Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Ms. Holmes began her ballet training with Audrey Maduell and Lelia Haller. Under the direction of Harvey Hysell, she was a soloist with New Orleans Ballet. In 1983 she joined San Francisco Ballet and was promoted to soloist in 1990. She then moved to Birmingham, England where she was a senior soloist with Birmingham Royal Ballet until her retirement in 2000.

Her repertoire includes over 100 ballets spanning both classical and modern genres, including principal and soloist roles.

She had the pleasure of working with choreographers of international fame on world premieres of: David Bintley’s The Dance House- 1st Soloist, The Nutcracker Sweeties – Floreadoress, Shakespeare Suite – Lady Macbeth, and Carmina Burana; James Kudelka’s The End, Terra Firma, Dreams of Harmony, The Comfort Zone, Baiser de la Fee – the Gypsy; Lisa de Ribere’s Harvest Moon – Audrey; Mark Morris’ Maelstrom; Val Caniparoli’s Seeing Stars, Lamberena, Pulcinella, Connotations – the Red Couple; Stanton Welsh’s Powder; Brenda Way’s Krazy Kat – Krazy; Lila York’s Sanctum, and Wayne MacGregor’s Reverse Project.

After retiring frOm the stage, she worked in Education and Outreach for Birmingham Royal Ballet, bringing the company repertoire out into the community and into schools. Later she moved to London to become the Ballet Education Manager for the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, where she implemented and managed numerous community and educational projects across the UK. Upon returning to the United States, she became Academy Director for Tapestry Dance Company and was a Professor of Dance at University of Texas at Austin. She completed her teacher training with David Howard and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and has taught students aged 6-80 for over 20 years in the US and UK. She holds a Master’s Degree in Dance in Education and the Community from University of Birmingham, England. She is thrilled to be bringing her life experiences and passion for dance to Kansas City Ballet.