Minds In Motion begins 3rd Israeli Residency!

It's been a while since we've posted, so today we're excited to bring you Katherine Smothers' first update from Minds In Motion's third annual Israeli residency!

Shalom! Jordan Livermon and I made it to Israel! After tricking our bodies into ignoring the 7 hour difference, we began teaching Minds In Motion at Beit Yitzhak Elementary School Sunday morning at 8:00 am. It is so exciting to be here and we were greeted with the smiles and hugs from hundreds of students. This year, we are teaching three 4th grade classes back to back. Then we work with a group of the Israeli students chosen for Team XL after last year's residency. These students will soon be joined by new 4th grade XL dancers. Like last year, we are also teaching the entire 5th grade. For the very first time, there is a special addition to our schedule and to the final Minds In Motion performance- participation by a class from the neighboring Arab village, Kalansawa. These Arab students will dance alongside the students from Beit Yitzhak. All of the dancers we worked with our first day were great and very enthusiastic. My Hebrew has improved, Jordan is learning some, and we are both learning bits of Arabic.

After our 6 classes yesterday, we were whisked off to Apollonia, an archeological site sitting on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It was spectacular! The weather here was near 80 during the day and, as the sun was setting over the Sea, we walked along a boardwalk watching surfers and families, saw a wedding, then ate dinner during a sudden thunderstorm!

We are looking forward to Brett joining us next week as we prepare for the final performance of this residency. Virginia's Governor McDonnell and the first lady will be in attendance and the preparations for that visit are underway!

Now we're off to explore & eat!! ~Katherine

Cleopatra Avery: A New Apprentice

Cleopatra Avery was a trainee for 2 years before becoming one of our new Apprentices for the 11-12 Season. We asked her what it's like to make the exciting transition...

What was it that first attracted you to the Richmond Ballet?

I honestly didn’t know much about Richmond Ballet before coming here, but when I came for my audition class I had the chance to watch the company rehearse Cinderella. I liked everything that I saw. Valerie Tellman was rehearsing the role of Cinderella, and I was impressed by her facility and artistry. I also remember her wearing a hot pink leotard with a matching pink skirt; she looked just like a princess!

What was the most enjoyable aspect of your experiences as a trainee with the School of Richmond Ballet?

I really have enjoyed the chance to take modern dance classes.

How did your two years in the trainee program at Richmond Ballet prepare you to earn the apprenticeship?

Being a trainee for two years made me aware of the way that the artistic staff likes things, stylistically. Plus, I already am familiar with some of the company’s repertoire; for instance, I already know a lot of the choreography from The Nutcracker from dancing in it as a trainee.

How does it feel to be starting out your career dancing full time with a ballet company?

It’s definitely exciting, but I know it's a lot of hard work. Starting at 10am instead of 1pm is definitely different, but it's a relief to not get up at 5:30am to go work before ballet class, like I did when I was working on my own in addition to doing the traineeship.

What are you most excited for this season?

I can’t wait to begin working on Coppelia. I love that ballet!

What are you most nervous about?

Picking up and learning modern choreography. The company is so quick when it comes to learning new movement!

How have your family/friends supported you in this process of preparing to dance with a professional company?

They’ll be coming down to see as many shows as they can! They’re definitely happy for me, and are glad that I’m here.

So far, how has your perspective towards dance/this profession changed since your being promoted to an apprentice?

Sometimes it’s frustrating to think about how far I have to go in my growth as a dancer. Even after dancing for 10 years, I feel like I know nothing, and want to be able to do certain things already. But, even though I have so much to learn, I’m glad to be working on it every day a little bit more!

Summer Plans: Company Women

The Company's on summer break from their rehearsals and performances here at Richmond Ballet, but it doesn't mean they've slowed down! Here's what the Company Women and Apprentices are up to this summer:

Cody Beaton hopped on the plane with some of her fellow Richmond Ballet dancers to Humboldt County, California, to perform as a guest artist in New World Ballet’s Cinderella. She also traveled to New York to throw a baby shower for her sister before coming back to RVA where she will take ballet classes with the School of Richmond Ballet until company rehearsals start up again on August 8^th!

Elena Bello spent the first part of her summer relaxing, spending time with her family in New Jersey, and attending Broadway plays in New York City. Now, she’s back in Richmond dancing in the School of Richmond Ballet’s 5-week Summer Intensive Program, along with her fellow SRB students, trainees, and apprentices.

Lauren Elizabeth’s summer started out with a trip home to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where many of her family and friends live. Soon after she returned to Richmond and moved into a new apartment! Now, Lauren is teaching ballet classes and taking class herself at Richmond Ballet while excitedly awaiting the start of her first season in the company!

Lauren Fagone is filling her days away from the rehearsal studio working on her condo, planting in her garden, hanging out around Richmond, drinking wine, and sewing new leotards to add to her high-quality collection of “Fagone-wear” (from which all the company ladies love to borrow). She is also taking trips to visit her niece, and she traveled to Humboldt County with several other Richmond Ballet dancers to take part in New World Ballet’s Cinderella.

