Meet Rachel | Dancer of the Year Nominee

“ I began dancing in Los Angeles at the age of 10, later setting focus in ballet with opportunities to train in schools around the country including Pacific Northwest Ballet, LINES Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Chicago, North Carolina Dance Theatre, and the Richmond Ballet. I am ecstatic to have been nominated for the Dancer of the Year RVA Dance Award, and really owe this nomination to my many mentors and supporters, Shannon Hunter McConville, Nicole Mickey Shaver, Madison Ellis Ellington, Lisa Rumbauskas, and of course to my many beautiful and talented dance students at the West End Academy of Dance who I love so dearly. My fun fact is that my favorite activities outside of ballet are tap dancing, water aerobics, hanging out with Bretta (my cat) and crying over episodes of the Great British Baking Show.”

Ballet, VMFA, Virginia Repertory, RVA Dance Awards, STAVNAKatrina Taggart-HecksherNovember 24, 2019Ballet, Ballet Photography Session, STAVNA Academy, Stavna Ballet, West End Academy of Dance, Virginia Repertory Theatre Comment

Meet Nicole | Best Ballet Choreography Nominee

“I’m honored to be nominated as Best Ballet Choreographer. My passion is telling the audience a story through innovative ballet. I’m humbled and amazed to be recognized in the RVA dance community, with such a talented group of artists. “

Ballet, RVA Dance Awards, STAVNA, VMFA, J'AdoreKatrina Taggart-HecksherNovember 17, 2019VMFABallet, Choregrapher, Stavna Ballet, J'Adore Dance Comment

Meet Noelani

I am currently in a place in my dance journey, where I have never been more in love with dance. Each week is full of learning, creating, and just completely going for it.

Modern Dance, VCU, STAVNAKatrina Taggart-HecksherOctober 23, 2017VCU DanceVCU Dance, Stavna Ballet, Modern Dance Photography Session, dELIRIUM, Thomas Dale High School Specialty CenterComment

Meet Morgan

As I grew and matured, dance became so much more than that. It became a means for me to work through and process my emotions and gave me the opportunity to turn negative feelings into beautiful movement. Dance is my way of expressing emotions that I can’t put into words.

STAVNA, VCUKatrina Taggart-HecksherOctober 2, 2017VCUStavna Ballet, VCU, Ballet Photography Session

Meet Daniella

"I dance because there is nothing more powerful than creating. Dance is an expression of art that allows anyone to feel all types of emotion through the movement of the body. It is so incredibly amazing to be able take a canvas of movement and create artistry. " Daniella of STAVNA Ballet

Ballet, STAVNA, VMFAKatrina Taggart-HecksherAugust 20, 2017VMFABallet Photography Session, Stavna Ballet, VMFA Comment

Meet Mattie

"However, what is meant to be will be and I was meant for dancing. "

STAVNA, BalletKatrina Taggart-HecksherAugust 7, 2017Richmond State CapitolBallet Photography Session, Modern Dance Photography Session, Stavna Ballet Comment

Meet Heather

For me, this experience is where I've always wanted to be… To be a part of something bigger than myself. To contribute to this art - the amazing art of ballet - in a meaningful way. But... I wasn't sure it would ever be a possibility.

Ballet, STAVNAKatrina Taggart-HecksherJuly 30, 2017Pony Pasture, Richmond VAPony Pasture, Stavna Ballet, Ballet Photography Session, Richmond Virginia, Richmond Photographer, Dance Photographer, Dance Photography

Meet Jen

"Dance has always been a constant in my life. It’s what I grew up doing and it’s what I have fallen in love with. I can’t imagine my past without it nor dream of a future that did not include it. Creating art and articulating movement is how I think."

STAVNA, BalletKatrina Taggart-HecksherJuly 16, 2017Main Street Train StationMain Street Station, Richmond, Richmond Virginia, Train Station, Sta, Stavna Ballet, STAVNA Academy Comment

Meet Rachel

"Dance is as much apart of me as the air that I breathe. I hope to step on stage until I’m gray and old, and that I continue to dazzle the audiences until the curtain closes."

STAVNA, BalletKatrina Taggart-HecksherJuly 9, 2017Deep Run ParkBallet Photography Session, STAVNA Academy, Stavna Ballet, Deep Run ParkComment

Meet Mandy

"My schedule is always booked, my days are always full, and that’s how I thrive--most of the time. When I’ve overcommitted myself (again!), I walk in the studio and dance. I disconnect from my to-do list, focus on foot, arm, and head placement, and create art. I walk out better than I walked in. That’s what dance does for me; it makes me better."

STAVNA, BalletKatrina Taggart-HecksherJuly 2, 2017THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA Dance Photographer, Dance Photography, DANCERS OF RVA, The Library of Virginia, Stavna Ballet, Richmond Photographer, Dance, Ballet Photography Session Comments

Meet Shannon

"Dance has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. So much so that it is at the center of my very being. It's not just that I like to dance or love to dance; it's that I have to dance."

STAVNA, BalletKatrina Taggart-HecksherJune 25, 2017Maymont ParkDance, Maymont, STAVNA Academy, Dance Photography, Dance Photographer, Gianna Grace Photography, Dancers of RVA, Dance StudioComment

Dancers of rva is a heart project that shares the passion and stories of dancers in the richmond, va area.

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email: dancersofrva@gmail.com