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Mike Hilleary(The Nutcracker) year after year offers the best professional skill, costumes, and stage design in the city…
Stoner Winslett
Artistic Director
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 37
Stoner Winslett is the founding Artistic Director of Richmond Ballet, the first major company of professional dancers in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Upon Ms. Winslett’s arrival in 1980, Richmond Ballet was a student company that contracted with guest soloists for its performances. By the end of the year, she had become the Artistic Director of this promising organization. Since 1984, when she and the Ballet’s Board took the company professional, Richmond Ballet has grown from a small ensemble of twelve dancers, contracted for twenty weeks per season, to a group with twice the number of performers and work weeks. The Company is now recognized both nationally and internationally for the strength of its dancers and its culture of cultivating new ballets while preserving classic traditions. Proclaimed The State Ballet of Virginia in 1990, Richmond Ballet has expanded its reach, performing across the Commonwealth and in major cities around the United States. Making its international debut in London in 2012, in a highly acclaimed run at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre and conducting its first tour to China in May of 2015, with performances at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing and the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Company will conclude this season in May 2017 by returning to New York City’s Joyce Theater for the first time since 2010.
Today, Richmond Ballet reaches over 100,000 people annually across the Commonwealth and beyond, and boasts an expansive repertory that contains full-length classics as well as over 60 original works from over 20 choreographers from around the world. Nine of these works are Ms. Winslett’s own choreography and include her highly acclaimed version of The Nutcracker. The Ballet’s scope also includes a school, The School of Richmond Ballet, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2015 and serves more than 700 students annually; and many outreach programs featuring the unique Minds In Motion program now in its 22nd year. The organization operates from a state-of-the-art training and performance center on Canal Street, developed in 2000 under the direction of Ms. Winslett and the Ballet’s Board.
Ms. Winslett was trained by Ann Brodie, Aldofina Suarez, and Michael Lland in Columbia, South Carolina, at the American Ballet Theatre School in New York, and the North Carolina School of the Arts on scholarship. After knee injuries curtailed her performing career, Ms. Winslett attended Smith College where she graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Ms. Winslett is the longest tenured artistic director of a major ballet company and one of the few female artistic directors in the U.S. She has received numerous awards and recognitions at local, state, and national levels, and remains an active leader in the country’s performing arts community, including serving as a former Vice Chair of Dance/USA, as the President of the John Butler Foundation, and as a U.S. delegate to the 2014 U.S.-China Consultation on People-to- People Exchange in Beijing. Still, she often states that her highest honor has been the privilege to work with the talented professionals and dedicated community members who have made a real difference in the world by building Richmond Ballet. Ms. Winslett’s tenure at Richmond Ballet is a testament to the power of dance, and to the culture which can emerge when like-minded people come together.
As the Company looks forward to its next decades, the organization has adopted the following vision for the future: The Richmond Ballet aspires to help transform our world through the unique and special power of dance by training and presenting ballet dancers as the ultimate artists/athletes who inspire us by demonstrating unlimited human potential and beauty. Through the work of Richmond Ballet, this community will continue to move towards one that universally respects the value of human life, both physical and emotional; the power of cooperation and mutual respect; the work ethic and discipline required to achieve anything truly meaningful; and the joy of existing in a compassionate community.
Brett Bonda
Managing Director
Brett Bonda is now in his 32nd season with Richmond Ballet, having served the organization as a dancer, administrator, educator, and director. A dancer with the professional company from 1985-1995, Mr. Bonda performed much of the company’s repertory, dancing lead roles in ballets such as Rodeo and Coppélia, and appearing in the premiere of Stoner Winslett’s original work, Ancient Airs and Dances. After learning of the outreach work done through Lori Klinger and the National Institute of Dance, Mr. Bonda elected to retire from the stage to become the Education and Minds In Motion Director for Richmond Ballet. Mr. Bonda served as the program’s artistic and administrative coordinator for 16 years. Additionally, Mr. Bonda has served as the Ballet’s Company Manager, Tour Manager, and video producer, before stepping into his current role as Managing Director where he has worked closely with members of the Ballet’s Board to oversee the organization’s strategic planning and governance, and to initiate the ‘Road to China’ project in 2014. Mr. Bonda’s work with Richmond Ballet has been recognized both statewide and nationally: he has served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts and as a juror for the Coming Up Taller Awards, and he is a board member for Virginians for the Arts. In 2001, Mr. Bonda received Richmond Magazine’s Theresa Pollak Award for Excellence in the Arts and in the summer of 2014, he represented the United States at the U.S.-China Consultation on People-to-People Exchange in Beijing alongside U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Richmond Ballet Artistic Director Stoner Winslett. Mr. Bonda is an alumnus of Virginia Intermont College, and lives in Mechanicsville with his wife, Annette, and their two sons, Aaron and Ethan.
Tracy Coogle
Chief Financial Officer
Malcolm Burn
Artistic Associate, Ballet Master
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 30
Malcolm Burn, who originally hails from New Zealand, is in his 30th year on the artistic staff of Richmond Ballet. During his 25-year dancing career, he performed leading roles in the standard classic repertory as well as numerous creations of contemporary ballet. Prior to his coming to Richmond Ballet as a principal dancer, Mr. Burn was co-director of Ballet Arizona. He has performed with the London Festival Ballet, and was a principal dancer with The Royal New Zealand Ballet, The National Ballet of Zimbabwe, Ballet West and P.A.C.T. Ballet in South Africa, where he won the Ivan Soloman Award for Best Male Dancer in 1973, 1976 and 1980. Mr. Burns’ choreographic works for Richmond Ballet include Romeo and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, A Tribute, Classical Symphony, Faces, Walpurgis Nacht, Pas Glazunov and Complete Trust.
William G. Hancock
Campaign Director and Major Gifts
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 4
William G. Hancock, a former business lawyer at Troutman Sanders and former two time President of the Richmond Ballet Board of Trustees, re-joined Richmond Ballet in February 2014. Mr. Hancock serves as Campaign Director and Major Gifts, managing campaigns designed to promote the organization’s long-term financial sustainability. Mr. Hancock played a leadership role in both the Ballet’s ‘Raising the Roof’ and ‘Anniversary’ campaigns.
