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Stars of Tomorrow & Momentum
April 19, 2025
The Cast


STARS OF TOMORROW


Bye Bye Blackbird

Choreographer: Heather Rogers

Music: Fosse Ensemble 

Charlie Breton-Whipple, Camille Cacatian, Meredith Fleming, Caroline Graham (understudy), Nadia Howard, Cydney Jackson, Tabitha Lotter, Elsie Nabb, Dorothy Shirley, Kate Thompson, Gretchen Traud, Aislin Wolfman, Beatrice Zarnegar (understudy)


Wildfire

Choreographer: Natalie Macbeth

Music: Audiomachine

Maria Barzun, Bea Campanelli, Elliana Clayborne, Ysolte Green, Genevieve Hegge, Maeve Hutchinson, Adrienne Largiader, Emma Maurer, Maxwell Miller, Lucrecia Mullins-Aviles, Polina Salerno, Harper Scaglione, Virginia Stipe, Eleanor Walter


Don’t Slack

Choreographer: Kathryn Tokar

Music: Justin Timberlake

Miriam Lotter, Aria Magula, Luisa Shoch, Cate Suggs DeSorbo


The Art of Fugue

Choreographer: Mikey Knight

Music: Johann Sebastian Bach

Caroline Bruton, Avery Davis, Sofia Jardim, Sylvia Moses, Evelyn Popescu, Abby Stiffler


Never Say Impossible

Choreographer: Emily Cloyd

Music: Antonio Spaziani

Charlie Breton-Whipple, Camille Cacatian, Meredith Fleming, Caroline Graham, Nadia Howard, Cydney Jackson, Tabitha Lotter, Elsie Nabb, Dorothy Shirley, Kate Thompson, Gretchen Traud, Aislin Wolfman, Beatrice Zarnegar (understudy)


Budapest

Choreographer: Jeanne Berthy

Music: George Ezra

Maria Barzun, Bea Campanelli, Elliana Clayborne, Ysolte Green, Genevieve Hegge, Maeve Hutchinson, Adrienne Largiader, Emma Maurer, Maxwell Miller, Lucrecia Mullins-Aviles, Polina Salerno, Harper Scaglione, Virginia Stipe, Eleanor Walter


Yellow

Choreographer: Lily Lischke

Music: Stringspace

Miriam Lotter, Aria Magula, Luisa Shoch, Cate Suggs DeSorbo, Vivienna Reyes Smithley (understudy)


I Got Rhythm

Choreographer: Kathryn Tokar

Music: Ella Fitzgerald

Caroline Bruton, Avery Davis, Sofia Jardim, Sylvia Moses, Evelyn Popescu, Abby Stiffler


Mystery

Choreographer: Jessica Grant

Music: Sizzle Bird

Charlie Breton-Whipple, Camille Cacatian, Meredith Fleming, Caroline Graham, Nadia Howard, Cydney Jackson, Tabitha Lotter, Elsie Nabb, Dorothy Shirley, Kate Thompson, Gretchen Traud, Aislin Wolfman, Beatrice Zarnegar


Good Vibrations

Choreographer: Audrey Sikes-Dorman

Music: Ricky Reed

Maria Barzun, Bea Campanelli, Elliana Clayborne, Ysolte Green, Genevieve Hegge, Maeve Hutchinson, Adrienne Largiader, Emma Maurer, Maxwell Miller, Lucrecia Mullins-Aviles, Polina Salerno, Harper Scaglione, Virginia Stipe, Eleanor Walter


Find Your Self

Choreographer: Jessica Grant

Music: Sizzle Bird

Miriam Lotter, Aria Magula, Luisa Shoch, Cate Suggs DeSorbo


The Heart Asks Pleasure First

Choreographer: Heather Rogers

Music: Michael Nyman

Caroline Bruton, Avery Davis, Sofia Jardim, Sylvia Moses, Evelyn Popescu, Abby Stiffler


MOMENTUM


White Lies

Choreographer: Jeanne Berthy

Music: Night Run | René Aubry

Pre-Professional Advanced Dancers: Julia Aguirre, Georgia Barrow, Carson Fields, Kasumi Furukawa, Alicia Jiang, Lily Lischke, Natalie Macbeth, Erin Megonigal, Tilda Rajagopalan


Green

Choreographer: Izabelly Gleed

Music: AssanhadoJacob Do Bandolim

Pre-Professional Junior Dancers: Serita Barzun, Hazel Fulton, Narumi Furukawa, Elizabeth Gay, Ailyn Green, Rowan Green, Juliana Kelly, Walker Kretlow, Solveig Stewart, Grace Toe


Theme In Search Of A Movie

Choreographer: Keith Lee (2024)

Music: Theme in Search of a Movie by jazz musician Eddie Harris, which was gifted to Keith during his childhood by his father Laurence F. Lee.

