
Michael Duncan is originally from Marietta, GA where he began his dance training at the age of six. He trained at Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre in Marietta, GA until the age of 17. There, he trained closely under Kathryn McBeth and Ashleigh Whitworth. In 2019 he was invited to further his dance training with the Cincinnati Ballet in their Professional Training Division on scholarship. He studied there for three years working closely alongside the company. In 2022, Michael was offered the position of RBII Apprentice at Richmond Ballet. He was chosen to perform in Katarzyna Skarpetowska’s Scarred Bouquets as well as numerous roles in Stoner Winslett’s production of The Nutcracker. In the spring he performed in Yury Yanowsky’s Fading Creatures. Shortly after Michael was offered the position of Company Apprentice for this season. He is thrilled to continue his journey with Richmond Ballet.
Michael Duncan is originally from Marietta, GA. He trained at Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre from age six to 17. While there, he trained closely under Kathryn McBeth and Ashleigh Whitworth. In 2019, he was invited to further his dance training with the Cincinnati Ballet in their Professional Training Division on scholarship. He studied there for three years working closely alongside the company. In 2022, Michael was offered the position of RBII Apprentice at Richmond Ballet. He was chosen to perform in Katarzyna Skarpetowska’s Scarred Bouquets as well as numerous roles in Stoner Winslett’s production of The Nutcracker. In the spring he performed in Yury Yanowsky’s Fading Creatures. Shortly after Michael was offered the position of Company Apprentice for this season. He is thrilled to continue his journey with Richmond Ballet.
Our professional company is made up of elite dancers from around the world who have helped earn Richmond Ballet critical acclaim. Dance/USA says Richmond Ballet is “a jewel among U.S. dance companies,” while The Washington Post calls it “a company to which dance fans everywhere ought to pay attention.” We’re proud of all that our company dancers bring to Richmond, and the world.
The Richmond Ballet Studio Company is the highest level of the Pre-Professional Division of School of Richmond Ballet, featuring exceptional student dancers from across the country. The eleven-month program includes a diverse range of performance opportunities such as Lecture Demonstrations, Richmond Ballet Company mainstage performances, and the end-of-season showcase with the Richmond Ballet Trainees.
First Row
Avalon Kirby
Second Row (L-R):
Tekhylon Armour
Katrina May Thomas
Third Row (L-R):
Itay Krasnovsky
Hannah MacLeod
Josiah Lax
Rika Kinoshita
Darius Mealy
Kennady Jackson
Cade Bolz
Founded in 1993, the nationally recognized Richmond Ballet Trainee Program offers select advanced students a transitional experience to bridge the gap between the academic ballet setting and the world of professional dance. The Richmond Ballet Trainee Program is one of the few in this country that enables aspiring dancers to pursue formal dance training and gain valuable performance experience with a professional company.
First Row (L-R):
Chelsea Hacking
Kate Swales
Genesis Robinson
Second Row (L-R):
Tess Moayedi
Eden Wilson
Isabella Vanik
Gillian Carr
Third Row (L-R):
Oliver Gardner
Alexis Dawson
Bella Ownby
BriAnna Binzak
Sydney Stutzman
Benjamin Piner
The Artistic Staff at Richmond Ballet is made up of international professionals who each bring incredible talent, expertise, and credentials to their respective roles. With impressive backgrounds and world experience, they offer a unique perspective that has helped shape our organization over the years. For over 40 years, Stoner Winslett has served as the founding Artistic Director of Richmond Ballet, the first major company of professional dancers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is one of the longest tenured artistic directors of a major ballet company and one of the country’s few female artistic directors. In June 2020, acclaimed choreographer Ma Cong joined Richmond Ballet as its first ever Associate Artistic Director.