Throughout his 40+ year relationship with The State Ballet of Virginia, Mr. Hancock has led a variety of the Ballet’s outreach and development initiatives, including the Fundraising Committee the Corps of the Richmond Ballet (an all male engagement group) and the Encore Society, while also serving on the Building Committee which oversaw the design and construction of our headquarters. Mr. Hancock and Ms. Leslie Strickler co-chaired the Marketing Committee which set the tone for the company’s inaugural trip to the Joyce Theatre in 2005.
Mr. Hancock returned to Richmond Ballet after serving in a variety of roles for several businesses, which followed a 34-year law career at Troutman Sanders, LLP, and its predecessor, Mays and Valentine. Both a Partner and the Chair of the firm’s Marketing Committee, Mr. Hancock practiced law at Mays and Valentine for 25 years before becoming Counsel for Troutman Sanders in 2000. Mr. Hancock’s areas of practice at Troutman Sanders included commercial real estate development and finance, insurance legislative and regulatory matters and issues affecting early stage companies, including strategy, corporate structure, capital formation and financing.
Having previously worked on campaigns for St. Christopher’s School, the YMCA, United Way, and the American Heart Association, Mr. Hancock brings considerable non-profit fundraising experience to the Ballet, In addition, he has served on numerous boards, including that of a publicly traded Fortune 1000 company, as well as of small businesses and not-for-profit arts and educational organizations such as Richmond Ballet, The Carpenter Center, St. Christopher’s School, the Richmond Ronald McDonald House, and the Richmond Tennis Patrons. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Virginia Bar Association and as President of the St. Christopher’s School Alumni Association.
Mr. Hancock holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia, attended Tulane University Law School, and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Richmond Law School, where he sat on The Moot Court and the Editorial Board of the Law Review.
He and his wife, Austin Cary Hancock, have two children, Robert and Charles, ages thirteen and ten, and three grown children, Claiborne Hancock, a publisher, James Hancock, a filmmaker and Carter Johnston, a fashion designer.
Judy Jacob
Artistic Associate, School Director
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 22
Judy Jacob is from Detroit, where she studied ballet with Evelyn Smith. She trained in London, England, with Anne Heaton, John Field, and Valerie Taylor, and at Butler University (B.A.) and Indiana University (M.S.) with George Verdak, William Glenn, Peggy Dorsey, Anton Dolin, and Kenneth Melville. After graduation, Ms. Jacob danced professionally with Memphis Ballet, performing principal roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker), Swanhilda (Coppélia), and the title role in Cinderella. She also created roles in ballets by choreographers Ron Cunningham, Jill Eathorne Bahr, Norbert Vesak, Robert Kelley, and Philip Jerry. Ms. Jacob was the Associate Artistic Director of Fort Wayne Ballet prior to joining Richmond Ballet in 1995. She was Assistant Ballet Master of the professional company for two years and has been director of The School of Richmond Ballet since 1998.
Lindsay Lane Robinson
Development Director
MK Stewart
Production Stage Manager/ Lead Designer
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 14
MK Stewart is in his 14th season as Production Director at Richmond Ballet. His lighting designs include Women and the Sea: A Tribute to Will Barnet, To Familiar Spaces in Dream, A Rose for Miss Emily, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mr. Stewart has also designed for many of the Company’s highly-acclaimed original commissions, including Val Caniparoli’s Swipe and Ma Cong’s Lift The Fallen, which have anchored Richmond Ballet’s recent international tours, while continuing to bring the creative visions of choreographers such as Edgar Zendejas and Darrell Grand Moultrie to the stage with Realms of Amber and iNVERSION. He has served as Stage Manager for the Martha Graham Dance Company, Elisa Monte Dance, Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre, Cortez and Company, and Hartford Ballet. He has also worked on projects with David Finely Associates, William Electric Bank, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, SPARC, Spoleto USA, Metropolitan Opera Guild, and Central City Opera.
Cat Studdard
Outreach Director
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 17
Cat Studdard studied at American University and Virginia Commonwealth University graduating summa cum laude with a BFA in dance and choreography. She began working with Richmond Ballet’s Minds In Motion (MIM) in its third year, training under founding director Brett Bonda and continuing her training in New York with Lori Klinger, Executive and Artistic Director of Rosie’s Theater Kids and Jacques d’Amboise, founding Artistic Director of National Dance Institute. Ms. Studdard appreciates bringing together people from all walks of life to share transformative, meaningful arts experiences.
Carrie Bilek
Marketing & Communications Director
Malcolm Burn
Artistic Associate, Ballet Master
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 30
Malcolm Burn, who originally hails from New Zealand, is in his 30th year on the artistic staff of Richmond Ballet. During his 25-year dancing career, he performed leading roles in the standard classic repertory as well as numerous creations of contemporary ballet. Prior to his coming to Richmond Ballet as a principal dancer, Mr. Burn was co-director of Ballet Arizona. He has performed with the London Festival Ballet, and was a principal dancer with The Royal New Zealand Ballet, The National Ballet of Zimbabwe, Ballet West and P.A.C.T. Ballet in South Africa, where he won the Ivan Soloman Award for Best Male Dancer in 1973, 1976 and 1980. Mr. Burns’ choreographic works for Richmond Ballet include Romeo and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, A Tribute, Classical Symphony, Faces, Walpurgis Nacht, Pas Glazunov and Complete Trust.
Judy Jacob
Artistic Associate, School Director
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 22
Judy Jacob is from Detroit, where she studied ballet with Evelyn Smith. She trained in London, England, with Anne Heaton, John Field, and Valerie Taylor, and at Butler University (B.A.) and Indiana University (M.S.) with George Verdak, William Glenn, Peggy Dorsey, Anton Dolin, and Kenneth Melville. After graduation, Ms. Jacob danced professionally with Memphis Ballet, performing principal roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker), Swanhilda (Coppélia), and the title role in Cinderella. She also created roles in ballets by choreographers Ron Cunningham, Jill Eathorne Bahr, Norbert Vesak, Robert Kelley, and Philip Jerry. Ms. Jacob was the Associate Artistic Director of Fort Wayne Ballet prior to joining Richmond Ballet in 1995. She was Assistant Ballet Master of the professional company for two years and has been director of The School of Richmond Ballet since 1998.
