Meet Our Director
Patty O'Reilly
Executive and Artistic Director, Lead Instructor
Since the age of 7, I’ve had a love affair with ballet and dance of all kinds. Through dance, I’ve been blessed in countless ways, including having met Danny O’Reilly.
Danny and I met in a ballet class in San Francisco. We would go on to marry and have 2 daughters, Erin & Siobhan. Sadly, on April 19, 2004, Danny was killed by a drunk driver.
With faith, the support of loved ones and the community, and the grit I learned in ballet, I came through that life-changing tragedy with a newfound appreciation for the transformative power of dance and its ability to rally people together and work to heal and inspire.
Over and over again, life after Danny’s death has steered my family and me down paths that lead back to dance. I have been humbled to be a part of so many amazing stories, whether it was my daughter Erin’s focus on dance as a therapeutic outlet for her grief and now professional career in Europe or the wonderful memories created with the many students and families I have been able to share the gift of dance with during my time as Artistic Director of Sonoma Conservatory of Dance.
I continue to follow this passion because I want to nurture young people and their dreams and to give the community of Sonoma what I strove to provide for my daughters: easy access to quality technical training provided in a loving environment full of patience, something I wish I had for myself as a student.
My involvement with Restorative Justice since Danny’s death has reaffirmed for me the importance of teaching young people the essential elements of ballet: beauty, joy, patience, and perseverance. I believe the curiosity awakened in our students not only energizes them to explore how to be better dancers but also to transfer that curiosity into every part of their life — from the way they carry themselves, to the way they treat others.
--
Ms. O’Reilly received her teaching certificate from the Royal Academy of Dance and completed the Elementary I, Intermediate, and Advanced Executant Examinations after extensive training with Katie Heil, graduate of the Royal Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program in London, England. Ms. O’Reilly performed professionally with Oakland Ballet, Santa Clara Ballet and Khadra International Dance Theatre before devoting her career to teaching her passion: ballet.
Meet Our Staff
Tracy Barreiro
Director of Operations
Tracy has more than 25 years of experience in finance and business operations across industries including manufacturing, professional services, technology, and the arts. She worked with 826 Valencia during its formative years, contributing to the organization's growth and national expansion. Tracy first became involved with Sonoma Conservatory of Dance as a parent and volunteer, later serving on the Board of Directors before joining the staff. As Director of Operations, she oversees financial management, fundraising, donor relations, and organizational operations, helping strengthen the resources and systems that support SCD's mission of making dance education accessible to the Sonoma Valley community.
Cat Austin, MA
Studio Manager, Instructor
Having fully realized and enjoyed several careers in her life, Austin is now happy to be working in support of a cause that is very dear to her. She comes to SCD with a wealth of experience in stage and musical directing especially with young people. Having founded her own theatre company for teens in 2013, she has experience with the inner workings of a non-profit arts organization.
Viridiana Brazier
Outreach Coordinator, Instructor
Viri began dancing ballet at Sonoma Conservatory of Dance at age nine and continued through the age of sixteen. She resumed dancing at Santa Rosa Junior College right before transferring to San Diego State University to pursue a degree in Anthropology. Her passion for learning about different cultures and societies led her to work with various underserved communities, such as families in minority groups, foster youth, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2020, Viri had the opportunity to reconnect with her love of dance at SCD. Viri is a member of our teaching staff and is part of the administrative staff helping Spanish-speaking families enroll at SCD. She has performed in the studio’s productions of The Snow Maiden, The Magic Toyshop, The Magic Grove, and Appalachian Cinderella.