Contracted Artists

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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  Mia Benton  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

 

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.

 

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