Cat Studdard
Outreach Director
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 17
Cat Studdard studied at American University and Virginia Commonwealth University graduating summa cum laude with a BFA in dance and choreography. She began working with Richmond Ballet’s Minds In Motion (MIM) in its third year, training under founding director Brett Bonda and continuing her training in New York with Lori Klinger, Executive and Artistic Director of Rosie’s Theater Kids and Jacques d’Amboise, founding Artistic Director of National Dance Institute. Ms. Studdard appreciates bringing together people from all walks of life to share transformative, meaningful arts experiences.
Jerri Kumery
Ballet Master
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 10
Jerri Kumery began her studies with Roman Jasinski and Moscelyn Larkin in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and later studied at the School of American Ballet. In 1977, she was invited to dance with the New York City Ballet under the direction of George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Peter Martins. Ms. Kumery has served as répétiteur for Ballet Teatro Lirico Nacional and Pacific Northwest Ballet, and from 1990-2007 was Ballet Master/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 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is the curator of The Salvatore Aiello Trust and serves as répétiteur with The George Balanchine Trust.
Igor Antonov
Richmond Ballet II Director
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 18
Igor Antonov was born in Zaporozie, Ukraine. Upon graduation from the Kiev Choreographic Institute, he joined the Donetsk Ballet (Ukraine) as a soloist. In 1990, he was invited to join Richmond Ballet, where for five seasons he danced leading roles in works by George Balanchine, John Butler, Antony Tudor, William Soleau, Malcolm Burn, and Stoner Winslett. During that time, he was also a medalist and best couple award winner at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. For the next several years, he danced with Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf, Germany, and made guest appearances with major ballet companies in Berlin, Madrid, and Nice. In 2003, he returned to Richmond Ballet, and while continuing to perform with the Company, he began conducting rehearsals and teaching at The School of Richmond Ballet. After his retirement from the stage, Mr. Antonov stepped into the role of leading Richmond Ballet’s second company, Richmond Ballet II.
Lauren Archer
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 3
Lauren Archer, originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, began her training at Academy of Ballet and Theatre Arts under the instruction of Lisa Webb. She started her professional career as a member of Tulsa Ballet II before continuing her training at the Ellison Ballet Professional Training Program. Lauren spent one year as a member of Richmond Ballet II and this is her fourth season with the company. Her favorite roles she has performed here include Winter Fairy in Cinderella, Butterfly and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and the struggle pas de deux in Ma Cong’s Lift The Fallen. During her free time Lauran works on her fashion/ lifestyle blog, Felix & Flora. Follow her on Instagram: @felixandflora.
Cody Beaton
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Round Rock, Texas
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 6
Cody Beaton, of Round Rock, Texas, studied at the Austin Conservatory of the Arts for 12 years. She attended summer programs at Colorado Ballet, Virginia School of the Arts and American Ballet Theatre. She spent one season with the Colorado Ballet Studio Company, and in the following three years, progressed through Richmond Ballet’s trainee and apprentice programs. She joined the professional company in 2010. Cody enjoys cooking and spending time with her niece and nephews.
Elena Bello
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Jersey City, New Jersey
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 3
Elena Bello grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she became a part of the National Dance Institute program. She then auditioned for the School of American Ballet (SAB) in New York City. After being accepted into SAB, she spent four years there and found her love for ballet. Elena moved to South Carolina to attend the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. After graduating, she spent two years studying dance at Purchase College before auditioning for Richmond Ballet. She spent two years as an apprentice and one year in Richmond Ballet II, and is now enjoying her fifth season as a part of the Richmond Ballet professional company. In the summers, Elena enjoys teaching at Rosie’s Theater Kids in New York City.
Trevor Davis
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Sacramento, California
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 6
Trevor Davis began ballet at the age of six in Los Angeles, California, with Meridith Baylis. At the age of 12, he continued under the direction of Philip and Charles Fuller and soon attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. He studied with various scholarship programs through Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, Jacob’s Pillow and Boston Ballet. After two seasons as a trainee in Boston, Trevor joined Richmond Ballet in 2008 as an apprentice and became part of the professional company in 2010.
Marty Davis
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Sacramento, California
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 3
Marty Davis began his training at the age of seven in Los Angeles, California, with Meridith Baylis. When he was 13, he continued his training with Philip and Charles Fuller while attending Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Marty attended summer programs at San Francisco Ballet and at Boston Ballet, where he was invited to continue his studies through the company’s trainee program. He then went on to dance with Kansas City Ballet for six years. This is his fifth season with Richmond Ballet.
Peter Elverson
Richmond Ballet II Company Member
HOMETOWN: Des Moines, Iowa
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 2
Peter Elverson was born in Des Moines, Iowa where he trained at the School of Classical Ballet and Dance. He then attended San Francisco Ballet School’s summer intensive, where he was accepted into their year-round program and danced the following three seasons. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, dancing for the next two seasons. Peter then joined RBII in 2015, and is excited to now begin his first season with the professional company.
Matthew Frain
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 4
Matthew Frain began his ballet training at The School of Dance-West Ballet in Naperville, Illinois, and at The Chicago Academy for the Arts in Chicago. He has worked with the Joffrey Ballet and the Milwaukee Ballet, where he appeared in works by Val Caniparoli, Twyla Tharp, Michael Pink and Petr Zahradnicelz. This is his sixth season with Richmond Ballet. While dancing for Richmond Ballet, Matthew has performed in Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, as the old chieftain in Salvatore Aiello’s The Rite of Spring, as the ugly stepsister in Malcolm Burn’s Cinderella, as Gamache in Don Quixote, and most recently as Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet. Matthew participated as a choreographer in Richmond Ballet’s New Works Festival for the 2014-2015 season, premiering his work Inventory. He has also created works on the trainees of Richmond Ballet for New Works II. In April of 2017, Matthew premiered An Open Letter…, his first full, commissioned ballet for Richmond Ballet.
Abi Goldstein
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Sarasota, Florida
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 2
Abi Goldstein, of Sarasota, Florida, began her professional training at The Sarasota Ballet School. She attended summer programs at The School of American Ballet and Miami City Ballet School. As a trainee at Boston Ballet for two seasons, Abi performed with both the company and Boston Ballet II. After two years with the Richmond Ballet’s second company, she is very excited to begin her fourth season with the professional company.
Sabrina Holland
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Frankfort, New York
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 2
Sabrina Holland of Frankfort, New York, began her training at Ballet Arts. She furthered her education by studying at Canada’s National Ballet School for four years. After graduating from their Post Secondary Program, she spent one year as a trainee with The Washington Ballet. During her schooling, she attended many summer programs including those at Boston Ballet, Nutmeg School Conservatory, and an exchange program through the John Cranko School. Sabrina spent two years in Richmond Ballet II and this is her fourth season in the professional company.