Trainee Dancers: Isabella Becchi, Gabriella Fedewa, Taylor Friesen, Gillian Grossman, Ayana Leblans, Ryland Mettee, Adelyn Nicholson, Nekya Perry, Alyssa Robey, Sophie Satoh


Lullaby Blue

Choreographer: Ruth Sherman

Music: Gnossienne No. 1 | Performed by Alexandre Tharaud & Written by Erik Satie

Pre-Professional Intermediate Dancers: Ela Bassett-Taurel, Jocelyn Hurd, Layla Quinton, Preston Silvers, Eleanor Trimble, Brooklyn Whitley


Sunrise Yellow

Choreographer: Kate Arnson-Lauer

Music: Anywhere Is | Enya

Pre-Professional Advanced Dancers: Julia Aguirre, Georgia Barrow, Carson Fields, Kasumi Furukawa, Alicia Jiang, Lily Lischke, Natalie Macbeth, Erin Megonigal, Tilda Rajagopalan


Maiden, Mother, Crone

"Inspired by conversations with my mother, this piece delves into the timeless archetypes of the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. Through the expressive languages of Graham, Contemporary, and Ballet, the dancers embody these distinct feminine figures, weaving movement into character. This work is a reflection on the evolving experiences traditionally placed upon women—a poetic tribute to the sacred strength that emerges from carrying them.

Dedicated to my mother, who carried so much so that I could become who I am."  - Michael Knight 

Choreographer: Michael Knight (Premiere)

Music: The Art of Fugue | Karl Münchinger - Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra; Cannon a 2 Violini in Unisono, No. 13a, Contrapunctus V, Contrapunctus IV; By Johann Sebastian Bach

Trainee Dancers: Gabriella Fedewa (Soloist), Isabella Becchi (Demi Soloist), Emiley Harig (Demi Soloist), Nekya Perry (Demi Soloist), Taylor Friesen, Gillian Grossman, Ayana Leblans, Ryland Mettee, Adelyn Nicholson, Alyssa Robey, Sophie Satoh, Exodis Ward


Aubergine

Choreographer: Kate Arnson-Lauer

Music: Sonata Op. 40Performed by Markus Stockler and Viktor Yampolsky & Written by Dmitri Shostakovich

Pre-Professional Intermediate Dancers: Ela Bassett-Taurel, Jocelyn Hurd, Layla Quinton, Preston Silvers, Eleanor Trimble, Brooklyn Whitley


Navy Blue

Choreographer: Kathryn Conley

Music: Romantische Stucke, Op. 75 | Performed by Bohuslav Matousek & Written by Antonín Dvořák

Pre-Professional Junior Dancers: Serita Barzun, Hazel Fulton, Narumi Furukawa, Elizabeth Gay, Ailyn Green, Rowan Green, Juliana Kelly, Walker Kretlow, Solveig Stewart, Grace Toe


La Bayadère Variation

Choreographer: Originally by Marius Petipa, Restaged by Anna Sides

Music: La Bayadère, Act III: 44. Variation - 1st Soloist Shade by Ludwig Minkus

Trainee Dancer: Gabriella Fedewa


Room of Angels

"This work was deeply inspired and dedicated to those we have lost, but who surround us and guide us in our tangible world, especially during times of transition." - Shannon Alvis

Choreographer: Shannon Alvis (2018)

Music: Bitter and Sweet and III Breath, Crying Breath by Ezio Bosso

Trainee Dancers: Gillian Grossman, Emiley Harig, Ryland Mettee, Adelyn Nicholson, Sophie Satoh

Company Artists: Michael Knight, Isaac Lee


Pool of Tears

from CBA's upcoming production of 'Alice in Wonderland'

