Pictured are members of the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet Board Directors Christopher Switala, Twan Leenders, Richie Joly, Francesca Galbato and Nancy Cala. Not pictured is Galena Duba-Weaver.

The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet recently announced new members to its 2019 board of directors. The current Board consists of Richie Joly, president; Twan Leenders, treasurer; Francesca Galbato, secretary; Nancy Cala; Galena Duba-Weaver; and Chris Switala.

“We are thrilled to welcome our new Board Members to CRYB,” Monika Alch, CRYB’s artistic director said. “They are all passionate about the arts, the community and enriching the lives of students in the community. With their varied backgrounds they each bring something unique to our Board and we are excited to see what they will do in their tenure.”

Galbato graduated from Loyola University in 2018 and is programming manager at the National Comedy Center. A native of Jamestown, Galbato grew up in her family’s businesses, Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce and Francesca’s Floral Design. She also took ballet lessons at CRYB for several years. Galbato is happy to be back in her hometown and immersing herself in the community. She is especially grateful to once again be a part of CRYB and serve on the board of an organization that helped shape her into the person she is today.

Switala works with Southern Tier Financial as a licensed financial representative. Prior to joining Southern Tier Financial he worked in public relations and marketing. Switala also achieved sales and marketing acclaim with luxury brand Louis Vuitton as a top national brand representative.

In addition to business, Switala has performed nationally and internationally on stage, TV and film projects as a singer and actor for most of his life. Christopher is pleased to be part of an organization that gives youth exposure to ballet, adding to the fabric of a thriving regional arts community.

Leenders is a biologist from the Netherlands, specializing in animal ecology and conservation management. As president of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, he applies his experience to our region and develops new conservation research and education initiatives that aim to spark increased interest in the area’s unique natural. Leenders joined the CRYB Board because he sees the amazing opportunities CRYB offers to our local youth building strength, confidence and an appreciation for art in ways that will benefit students for their entire lives. “Twan’s daughter Madeleine is a student at CRYB”

Joly is originally from Bennington, Vermont. He is currently a special education teacher at Jamestown High School where he teaches world history. He is also an assistant varsity football coach at the High School. Joly has also taught in Erie, Pa., Chicago and Fairfax, Va. He and his wife Sara decided to move back to Jamestown to raise their family. They have two children, Cole and Peyton. Peyton is a student at CRYB.

Duba-Weaver is a returning board member for the 2018-19. Duba-Weaver earned her master’s degree in English literature with honors from the State University of New York at Fredonia and is a graduate of University at Buffalo Law School. She is an attorney at Fessenden, Laumer and DeAngelo.

Cala returns to the CRYB board after a former tenure during which she served as board president. Cala is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. She was the program director at the Jamestown YMCA, Aerobics instructor and JCC and also taught ice skating. She recently retired as receptionist for Philip C. Cala Law Firm She has three grown children, two of whom danced several nutcrackers.

Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet (CRYB) is a not-for-profit organization that provides high-quality classical ballet instruction to youths from Chautauqua County and the surrounding area.