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Eri Nishihara
Richmond Ballet II Company Member
HOMETOWN: Hiroshima, Japan
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 3
Eri Nishihara originally of Japan, began her training in Reno, Nevada. She holds a BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah, where she studied for two years before joining Richmond Ballet II. In her spare time, she enjoys going on walks and spending time with her friends. Eri is thrilled to start her first season in the company.
Anthony Oates
Richmond Ballet II Company Member
HOMETOWN: Richmond, Virginia
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 2
Anthony Oates a Richmond native, began ballet training at the age of eight. He is an alumnus of both the School of Richmond Ballet and the Minds In Motion program. He spent two years as a trainee, during which time he was a two-time recipient of the Malcolm Burn award, two years in RBII, and looks forward to his first season with the professional company. Outside the studio, Anthony attends Savannah College of Art & Design.
Melissa Robinson
Richmond Ballet Company Member
HOMETOWN: Sykesville, Maryland
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Melissa Robinson was born in Sykesville, Maryland and began studying ballet at the Carroll County Dance Center. She continued her dance training at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC. After graduating from the Kirov Academy in 2010, Melissa joined Richmond Ballet as a trainee, and was promoted to the second company in 2013. During her time in Richmond Ballet II, Melissa was fortunate enough to perform works by many choreographers including: Stoner Winslett, Val Caniparoli, Melissa Barak, Jessica Lang, and was able to premiere two new works by Malcolm Burn. This will be Melissa’s second year as a full company member.
Fernando Sabino
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Ribeiraõ Preto, SP. Brazil
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 10
Fernando Sabino started dancing at Ballet Renata Celidonio at age 14. He studied there for five years before moving to Cuba where he danced with Prodanza, under the direction of Laura Alonzo, for one year. He then studied at Juilliard in the summer program on full scholarship before joining Richmond Ballet in 2006.
Maggie Small
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Richmond, Virginia
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 10
Maggie Small, a native of Richmond, Virginia, began dancing at The School of Richmond Ballet. She completed the trainee, apprentice, and Minds In Motion programs before joining the company, where she enjoying her twelfth season. Recently she earned a B.S. in Dance from the LEAP Program at St. Mary’s College of California. Outside of the Richmond Ballet, Maggie has enjoyed working with the National Choreographers Initiative, Pacific Art Society, VOICE Dance Company, and Jessica Lang Dance at Jacob’s Pillow. In 2012, she was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine as Richmond Ballet’s ‘Homegrown Ballerina’.
Mate Szentes
Company Dancer
HOMETOWN: Budapest, Hungary
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Mate Szentes, born in Budapest, Hungary, began studying ballet at the age of 6. By the age of 10 he was accepted at the Hungarian Dance Academy where he graduated in 2009. In 2007 & 2008 he attended the summer intensive programs at the School of North Carolina Dance Theatre on full scholarship. After graduation he joined the Hungarian National Ballet. In 2012 he moved to California and started working with the Sacramento Ballet. He joined Richmond Ballet for its 2015-2016 season. In his spare time Mate loves to cook and travel.
Ira White
Company Member
HOMETOWN: Richmond, Virginia
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Ira White, native to Richmond, Virginia, discovered his love for dance through Richmond Ballet’s Minds In Motion outreach program. Soon after, he signed up for ballet and other countless classes that Richmond Ballet offered. Through the years, he rose through the ranks of the School, including a year spent in its trainee program, and three seasons in the second company. He is proud to be in his third year with the main company.
Liam Fitzpatrick
Liam Fitzpatrick, a native of Evanston, IL, began dancing at the age of 11 as a hip-hop dancer with the Chicago Bulls’ “Bulls Kidz”. He attended The Chicago Academy for the Arts (CAA), a private performing arts high-school, under the direction of Randy Duncan. After graduating high-school, Liam attended Butler University, where he earned a BFA in Dance Performance. Liam has spent his summers training at The American Ballet Theater, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Julliard School, The Joffrey Ballet, and Salt Creek Ballet. This is Liam’s first season with Richmond Ballet II.
Baylee Sullivan
Baylee Sullivan, originally from Racine, Wisconsin started her training at the Studio of Classical Dance Arts under Marc Darling and Linda Bennett. She then joined the Civic Ballet of Chicago at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, for a year, before becoming a trainee at Richmond Ballet. She was in the trainee program for two years and is very excited to start her first year with the second company.
Savannah George
Savannah George began dancing at age nine at Diggs School of Dance, located in Gloucester, Virginia. After dancing there for three years, she auditioned for Virginia Regional Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker, in Williamsburg, Virginia. She then joined the school in Williamsburg and continued her training there for another three years. Savannah attended summer programs with Ballet Magnificat, Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington D.C., The Richmond Ballet, and Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell. She also competed in YAGP(Youth American Grand Prix) in 2014, earning multiple scholarships and training opportunities. Upon finishing her second summer with the Richmond Ballet in 2015, she joined the trainee program for the 2015/2016 season. Savannah remained in the trainee program for a second year and is excited to be joining the Richmond Ballet’s second company for the 2017/2018 season!
Kristin Cowger
Kristin Cowger, originally from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, began her training at Allegheny Ballet Company. She continued her dance training at the HARID Conservatory and graduated in 2015. Kristin then joined Richmond Ballet as a trainee. After two years of training she is very excited to be joining Richmond Ballet’s second company for the 2017-2018 season.
Lukas Pringle
Lukas Pringle, from Carmel, Indiana, studied at the Central Indiana Academy of Dance. Lukas performed lead roles in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Peter Pan with Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. Last season he danced with Kansas City Ballet in The Nutcracker, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Sleeping Beauty. He is thrilled to be joining Richmond Ballet II this season.
Dylan McIntyre
Dylan McIntyre began dancing at Palm Beach Ballet in West Palm Beach, Florida at eight years old. At age sixteen, he was invited to train at the Next Generation Ballet, where he studied for two years. Dylan joined Richmond Ballet’s trainee program in 2016. After one year as a trainee, he is excited to start his first year with The Richmond Ballet’s second company.
