Company Members

Ballet Virginia is a professional ballet company in residence at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts under the direction of Lydia Roberts Coco. The company performs both classical and contemporary works in venues throughout Hampton Roads. These talented artists strive to bring diversity, passion and artistry to the stage with every performance.

Company Artistic Director

Ms. Roberts Coco began her own professional career as a member of the  Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble (the Ailey junior company) where she danced for three years. She then performed with the Jamison Project under the direction of Judith Jamison.  After the passing of Alvin Ailey, Lydia was invited by Judith Jamison to become a member of the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Once again under the direction of Ms. Jamison, Lydia toured nationally and internationally as a principal dancer with the AAADT for seven years. Her credits include leading roles in Pas De Duke, Night Creature, Fix Me Jesus from Alvin Ailey’s signature piece Revelations, Suite Otis and many others. Lydia has worked with many choreographers including Alvin Ailey, Lar Lubovitch, Tally Beatty, Elisa Monte, Jerome Robbins, George Faison, and Ulysses Dove.  She has performed at renowned theatres such as Lincoln Center, City Center, Kennedy Center and The Paris Opera House.

Lydia is honored to be Ballet Virginia’s Company Artistic Director. She has choreographed numerous new works as well as set some of her best works on the professional company. New works created for Ballet Virginia include Bolero, Dark Instincts, FIVE and Last Breath. She continues to work towards her artistic vision of  making Ballet Virginia’s professional company something that excites and inspires the Hampton Roads community. Lydia is passionate about making sure our community knows that we have an amazing group of ethnically as well as artistically  diverse dancers.

Lydia is also on Ballet Virginia’s academy faculty where she has been teaching ballet and modern since 2008.

Company Members

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Click here for Jared’s bio

Jared Brunson

Ballet Virginia Company Member
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Click here for Lanie’s bio

Lanie Jackson

Ballet Virginia Company Member
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Click here for Julia’s bio

Julia Stewart

Ballet Virginia Company Member
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Ema Amuial

Ballet Virginia Apprentice
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Click here for Gianna’s bio

Gianna Coco

Ballet Virginia Company Member
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Click here for Montes’s bio

Montes Pirtle

Ballet Virginia Company Member
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Click here for Leah’s bio

Leah Upchurch

Ballet Virginia Company Member
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Click here for Jalen’s bio

Jalen Williams

Ballet Virginia Company Member
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