Staff
Matthew Best
Executive DirectorMatthew Best began his career with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Tennessee after graduating from UT with a degree in Journalism and Electronic Media. He stayed on staff with InterVarsity in Knoxville, TN for over seven years before joining Emerald Youth Foundation, where he primarily worked with high schoolers in East Knoxville, assisting them with college and career access. Matthew then became the director of Johnson University’s Future of Hope Institute, a youth theology program that helps high school students explore the intersection of faith and justice. Matthew also served as Johnson’s first director of Multicultural Student Affairs and completed a master’s program there, earning a degree in Ethics and Leadership. Matthew went on to become the executive director of the Change Center, a nonprofit in East Knoxville that provides first-job opportunities for high school students and serves as a safe space for youth and young adults to find fun and recreation. He has always been committed to community development and spent much of his spare time in Knoxville looking for ways to invest in his neighborhood, whether it was through coaching, mentoring young men, or raising support for local schools.
A 2007 graduate of Houston High School in Germantown where he was a two-sport varsity athlete and an active member of the theater department, Matthew returns to New Ballet Ensemble & School where he was a student and was featured on the organization’s logo for over a decade. After years as a competition dancer and as a member of the inaugural Memphis Grizzlies Junior Dance Team, Matthew met Katie Smythe and started rigorous ballet training at NBES alongside current NBES Creative Director Maxx Reed. Matthew performed as the Soldier in the 2005 performance of NutRemix. He also performed in Opera Memphis’ 2006 performance of Porgy and Bess as a dancer and chorus member, appearing alongside current NBES staff member Daya Cox-Hampton. Even though he became a college track and field athlete, competing in the decathlon at UT, he returned to the stage as a dancer and actor on the performing arts team at the Urbana Missions Conference in 2012 and 2015.
Matthew started preaching at Children of God Ministries in Knoxville when he was 19 years old and was the Assistant Pastor before moving back to Memphis. He is proud to be a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. And finally, Matthew feels beyond blessed to share his life with his brilliant and dynamic wife, Yona Best, and their young son, Kyran.
Ben Kubie
Artistic DirectorKubie is an American Ballet Theatre® Certified Teacher and a passionate educator committed to access, equity and excellence in dance. He has taught and coached across the Carolinas and the Midwest for 20 years and brings over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience in arts education, fundraising, and community engagement.
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Kubie discovered his love of dance in the public school system. He went on to train on a full scholarship at the Joffrey School of Ballet and The David Howard Dance Center in New York City. He enjoyed a 15-year professional career as a soloist and principal, performing works by Balanchine, Forsythe, Graham, Taylor, King, Rhoden and others.
Kubie is only the second artistic lead in New Ballet’s history, taking the reins from Founder and original Artistic Director Katie Smythe. Through his artistry and leadership, he will build on Smythe’s legacy of high-quality dancing training and innovative performances.
Shelby Anderson
Director of DevelopmentAs New Ballet’s Director of Development, Shelby leads the organization’s fundraising and development efforts, cultivating meaningful donor relationships, advancing giving campaigns, and overseeing special events that support New Ballet’s mission and long-term growth.
A Midtown Memphis native, Shelby is deeply committed to serving the Memphis community and sharing her passion for the arts and youth engagement with others. Prior to joining New Ballet, she served in development and other roles with the Orpheum Theatre Group. After earning her affiliate real estate broker license, Shelby worked as an affiliate broker with Halloran Realty Group and later served as chief administrative officer at Positively Memphis.
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901.726.9225 ext.114
Traci Kubie
Dance Education DirectorTraci Gilchrest Kubie was born in El Paso, TX and danced professionally with Hartford Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Chautauqua Ballet, and Charlotte Ballet. During her 20+ year career she danced leading roles by George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato and many others. She had the honor of having roles created for her by Alonzo King, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Mark Diamond,and Mark Godden. After retiring in 2012 she served as Rehearsal Director for Charlotte Ballet for over 10 years, setting repertoire for both the main and 2nd company as well as being the primary stager for Dwight Rhoden. She has been an instructor for Charlotte Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alvin Ailey Ballet, The Rock School, and Ballet Met. In 2009 she was celebrated by the Chautauqua Dance Circle for her “extraordinary artistry and contributions to Chautauqua Dance”.
Kathy Coburn
Patron Services LiaisonKathy greets all who walk through the doors of New Ballet and is the longest serving staff member in the organization. As patron services liaison, she assists in supporting and facilitating numerous communications with parents and students as well as directing our patrons to the person or place that will address their needs. A member of the team since 2010, Kathy has played an integral role in program and finance operations in addition to making everyone feel like part of the family. She is a native Memphian and proud Kingsbury High alum.
