Ballet Virginia is excited for our upcoming “Season Opening” mixed repertoire performances on November 7th at 2 PM and 6 PM at the Virginia MOCA Museum Theater. The company will perform contemporary and classical works. This professional group of talented artists continues to raise the level of dance performances in Hampton Roads.
“It’s exciting to work with such an amazing group of diverse dancers from all over the country. The range these dancers have from their ballet to contemporary skills will bring so much artistry, passion and fire to the stage! Along with dynamic new works, I think Hampton Roads will be proud to call us their professional ballet company.” says Lydia Roberts Coco, Ballet Virginia’s professional company artistic director and choreographer.
Our “Season Opening” will showcase works by Ms. Coco, a former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater principal dancer and sought-after choreographer. The feature work will be set to Ravel’s musical masterpiece, “Bolero”, and include all ten company members in innovative and mesmerizing choreography. The performances will also feature choreography by Ballet Virginia’s artistic directors, Suzanne Lownsbury and Janina Michalski who will add members of Ballet Virginia’s second company (BVII) to their works.
The Virginia MOCA Museum Theater offers an intimate setting with easy access from I-264 as well as on-site parking. The contemporary art museum is located at 2200 Parks Avenue, near the Virginia Beach oceanfront resort area.
The upcoming season, Ballet Virginia’s 14th, also includes a collaborative performance of “Bolero” with Symphonicity on October 17th at the Sandler Center, seven performances of “The Nutcracker” from December 15th to 19th at the Sandler Center, “Truth and Beauty” winter repertoire at Zeiders American Dream Theater on February 4th and 5th plus February 6th at Norfolk State University and “Sleeping Beauty” on April 9th and 10th. Live orchestra accompaniment from Symphonicity is planned for all public performances of “The Nutcracker”.
Tickets for Ballet Virginia’s “Season Opening” are on sale at EventBrite.
Summer is just around the corner and if ever there was a year to celebrate summer this is it! We’re thrilled to be in the studios with our dancers. We continue to follow the latest COVID-19 guidelines for Virginia and we’re happy that all our faculty are fully vaccinated.
There is something for every dancer from ages 18 months through adults at Ballet Virginia. Read on for details on each program. Continuous training over the summer is strongly encouraged to maintain technique, strength, stamina and flexibility. All dancers will remain in their current level when registering for summer.
Six-Week Summer Session: June 21 to July 31
This program offers training during weekday evenings and Saturdays, much like the academy year at both our Norfolk and Virginia Beach locations. Summer is also a great time for new students to experience what Ballet Virginia has to offer. We offer classes for ages 18 months through adults during this session. Attend the entire session or a minimum of three weeks.
This program is a great choice for families that want to have their days free to enjoy other summer activities. We’ve also noticed that many students make great progress during the summer months without the added obligations of academic schooling.
Summer FLEX Program: June 21 to July 30
This program offers additional training to Levels 5 and up (or by invitation) for dancers interested in pre-professional training. Summer FLEX meets Monday through Friday from 1 PM to 4 PM. Classes in ballet, pointe, variations, modern and more will be offered. This program is to be taken in tandem with the student’s summer session classes. Attend the entire session or a minimum of three weeks.
This program is a great choice for dancers who would benefit from the experience of a summer intensive as it is combined with their evening classes to give them a full day of training.
Camps, Workshops and Intensives: June 28 to August 20
Ballet Virginia’s week-long programs offer challenging and age-appropriate training in ballet and other dance forms along with a performance each Friday for family and friends.
We start with our much-loved “Storybook Camps”. This is a lovely half-day camp that’s a perfect introduction to summer camps for ages 4 to 7. Along with a daily ballet class these little campers will create characters, make their own costumes and create a ballet to perform on Fridays. Sign up soon as these camps tend to fill.
June 28 to July 2
Storybook Camp in Norfolk: 9 AM to Noon for ages 4 to 5 OR 9 AM to 1 PM for ages 6 to 7. This camp week is full.
July 26 to July 30
Storybook Camp in Virginia Beach: 9 AM to Noon for ages 4 to 5 OR 9 AM to 1 PM for age 6 to 7. There are three spots left in this camp.
As our dancers mature, they are ready for a full-day of dancing. Workshops 1 and 2 offer a daily ballet class along with pointe or pre-pointe, modern, choreography and more. Each workshop ends with a performance on Friday.
August 2 to 6
Workshop 1 – 9 AM to 5 PM for Levels 1 through 4 or ages 7 to 14 with prior training
August 9 to 13
Workshop 2 – 9 AM to 5 PM ($375) for Levels 3 through 7 or ages 10 to 15 with prior training
The Intensive is tailored to high intermediate and advanced pre-professional dancers. This rigorous week of dance offers a daily ballet class along with pointe, conditioning, modern and choreography.
August 16 to 20
Pre-Professional Intensive (level 5 and up or by invitation, must be placed if new student); 9 AM to 5 PM
We hope that with all the wonderful programs you will be able to make dance a part of your summer.
For more information:
WEBSITE: Summer Programs Main Page
CALL: 757-446-1401
EMAIL: academy@balletvirginia.org
We are so proud of you all and have truly enjoyed watching you grow up! It’s been a year like no other but you all have danced through it with grace and positivity.
We asked all our graduating high school seniors what’s next for them and to share something special about their time at Ballet Virginia. Read on to get to know these impressive young people.
Amy Strickland
I’m going to ODU this fall and I’m planning on becoming a physical therapist.
Being at Ballet Virginia has helped me learn how to work and stay positive even when things are difficult or feel stagnant.
Charlotte Mann
I will be attending the College of William and Mary this fall to pursue a degree in Elementary Education.
Some of my favorite memories at Ballet Virginia are from performing in “The Nutcracker” as a ‘Party Girl’ and part of the ‘Marzipan Corps’, as well as having the opportunity to teach in the Children’s Program this past year.
Delia Allen
I am attending Virginia Tech for Fashion Merchandising and Design.
Some of my favorite memories at Ballet Virginia were the time we had a lock-in and slept over at the studio, when we went to SERBA for the weekend, and when I got to play the role Clara in the Nutcracker. As well as the countless rehearsal memories, dressing room memories, and forever friends.
Emily Kodolitsch
I will be attending the College of Charleston and majoring in Biology.
Some of my favorite memories at Ballet Virginia are when I was helping teach younger dancers. I have learned a lot from them and have been
given the opportunity to teach my own class.
Imani David
My future plans is becoming a professional dancer and also a fashion designer
My favorite memory at Ballet Virginia is when we learned my first variation ever LOL. It was Kitri!
Jazzmin Smeltzer
Jazzmin will be attending Lancaster Bible College in the fall. She will be majoring in Elementary Education. She will be continuing her dancing at college.
Jazzmin learned to keep going no matter what. One of her fond memories was the December 2020 piece they performed for a virtual audience from Ms. Julia’s class.
Kaylee Bejarano
I will be attending Clemson University next fall to study business
Something special about Ballet Virginia is how much of a second family it has become for me. Being there so often, I have been able to grow really close with the other dancers and make a lot of great friendships that I am so thankful for.
Leah Trimble
Next year I will be attending college at James Madison University. I’m majoring in kinesiology and hope to one day do physical therapy on dancers.
My favorite memory will always be getting to perform Gardenia in The Nutcracker. It was a role where I felt like I could truly let go and dance. I’ll never forget how free and happy I felt in those magical moments.
-Compiled by Lisa McCarty
