Ballet Master
Jerri Kumery studied at the School of American Ballet and danced with the New York City Ballet. She served as repetiteur for Ballet Teatro Lirico Nacional and Pacific Northwest Ballet, as well as repetiteur and Associate Artistic Director of North Carolina Dance Theatre. Ms. Kumery was awarded an Arts & Science Council Fellowship for her meritorious contribution to the artistic community of Charlotte, NC. She is the curator of the Salvatore Aiello ballets and serves as repetiteur with the George Balanchine Trust.

Resident Artist
Igor Antonov, a native of Zaporozie, Ukraine, trained at the Kiev Choreographic Institute. He has danced with the Donetzk Ballet in the Ukraine and more recently with Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf, Germany. Igor is in his tenth season with Richmond Ballet.

Jesse Bechard began his ballet training in Connecticut under Brett Raphael. He continued his training in Massachusetts at the Acton School of Ballet and Walnut Hill Academy. After a brief collegiate hiatus he continued his training at Ballet Austin. He is now in his fifth season with Richmond Ballet. Jesse, in his free time, enjoys drumming, records, fiction and philosophy.

Lauren Breen, originally from Trumbull, Connecticut, trained locally then continued her dance education at the School of American Ballet and Miami City Ballet. Lauren then moved to Richmond as a trainee for Richmond Ballet, rose to apprentice for two years and is now enjoying her first season as a company member.

Kara Brosky, of Simi Valley, California, began training at The Performing Arts Center in Van Nuys, California, at the age of 12. She studied at the American Ballet Theater NYC Summer Intensive for three years before entering their professional training school in 2004. In 2006, she accepted an apprenticeship with Richmond Ballet and joined the professional company in 2008.

Danaë Carter began her training at the Contra Costa Ballet Centre and continued at the San Francisco Ballet School. Upon graduation, she received an apprenticeship to Richmond Ballet and went on to join the company in 1998.

Lauren Fagone, originally from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, received her training in New York City and Charlotte, North Carolina and while attending Indiana University. After a two-year apprenticeship, Lauren joined Richmond Ballet and currently enjoys her fourth season as a company member.

Thomas Garrett is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He started his training at the age of 11. Since then he has worked with many renowned choreographers including Eddie Toussaint, Yanis Pikieris and Ronin Koresh. Thomas was an apprentice with Richmond Ballet for two seasons and is currently enjoying his second year in the company.

Kirk Henning grew up in Momence, Illinois, and began his ballet training at age seventeen with Watmora Casey and Avnun Yakabov. In 1999 Kirk joined the Dayton Ballet and in 2003 he won the Josie award for most outstanding performer in the Dayton area. Kirk first joined Richmond Ballet in 2004, went on to join the Suzanne Farrell Ballet in 2006, and has returned to the Richmond Ballet this season.

Angela Hutto, born in Conway, South Carolina, is excited to begin her first season as a full company member. She attended summer programs at Pacific Northwest Ballet School and completed her training as a trainee and apprentice with the School of Richmond Ballet. Angela enjoys riding her motorcycle, reading and spending time outdoors. She has many special memories of hiking and fishing with her father.

Shira Lanyi is a native of Richmond, Virginia. She began her training with the School of Richmond Ballet, attending both the trainee and apprentice programs. Shira attended summer programs at San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Boston Ballet. She is looking forward to her first season in the professional company. Shira enjoys painting and cooking for her friends and family.

Justin McMillan studied at Mendocino Ballet and Dance Theatre Seven. He also attended summer programs at the School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet school and Marin Ballet. Justin started his professional career dancing with San Francisco Ballet then Tulsa Ballet in Oklahoma. Justin is in his first season with Richmond Ballet.

Christopher Nachtrab originally from Long Island, New York, began his dance training under the tutelage of his mother. He continued his studies at Indiana University with Violette Verdy and Virginia and Jacques Cesbron. After spending one year as an apprentice, Christopher is excited to begin his first season as a company member.

David Neal, born and raised in Casper, Wyoming, began his training with Shirley Lewis and Heather Marsh and continued at Walnut Hill School with Samuel Kirkjian. After studying with Gus Solomons jr, James Sutton and Cherylyn Lavagnino, David graduated from New York University with a BFA in dance. He joined Richmond Ballet after graduation for two apprentice seasons. This is his first season as a company member.

Thomas Ragland of Richmond, Virginia, began his dance training with Annette Holt and the Parks and Recreation City Dance Program.   He then continued his training with the School of Richmond Ballet, eventually attending both the trainee and apprentice programs. Thomas attended the Julliard Summer Intensive and danced with the City Dance Troupe. He enjoys teaching, choreography, and time with his family. Thomas is celebrating his first season in the professional company.

Fernando Sabino studied in Brazil at Ballet Renata Celidonio for five seasons. He danced with Prodanza, the Laura Alonzo Company in Cuba and more recently, studied at Juilliard in their summer intensive program. In his free time, Fernando enjoys playing soccer and riding bikes. Fernando is enjoying his first season with Richmond Ballet.

Phillip Skaggs, of Louisville, Kentucky, graduated from The Youth Performing Arts School in 1996 and moved to Connecticut to train with The Nutmeg Ballet. He danced with the Hartford Ballet and then in 1999 joined the Richmond Ballet and has been dancing with the company for eight years. Philip enjoys digital photography, teaching swing dance and white water rafting.

Maggie Small began dancing at the School of Richmond Ballet where she rose through the ranks of the school and Minds In Motion programs to become a trainee and an apprentice. Maggie then spent one year at New York University and is now enjoying her first season in the company.

Valerie Tellmann began her professional training with the School of Richmond Ballet, attending both the trainee and apprentice programs, before being promoted into the company in 2000. She recently completed her 2nd summer dancing with the "National Choreographers Initiative" workshop in California. Valerie enjoys teaching, scrap booking and social dancing.

Cecile Tuzii graduated from the Academie Princesse Grace de Monaco and studied with Marika Besobrasova. Cecile danced with the Ballet du Rhin in France as well as the Basel Ballet in Switzerland and Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Germany. Most recently, Cecile danced with Tulsa Ballet in Oklahoma. She now enjoys her first season with the company.