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Welcome To the Jungle’
Rockbridge Ballet Wraps Up Year With Recital
The Rockbridge Ballet returns to the stage this Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, with a year-end recital entitled “Welcome to the Jungle.”
All 181 dancers of The Rockbridge Ballet will dance during this school-wide performance featuring over 56 dances, in four performances.
The Rockbridge Ballet was thrilled to offer a full concert season for 2023-24, complete with guest artists, innovative choreography, and the groundbreaking performances that these dancers consistently offer. The dancers, faculty and staff are delighted to perform on the stage of the Gillis Theater at Virginia Military Institute.
This year’s production will feature dancers from age 3 to adult dancing to short choreographed pieces relating to this year’s theme of “Welcome to the Jungle.”
The works were choreographed by the teachers of TheStudio and The Rockbridge Ballet: Artistic Director Jessica Pyatt Martin, Assistant Director Kitty Burke, Meagan Herald, Evelyn Branscome, Maeve Dick, Braigen Britt, and Tom Boss.
GRADUATING seniors Emma Woody, Sydney Boucher, Ella Schmidt, Catherine Balkey and Hannah Stephens. Not pictured is Madison Poulsen. (Haley Sigler photo)
ELLA SCHMIDT
CATHERINE BALKEY Dancers will perform works such as “Hippos,” “Chameleons” and “Butterflies” in the varied dance styles taught at TheStudio, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern dance and acrobatics.
A highlight of the year-end recital is the chance to recognize and give a special sendoff to the year’s graduating seniors. The 2024 graduating seniors include Catherine Balkey, Sydney Boucher, Madison Poulsen, Ella Schmidt, Hannah Stephens, and Emma Woody.
The senior dancers, most of whom have danced with the Rockbridge Ballet since elementary school, reflect fondly on their experience as Rockbridge Ballet dancers, as Sydney Boucher stated, “The students and staff have welcomed me with open arms since I was a 6-year-old little girl. I felt an outpouring of compassion and support the very first time I walked through TheStudio doors ...”
Catherine Balkey remembers the hard work and dedication that is required to be a successful company dancer but also treasured the human connections she formed throughout her dance years, “TheStudio has shaped me into the person I am today by teaching me confidence and endurance… I am surrounded by the greatest of people,” she said.
Hannah Stephens stressed how the Ballet became a second home to the dancers: “The thing that is the most prominent to me is my second family. I have formed such good, loving relationships with the teachers and fellow dancers.”
The seniors, including Madison Poulsen, all appreciate the skills that dance has taught them. “With dance, I’ve learned responsibility, respect, and dedication,” she said.
Emma Woody remembers the sense of teamwork that dance provides. “Every time I’m on stage dancing, I look into the wings and I’m always overwhelmed with all the support and love from the dancers and staff,” she said.
With an eye to the future, Ella Schmidt stated, “The Rockbridge Ballet and TheStudio have and will always have a positive impact on me, my friends, my family, my teachers, and my community. I’m forever thankful to be a part of a community filled with so much love.”
TheStudio for Dance & the Arts serves students from all over the Rockbridge County and surrounding areas and includes a pre-professional company. Advanced and intermediate students are eligible to audition for The Rockbridge Ballet.
Company dancers are often accepted to esteemed programs for advanced study including the Joffrey Ballet School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Nashville Ballet, and the Bates Young Dancer Program. Graduates attend collegiate dance programs at schools such as the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, Goucher College, James Madison University, and Temple University.
The organization is accepting new dancers of all ages and experience levels for summer classes and camps, and is accepting enrollment for the fall term.
The Rockbridge Ballet will perform “Welcome to the Jungle” Saturday, May 4, at 1 and 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 5, at 1 and 5 p.m.
