Contracted Artists

Company Dancers

 

Cate Feinen          Eleanor Kraatz          Leo Lewis          Emma Rypka
Lorenzo Pantano          Ava Teague          Grace Williams Kim

Annika Drasgow          Daisy Grace Lewis          Claudia Lundsgaard
Janaki Raj-Underhill          Elizabeth Seong          Wes Shunk

Shanley Davis          Irine Kim          Lydia Stevens          Emma Tong          Samantha Walden

Samuel Drasgow          Victoria Mahaffey          Rosy Odum
Quincy Payton          Christina Rao          Mia Sherman

 

Junior Company Dancers

 

Channon Goodrum          Jett Lewin          Belle Lewis          Lahori Mitra
Sameena Raj-Underhill          Eleanor Rypka          Fletcher Sowers

 

Apprentice Dancers

 

Nora Anderson          Mia Beeton          Nora Croop          Lenora Donohue          Lillian Hinds
Emma Lan          Kate Lippert          Rachel Riha          Elise Yang

Nathaniel Batsie          Connor Croop          Alaina Davis          Gabriela Mackay          Ellery Messer
Hazel Powell          Jeannette Saenz          Tate Sowers          Seth Stevens          Isabel Tanner-Lane

 

Company

Dancers ages 13 and up with ballet experience audition for the Company simultaneously with a role in The Nutcracker. Company dancers are required to maintain participation in ballet classes and must attend the Company class prior to rehearsals on Saturday afternoons.  Company dancers are required to complete service hours to benefit the company. All company members participate in Champaign Urbana Ballet’s spring production.

 

Apprentice

Children age 10-12 with ballet experience audition for the Apprentice program. Apprentice dancers are required to maintain participation in ballet classes and also must attend the Apprentice class prior to rehearsals on Saturday afternoons. Apprentice dancers are encouraged to give volunteer hours back to the company. Apprentice dancers may participate in Champaign Urbana Ballet’s spring production.

 

Trainee

Children ages 8-10 are eligible for nomination into the Trainee program, which is a preparatory step to the Apprentice program. Trainees are selected for the program in the fall of the year and attend weekly seminars throughout the spring.  Trainees participate in a 45-minute seminar for 10 consecutive Saturday mornings beginning the 2nd weekend of January.  Members of the Senior Company guide young dancers through the Trainee program, which culminates at the end of the year with the Student Production. Trainees are invited to participate alongside Apprentice and Company dancers in this entirely student led production -- from choreography to costumes. Trainees build strong peer relationships in a fun and supportive environment. Trainees are expected to maintain participation ballet classes and may be invited to participate in Champaign Urbana Ballet’s spring production.

 

Bonnie Ziegler Award Recipients

 

The Bonnie Ziegler award was established in 2007 and is given to a dancer in recognition of outstanding leadership, commitment to excellence, and a positive attitude.

 

Elijah Ochs, 2023          Farah Willenbrock, 2022          Hanna Laible-Seif, 2021

Isaac Lee, 2019          Irina Cheng, 2018          Angie Song, 2017          Nick Hittle, 2015

Maeva O'Brien, 2013          Erica Johnston, 2010          Olivia Cangellaris, 2007

 

Alumni