Shira Lanyi had some minor toe surgery immediately following the end of the season, so the first item on her summer agenda was recovery and physical therapy so that she was ready to strap the pointe shoes back on as quickly as possible! Shira also traveled to California to serve as rehearsal assistant to Victor Temple, artistic director of Arcata’s New World Ballet, for the production of Cinderella. Shira got to visit family while she was in California as well. Following her time on the West Coast, Shira came back to Richmond where she was honored with the Alumni of the Year award from the Jewish Federation at the Chesed Award Dinner, before she headed to Israel to study Hebrew and take ballet class with Israel Ballet. Now, Shira is home in Richmond, where she is choreographing on students in the School of Richmond Ballet’s Summer Intensive workshop.

Maggie Small has a summer chock full of trips! First, she performed in San Angelo, Texas, with Thomas Garrett in Swan Lake. Continuing west, she joined the group performing Cinderella in the city of Arcata, and she also spent some time visiting her friend Lauren Breen (former Richmond Ballet company dancer) in Sacramento. Maggie is also spending more time in California, dancing for the second time as a part of the National Choreographer’s Initiative. On top of all that, Maggie is teaching ballet to students in Austin, Baltimore, and Harrisonburg. Whew!

Julie Smith has stayed mostly in the RVA area to intern in the development department at Richmond Ballet, while also taking a few courses with Regent University’s distance learning program and taking ballet classes in the School of Richmond Ballet. Julie has taken a few trips to Norris Lake in Tennessee to visit family and got to have some quality boating and swimming time!

Valerie Tellman started off her summer dancing the Blue Bird pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty in Williamsburg with fellow dancer David Neal before she joined the group in Humboldt County, California, for Cinderella. While out west, she spent some time visiting former Richmond Ballet dancers Lauren Breen and Christopher Nachtrab, who are both continuing their dancing careers in Sacramento. Valerie also traveled to Texas for her brother’s “honky-tonk wedding,” and made a trip to visit her sister and friends for a girls’ weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. The rest of her time is spent here in Richmond babysitting, teaching ballet classes, and taking ballet classes.

Cecile Tuzii is using all of her free time this summer working on designing and constructing tutus, as well as developing a new website for her budding tutu business. At the end of May, she and Igor went on vacation to Aruba for a week, and then they traveled to France (bon voyage!) for a few weeks in June to visit her family. Since their return, Cecile has been working some odd jobs, taking ballet class in addition to teaching in the School of Richmond Ballet Summer Intensive Program, and finally teaching for the last two last weeks of the summer in Harrisonburg and Norfolk before company rehearsals commence again in August!

Summer Plans: Company Men

The Company's on summer break from their rehearsals and performances here at Richmond Ballet, but it doesn't mean they've slowed down! Here's what the Company Men and Apprentices are up to this summer:

Igor Antonov traveled with Cecile to Aruba and France during the beginning of the summer for vacation and to visit family. After his travels, he returned to Richmond and is teaching for the School of Richmond Ballet Summer Intensive Program, working on renovating his home, fishing with his father and friends, keeping up with the yard work, and finding some time to relax as well!

Thomas Garrett started off his summer with Maggie Small dancing the role of Siegfried in Act II of Swan Lake in San Angelo, Texas. He also traveled to Humboldt County, California, to participate in Cinderella along with some of the other Richmond Ballet dancers. Now he has headed up to New York City to dance with one of Richmond’s favorite choreographers, Jessica Lang! After working with her for six weeks, Tommy will return to Richmond just in time for the start of the season.

Trevor Davis, having finished his first season as a company dancer, Trevor took a few opportunities to dance as a guest artist around Virginia, but is spending most of his summer here in Richmond. Along with his visiting brother, Marty, Trevor is enjoying time relaxing and is taking ballet classes as well.

Dylan Keane spent some time home in South Carolina working, golfing, swimming and enjoying some summer time off. He and the other apprentices are now back in the studio focusing on training in the School of Richmond Ballet’s Summer Intensive.

Samuel Lariviere is dancing with his fellow apprentices in the Summer Intensive Program at Richmond Ballet, after having had some time to visit home. While home, Sam took classes at the Nutmeg Conservatory (his alma mater), worked for his dad, hiked, camped, and spent time with his brother and sister.

Thomas Ragland’s summer includes excursions far outside his hometown of Richmond. Thomas performed the ballet Sleeping Beauty in Williamsburg, Virginia, and joined some of his fellow Richmond Ballet dancers in California for New World Ballet’s Cinderella. Next, he will participate in the National Choreographer’s Initiative as a dancer on which four up-and-coming choreographers will set entirely new works.

Ariel Rose returned to the Ballet Municipal de Lima, Peru's national ballet company, to perform with them as a guest soloist in their productions of Snow White and Romeo and Juliet, as well as to visit family there. This summer Ariel is also taking three more college courses online from the University of Massachusetts, where he has begun his Junior year.

