Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet

We cannot wait for recital this weekend! Join us for fun the Sunday at 1pm and 6pm at the Hylton Performing Arts Center!

⭐️ Senior Spotlight ⭐️
Tatiana is one of our Class of 2026 Dancers!

Tatiana has danced with OCCB for three years and we are proud of all the work she’s done and her commitment to ballet. 🩰

⭐️ Senior Spotlight ⭐️
Mackenzie is one of our Class of 2026 Dancers!
How old were you when you started dancing?
5

How long have you been at OCCB?
5 years.

What role/performance meant the most to you?
Gladys from Whodunnit. That was when I found I love acting different characters and realized how much I wanted to improve in dance.

What class or correction changed you the most as a dancer?
Ms. Sara’s “one percent correction. That a little effort and a little change can grow into something bigger.

What’s something ballet taught you outside the studio?
It taught me patience. To continue to work even if it takes a long time to get to my goals.

What advice would you give the little dancers looking up to you?
Remember to have fun!

What does “Do It the Ordway” mean to you?
“Do It the Ordway” to me is trying to be a good person to yourself and others no matter the situation. It’s doing the best you can to better yourself and learning from every moment.

What’s next for you after graduation?
Doing whatever I dream up.

What kind of impact do you hope to make in the world?
I hope to bring love to the world and be a comfort to others in hard times. I hope I can be an example that you can make your dream come true if you believe in yourself.

Photos by Artistry Reimagined

⭐️ Senior Spotlight ⭐️
Nia is one of our Class of 2026 Dancers!

How old were you when you started dancing?
4

How long have you been at OCCB?
4 years

What role/performance meant the most to you?
Dew Drop meant the most to me.

What class or correction changed you the most as a dancer?
Ms Saras class has changed me the most.

What’s something ballet taught you outside the studio?
It’s taught me the ability to be able to adapt to things quicker.

What advice would you give the little dancers looking up to you?
To push through and try your best every day, even when you don’t feel like it

What does “Do It the Ordway” mean to you?
“Do it the Ordway” to me means to be kind and encouraging to everyone.

What’s next for you after graduation?
After graduation I will attend VCU to major in Marketing with a concentration in communications and analytics. I also hope to be able to minor in dance and take dance classes.

What kind of impact do you hope to make in the world?
I hope I inspire younger dancers by showing them that they can achieve this too.

⭐️ Senior Spotlight ⭐️
Alexis is one of our Class of 2026 Dancers!

How old were you when you started dancing?

I started dancing at 3 years old.



How long have you been at OCCB?

I have been at OCCB for 5 years.



What role/performance meant the most to you?

The roles that meant the most to me were Snow Queen in The Nutcracker and Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.



What class or correction changed you the most as a dancer?

Technique class has helped me grow the most physically and mentally as a dancer.



What’s something ballet taught you outside the studio?

Ballet has taught me to always work my hardest and to have confidence.



What advice would you give the little dancers looking up to you?

Enjoy every moment because time goes by fast.



What does “Do It the Ordway” mean to you?

To me “Do It the Ordway” means to always try your best and be kind to others.



What’s next for you after graduation?

Next year I will be attending James Madison University and will be majoring in finance.



What kind of impact do you hope to make in the world?

I hope to leave a positive impact to the world by being kind and helping others.



Photos by Artistry Reimagined

⭐️ Senior Spotlight ⭐️
Aidan is one of our Class of 2026 Dancers!

How old were you when you started dancing?

3



How long have you been at OCCB?

8 years



What role/performance meant the most to you?

Whodunnit



What class or correction changed you the most as a dancer?

Character class.



What’s something ballet taught you outside the studio?

Work discipline.



What advice would you give the little dancers looking up to you?

The feeling of not knowing means you still have room to grow.



What does “Do It the Ordway” mean to you?

To never quit, and to help people reach their goals.



What’s next for you after graduation?

I’ll be joining Charlottesville ballet as a company artist.



What kind of impact do you hope to make in the world?

I hope to bring the joy of dance straight to children, just how it came to me.



Photos by Artistry Reimagined

⭐️ Senior Spotlight ⭐️
Hayden is one of our Class of 2026 Dancers!

How old were you when you started dancing?

4



How long have you been at OCCB?

6 years



What role/performance meant the most to you?

Black Swan



What class or correction changed you the most as a dancer?

Mr Shady’s class



What’s something ballet taught you outside the studio?

How to present myself.



What advice would you give the little dancers looking up to you?

Trying your hardest will be different every day.



What does “Do It the Ordway” mean to you?

To try your best, even when your best is 50%.



What’s next for you after graduation?

I will be going to George mason majoring an early childhood education



What kind of impact do you hope to make in the world?

to make sure everyone knows that they are loved and everything will work out.



Photos by Artistry Reimagined

⭐️ Early Graduate Spotlight ⭐️
Claire is graduating early!

How old were you when you started dancing?
3

How long have you been at OCCB?
3 years.

What role/performance meant the most to you?
I loved being Mary Poppins and the housekeeper.

What class or correction changed you the most as a dancer?
Mr.Shadys class along with Ms Sara’s words of wisdom.

What’s something ballet taught you outside the studio?
It has taught me patience and work ethic.

What advice would you give the little dancers looking up to you?
Remember your why and when it gets hard, push through, you are not alone and have help.

What does “Do It the Ordway” mean to you?
Be encouraging and supportive to everyone.

What’s next for you after graduation?
I will be a trainee with Charlottesville Ballet and a full-time college student.

What kind of impact do you hope to make in the world?
I hope to always be someone others can come to.

Photos by Artistry Reimagined

⭐️ Senior Spotlight ⭐️
Camille is one of our Class of 2026 Dancers!

How old were you when you started dancing?

4



How long have you been at OCCB?

4 years



What role/performance meant the most to you?

My role as “Clara” in An Interactive Nutcracker 2023 meant the most to me because it was my first lead role at Ordway and I remember being so excited to be able to perform such a magical role. I absolutely loved being able to tell a story and embody the character.



What class or correction changed you the most as a dancer?

My very first class at Ordway changed me so much as a dancer. I remember it being very eye-opening because I learned so much in just one class. I was corrected on my arms, head, and entire upper body and it forever changed my dancing.



What’s something ballet taught you outside the studio?

Ballet has taught me immense discipline and patience, as well as attention to detail.



What advice would you give the little dancers looking up to you?

Don’t take corrections personally. They are meant to motivate you. Always stay positive and patient with yourself.



What does “Do It the Ordway” mean to you?

To me, “Do It the Ordway” means to always uplift one another, show respect, and give your best effort.



What’s next for you after graduation?

After graduation, I will be attending James Madison University to study Elementary Education. I hope to find ways to continue dancing in college.



What kind of impact do you hope to make in the world?

I hope to encourage young people to believe in themselves and to be curious about the world.

Photos by Artistry Reimagined

⭐️ As our season comes to a close, we want to know—what are you most proud of accomplishing this year? 🤍

A new skill? A performance? A moment where you pushed through something difficult?

This season has been filled with growth, hard work, courage, and so many special memories. We are so proud of every dancer and all they’ve achieved along the way. ✨