
Garret McNally started dancing in Romulus, MI at the age of three, after which he began dancing competitively and ballet training with the Robert Ivey Ballet in Charleston, SC. In 2014, he attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts until 2017. While attending college, he performed with New Orleans Ballet Theatre until graduating in 2021. This is Garret’s first year in Richmond Ballet’s second company.
Education & Training
New Orleans Ballet Theatre, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Charleston Ballet Theatre, Robert Ivey Ballet
What inspired you to become a professional dancer?
Once I began pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of New Orleans, I knew my purpose was to dance. I told my family that once I graduated I did not want to dance, but rather that I needed to.
What do you enjoy about being part of Richmond Ballet?
I love the very kind atmosphere from everyone here and being surrounded by the many people I know.
What do you like about living in Richmond?
I love that Richmond is a very comfortable and scenic place to be.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing off-stage?
Off-stage I study past historical events through reading, and visual media. I also build scale models of ground, air, and maritime vehicles.
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.
Richmond Ballet II, our second performing company, is comprised of talented young dancers between the ages of 18 and 22. RBII members perform their own diverse repertoire on tour across the Commonwealth as well as alongside the main company in mainstage productions.
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.
Richmond Ballet Trainees - Second Year
First Row: Savannah Cherry, Sage Polak, Emma Block, Gianna DeMassio
Second Row: Sarah Shaw, Gabrielle Goodson, Maia Culbreath, Carrington Martin
Third Row: Madeline Duritza, Seth Mostofsky, Allison Bell, Darius Mealy, Claire Duritza
Richmond Ballet Trainees - First Year
First Row: Kennady Jackson, Ella Warren, Katrina May Thomas
Second Row: Carter Bush, Kendall Taylor, Parker Edmondson, Sheridan Brown, Anna Orzulak, Garrett Janiak
Third Row: Cade Bolz, Gavin Haas, Ephraim Bullock, Daniel Miller
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.