to provide children the experience and benefits of dance without concern of financial constraint. We provide free ballet lessons to our company members from qualified teachers. No tuition is required for our members.
​Our kids will benefit from the opportunity to create and perform on stage.
​LYBC believes that dance gives our youth a positive outlet to express their emotions and teaches them discipline through collaboration with their fellow dancers. Our goals is for each child to experience a sense of accomplishment leading to a healthy attitude about themselves and others."
OUR MISSION
It is so easy to fall into a pattern of apathy as we go through our lives. Our organization was born out of a commitment to stop passing over the real issues of society, and deal with them head on. We have set out to aid those who need it most. Liberty Youth Ballet Company is here to help, and we believe that change is possible when we put our hearts and minds to it.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Phil Vitug
Executive Director
Born in the Lubao province of Pampanga, Philippines, Phil moved to the U.S. with his mother and four siblings in 1985. At the age of 16, he was introduced to the world of performing arts studied in Los Angeles under Mr. Joe Tremaine, and in Chicago under Mr. Frank Hachette and Mr. Charles Kelly.
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Phil performed as a singer, actor, and dancer in the Broadway musicals “The Phantom”, “Grease”, “Hello Dolly”, “George M”, and “Anything Goes”. Phil also gained experienced training under the tutelage of Bob Fosse. He has traveled all over the world performing as a MC and singer/dancer on Norwegian, Holland America, and Costa Cruise Lines. Phil also modeled for Best Buy, DIY Network, Sprint, Bud Light and appeared on the cover of “Kansas City” Magazine.
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He is a choreographer for Cedar Fair Live Entertainment and Worlds of Fun. Phil had choreographed the Moulin Rouge and Haunt Shows for Worlds of Fun as well as Grand Carnivale Parade, Grand Carnivale World Showcase, Hot Rhythm Nights, Winterfest, Swelltones, CF 150 Parade and KI 50 Anniversary Parade for Cedar Fair Live Entertainment.
Phil opened the Conservatory of Dance Education in 1999 and has led the studio to become one of the premier studios in the Greater Kansas City area. CODE has an elite competition troupe as well as a performance team and an extensive recreation program; he expects students to work hard, excel in practice and maintain a positive attitude and fun environment. His students have gone on to perform around the world – from Hollywood to Beijing; from stage shows to motion pictures.
Miss Emily Jellison
“Ms. Emily” has been an instructor at CODE Dance Studio for 19 years. Ms. Emily grew up in Liberty, MO and started taking classes from Mr. Phil in high school. After high school, Ms. Emily continued her dancing at the collegiate level as a Bearcat Stepper at Northwest Missouri State University. Upon graduation, Ms. Emily continued teaching classes at CODE, and began her career as a schoolteacher. She teaches fourth grade at Lewis and Clark Elementary. Ms. Emily has two children of her own, Madeline age 14 and Carter age 10. She loves getting the opportunity to work with young dancers and watching the growth they make from year to year.
Additional Board Members
Secretary - Miriam Spencer
Treasurer - Mischelle Tripp
Consultant - Christine Nedeau
Consultant - Yvonne Spurlock
Consultant – Keighsy Short
Spokesperson - Vera Burdt
​International Consultant – Marissa Vitug
Our Company Choreographers
Miss Tiffany Bonham
“Ms. Emily” has been an instructor at CODE Dance Studio for 19 years. Ms. Emily grew up in Liberty, MO and started taking classes from Mr. Phil in high school. After high school, Ms. Emily continued her dancing at the collegiate level as a Bearcat Stepper at Northwest Missouri State University. Upon graduation, Ms. Emily continued teaching classes at CODE, and began her career as a schoolteacher. She teaches fourth grade at Lewis and Clark Elementary. Ms. Emily has two children of her own, Madeline age 14 and Carter age 10. She loves getting the opportunity to work with young dancers and watching the growth they make from year to year.
Miss Courtney Benner
"Miss Courtney" danced with CODE for 16 years, nine of which were competitive. She's also been a part of the Liberty Youth Ballet Company since she was two. She's had the honor of playing roles from a mouse to the Sugar Plum Fairy. She was also a Liberty North Golden Girl throughout high school. After graduating in 2015, Courtney decided to pursue dance education at the University of Missouri Kansas City studying to receive her BFA in dance performance and choreography. In school, she's had the privilege of working with Sabrina Maddison Cannon, Ronald Tice, and DeeAnna Hiett along with many talented students in the conservatory. She's also performed at the Kauffman Center, The Nelson Atkins museum, and The Folly Theatre. Courtney has been an instructor at CODE for five years now.
Mr. Paco Vitug
"Mr. ​Paco" graduated from the Conservatory of Dance and Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a degree in Dance Performance (Classical Ballet & Modern) and Choreography. Paco’s dance and choreographic history includes Branson, Missouri on The Country Tonight Show, The Osmond’s Brothers Show and Anthony and Veronica Magic Show. In Las Vegas, Nevada he danced professionally at The Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino, The Aladdin Hotel & Casino, The MGM Theater, and at The Magic Castle in California. He was also represented in Jazz and ​Hip Hop with the famous Bobby Ball Agency in Los Angeles, California appearing in commercials for Miller Light, GAP and Dr Pepper. He has been featured in the Dance & Fitness Magazine of West Hollywood, California.
Miss Abbie Benner
"Miss Abbie" attends Maple Woods Community College. She participated as a principle dancer with LYBC for five years and was the Sugar Plum Fairy in the 2016 performance. Abbie is now grateful for the opportunity to be working alongside the LYBC choreographers. Abbie has been studying dance at the Conservatory of Dance Education for sixteen years and has worked professionally with Worlds of Fun’s live
