ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
GAYLE HALPERIN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | PRODUCER
Gayle Halperin is a driving force in the Dallas arts landscape, recognized for her extensive career as a performer, educator, advocate, and philanthropist.
In 2010, Gayle leveraged her decades of experience to co-found Bruce Wood Dance Dallas with Bruce Wood and a core group of investors.
Her artistic roots are deep: Gayle performed with the Mel Wong Dance Company in New York City, taught at Yale University, and holds both a BA from Connecticut College and an MFA from Texas Woman's University, where she was an Assistant Professor of Dance.
Gayle's significant arts advocacy work includes 25 years of nonprofit service, notably co-creating the beloved Dance Planet Festival and sitting on the emeritus boards of TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND and the Sammons Center for the Arts.
A pillar of the Dallas arts community, her commitment has earned her numerous accolades, including the Arts Leadership Award from the Dallas Historical Society, the Obelisk Award for Visionary Nonprofit Arts Leadership, and the prestigious TACA Silver Cup.
Along with her countless hours dedicated to Bruce Wood Dance Dallas, Gayle continues her philanthropic mission of supporting and expanding arts and cultural opportunities in Dallas–Fort Worth through The Halperin Foundation.
Photo by Brian Guilliaux.
ELIZABETH VAN VLECK
ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Elizabeth Van Vleck brings a powerful blend of artistic and executive leadership to the North Texas arts scene.
After a 15-year career in New York City as performer, teacher, choreographer, and rehearsal director with organizations like NYC Ballet, National Dance Institute, and Shapiro & Smith Dance, Elizabeth transitioned to serving as a private special needs fitness consultant for Italy's Agnelli Family. She moved into arts administration after spending a decade in this fulfilling role.
Elizabeth moved to Los Angeles armed with a BS in Psychology and an M.F.A. in Arts Administration and earned the prestigious position of Operations and Production Manager at the Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance at CalArts. While in LA, she also co-founded the consulting organization, Making Art Happen, where she worked with companies like Diavolo and BODYTRAFFIC.
Moving to Dallas in 2013, Elizabeth drove projects at the Dance Council of North Texas. She later served as Development Director for TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND, where she managed all fundraising and community engagement initiatives. In both roles, she demonstrated a rare depth of knowledge in both artistic practice and operational excellence.
Elizabeth is also a certified personal trainer and a teacher of both Pilates and yoga.
Photo by Kent Barker.
REBECCA BUTLER
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Rebecca Butler is a blend of corporate savvy and artistic spirit. In May of 2013, Becca took on administration and marketing for Bruce Wood Dance Dallas, quickly establishing the company's robust social media footprint. Her shift to arts administration followed a dynamic career that included sales and marketing at Bluebonnet Nutrition and 14 years in key roles—including store management and regional merchandising—at Whole Foods Market.
A dedicated dancer from a young age, Becca is an alumna of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she earned national recognition for modern dance and choreography. Though she put aside scholarship offers from CalArts and NYU to care for a family member, she continued to dance, even winning several ballroom competitions.
Today, Becca combines her business acumen and creativity to manage administration and marketing for the company—crafting engaging digital communications, designing merchandise, and tackling the company's human resources and operations needs.
Photo by Kent Barker.
PAMELA DESLORIEUX
FINANCE MANAGER
Pamela Deslorieux joined Bruce Wood Dance Dallas in June 2016 as Development Associate, bringing decades of proven leadership and financial acumen. As the former Executive Director of the Dance Council of North Texas (DCNT), she successfully guided the organization through a recession, achieving a remarkable 200 percent growth in annual revenue during her seven-year tenure.
A classically trained dancer with a Master of Science in Kinesiology, Pam founded and directed the University of Rhode Island Dance Company and created a corporate fitness program for Sunbeam Corporation.
Her commitment to education and development is evident in her volunteer work, including a team effort that raised $465,000 for St. Mark's School of Texas, and her involvement with Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
Pam's expertise helps drive the financial growth of Bruce Wood Dance Dallas.
Photo by Kent Barker.
DANNY PIETRYK
COMPANY MANAGER
Danny Pietryk was a friend and close associate of Bruce Wood for more than 20 years.
Beginning at an early age, Pietryk began working in every aspect of theater—from acting, directing, stage managing, and technical production—to box office and feeding the crew. His training in theater and psychology make him a perfect fit with the Bruce Wood Dance Dallas team.
Photo by Brian Guilliaux.
JILLYN SHATLEY
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Jillyn Shatley joined Bruce Wood Dance Dallas in 2016, dancing with the company until Spring 2025. She has since taken on diverse roles, including Administrative Assistant, Costume Department Coordinator, and Dance Intensives Assistant Coordinator.
A Dallas native, she graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Dance and a minor in Business Management from Point Park University. Her professional experience includes training with prestigious programs like Juilliard, Complexions, and Hubbard Street, and performing works by celebrated choreographers such as Lar Lubovitch and Twyla Tharp at venues like The Joyce Theater and Jacob's Pillow.
Jillyn remains dedicated to education, teaching at the College of Southern Idaho and several Dallas-area studios, including the Academy of Dance Arts, where her own journey began.
Photo by Kent Barker.