901.726.9225 Ext. 101
Glenda Mace
Finance AdministratorSince 2016, Glenda has been responsible for the day-to-day financial operations at New Ballet. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Memphis and has been active in nonprofit finance since 1995. Her prior experience includes serving as the managing director for Greenbrier Valley Theatre in West Virginia and working with several arts-based nonprofits in Memphis. Glenda is involved with Playback Memphis, can be seen in numerous theatrical productions around Memphis and on local television in commercials. She also produces, directs and is a licensed Yoga instructor.
901.726.9225 Ext. 103
Ollicia Maeona
Youth Operations CoordinatorOriginally from Greenville, South Carolina, Ollicia Maeona is a passionate performing arts educator, mentor, and creative who believes the arts have the power to help young people discover who they are and who they can become.
She earned her BFA in Music Theatre from AMDA College of the Performing Arts, where she cultivated her foundation as a multidisciplinary performer. Her professional journey has taken her around the world, including an exciting chapter with Shanghai Disney, where she worked as a vocalist, dancer, and media performer. After years of performing in China, she returned back to the US to pursue opportunities within education; combining arts, education and mentorship.
At the heart of her work is a simple belief: every young person deserves the opportunity to explore their passions, find their voice, and become the best version of themselves.
Chevon Robinson
Executive Assistant to the CEOWith a passion for education and elevating our community’s youth, Chevon joined the New Ballet team in 2023 as the executive assistant to the CEO. Her primary responsibilities include managing daily schedules and driving communication among staff members, Teaching Artists and students’ families. She has a decade of experience overseeing administrative duties in higher education institutions in the Mid-South, making her a seamless fit to New Ballet’s educational and youth development model. A native of Illinois, Chevon resides in Memphis with her teenage daughter, Amya.
901.726.9225 Ext. 108
Katie Smythe
Founder, Master TeacherAfter graduating from Central High School in Memphis, Katie began her professional career with the Minnesota Dance Theatre where she first discovered her passion for arts education. Later, as a performing and teaching artist for the Los Angeles Music Center, she developed a condensed Cinderella ballet that toured extensively in the Los Angeles County School Districts. Through these experiences and active volunteering in PS 199 in New York City, she dreamed of a new program that would build a pathway to vocation through arts education and excellence in training, regardless of the ability to pay. Katie returned to Memphis in 1997 with that vision in mind, founding New Ballet Ensemble & School to bring children together by offering a professional standard of dance training for children, regardless of economic barriers. (Learn more about her vision in her 2015 TEDx talk.)
Over time, she has created new works for New Ballet, most notably NutRemix™; Harlem, a commissioned work for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and The Swan, created in collaboration with international star and New Ballet alumnus Charles “Lil Buck” Riley.
Katie serves as the Secretary on the Board of Trustees for the National Guild for Community Arts Education, as a panelist for the Tennessee Arts Commission and as an active member of Americans for the Arts. She was selected as a Scholar (now Fellow) of the Aspen Institute in 2016. Katie is also a founding member of the board of directors of the Overton Park Shell and has served on the City of Memphis Youth Guidance Commission and the Cooper-Young Business Association. Katie was awarded the Tennessee Governor’s School award for excellence in teaching as Teacher of the Year in 2019 and the Thomas W. Briggs Foundation Community Service Award in 2020.
901.726.9225 Ext. 102
John Washington
Arts Programs & Community Services LiaisonJohn Washington is an accomplished arts educator, musician, and community engagement leader serving as Arts Programs & Community Services Liaison at New Ballet Ensemble & School. With decades of experience in arts education, performance, and mentorship, he plays a vital role in advancing culturally responsive programming and strengthening connections between the arts and the community.
A former music director of the Nubian Theatre Company, John is recognized for his leadership in promoting West African dance and drumming traditions. At New Ballet, he oversees technology operations, supports family engagement and registration services, and mentors Teaching Artists through the New Ballet Pathways Program in partnership with Shelby County Schools.
John holds a master’s degree in education from Tennessee State University and dedicated 27 years to education with Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools. His extensive background as an educator reflects a lifelong commitment to student development, arts access, and community enrichment.
An accomplished professional musician, John is trained in voice, keyboard, saxophone, and African/world drumming. In addition to performing, he arranges and composes original music. His distinguished performance career has included appearances at EPCOT at Walt Disney World, Japan’s Mitsubishi Mirage Bowl in Tokyo, and the internationally renowned Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. He has also shared the stage with legendary jazz artists including Frank Foster, Dizzy Gillespie, and Clark Terry.
Through his work as an educator, mentor, and performing artist, John continues to make a lasting impact on arts education and cultural engagement throughout the Memphis community.
901.726.9225 Ext. 110