Florida Dance Theatre

Artistic/Founding Director
Carol Krajacic Erkes, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, brings to Lakeland a world of experience as both a professional dancer and teacher. She began her professional career at the age of 15 performing with the Ohio Chamber Ballet/Ohio Ballet in Akron. She was a soloist with the Cincinnati Ballet and the August Ballet and has taught and danced with Southern Ballet Theatre (now Orlando Ballet) and Texas Ballet. She has also been featured as a Guest Artist with numerous ballet companies including New Mexico Ballet, Ballet Orlando, San Diego Metropolitan Ballet, Houston Civic Ballet, the Ron Jones Company, and Vero Beach Ballet. She has been on faculty at Augusta Ballet, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, James Dance Center, University of Houston-Clear Lake, as well as been a guest instructor at the School of Performing Arts, Harrison School of the Arts, Rochelle School of the Arts, Dr. Phillips High School, University of South Carolina, Raskin Dance Studio, and most recently, Osceola School for the Arts in Kissimmee.

As Artistic Director, Ms. Erkes wears many hats in order to maintain the continual growth of the professional company and the training Academy. The Academy has shown tremendous growth, and now offers close to 50 classes weekly to students ranging in age from three years old to adult. She has had the pleasure of seeing many of her students grow and achieve many honors, and her ability to create such a rich atmosphere for learning will inevitably continue to assist all students that come to Florida Dance Theatre, instilling in them the knowledge that they have the ability to achieve any goal, whether it be to dance or pursue other endeavors.

Stefan Dolbashian – Resident Choreographer
Born and raised in NYC, Stefan Dolbashian began his dance training in tap at the School at Stepson Broadway. He then furthered his training studying at the Alvin Ailey School and Steps on Broadway‘s Pre-Professional Programs on full scholarship while simultaneously attending LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. After attending one year at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, Stefan began his first season with Florida Dance Theatre. After three seasons at Florida Dance Theatre, he danced for Peridance Contemporary Dance Company for a year and half, dancing works by Igal Perry, Enzo Celli, Ohand Naharin, and Dwight Rhoden. He has created five works on FDT, two of which have been presented at the APAP conference in NYC. Stefan is very excited to be in his 6th season with FDT.