Choreographer: Kate Arnson-Lauer

Music: Carl Davis & Prague City Philharmonic Orchestra

Pre-Professional Advanced Dancers: Julia Aguirre, Georgia Barrow, Carson Fields, Kasumi Furukawa, Alicia Jiang, Lily Lischke, Natalie Macbeth, Erin Megonigal, Tilda Rajagopalan


Black Madonna

Choreographer: Ty Cooper Grace (Premiere)

Music: "Requiem in D minor, K.626" Performed by David Hirschfelder, David Hobson Chorale, & Kim Wheeler & Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Trainee Dancer: Exodis Ward


Giselle Variation

Choreographer: Originally by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli, Restaged by Anna Sides

Music: Giselle, Act I Variation by Adolphe Adam

Trainee Dancer: Nekya Perry


Amaryllis

“Amaryllis is a multi-generational piece that features both the professional company/trainees and pre-professional students from Charlottesville Ballet Academy. The amaryllis flower is symbolized both in the costumes and in the dancing that represents the flower’s strength, resilience, and beauty." - Sara Clayborne

Choreographer: Sara Clayborne (2024)

Music: “Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56” by Béla Bartók

Pianist: Katherine Nies

Trainee Dancers: Isabella Becchi, Ryland Mettee, Adelyn Nicholson

Company Artist:  Edgardo Lacaba

Also Featuring CBA Pre-Professional Students:

Julia Aguirre, Georgia Barrow, Serita Barzun, Ela Bassett-Taurel, Carson Fields, Hazel Fulton, Kasumi Furukawa, Narumi Furukawa, Elizabeth Gay, Ailyn Green, Rowan Green, Jocelyn Hurd, Alicia Jiang, Juliana Kelly, Walker Kretlow, Lily Lischke, Natalie Macbeth, Erin Megonigal, Layla Quinton,Tilda Rajagopalan, Preston Silvers, Solveig Stewart, Gracie Toe, Eleanor Trimble, Brooklyn Whitley


Student Ensemble

The Student Ensemble Program offers dancers performance opportunities throughout the academic year with a focus on ballet & other optional genres. This program emphasizes training, choreography, and performance while offering students the flexibility to pursue other interests.

Student Ensemble 1

Front Row: Harper Scaglione, Lucrecia Mullins-Aviles, Elliana Clayborne, Eleanor Walter, Ysolte Green

Middle Row: Maria Barzun, Emma Maurer, Adrienne Largiader, Maxwell Miller

Back Row: Genevieve Hegge, Maeve Hutchinson, Virginia Stipe, Polina Salerno


Student Ensemble 2

Front Row: Luisa Shoch, Cate Suggs DeSorbo

Back Row: Miriam Lotter, Vivienna Reyes Smithley, Aria Magula


Student Ensemble 3/4 

Front Row: Beatrice Zarnegar, Gretchen Traud, Nadia Howard, Meredith Fleming, Elsie Nabb

Back Row: Kate Thompson, Charlie Petres, Tabitha Lotter, Charlie Breton-Whipple, Aislin Wolfman

Not Pictured: Camille Cacatian, Caroline Graham, Cydney Jackson, Dorothy Shirley


Student Ensemble 5 

Front Row: Avery Davis, Imogen Fagan, Sylvia Moses

Back Row: Caroline Bruton, Abby Stiffler, Evelyn Popescu

Not Pictured: Sofia Jardim

Pre-Professional

The Pre-Professional Program is an intensive training track designed to prepare students for a career in ballet, with a focus on classical technique, diverse genres, and performance experience. Students receive rigorous instruction, work with guest choreographers, and perform alongside the professional company in various Charlottesville Ballet productions.

