Richmond Ballet
The State Ballet of Virginia
Eri Nishihara
Company Dancer
Eri Nishihara, originally of Japan, began her training in Reno, NV. She holds a BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah, where she studied for two years before joining RBII. Entering her fifth season with the professional company, Eri enjoys being outdoors and spending time with friends. She also teaches ballet and is a piano accompanist for School of Richmond Ballet.
Education & Training
Tanihara Ballet Studio in Hiroshima, Japan, The Conservatory of Movement in Reno, Nevada, BFA in Ballet Performance (2014) from University of Utah.
Professional Experience / Career Highlights
My career highlight would be being promoted into the Company at Richmond Ballet!
What inspired you to become a professional dancer?
I always loved to dance wherever I went, ever since I was a little girl. That, combined with my passion for music, has kept me in love with dancing all my life. It didn’t occur to me that I might be able to dance as a professional until I saw young dancers pursuing their dreams. I think I was inspired by my friends; they gave me the courage I needed to give it a go at something that was merely a dream.
What is your favorite role that you’ve performed?
I loved performing Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty. It was so exciting to feel challenged and it was the most fun to perform! That was the first time I got to perform a classical pas de deux as a professional on a big stage.
What do you enjoy about being part of Richmond Ballet?
We are a small company so we get to be close friends dancing all day, every day. The camaraderie makes even the hardest dancing days fun. I love that each dancer here is so unique; it’s so exciting to see everyone shine in different pieces and roles!
What do you like about living in Richmond?
I absolutely love walking around Richmond; it’s a beautiful city with lots of character. I never get tired of exploring this city and the nature around it. The local food scene is very fun too!
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing off-stage?
I love to be outside! I’m always looking for opportunities to walk, hike, go for a run, and picnic! I played classical piano for a long time growing up, so I also really love to go into the studio when it’s empty and “borrow” the piano to play.
A photo gallery of Eri's artistry
Company Dancers
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.
Celeste Gaiera
Enrico Hipolito
Sabrina Holland
Colin Jacob
Khaiyom Khojaev
Jack Miller
Naomi Robinson
Joe Seaton
Sarah Joan Smith
Izabella Tokev
Ronald Wagstaff
Ira White
Naomi Wilson
RBII Dancers
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.
Kaeley Andrews
Nicole Bui
Jackson Calhoun
Courtney Collier
Roland Jones
Garret McNally
Zacchaeus Page
Paul Piner
Marjorie Sherman
TRAINEES
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
Artistic Staff
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.
Stoner Winslett
Artistic Director
Ma Cong
Associate Artistic Director
Malcolm Burn
Artistic Associate
Judy Jacob
Artistic Associate & Chairman of the Faculty
Jerri Kumery
Artistic Associate
Igor Antonov
Artistic Associate and Richmond Ballet II Director
