Avant Dance

We’re back!

Today is the FIRST DAY of dance classes and we couldn’t be more excited to have our dancers back in the studio!

Here’s to a new season of learning, growing, working hard, and doing what we love.

We’re back!

Today is the FIRST DAY of dance classes and we couldn’t be more excited to have our dancers back in the studio!

Here’s to a new season of learning, growing, working hard, and doing what we love.

Samuel Shapiro, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, began his ballet training under the guidance of his mother, Brantly Shapiro, at Wake Forest University. At age 11, he entered the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he trained with distinguished faculty members including Duncan Noble, Nina Danilova, and Gyula Pandi. At 17, Shapiro was accepted into The Royal Ballet Upper School in London, where he trained for three years and graduated with commendation. During this time, he performed in The Royal Ballet’s productions of Cinderella, La Fille malgardée, The Firebird, La Valse, and Manon. Following his training in London, Shapiro joined Boston Ballet II and performed with Boston Ballet in productions including Giselle and Romeo and Juliet. He then spent two seasons with North Carolina Dance Theatre, performing a diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary works. Among his favorite roles were performances in Dwight Rhoden’s Broken Fantasies and Mark Godden’s Dracula. Shapiro later worked as a freelance artist, touring and performing with Tulsa Ballet, Fort Wayne Ballet, and Ballet Nacional de Panamá. He joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet for the 2011–2012 season, performing works by Larry Keigwin, Benjamin Millepied, and Ethan Stiefel. From 2013 to 2015, Shapiro appeared as a guest artist with various companies while expanding his work as a dance educator. Over the following years, he has collaborated extensively with director James Darrah and choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, performing in acclaimed productions including Opera Omaha’s Semele, Medea, and Proving Up; the San Francisco Symphony’s Das klagende Lied and SoundBox series; Iris at Bard SummerScape; and site-specific performances for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his performing career, Shapiro is a dedicated educator who teaches workshops and master classes throughout the United States. He also serves as a judge and faculty member for Showstopper Dance Competition, where he mentors and educates young dancers across thecountry. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Dance at Wake Forest University.

Sam Shapiro hails from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He began his ballet training at Wake Forest University under the direction of his mother, Brantly Shapiro. At age 11, he entered the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied with the entire faculty including Duncan Noble, Nina Danilova and Gyula Pandi. At age 17 he joined The Royal Ballet’s Upper School where he danced for three years, graduating with commendation. Sam danced in the Royal Ballet’s productions of Cinderella, La Fille Mal Gardee, Firebird, La Valse and Manon. He spent two years in Boston Ballet II and performed with Boston Ballet in many ballets such as Giselle and Romeo and Juliet. After Boston he spent two years with The North Carolina Dance Theater performing classical and contemporary repertoire. Favorite roles included Dwight Rhoden’s Broken Fantasies and Mark Godden’s Dracula. The next year was spent touring, performing freelance with Tulsa Ballet, Fort Wayne Ballet and Ballet National de Panamá. He joined The Royal New Zealand Ballet for the 2011-2012 season, dancing roles by Larry Keigwan, Benjamin Millipied, and Ethan Stiefel.
2013-2015 was spent performing as a guest artist with various companies and perfecting his skills as a dance educator.For the last 5 years Shapiro has worked closely with director James Darrah and choreographer Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, performing in Opera Omaha’s ‘Semele’, San Francisco Symphony’s ‘Das Klagende Lied’ and their SoundBox series, as well as ‘Iris’ at Bard Summerscape and site specific work for The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Sam currently teaches workshops and masterclasses around the country in addition to being a visiting guest lecturer at Wake Forest University and primary instructor at University North Carolina School of the Arts.

Happy 12th Birthday! 🩷🎉

Wishing you the best day! Watching you over the last three seasons with Avant has been such a joy. You have such a beautiful personality, and your smile and talent light up the stage. We can’t wait to see what this season has in store for you. Have an amazing birthday!

Happy Birthday, Eden

Wishing you the happiest birthday! It has been such a joy getting to watch you these last two years at Avant, and we can’t wait for Season 3. You are so talented, smart, and beautiful inside and out. We hope you have the best birthday!

Happy 12th Birthday, Amelia! 🎉🩷

From starting dance at just 4 years old to spending the last 4 years at Avant, it’s been so special watching you grow into the beautiful and talented dancer you are today.

We hope your day is as amazing as you are. Happy Birthday! 🩰

New city, big stage…
Wishing Bella, Caroline & Zavannah the best of luck as they take the stage this weekend