‘On The Move’

Rockbridge Ballet Presents Year-End Recital

The Rockbridge Ballet returns to the stage this weekend, May 9, 10 and 11, with its yearend recital shows entitled “On the Move.”

All 182 dancers of the Rockbridge Ballet will dance during this school-wide production featuring over 50 dances, with four performances over Mother’s Day weekend.

The shows will be held at the Lenfest Center Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 6:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.

This year’s production will feature dancers from age 3 to 17 dancing to short, choreographed pieces relating to this year’s theme of “On the Move.”

The works were choreographed by the teachers of TheStudio and the Rockbridge Ballet: artistic director Jessica Pyatt Martin, Kitty Burke, Meagan Herald, Evelyn Branscome, Caitlin McAvoy, Braigen Britt, Kelsey Owens and Lorna Horres.

Dancers will perform works such as “Sailing,” “Rocket Ships,” “Race Cars,” and “Running” in the varied dance styles taught at TheStudio including ballet, tap, jazz, modern dance, hip hop, musical theater and acrobatics.

A highlight of the year-end recital is the opportunity to recognize and give a special send-off to the year’s graduating seniors. The two graduating seniors for 2025 are Grace Fleshman and Lena Greer, both of whom have grown up dancing with the Rockbridge Ballet.

Fleshman, who began her dance career at age 3, will go on to study media arts and design at James Madison University in Harrisonburg next fall. While thinking of her time at the Rockbridge Ballet, she reminisced, “Since I can remember, dance has been an important part of my life, my passion, and the way I define myself as a person. Even though I have changed grades and schools, dance has always remained a constant in my life. Through dance, I have seen myself grow as a person.”

Greer will study acting and musical theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City in the fall. Greer, who has danced with the Rockbridge Ballet since the age of 5, said, “When I think back on my life and the things that have shaped me the most, dance is the first thing that comes to mind. Being on the stage and performing have always been my passion since I was little, but the Rockbridge Ballet offers more than just that. It offers a family and a safe space for everyone.”

TheStudio for Dance & the Arts serves students from all over the Rockbridge County and surrounding areas and includes a preprofessional company. Advanced and intermediate students are eligible to audition for the Rockbridge Ballet. Company dancers are often accepted to esteemed programs for advanced study, including the Joffrey Ballet School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Nashville Ballet, and the Bates Young Dancer Program. Graduates attend collegiate dance programs at schools such as the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, James Madison University, and Temple University. The organization is accepting new dancers of all ages for summer classes, camps, and for classes starting in the fall.

Tickets for this weekend’s performances are $12 and are available at TheStudio at 126 Walker St. in Lexington or by calling (540) 463-3436. More information about The Rockbridge Ballet can be found at www.rockbridgeballet. org.