Sarah Ferguson - Richmond Ballet
photoshoot

Sarah Ferguson

Education & Community Programs Director and Company Photographer

Hometown: Urbanna, VA // Joined: 2005

Sarah Ferguson joined Richmond Ballet in 2005 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Dance and Choreography. Sarah has held various roles in the organization, as an arts administrator for Minds In Motion and the School of Richmond Ballet, as an Executive Assistant, Tour Coordinator, and most recently in Human Resources and Operations. She was honored to be featured in the DANCE Magazine supplement "Beyond Performance 2008" for her work as a performer with Starr Foster Dance Project, as an arts administrator, and as a dance photographer. In 2015 as the Tour Coordinator, Sarah helped orchestrate the largest tour in Richmond Ballet’s history to four cities in China. She has also served as the company photographer since 2010, with her work appearing in many national and international publications, and her photography was recently featured in Ma Cong’s world premiere ballet Chiaroscuro for Richmond Ballet in 2019. Sarah has choreographed for the Minds In Motion Ambassador program, and most recently for the professional company in the February 2021 Studio Series. Sarah is currently the Education & Community Programs Director and Company Photographer for Richmond Ballet.

School of

Richmond Ballet

FACULTY  /   ADMINISTRATION  /   MUSICIANS

Faculty

The Faculty of The School of Richmond Ballet is comprised of knowledgeable instructors who share a mutual love for dance and teaching. While performing is considered the pinnacle of dance, the unseen practice and hard work in the classroom is where students spend most of their time. And under the guidance of a dedicated teacher, they’re able to reach their fullest potential.

Judy Jacob headshot, Artistic Associate & School Director.
Judy Jacob
Artistic Associate & Chairman of Faculty
Tara Penick
Tara Penick
School of Richmond Ballet Director
Igor Antonov headshot, Richmond Ballet II Director & Ballet Master.
Igor Antonov
Artistic Associate and Studio Company Director
Deanna Seay
Deanna Seay
Trainee Program Coordinator
Gabor Szigeti
Men’s Program Coordinator
Cecile Tuzli
Cecile Tuzii
Ensembles Coordinator
Anne Sidney Hetherington
Anne Sidney Hetherington
Children's & Lower Division Coordinator
Lauren Fagone
Artistic Associate
Starrene Foster
Starrene Foster
Faculty
Kristen Gallagher
Faculty
Jasmine Grace
Jasmine Grace
Faculty
Keeley Hernandez
Faculty
Susan Israel Massey
Susan Israel Massey
Faculty
Eri Nishihara
Eri Nishihara
Faculty
Melanie Richards
Faculty
Callye Robinson
Faculty
Naomi Robinson
Naomi Robinson
Faculty
Sarah Ruppel Bullis
Sarah Ruppel
Faculty
Sabrina Holland
Sabrina Sabino
Faculty
Casey Shepard
Faculty
Susheela Varky
Faculty
Katherine Smothers headshot, Associate School Director, Community Engagement.
Katherine Smothers
Faculty
Ira White
Ira White
Faculty

Administration

The Administration of the School of Richmond Ballet is made up of a highly organized, devoted team. On any given day, they know what’s happening at the School and help keep our multitude of classes, programs, and special events running smoothly.

Misha Joao
SRB Student and Family Administrator
Kate Fillenwarth
SRB Programs Administrator
David Sandborn
Account & Business Analyst

Musicians

The Musicians at the School of Richmond Ballet are a valuable asset in creating a unique and joyful class experience. In keeping with tradition, our ballet and modern classes are accompanied by live music – a true gift to instructors and students alike.

Portrait of Rachel Shimkus
Rachel Shimkus
School Music Administrator
Sharon Berg
Accompanist
Judy Bice
Accompanist
Amy Hruska
Accompanist
Shellie Johnson
Accompanist
Ken Myers
Ken Myers
Accompanist
Portrait Placeholder - Male
Dave Robbins
Accompanist
Portrait Placeholder - Male
Jim Smithson
Accompanist
Portrait Placeholder - Male
Keith Tan
Accompanist
Joy Price\
Joy Weaver
Accompanist
Doris Wylee-Becker
Musician

FACULTY

 Faculty

The Faculty of The School of Richmond Ballet is comprised of knowledgeable instructors who share a mutual love for dance and teaching. While performing is considered the pinnacle of dance, the unseen practice and hard work in the classroom is where students spend most of their time. And under the guidance of a dedicated teacher, they’re able to reach their fullest potential.

Judy Jacob headshot, Artistic Associate & School Director.
Judy Jacob
Artistic Associate & Chairman of Faculty
Tara Penick
Tara Penick
School of Richmond Ballet Director
Igor Antonov headshot, Richmond Ballet II Director & Ballet Master.
Igor Antonov
Artistic Associate and Studio Company Director
Deanna Seay
Deanna Seay
Trainee Program Coordinator
Gabor Szigeti
Men’s Program Coordinator
Cecile Tuzli
Cecile Tuzii
Ensembles Coordinator
Anne Sidney Hetherington
Anne Sidney Hetherington
Children's & Lower Division Coordinator
Lauren Fagone
Artistic Associate
Starrene Foster
Starrene Foster
Faculty
Kristen Gallagher
Faculty
Jasmine Grace
Jasmine Grace
Faculty
Keeley Hernandez
Faculty
Susan Israel Massey
Susan Israel Massey
Faculty
Eri Nishihara
Eri Nishihara
Faculty
Melanie Richards
Faculty
Callye Robinson
Faculty
Naomi Robinson
Naomi Robinson
Faculty
Sarah Ruppel Bullis
Sarah Ruppel
Faculty
Sabrina Holland
Sabrina Sabino
Faculty
Casey Shepard
Faculty
Susheela Varky
Faculty
Katherine Smothers headshot, Associate School Director, Community Engagement.
Katherine Smothers
Faculty
Ira White
Ira White
Faculty

ADMINISTRATION

 Administration

The Administration of the School of Richmond Ballet is made up of a highly organized, devoted team. On any given day, they know what’s happening at the School and help keep our multitude of classes, programs, and special events running smoothly.

David Sandborn
Account & Business Analyst
Misha Joao
SRB Student and Family Administrator
Kate Fillenwarth
SRB Programs Administrator

MUSICIANS

 Musicians

The Musicians at the School of Richmond Ballet are a valuable asset in creating a unique and joyful class experience. In keeping with tradition, our ballet and modern classes are accompanied by live music – a true gift to instructors and students alike.

Portrait of Rachel Shimkus
Rachel Shimkus
School Music Administrator
Sharon Berg
Accompanist
Judy Bice
Accompanist
Amy Hruska
Accompanist
Shellie Johnson
Accompanist
Ken Myers
Ken Myers
Accompanist
Portrait Placeholder - Male
Dave Robbins
Accompanist
Portrait Placeholder - Male
Jim Smithson
Accompanist
Portrait Placeholder - Male
Keith Tan
Accompanist
Joy Price\
Joy Weaver
Accompanist
Doris Wylee-Becker
Musician