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.

 

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

 

Company Artists

 

Kevin Burnside, Soloist

 

Senior and Junior 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.

 

Senior Company

 

Cate Feinen ~ Eleanor Kraatz ~ Hanna Laible-Seif
Janie Lee ~ Emma Rypka ~ Emily Shunk
Ava Teague ~ Grace Williams Kim

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

Shanley Davis ~ Irine Kim ~ Lydia Stevens
Emma Tong ~ Samantha Walden

 

Junior Company

 

Sarah Lee ~ Victoria Mahaffey ~ Lahori Mitra
Rosy Odum ~ Quincy Payton ~ Christina Rao ~ Eleanor Rypka

 

Apprentices

 

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.

 

Nora Anderson ~ Rhiannon Breg ~ Nora Croop
Lenora Donohue ~ SB Gergen ~ Lillian Hinds ~ Emma Lan
Jett Lewin ~ Belle Lewis ~ Kate Lippert~ Sameena Raj-Underhill
Rachel Riha ~ Fletcher Sowers ~ Elise Yang

 

Trainees

 

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.

 

Alumni