Elise Gaubatz
Richmond Ballet II Company Member
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Elise Gaubatz began dancing at age four in Colorado. After 12 years of dancing, she moved to Washington D.C. to train with The Washington School of Ballet. Starting in 2014, Elise joined the Richmond Ballet Trainee Program. After two years, she was hired into Richmond Ballet’s second company. She is excited to be returning for her second season.
Khaiyom Khojaev
Richmond Ballet II Company Member
HOMETOWN: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Khaiyom Khojaev was born in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. At the age of 10, Khaiyom was accepted in the National Tajik Choreographic School. Shortly thereafter, he was sent to Russia to study at the Perm State Choreographic College. He studied there for eight years and learned from some of Russia’s finest teachers. By the end of his education, Khaiyom’s repertoire surpassed most others. In August of 2016, Khaiyom joined Richmond Ballet’s second company and is now in his second season.
Thel Moore III
Richmond Ballet II Company Member
HOMETOWN: Baltimore, Maryland
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Thel Moore III was born and raised in Baltimore Maryland. He began his training at The Baltimore School for the Arts and finished at Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory. Thel is very excited to start his second season with RBII.
Izabella Marietta Tokev
Richmond Ballet II Company Member
HOMETOWN: Las Vegas, Nevada
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Izabella Marietta Tokev was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. From an early age she found her love for dance. She continued her ballet training in Las Vegas focusing on the Russian Vaganova method. At the age of 16, she moved to Russia to study at Perm State Choreographic College. In August of 2016, Izabella joined Richmond Ballet’s second company and is now in her second season.
Cat Studdard
Outreach Director
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 17
Cat Studdard brings a greater understanding and appreciation of dance to a broader audience through Richmond Ballet’s community outreach programs. Ms. Studdard introduces the backstage world of dance to young audiences at youth performances and coordinates Community Dance Connection events. These community dance events offer a unique experience for the local dance community to interact with artists who are working with the Professional Company. She works directly with Richmond Ballet II to create adaptations of story ballets that are presented to schools throughout the Commonwealth. Ms. Studdard has been a part of Richmond Ballet since 1996 and is committed to its mission to awaken and uplift the human spirit.
Ms. Studdard serves as the artistic coordinator for Minds In Motion, the cornerstone of Richmond Ballet’s outreach initiatives. She supervises a team of teaching artists and musicians that instruct fourth-grade students in elementary schools as part of their regular curriculum, develops after-school enrichment programs for excelling students, and directs culminating performances involving all participants. She creates partnerships with community organizations to bring a greater depth of meaning to performers and audiences alike. These partners have included: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maggie Walker National Historic Site, VMFA, Virginia Historical Society, The Valentine, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, The Cultural Offices of the Chinese Embassy and most recently, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Ms. Studdard studied at American University and Virginia Commonwealth University graduating summa cum laude with a BFA in dance and choreography. She began working with Richmond Ballet’s Minds In Motion (MIM) in its third year, training under founding director Brett Bonda and continuing her training in New York with Lori Klinger, Executive and Artistic Director of Rosie’s Theater Kids and Jacques d’Amboise, founding Artistic Director of National Dance Institute. Ms. Studdard appreciates bringing together children from all walks of life to share transformative, meaningful arts experiences.
Guinn Baker
Outreach Coordinator
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 3
Guinn Baker has worked in the performing arts and education for nearly 30 years after earning a BA from the University of Washington, School of Drama. Early in her career Guinn stage managed professionally with opera companies, theater for young audiences, and new play development. More recently, she has collaborated with classroom teachers and students to explore curriculum through theater. In Charlottesville, where she lives, she taught third and fourth grade, was the graduate administrator for the University of Virginia English Department and MFA Creative Writing Program, and an after-school program director with Albemarle County. Guinn enjoys being part of Richmond Ballet’s outreach programming which engages students, teachers, and the community.
Emily Dandridge
MIM Teaching Artist
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 6
Emily Berg-Poff Dandridge graduated from the College of Charleston with a BA in Arts Management and Music Performance (oboe/vocal). A graduate of Virginia School of the Arts, she trained with Petrus Bosman, and was the principal dancer with the Robert Ivey Ballet Company for four years in Charleston, SC. A local performer and choreographer, Dandridge has been RTCC nominated for Best Choreography for her work with “Carrie” and Toxic Avenger”. Since 2011 she has been a Minds In Motion Teaching Artist, and accompanist for The School of Richmond Ballet, and in 2016 started Minds In Motion Summer Camps.
Paul Dandridge
MIM Teaching Artist
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 6
Paul Dandridge, a Richmond native, was introduced to dance through Richmond Ballet’s Minds In Motion program. He continued his training at The School of Richmond Ballet, moving through the School’s divisions into its trainee program. Paul attended Indiana University (IU) on full scholarship, studying ballet and philosophy. After graduating in 2011, he accepted an apprentice position in Richmond Ballet’s professional company and began teaching as an MIM Teaching Artist and faculty member at The School of Richmond Ballet.
Jordan Glunt
MIM Artistic Assistant/Team XXL Administrator & MIM Teaching Artist
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 11
Jordan Livermon Glunt began her study of dance in her hometown of Powhatan, VA and continued it through The School of Richmond Ballet. She graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2003 with a BFA in Dance and Choreography. Jordan has performed with the Starr Foster Dance Project since 2004 and continues to enjoy performing with the project’s talented group of dancers. She serves as an Artistic Assistant, Team XXL Administrator, and Teaching Artist for the Richmond and Charlottesville MIM programs. Jordan is currently in her eleventh year with Minds In Motion.
Benjamin Malone
MIM Teaching Artist
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 4
Benjamin Malone, originally from Bangor, Maine, began his training in classical ballet at the Maine Central Institute and went on to study dance at The Nutmeg Conservancy. Ben spent one year performing with The Washington Ballet before arriving in Richmond, where he spent a year as an apprentice, and was a charter member of RB II, eventually dancing with the Company for one season. Ben transitioned to a career in dance education in 2015 and has been teaching with Minds In Motion in Richmond and Charlottesville for the past two years. He looks forward to traveling throughout Virginia with the MIM residency team this Fall.
Heather Rhea O’Connor
MIM Teaching Artist
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Heather Rhea O’Connor, born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, began her dance training at Evelyn Ott School of Dance and continued her training through high school at The Governor’s School for the Arts. Heather graduated in May 2014 from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a BFA in Modern Dance. In August of 2014, she moved to Richmond and began teaching and performing dance around the area. Heather has performed with Starr Foster Dance Project since 2014. Heather is currently in her second year with Minds In Motion.
