The Rockbridge Ballet

Senior company dancer, Arsema Casper, attended multiple musical theater intensives this summer with various theater companies throughout Virginia, including Mill Mountain Theatre Academy, Blue Forest Theatre Academy, and Act One Musical Theater Camp. She trained in musical theater style dance, singing, and acting. During her two-week intensive with Mill Mountain Theatre Academy, Arsema was cast as Medda Larkin in their production of Newsies, Jr. 🎭

Here are Arsema’s thoughts about her time with Mill Mountain Theatre Academy:

“The two weeks I spent at the Mill Mountain musical theater summer intensive were filled with amazing memories that I will carry with me for all my life. I learned a lot about my stage presence and how to become a better performer overall; from singing with emotion, to dancing with heart, to acting with confidence. I made lots of great friends and had many wonderful teachers. I cannot wait to learn more when I go back next summer!”

You are a STAR, Arsema! ⭐️ We are so proud of you! ✨

Senior company dancer, Ava Huger, attended the University of Michigan Dance Team training camp this summer. Geared toward students interested in competitive collegiate dance programs, this clinic provides rigorous technical training and sideline and game-day routines led by the official coaching staff and guest choreographers of the MDT. 💙💛

“This summer I had the opportunity to go to the Michigan Dance Team training camp where I got to work on improving my technique and learn new skills. While I was there I learned a lot about where I need to improve with my technique, but I also was able to be confident and find myself as a dancer. Their head coach, Karen Heimke really emphasized making choreography your own while you’re performing it. That was something I really loved about Michigan - they made individuality so important. I’m so grateful for getting to know people on the team as well as coaches and I’m excited to be back next year!!”

✨ You’re amazing, Ava! We are so proud! ✨

Shouting Happy Birthday to Kennedy! 🎉 You are so incredible! We are grateful to know you and dance with you! 💖

Senior company dancer, Stelly Crocker, attended the JMU Next Steps Dance Intensive this summer. 💜💛 Over the 6-day intensive, she took technique class with JMU faculty, learned repertoire from dancers at NVA & Guests, and participated in professional development seminars.

This is what she had to say about her experience: “JMU was such an amazing experience. It helped me find my love for dance again and it showed me to not be scared to dance with my heart. My teachers were so helpful and caring. They gave me corrections that were so helpful! I miss JMU so much already!”

Way to go, Stelz! 💜💛 We are so proud of you!

We are so excited to announce that Emiley Harig has joined our teaching staff! ⭐️

Emiley began her dance training at the age of seven with Valley Dance Theatre, where she studied a wide range of dance styles and competed throughout her years as a student. During the 2018/2019 season, she was selected as a Company Member with World Class Talent Experience, where she had the opportunity to train under the direction of Lindsey LeDuc.

After graduating from high school, Emiley joined the faculty at Valley Dance Theatre, where she discovered a passion for mentoring young dancers and helping them grow both technically and artistically. She later earned certifications in Acrobatic Arts and Personal Training, expanding her knowledge of strength, conditioning, and safe movement practices. Emiley returned to the stage as a Trainee with Charlottesville Ballet during the 2024/2025 season before being accepted as a Company Artist with Conflux Dance Theater, where she currently performs. She has also portrayed ballet roles with Listeso Music Group as a professional artist.

As an instructor, Emiley is passionate about fostering a positive, encouraging environment where dancers develop strong technical foundations, confidence, artistry, and a lifelong love of dance.

Welcome Miss Emiley! 🎉 We are thrilled to have you on our team this year!

Senior company dancer, Lilly Wunder, attended the Cary Ballet Conservatory Summer Dance Intensive in Cary, North Carolina this summer. Lilly participated in the 3-week program led by faculty and guest instructors with intense technical training in classical ballet, pointe/pre-pointe, variations, contemporary, and conditioning. 🩰

Some personal thoughts from Lilly about her experience: “My time at Cary Ballet Conservatory helped me to become more confident in my abilities and overall performance. Personalized feedback and corrections greatly influenced my technique and quality of my dancing. I made many friends and had amazing teachers that believed in me the whole way through even in the first few days when I was incredibly nervous. I was pushed farther than I thought I could go and felt freer dancing than I have in a long time. I’m happy to be back home with all the things I’ve learned but I will always treasure my time in Cary.”

We are SO PROUD of you, Lilly! 🩷

We are THRILLED to announce that we have been awarded a General Operating Support Grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts! 🎉 This state funding acknowledges our impactful contributions to Virginia, Rockbridge County, and its citizens. As a non-profit organization, The Rockbridge Ballet provides a nurturing and creative environment for students and promotes the arts throughout the region. Our school, TheStudio for Dance & the Arts, serves over 200 students and our pre-professional company is comprised of over 30 members.

The Rockbridge Ballet is proud to accept this award from the VCA. This funding will go a long way in assisting in our mission to provide an exceptional dance education for our local youth, to discover and nurture promising young dancers of diverse backgrounds, and to offer performance opportunities beyond dance school recitals.

We are so grateful for this recognition and support! ✨
Learn more about The Virginia Commission for the Arts at www.vca.gov.

📸: Tequila Dates

We are so honored to announce Samantha Jo Boitnott (Dunham) as our new Community Outreach Coordinator! Sam began dancing at her local community center in Lawrence, KS, at the age of 5. Growing up, she trained in a multitude of dance forms at the Lawrence Arts Center and Kansas City Ballet and performed with the pre-professional Regional Dance America Honor Company Lawrence Ballet Theatre. Professionally, Sam danced with Oklahoma City Ballet and Fort Wayne Ballet before joining Roanoke Ballet Theatre (RBT) in 2023, where she continues to perform and choreograph as a company member.

Outside of dance, Sam graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern New Hampshire University in 2025 with a Bachelor’s in English and Creative Writing and interned with RBT’s Director of Development to write grants, lead outreach events, and create new community participation roles in RBT’s The Nutcracker. She is delighted to be joining The Rockbridge Ballet and cannot wait to work with the dancers and the Lexington community!

Welcome Ms. Sam! 🎉 We are SO happy that you are bringing your expertise and energy to our studio this year! 💖

A note from Evelyn 💫

I am looking forward to seeing you at our Open House on August 13 from 5-7 pm. I am so excited to spend another year with our wonderful dancers. Stay tuned for a few exciting announcements and we can’t wait to see you back in the studio when classes start! 💛

Open House: 8/13, 5-7 pm
First Week of Dance: 8/24 - 8/28

Happiest Birthday to Parker! 💛 We are so excited to have you join the company this year. We hope you have the best day! ☀️