Richmond Ballet
The State Ballet of Virginia
Ira White
Company Dancer
Ira White, native to Richmond, Virginia, discovered his love for dance through Richmond Ballet’s Minds In Motion program. Soon after, he signed up for ballet and other countless classes that Richmond Ballet offered. Over the years, he rose through the ranks of the School, including a year spent in its trainee program and three seasons in the second company. He is proud to be in his seventh season with the main company and has the privilege of teaching Musical Theater Dance to School of Richmond Ballet students.
Education & Training
School of Richmond ballet from 2004-2011
Professional Experience / Career Highlights
Three seasons RBII and seven seasons in the main company!
What inspired you to become a professional dancer?
Knowing the joy I was sharing with the audience is what made me want to pursue dance as my profession. I love making people feel better than how they felt before coming to see a show.
What is your favorite role that you’ve performed?
One of the sailors in Fancy Free, Soloist in Carmina Burana and The Moor in The Moors Pavane.
What do you enjoy about being part of Richmond Ballet?
I love that I have been a part of this organization for so many years and get to share my experiences and love of dance with new and equally passionate dancers and students.
What do you like about living in Richmond?
It’s a comforting and lovable city. There’s always something for anybody and it’s taking the right steps to becoming a state for any and all peoples.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing off-stage?
I love watching movies with friends, cooking for family and finding fun new places within the city to explore!
A photo gallery of Ira'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
Patrick Lennon
Jack Miller
Eri Nishihara
Naomi Robinson
Joe Seaton
Sarah Joan Smith
Izabella Tokev
Ronald Wagstaff
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