Blanton Bradley
Minds In Motion Music Supervisor and SRB Musician
Blanton Bradley, Jr. is a graduate of Arizona State University and Baylor University. Blanton joined Richmond Ballet as Musical Director in 1997, and currently serves as Minds In Motion Music Supervisor. Blanton has also been musical director for productions at SPARC, Dogwood Dell, and Theater VCU.
Larri Branch
Minds In Motion Musician
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 3
Larri Branch is a pianist and bandleader in Richmond, Virginia. He performs regularly as a solo pianist and as a member of several bands.
In 2009, Larri formed the Larri Branch Agenda; a band that performs original compositions, new arrangements of jazz standards and a select group of covers. They have released two albums, Labragenda and Labragenda Volume 2. They are also featured on the 32 Bar Records holiday album, A Season to Remember.
Larri is a member of the Flavor Project and is featured on their debut album, Frijoles Negros and their upcoming album, Food for Thought. He has also been featured on albums by Blue Prototype, M-Law and the Prophets of Jazz, and the Clay Motley Band.
Core members of the Flavor Project form The Studio 804 Band. They serve as the house band for RVA Tonight with Beau Cribbs; Richmond, Virginia’s only live late-night talk show. They are also the house band for The Elbys, Richmond’s Restaurant Awards.
Larri portrayed pianist Jimmy Powers in TheatreLAB’s production of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill about the final days of renown singer, Billie Holiday.
Larri has performed at the Richmond Jazz Festival, the Virginia
Museum of Fine Arts, The National, The Byrd Theatre, The Altria Theatre, The Science Museum’s IMAX Theater, The Broadberry, The Camel, Hardywood Brewery, Twins Jazz, The Hamilton and Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club.
Along with performing, Larri teaches private piano lessons and serves as an accompanist for the Richmond Ballet’s Minds In Motion program. He is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications.
Bentley Cobb
Minds In Motion Musician
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 2
Bentley Cobb, Jr. is a Richmond, Virginia based musician versed in hand percussion and drum kit. Since 2003, Bentley has been playing for numerous musicals at Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Children’s Theatre, November Theatre and Hanover Tavern, the Swift Creek Mill Playhouse, Theatre VCU, Richmond Triangle Players, the University of Richmond Theatre and the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center. Bentley has had the privilege of touring with rock and jazz fusion bands internationally and has toured with several theatre and dance companies in the United States. As a live rehearsal accompanist for modern dance, Bentley worked at Virginia Commonwealth University Dance Department and the University of Richmond Department of Theatre & Dance from 2009-2015. Bentley has composed music for Richmond based choreographers on several occasions. He was honored in 2014 to compose his first full-length score for the play, Arabian Nights, at Virginia Commonwealth University and serve as musical director for the production. As a private instructor of hand percussion and drum kit, Bentley has many students in the Richmond and Tri-City area.Bentley began working with Minds In Motion in the spring of 2014 and is honored to accompany classes at many schools in the Minds In Motion year-long and two-week residency programs this year.
Amy Hruska
Minds In Motion Musician
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Amy Hruska is a retired music teacher of 36 years. After receiving her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the North Carolina School of the Arts and East Carolina University, she traveled as a professional singer with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. She also performed in various nightclubs and dinner theaters in Pennsylvania and Virginia. She has sung numerous jingles for radio and has held church jobs as a soloist, cantor, and section leader for over 40 years.
Mrs. Hruska studied and obtained her teaching certificate and a Masters in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She discovered her love of teaching others the joy of music. She taught at St. Bridget’s School in Richmond, Va. for 22 years and also taught at Marymount School, St. Benedict’s School, and St. Catherine’s School. While teaching the primary and intermediate grades, she taught private voice lessons and summers teaching School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC).
Mrs. Hruska spent three years as a full time Music Director for Virginia Repertory (also known as Theatre IV) and the Barksdale Theatre. She also performed in several musicals with Virginia Rep. During this time she was a voice instructor at Randolph-Macon College. She also earned a Masters in Liberal Arts from University of Richmond.
Mrs. Hruska went back to teaching high school music for the last 14 years of her teaching career. She taught at Monacan High School, Henrico High School and Douglas Freeman High School where her choirs consistently earned superior scores and were in demand to perform throughout the community.
Scott Milstead
Minds In Motion Musician
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Scott Milstead grew up in Radnor, Pennsylvania, about 15 miles west of Philadelphia. Upon his graduation from Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Va) in 1996, he did what all environmental science majors do – he joined a band and went on the road. His current endeavors include: private drum set lessons at Grove Avenue Piano music store; drum line instructor for Monacan High School (Chesterfield County); accompanist for the VCU dance department; drummer/bandleader for The Significant Others; drummer for AfroZen Allstars (Ethiopian jazz/funk), Elizabeth Wise (blues/Americana), and Alice and The Reverie (alternative/indie). Scott has also drummed for several local theater productions, including Cadence Theater’s productions of “Violet” (2017) and “The Christians” (2018). Scott is honored to have worked with Minds in Motion since the fall of 2016, playing for several schools throughout the greater Richmond region.
Joy W. Price
Minds In Motion Musician
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 3
Joy Weaver Price graduated from James Madison University where she received a BA in music with a concentration in piano performance and minored in music industry. Joy has performed for several musical theatre productions and has enjoyed accompanying for choirs and solo vocalists/ instrumentalists. This is her fourth year with Richmond Ballet and Minds In Motion!
Rachel Shimkus
Minds In Motion and SRB Musician
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 11
Rachel Shimkus is thrilled to be starting her twelfth year with the MIM program. She holds degrees in music from Grove City College and Miami University. Favorite moments from a decade-plus of Minds In Motion include creating a musical dragon for Team XXL’s touring show in 2014, grooving out on the MIM stage with 4th-grade teachers, and the annual metamorphosis of 4th-graders from students to performers. In addition to Minds In Motion classes, Rachel accompanies classes at the School of Richmond Ballet. When not playing piano, she can usually be found curled up with a book, or knitting, probably accompanied by a mug of coffee.
Doug Wanamaker
Minds In Motion Musician
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 1
Doug Wanamaker joined the Minds In Motion Music Team in 2017. A native of Skaneateles, NY, he studied piano performance in both Classical and Jazz at Syracuse University and Shenandoah Conservatory. Doug has toured, recorded and performed with numerous National and Regional acts across the U.S. Now residing in Crozet, Virginia, he currently teaches piano, serves in the music ministry at his church, and continues to perform as a soloist and with local bands.
