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A native Houstonian, Tim O’Keefe was awarded a scholarship to Houston Ballet Academy in 1981, joined the company one year later, was promoted to Soloist in 1985, and was named Principal Dancer in 1995.
In 1997, Houston Ballet Artistic Director Ben Stevenson created the title role of Dracula for Tim. He has choreographed works for Houston Ballet’s Cullen Contemporary Series and for Houston Ballet Academy, as well as Love Thing, Ragtime Dance, and Violin Concerto in D for Texas Ballet Theater. Tim joined Texas Ballet Theater in 2002 and was named Acting Artistic Director in 2022. He was named Artistic Director in 2023.
World-renowned choreographer Ben Stevenson, O.B.E. served as the Artistic Director for Texas Ballet Theater from 2003-2022, and was named Artistic Director Laureate in 2022. His extraordinary skill and tireless effort have elevated Texas Ballet Theater to international acclaim. A true visionary, Ben’s contributions to the company inspire every performance.
Mr. Li was born in Nanjing, China. At age 13, he began training with the Beijing Dance Academy and graduated to the Young Dancers Company where Mr. Li first met and worked with Mr. Stevenson. In 1982, he joined the National Ballet of China as a soloist. In 1985, Mr. Li was invited by Ivan Nagy to join Ballet de Santiago in Chile as a Principal dancer. In 1989, Mr. Stevenson invited Mr. Li to join Houston Ballet as a soloist.
During his 21-year career, Mr. Li performed classical and contemporary pieces all around the world working with many notable figures of the dance world. Mr. Li retired from the stage in 2000 and became Ballet Master at Houston Ballet before coming to Texas Ballet Theater in 2003. Mr. Li has been Assistant Artistic Director of Texas Ballet Theater since 2005.
After 14 years of banking and for profit experience in Accounting and Treasury Management, Linda began her nonprofit career with a volunteer accounting position with the American Women’s Club of Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Upon returning to the states she joined the staff of The Junior League of Fort Worth as the Finance Director and subsequently joined Fort Worth Academy School the Business Manager. Linda has been the Director of Finance at Texas Ballet Theater since February 2016.
Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Kathryn Warakomsky-Li began studying ballet at the age of 14 in Springfield, Virginia with Oleg Tupine. She graduated from the State University of New York at Purchase with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. She was invited to join the Ballet de Santiago under the direction of Ivan Nagy where she rose to the status of principal dancer. In 1989 Ms. Warakomsky-Li joined Houston Ballet and became the Principal dancer. With over 20 years of performance experience, Warakomsky-Li has held lead roles in nearly all the major classical ballets including Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Cleopatra, Etudes and Coppelia.
She also danced in numerous works by famed contemporary choreographers like Ben Stevenson, George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián , Kenneth MacMillan, John Cranko, Ronald Hynd, James Kudelka and Christopher Bruce among others. Ms. Warakomsky-Li has toured extensively around the world dancing throughout North and South America, Asia and Europe. Upon retiring from the stage in 2001, Ms. Warakomsky-Li was invited to teach at the Houston Ballet Ben Stevenson Academy where she staged and rehearsed many pieces for the upper school.
Ms. Warakomsky-Li has been teaching for Texas Ballet Theater School in Fort Worth since 2003 where she has taught all levels of the school. She is an American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training in Primary through Level 7 of the ABT National Training Curriculum®. She has also traveled to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia to view the Bolshoi and the Vaganova Schools and to participate in their training programs. Ms. Warakomsky-Li was named Principal of Texas Ballet Theater School – Fort Worth in January 2007 and in 2016 was promoted to Associate Director. She also heads the Studio Training Company and has managed the Summer Intensive since its inception in 2007.
Scott Dunagan has more than 20 years of experience in marketing. His experience ranges from global advertising agencies, media companies, and corporations to start-ups. He received his MBA from University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merge School of Business in 2000. While at Young & Rubicam Advertising, he was part of the digital team which handled the Lincoln-Mercury, Land Rover, Jaguar, XBOX, and SONY accounts. After starting his own marketing company, in 2008, he worked with clients like Roy’s Hawaiian Cuisine, Benepath, Invisalign, and Botox.
In 2015 Scott entered the non-profit space by joining the Bowers Museum, in Orange County, California, as their Vice President of External Affairs. While with the Bowers he developed a passion for helping non-profits expand their reach and in 2017, with his tenure at the Bowers over, he founded a consultancy focused on helping non-profits do a better job communicating with their communities.
A native of Kansas, Boyd began his theatrical career as a performer in Chicago. He joined Houston Ballet in 1976, becoming its Production Director in 1986. He comes to Texas Ballet Theater with experience producing and directing productions for Houston Ballet and Queensland Ballet.
Boyd’s scenic designs have been presented by companies around the world, including Boston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, National Ballet of China, Estonia National Ballet and National Ballet of Santiago. Boyd joined Texas Ballet Theater in 2019.
Administrative Director of Schools Yvonne Leffel has a long history with Texas Ballet Theater leading up to her current role. As Administrative Director she oversees programs, operations, and activities for both Texas Ballet Theater School campuses. She joined TBT in 2012 as Texas Ballet Theater School’s Dallas Campus administrator where she managed daily operations. Prior to becoming Administrative Director of Schools, Yvonne was an integral part of the TBTS transition team for the opening of TBT’s new Dallas campus location.
Her previous roles in restaurant management and as a small business owner provide unique insight to her current position. Both of Yvonne’s daughters trained in classical ballet and are TBTS alumnae.
From the company’s grand vision to the minor details, our executive leadership ensures Texas Ballet Theater operates with the same grace in office as we do on stage. Info@TexasBallet.org
Texas Ballet Theater boasts a repertoire of creative individuals that lend their talent to our company. Their collaboration allows us to present exceptional pieces, each and every season.
Every contribution, no matter how small, is impactful. Our development team engages with donors to raise funds to support our mission, enhancing art, access, and education.
Our team of number crunchers and people people not only bring balance to the TBT organization, but help shape the future for the entire company as an elite center for performing arts.
With the help of the marketing team, TBT is able to promote our productions, bring people together, and inspire an appreciation for ballet.
Producing ballet at TBT is no small feat, which is what makes our production department vital to each show. Our production team works all the magic backstage and is responsible for load-in and strike, venue coordination, managing stage operations, and much more.
Texas Ballet Theater School trains aspiring students and pre-professionals. Our team of teachers and administrators educate, delight, and inspire the next generation of dancers.
