Fort Wayne Ballet Executive Director Karen Gibbons-Brown has taught area dancers for 12 years.

“I loved my time as a dancer, but some people teach so they can dance; I danced so I could teach, because that's what I love,” she said.

Gibbons-Brown was recently named one of the top 18 ballet teachers in the world in a new book by Dean Speer titled “On Technique.”

“I'm really a bit overwhelmed,” she confessed. Most of the ballet teachers in the book are from far larger cities than Fort Wayne, including London, Paris and New York.

“I wanted to pick a wide variety of teachers for my book, not just the famous ones you hear about every day, but also those who are working in the trenches,” said author Speer. “I wanted to choose teachers who have a record of producing good students.”

According to Speers, Gibbons-Brown is a great example of both. He worked with her at the Chattanooga Ballet.

When Gibbons-Brown began her tenure here, her first priority was to get the school in order. The former artistic director had left after less than a year, resigning because he had differences of opinion with the ballet board.

Gibbons-Brown thought perhaps she was hired as an interim director. That turned out not to be the case and now, 12 years later, she feels she has accomplished that goal and more.

The ballet has expanded, with four outreach sites in the community. It has gone from 87 students to 300. Its outreach program has grown by 66 percent in the past year alone. Students have gone on to dance professionally in national companies.

“I am really proud of the successes our young people have achieved,” said Gibbons-Brown.

She has seen her role change over the years. She was hired as the artistic director; she is now the executive director.

“The company has stabilized and grown. This means my responsibilities have increased. I have to make sure we address our strategic plan - this includes outreach, education and performances,” she said.

The recession has proved a challenge for the company, but it did receive a grant from the government through the state stimulus package, one of only 15 in the Indiana. “We have had some foundations that have continued to be generous,” said Gibbons-Brown.

Ticket sales in the past year have remained steady and she is hopeful that continues.

“We have not raised ticket prices in several years,” she said. They also give free performances to the community and help other nonprofits by providing their dancers for events.

This spring they will dance in the woods to help mark ACRES Land Trust's 50th anniversary.

“I'd love to teach every child in the program just because I so enjoy the process, but it's just not feasible,” said Gibbons-Brown.

The book in which she's featured comes out Jan. 29. Speer will be here during National Dance Week, April 23-May 2, to do a book signing and will offer master classes for the students. He was director of the Chattanooga Ballet when Gibbons-Brown was hired to do “The Nutcracker.”

“We have always both enjoyed the process; that's what connects us,” she said.

Gibbons-Brown said she is excited and humbled about being mentioned in Speer's book.

“I am really quite aware that my successes are dependent on the people around me,” she said. “I haven't even told my parents yet.”