Judy Jacob
Artistic Associate, School Director
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 22
Judy Jacob is from Detroit, where she studied ballet with Evelyn Smith. She trained in London, England, with Anne Heaton, John Field, and Valerie Taylor, and at Butler University (B.A.) and Indiana University (M.S.) with George Verdak, William Glenn, Peggy Dorsey, Anton Dolin, and Kenneth Melville. After graduation, Ms. Jacob danced professionally with Memphis Ballet, performing principal roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker), Swanhilda (Coppélia), and the title role in Cinderella. She also created roles in ballets by choreographers Ron Cunningham, Jill Eathorne Bahr, Norbert Vesak, Robert Kelley, and Philip Jerry. Ms. Jacob was the Associate Artistic Director of Fort Wayne Ballet prior to joining Richmond Ballet in 1995. She was Assistant Ballet Master of the professional company for two years and has been director of The School of Richmond Ballet since 1998.
Tara Penick
Principal, Middle School Division
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 16
TARA PENICK (Middle Division Principal and SRB Ensembles Coordinator) is from North Carolina, where she received her early training in Chapel Hill and attended the American Dance Festival as a scholarship student. After receiving her degree in International Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill, she moved to NYC. Ms. Penick worked in New York directing the Children’s Program at Broadway Dance Center, teaching with Feld Ballets/NY (now Ballet Tech), and with the Children’s Television Workshop for Sesame Street, off-Broadway at the American Place Theatre, as well as choreographing the America Sings! Opening of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for many years. She travels nationally as a choreographer of musical theatre, working with schools, regional theatres, and universities. In these venues, she has choreographed over 25 full length musical theatre productions. Ms. Penick continues to work with music festivals throughout the United States, including Duke University, Millikin University, Rice University, UNC-Chapel Hill, VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. Ms. Penick joined the SRB faculty in 1997.
Cecile Tuzii
Upper Division Principal
CECILE TUZII (Upper Division Principal) graduated from The Academie de danse Princesse Grace de Monaco and studied with Marika Besobrasova. Cecile danced with The Ballet du Rhin in France, as well as Basler Ballet in Switzerland, Deutsche Oper am Rein in Germany, Tulsa Ballet in Oklahoma and Richmond Ballet. Her career includes major roles in ballets like Romeo and Juliet, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Rite of Spring, Carmina Burana, as well as works from Hans Van Manen, Mats Ek, Uwe Scholtz, Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, Ben Stevenson, Nacho Duato, Agnes De Mille, Val Caniparoli, Ma Cong, Malcolm Burn and Stoner Winslett among others. Cecile recently retired from dancing and has joined The School of Richmond Ballet faculty as Principal of the Upper Division.
Anne Sidney Hetherington
SRB Lower Division Principal
Anne Sidney Hetherington began her training at The School of Richmond Ballet at the age of 7, under the tutelage of Jerry Schwender, Leslie Peck, Arnott Mader, Jasmine Grace, Malcolm Burn, Susan Massey, and Ruth Petrinovic. She spent summers studying at Ohio’s BalletMet and England’s Yorkshire Ballet Seminars, where she was privileged to work with and receive a Merit Award from Dame Alicia Markova. Ms. Hetherington earned a BA from Butler University in Dance Pedagogy. After graduation she enjoyed a ten year professional career with both Richmond Ballet and Dayton Ballet. Highlights include dancing the title role in Giselle, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, being part of the many new works created for Richmond Ballet, and appearing twice at New York’s Joyce Theatre. Ms. Hetherington enjoys teaching for The School of Richmond Ballet.
Jasmine Grace
SRB Faculty
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 26
Jasmine Grace A.I.S.T.D. (Cecchetti) is trained and qualified in the Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet under Joecy Pretorius and Faith de Villiers. After graduating from the Johannesburg School for Art, Ballet and Music under Marjorie Sturman F.R.A.D., Mercedes Molina (Spanish dance), and Jean Beckley (Classical Greek), she joined PACT Ballet, South Africa. She enjoyed the honor of working, studying and performing with renowned teachers, producers, choreographers and artists such as Faith De Villiers, Denise Schultze, Louis Godfrey, Roland Casanave, Ronald Emblen, Ronald Hynd, Nicholas Beriozoff, Andre Prokovsky, Sir Frederick Ashton, Galina Samsova, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Attilio Labis, Natalia Markarova and Ivan Nagy. Ms. Grace also danced in Germany (Staatsteater Wiesbaden), Switzerland (Staatsteater St. Gallen), and New Zealand (Auckland City Opera Ballet). She has also performed in numerous television productions, operas and musicals. Prior to joining SRB in 1987, she was ballet mistress for Ballet Arizona.
Susan Israel Massey
Faculty
Susan Israel Massey joined the faculty in 1992. She is also an adjunct faculty member, since 1976, at Virginia Commonwealth University. She received her M.F.A. degree in ballet and modern dance from the University of Utah, under William Christensen and pursued additional training in Russia, Denmark, Europe and England during a year of study abroad. She performed with and choreographed for what is now Ballet West. Her teaching career spans over 50 years in professional organizations, college festivals, and schools, including University of Utah, BYU, University of Wyoming, University of Richmond, Virginia Ballet Theatre and St. Catherine’s. In 1990 she designed and implemented a four-year dance program for the Center for the Arts at Henrico High School. She occasionally performs character roles in the full-length ballets presented by Richmond Ballet.
Arnott Mader
SRB Faculty
Arnott Mader received his early dance education in Toronto, Canada and from there went to the Royal Ballet School, on scholarship, in London. Many teachers both in New York and London influenced his career, Northcott, Danelian, Dollar, Pereyaslavec, Griffith, and Joffrey among others. In London he appeared in two musicals, choreographed by Robert Helpmann and Pauline Grant, before joining the Royal Ballet. With the Royal Ballet he made four American tours and several European tours, including the first Holland Festival after the war and performances in L’Opera in Paris, La Scala in Milan, La Fenice in Venice, San Carlo, in Naples. Returning to America in 1958 he performed at Radio City Music Hall for one year before joining American Ballet Theater in 1960. In 1963 when ABT was on one of their many hiatus, he joined the Tour of Camelot, followed by Hello Dolly, Fiddler on the Roof, and a number of summer stock and dinner theater stints. In thirty seven years of teaching he directed the Fort Wayne Ballet, went to Cleveland Ballet, and then to Richmond Ballet as a full time teacher in 1982. His guest teaching in summer intensives has included the University of Alaska, Long Beach Ballet, Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and Dallas Ballet Center and Pittsburgh Youth Ballet for 17 and 16 years, respectively. For fun he travels to southern countries in the winter and Europe in the summer.