Pre-Professional Juniors

Front Row: Rowan Green, Serita Barzun, Juliana Kelly, Narumi Furukawa, Walker Kretlow

Back Row: Grace Toe, Elizabeth Gay, Solveig Stewart, Ailyn Green, Hazel Fulton


Pre-Professional Intermediate

Front Row: Brooklyn Whitley, Preston Silvers, Ela Bassett-Taurel

Back Row: Jocelyn Hurd, Eleanor Trimble, Layla Quinton


Pre-Professional Advanced

Front Row: Kasumi Furukawa, Julia Aguirre, Erin Megonigal, Alicia Jiang

Back Row: Natalie Macbeth, Lily Lischke, Georgia Barrow, Tilda Rajagopalan, Carson Fields


Guests Artists from the Professional Company
Production Team
Shannon Alvis
Guest Choreographer - 'Momentum'
Kate Arson
Pre-Professional Program Manager | Choreographer - 'Momentum'
Jeanne Berthy
Choreographer - 'Stars of Tomorrow,' 'Momentum'
Sara Clayborne
Co-Founder | CBA Director | Choreographer - 'Momentum'
Emily Cloyd
Artistic Associate | Choreographer - 'Stars of Tomorrow'
Kathryn Tokar Conley
Choreographer - 'Stars of Tomorrow,' 'Momentum'
Ty Cooper Grace
Artistic Associate | Costume Coordinator | Choreographer - 'Momentum'
Brianna Copeland
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kristina Edwards
Artistic Associate
Izabelly Gleed
Placement Manager | Costume Coordinator | Choreographer - 'Momentum'
Jessica Grant
Student Ensemble Manager | Choreographer - 'Stars of Tomorrow'
Emily Hartka
Co-Founder | Director
Mary Hein
Artistic Associate
Lori Jablonski
Company Manager
Jennifer Tweel Kelly
Artistic Associate
Cordelaine Klyne
Operations Manager | Stage Manager
Michael Knight
Choreographer - 'Stars of Tomorrow,' 'Momentum'
Derek Lauer
CBA Faculty
Keith Lee
Director of Diversity & Inclusion | Resident Choreographer | Choreographer - 'Momentum'
Caitlin Lennon
Director of Repertoire
Lily Lischke
Choreographer - 'Stars of Tomorrow'
Natalie Macbeth
Choreographer - 'Stars of Tomorrow'
Daniel Miller
Lighting Designer
Mari Mori
Artistic Associate
Heather Rogers
CBA Principal | Choreographer - 'Stars of Tomorrow'
Ruth Sherman
Choreographer - 'Momentum'
Anna Sides
Artistic Associate
Audrey Sikes-Dorman
Choreographer - 'Stars of Tomorrow'
Claudia Strawderman
Development Manager | Front of House Manager
Charlottesville Ballet Team

Thank you to everyone who made Stars of Tomorrow & Momentum possible!

About Charlottesville Ballet

Our Mission

To elevate the art of dance through wellness, performance, education, and community outreach.

About the Ballet

Charlottesville Ballet is a professional ballet company, academy, and nonprofit organization founded by Sara Clayborne and Emily Hartka in 2007. The organization has three parts:

PROFESSIONAL COMPANY

Charlottesville Ballet has no rigid physical aesthetic for its dancers and all body types are celebrated. The company includes dancers from across the United States and abroad and is the Resident Dance Company in Lynchburg’s Academy Center of the Arts.

ACADEMY

Charlottesville Ballet Academy (CBA) is a nonprofit center for dance education serving ages 1.5 through adult in all dance genres.

CB MOVES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Our FREE programming designed to serve underrepresented populations including seniors, disabled individuals, and those facing economic challenges. Classes are currently offered for ages 1-100 through the following programs:

  • Chance To Dance (C2D) serves students in grades K-5 in local public elementary schools. Each year, students are selected to receive lifetime scholarships to continue their dance training at CBA.
  • Movement For Parkinson’s weekly class for participants with movement disorders and their care partners; currently serving ages 50-100.
  • Silver Swans offers ballet classes for seniors age 50+ in partnership with The Center at Belvedere. 
  • Adaptive Dance classes for students with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or any other developmental or intellectual disabilities to explore the joy of dance. 
  • Once Upon A Ballet and other free programming for schools, libraries, and communities across Virginia. 

An integral part of the Ballet’s mission is to increase access and inclusion in dance. Classical ballet has historically catered to a specific body type and level of physical ability — we aim to change that stereotype and believe that dance is for everyBODY.  


COME DANCE WITH US!

We launched a new scholarship initiative in July 2024, and we are still accepting applications! See more at www.CharlottesvilleBallet.org/KLDF


Thank You To


Charlottesville Ballet is supported in part by