Fernando Sabino went to Harrisonburg to work with Rockingham Ballet Theater before traveling out to California to perform in Cinderella. He then spent two and half weeks dancing in Puerto Rico! After all that dancing and traveling, he is now enjoying some well-deserved down time here in Richmond before starting back up with rehearsals for the 2011-2012 season.

Phillip Skaggs, orchestrator of the California trip that included so many of the RB dancers, performed as a guest artists in the New World Ballet’s production of Cinderella in Humboldt County. Phil then performed Sleeping Beauty in Burlington, Vermont. Now, Phil is passing his days teaching ballet and working on his recently purchased and self-renovated house…all while waiting for the arrival of his first-born son at the end of July! He and his wife, Katie (former Richmond Ballet dancer, Katherine Lynch, who has just received her nursing degree from Virginia Commonwealth University), are looking forward to this very exciting time!

Lauren Elizabeth On Becoming a Company Dancer

Along with other new Company Member bloggers Julie and Ariel, Lauren Elizabeth was recently promoted from Richmond Ballet Apprentice to Company Dancer!


When I was a little girl I used to set up a plastic ballet barre on my parents’ driveway and give myself what I imagined was “a class for professional ballerinas”. I would go through every combination I could think of using the technique I had learned in ballet class and added my own personal artistry. I’m sure back then I didn’t look like a professional dancer, rather just an imaginative little kid with dirt on her face from playing with Barbies in the garden, wearing a bathing suit with ruffles to substitute for a real tutu, but I was determined that someday, God would turn me into a real ballerina.

Becoming a Richmond Ballet company member has most definitely been one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me. Since I was very young I have wanted to be a dancer. I started taking ballet when I was just three years old, and soon after I got over my shyness in my early years and fell in love with dancing. Ever since I came to Richmond Ballet as a trainee four years ago, working my way up through my apprentice years, and now becoming a company member, I have felt that this is the perfect fit for me. This company is truly a family, and it offers so much more than I could have imagined. I have found that dancing here is not only fulfilling for one’s self artistically, but it’s also fulfilling to share a greater joy otherwise unknown to the public. Richmond Ballet creates a wonderful relationship with its audiences. We share relatable feelings through the art of movement, a way they may not be able to express themselves. That, to me, is such a blessing. There is nothing like being onstage, but even more than that, to hear the response of the audience and to feel them holding their breath in astonishment, is a treasure unexplainable.

I am so thankful for this promotion into the company because it is truly a dream come true. I believe that dancing is a way to glorify God and to reach and uplift the hearts of those watching it, and that is what I have been able to do here as a dancer, and look forward to continuing. “A real ballerina?” someone asked me in shock and amazement, as though I answered that I were the tooth fairy when they asked what I do. And with a chuckle I added, “They do exist”.

Photo: Lauren Elizabeth, 2011. Richmond Ballet, All Rights Reserved. Photo by Sarah Ferguson.

Becoming a Richmond Ballet Company Member: Julie Smith

Julie Smith, Richmond Ballet 08-09, 09-10 & 10-11 Apprentice and new 11-12 Company Dancer, weighs in on her recent, exciting promotion:

When I first found out that I had been promoted from my role as an apprentice with the Richmond Ballet into the professional company, my reaction was surprisingly nonchalant. It reminded me of the time when my parents gave me a bike for my ninth birthday; I sat there just staring blankly at it as the girls at my birthday party eagerly crowded around to inspect and gab about my new set of wheels. But as the reality sank in that this shiny red bike actually belonged to me, my numb astonishment gradually grew to elation. In the same way, all the emotions that one might expect to see in one whose childhood dream has finally become a reality came streaming out as the words “professional ballet dancer” began to register in my mind.

My excitement for the coming season grew most as the dancers and staff at the Ballet heard the news and so kindly congratulated the three of us (Lauren Elizabeth, Ariel Rose, and me) on our promotion. To some, misery loves company, but I’ve found that high spirits spread like wildfire with this group! So many people from Richmond Ballet’s history have themselves made the step from an apprenticeship to the professional company; they all could identify with the feelings of freedom and empowerment that it produces.

Looking forward to my first season as a company member, I’m so thrilled about having the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the professional dancers whom I grew up idolizing. They deserve respect for the way they played their roles, not just as performers on stage, but in the way they worked as representatives of the Ballet. When I was training at Cincinnati Ballet, I remember watching the company perform and admiring the beautiful movement. I dreamt of some day learning to dance with the same flair and candor. As I grew older, I had the opportunity as a student to rub shoulders (or in this case, tutus) in corps de ballet rehearsals with many of the same dancers whom I had revered on stage. I then saw the other side of these leaders’ inspirational performance, as they set an example for the younger dancers through their conduct. These individuals demonstrated the true character of a professional dancer: one who is whole-heartedly dedicated to the art form itself, possesses the personal work ethic required to reach one’s full potential, and maintains solidarity with one’s fellow team members in producing the best possible performance, all for the sake of awakening and uplifting the audience. I can’t wait to finally enter the career for which so many people labor, long, and live to experience.

I’m grateful to be blessed with the joy of dance in my life, and hope to spread that same bliss to all who come across the Richmond Ballet!