Paul Dandridge
MIM Teaching Artist and SRB Faculty
Bio coming soon…
Starrene Foster
STARRENE FOSTER, a Richmond native, is a performer, dance educator and the Artistic Director of Starr Foster Dance Project. Starrene is the recipient of the Theresa Pollack Award for Artistic Excellence and was recently featured on the PBS broadcast Virginia Currents. Foster was also awarded Richmond’s Most Prestigious 25 Arts Innovators, The Top 40 under 40 and has been nominated for two ARTSIE awards by the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle for her choreography. Starrene is the beneficiary of the 2003 VCU Star Alumni Award where she is presently in her fourteenth year as an adjunct faculty member. She has received grants from the Virginia Council for the Arts, and many commissions for new dance works from universities and various dance companies. Starrene teaches throughout the country and her choreography has been presented nationally which include: The Philadelphia Fringe Festival (PA), The Jack Guidone Theatre (DC), SUNY Buffalo (NY), The New World School (FL), Old Dominion University (VA), Cornell University (NY), James Madison University (VA), Dance Charlotte (NC), The Goose Route Dance Festival (WV), the Demetrius Klein Dance Festival (FL), The Richmond Ballet (VA), University of Richmond (VA), Scranton Cultural Arts Center (PA), Baltimore Theatre Project (MD), The Lorton Workhouse (DC), and the Festival of Choreography (NC). As a dancer, Starrene trained under many dance greats and has had the pleasure of training with and performing works by Mark Taylor, Chris Burnside, Doug Varone, Sharon Kinney, Ronald K. Brown, Mark Dendy, Pewan Chow (Hong Kong), Raul Parro (Mexico), among many others.
Kaye Gary
Bio Coming Soon…
Rebecca Hodal
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 21
REBECCA Z. HODAL completed her undergraduate degree at Bennington College, and holds an M.I.S. from Virginia Commonwealth University. Ms. Hodal lived on the west coast for several years, where she studied, choreographed, and performed through the Dancer’s Workshop and Metro Dance in Portland, Oregon. Ms. Hodal directed the dance program at George Wythe High School for the Arts in Richmond, VA for nearly a decade and has taught at the University of Richmond as adjunct dance faculty. Ms. Hodal is currently Director of Dance at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology. She has been a member of the faculty of The School of Richmond Ballet since 1990.
Patricia Mochary
YEARS WITH COMPANY: 17
PATRICIA MOCHARY, born and raised in Indiana, has lived in Richmond’s West End since 1991. She danced with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, where she worked with many renowned choreographers, including Frederick Franklin, Ruth Page, and Leonide Massine. She trained with Frano Jelencic and Edward Caton. She studied modern dance at the Martha Graham School. Her most recent dance training has been with Mark Morris’ Dance for Parkinson’s organization in Brooklyn, N.Y. She teaches in the Parkinson’s Dance program at Simply Ballroom, Midlothian, Va. She has been teaching at the Richmond Ballet since 1996. She enjoys painting and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Emily Poff
MIM Teaching Artist and SRB Faculty
Bio Coming Soon…
Kathie Reinoehl
KATHIE REINOEHL has an extensive background in dance, music, theater and art. She holds a B.S. in Arts and Sciences from University of Richmond. She’s performed and choreographed at UMKC, studied and performed at William Woods College, Webster College, and studied, performed and taught at VCU. As a member of the Dance, Ltd performing group she added stage managing, backstage technical support and costuming to her resume. A dance musician for over 25 years, she’s composed for dance and teaches private piano lessons. She teaches Invitation to the Dance students and Music and Movement classes for the Richmond Ballet.
Sarah Ruppel
SARAH RUPPEL BULLIS began her dance studies at the age of four with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland and at thirteen continued her training at the Washington School of Ballet. She spent her summers attending intensive programs at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and American Ballet Theatre of New York. After graduating, she studied for one year in the College Conservatory of Music’s B.F.A. program at the University of Cincinnati. She was then privileged to train with Edward Ellison in the first year of his pre-professional program in New York City before joining the Richmond Ballet as a Trainee. She enjoyed a professional career with the Sarasota Ballet of Florida, under the direction of Iain Webb, before returning to Richmond and joining the SRB faculty in 2010.
Rebecca Weger
Bio Coming Soon…
Jerry Weiss
Bio Coming Soon…
Betsy Gorman
School Administrative Director
Susan Collet
School Manager & Human Resource Assistant
Bio Coming Soon…
Katherine Bishop
SRB Music Supervisor
KATHERINE BISHOP (The School of Richmond Ballet Music Supervisor) received her Bachelor of Arts in music from Virginia Commonwealth University where she studied with Dr. Sonia K. Vlahcevic. She began accompanying for Richmond Ballet in 2003, and has been SRB music supervisor since 2008.
Katherine Bishop
SRB Music Supervisor
KATHERINE BISHOP (The School of Richmond Ballet Music Supervisor) received her Bachelor of Arts in music from Virginia Commonwealth University where she studied with Dr. Sonia K. Vlahcevic. She began accompanying for Richmond Ballet in 2003, and has been SRB music supervisor since 2008.
Blanton Bradley
Minds In Motion Music Supervisor and SRB Musician
Blanton Bradley, Jr. is a graduate of Arizona State University and Baylor University. Since 1997, he has been Musical Director for Richmond Ballet and most recently Minds In Motion Music Supervisor. Blanton has also been musical director for productions at SPARC, Dogwood Dell, and Theater VCU.
Rachel Shimkus
Bio Coming Soon…
Ashlee Albertson
Virginia Campbell
Ken Myers
Tricia Vesely
Joy W. Price
Carpenter Theatre Seating Chart
Carpenter Theatre Seating Chart: Single Tickets
Carpenter Theatre Seating Chart: Group Tickets
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Studio Theatre Seating Chart
Studio Theatre Seating Chart - Choreographer's Club
