In 2007, two ballerinas decided Charlottesville needed a ballet company. Thus, Emily Mott, a Roanoke, VA native, and Sara Jansen, originally from New York, co-founded the Charlottesville Ballet Company. Jansen, who was teaching in the area, and Mott, who was pursuing academic studies at U.Va, decided that with the broad spectrum of arts in Charlottesville, a professional ballet company could fill an important niche in the dance community.
“Charlottesville Ballet is truly unique in their mission,” explains company member Caitlin Lennon. “Many dance companies put a lot of pressure on their dancers to maintain an unhealthy body weight, or to continue dancing, even when sick or injured… Charlottesville Ballet encourages their dancers to be healthy, whole people.” Also unique to the company is their choreography, or inspiration for ballet pieces, ranging from a piece inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper to a children’s ballet called “A Fairy Tale Gathering.”
Inspiration can even come from performing. “It really makes me feel fantastic knowing that, not only am I having a great time, but my performance can affect members of the audience in how they feel,” explains Lennon. After all, ballet is, in ten words, “communicating with an audience using physical movement in technical form.” It is distinct from other dance genres in its “use of line, form, shape, and also the use of the torture device (circa 1800) called the pointe shoe,” explains Mott. For company member Emily Oppelt, “Dance is life expressed through movement.” This passion for dance is shared by all members of the company, fueling growth and development.
In the midst of their second performing year, publicity plays a key factor in the company’s continual success. “It’s really about getting the word out,” explains Lennon. “Once people know about us, they’re thrilled that a local dance company can bring professional performance to the community.” In order to perfect this professional quality, the company rehearses four days a week, for four hours during regular weeks of the season.
Besides technique classes and hours of rehearsal, the dancers have been faced with many challenges. “My biggest challenge has been money,” offers Jansen. “There is a constant struggle between doing what you love and trying to make a living.” For Mott, the struggle has been a balance between academic and artistic interests. “We may work on the side to help support ourselves, but this is what we want to do with our lives,” explains Mott. Interestingly, the company was first called Ma-at Ensemble, using the Egyptian word to encapsulate the “ balance” this company seeks, on and off the dance floor. “The company makes it possible for dancers to pursue multiple passions,” confirms Oppelt.
Mott and Jansen hope for continual growth within the company, from more dancers and a larger apprentice program, as well as their own building and studio space.
The ten company members include Jansen, Mott, Lennon, Oppelt, as well as Ashley Chipman, recent U.Va graduate, Tyrone Cooper, Neva Russo, Rachel Terry, Rachel Turner, and Heather Lively. The artistic team behind the company includes Keith Lee, Associate Director, Ariadne Conner, Co-founder and Choreographer in Residence, Kelly Silliman, Choreographer in Residence, and Nicole McGurn, Artistic Associate. On April 16th and 17th, Charlottesville Ballet Company will be performing at the Ix Building Theater. Visit their website, for performance.
1. Visit the animals in need of a home at the Charlottesville/Albemarle SPCA.
2. People watch on the Downtown Mall.
3. Have a margarita at Continental Divide.
4. Go for a walk on the Rivannah Trail.
5. Wander around UVA and marvel at how beautiful of a campus we have.
6. Carter Mountain Orchard
7. Drinking at Jefferson Vineyard and visiting Monticello.
8. Fridays After Five
9. Mono Loco
10. See Charlottesville Ballet perform!