During her sixteen-year career in professional ballet Tiekka danced starring roles on many of the world’s great stages as both Principal Dancer with Houston Ballet and an international guest artist. Her dance career spanned an extensive repertoire—providing a deep working knowledge of both the iconic standards of classical ballet and many of the most important contemporary and modern works of the twentieth century. As a ballerina, Tiekka has been recognized with medals at the Prix de Lausanne and the USA International Ballet Competition. She has been featured on the cover of Dance Magazine and is also the recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation Award in dance. As an instructor, Tiekka has taught ballet at dance studios and ballet companies across the US. She is also extensively trained in yoga, pilates, and dance rehabilitation exercise. In addition to her lifelong ballet experience, she holds a B.A. in Art History from Columbia University, where she graduated as Salutatorian of her class. Tiekka created Everyday Ballet using her deep love and knowledge of ballet in order to offer a uniquely effective and inspiring fitness practice that makes the exquisite mind-body benefits of real ballet technique accessible to all.