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: Assanhado | Jacob 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. 40 | Performed 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
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
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
Thank you to everyone who made Stars of Tomorrow & Momentum possible!
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
