Ms. Knowles is the founder and Artistic Director of the award winning Santa Barbara Chamber Ballet Company SBCB-501 C-3) and DK Academy of Dance (1986-2006). As a member of Regional Dance America/Pacific her company received High Honors. SBCB has been named "Best Dance Company" in Santa Barbara multiple times. SBCB company alumna are members of Jose Limon Dance Co., Sean Curran Dance Co.,Helios Dance Theater and the Metropolitan Opera.Her dancers have receive BFA/ MFA Dance degrees from Cal Arts Institute, UC Irvine, UCLA, NYU and the Boston Conservatory. Her students have attended many summer intensives such as San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, The Rock School, Kirov Academy, Pacific Northwest Ballet. Students have been invited to the year-long professional programs.Ms. Knowles has exposed her dancers to some of the most respected master teachers from Russia, such as Alla Ospienko, Demetri Rudnev, and Meelis Pakri. One of the highlights of her career was to have her company (SBCB) perform Swan Lake with the Moscow Ballet. After working with Jaques D'Amboise she started "DanceReach" an outreach program for challenged youth in Santa Barbara (2002-06). She co- founded and directed the dance program at Cate School (2007-2012). A recipient of a Santa Barbara Foundation grant & numerous endowment grants. Through the SBCB Outreach Programs, more than 10,000 elementary school children have attended free performances in Santa Barbara County.Ms. Knowles holds a Russian/Vaganova Pedagogical Certification (1 of only 150 recipients) from the Hartford Ballet/State of Conn., and a BA/Dance emphasis in Modern & Choreography from UCSB. She has staged Swan Lake, Giselle, Cinderella, and The Sleeping Beauty as well as over 70 original contemporary pieces.Developer of "MOBILITY MIX PROGRAM",A regime for seniors which combines Biodynamics, Kinesiology, Pilates, and ballet barre. She is currently writing a book, "On Balance".choreography.