Festival Ballet Virginia begins a new chapter

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The holiday tradition returns

The
Nutcracker

December 18–20

Richard J. Ernst Cultural Center

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Ballet, boldly alive

Festival Ballet Virginia dancers performing together in The Nutcracker

Powerful stories.
Exceptional dance.

Festival Ballet Virginia brings artists and audiences together through vivid storytelling, adventurous new work, and the enduring beauty of dance.

Meet the company

On stage

The season

From a beloved holiday tradition to a storybook adventure and the pulse of contemporary dance.

The Snow Queen performs with the snow ensemble in The Nutcracker

Family classic

The Nutcracker

December 18–20

Richard J. Ernst Cultural Center

A mysterious gift, a daring battle, and a journey to the Land of Sweets.

Experience the magic of the holidays at the Richard J. Ernst Cultural Center. Festival Ballet Virginia invites you to celebrate the season with enchanting Tchaikovsky music, glittering costumes, and breathtaking dancing.

Journey with Clara through swirling snowflakes, dazzling sweets, and the radiant Sugar Plum Fairy's grand finale. Perfect for families, this holiday classic promises joy, wonder, and memories that will last a lifetime.

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Alice encounters the Cheshire Cat on stage

Storybook ballet

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

March 5–6

Richard J. Ernst Cultural Center

Down the rabbit hole we go!

Join Alice as she tumbles into a wonderfully topsy-turvy world filled with curious creatures, colorful characters, playful surprises, and plenty of dancing. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland brings Lewis Carroll's beloved story to life through imaginative choreography, lively music, and theatrical fun for audiences of all ages. Expect the unexpected in this whimsical journey where nothing is quite what it seems!

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A dancer framed by sweeping jewel-toned mosaic tiles

Contemporary program

danceMOSAIC

May 21–22

Reston Community Center CentreStage

Ballet. Modern. Jazz. Contemporary.

danceMOSAIC, the final production of Festival Ballet Virginia's 2026–2027 season, brings together a vibrant collection of works in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance. Featuring choreography by several artists, this dynamic repertory performance celebrates the versatility, artistry, and individuality of our dancers. From the precision and elegance of ballet to the energy and expressiveness of contemporary movement, danceMOSAIC offers audiences a rich and varied evening of dance.

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Audience applause

What audiences are saying

One of the best I've seen in any venue. The humor, the quality—everything was so amazing. I can't tell you enough how this made my first night of winter break special.

Audience member & dance teacher

The level of discipline and passion demonstrated was truly inspiring. The choreography, the attention to detail, and the way each dancer brought the performance to life spoke volumes about your commitment to fostering talent.

Audience member
Festival Ballet Virginia dancers performing onstage

The company

Inspiring excellence.
Infusing passion.

Founded in 2018, Festival Ballet Virginia is a nonprofit, high-quality pre-professional company based in Reston, Virginia.

Selected through annual spring auditions, dancers ages ten through adult deepen their training through rehearsals, choreography, and performance workshops that build the skills and confidence needed for the stage.

Founded2018

Based inReston, Virginia

In residence atGreater Washington Dance Center

MembershipBy annual audition

Festival Ballet Virginia company dancers gathered outdoors in Reston
Festival Ballet Virginia Company · Reston, Virginia

Meet the dancers

2026–2027
Company

Principal Artists

  • Ava Connor
  • Nora Li
  • Kendall Nelson
  • Meredith Simon

Company Artists

  • Billy Bate
  • Holly Hovanec
  • Anna Kate Johnson
  • Cora Mickelsen
  • Julia Mickelsen
  • May Mills
  • Renee Owen

Adult Artists

  • Silu Zhang

Principal Guest Artists

  • Mychal Keels
  • Katherine Beard

Apprentice

  • Gracyn Anderson
  • Alia Baker
  • Lacey Gress
  • Annabelle Melkonian
  • Emma Soubias
  • Caelan Venteau-Koch
  • Ayrin Vives

Junior Company

  • Kylie Crandlemire
  • Liliana Gabet
  • Kaira Kauffman
  • Clara Melkonian
  • MacKenzie Sareen
  • Kathryn Simon
  • Brett Sterbutzel
  • Emma Timberlake

Artistic Director

Gretchen
Vogelzang

MFA · Founder & Artistic Director

Gretchen Vogelzang, founder and artistic director of Festival Ballet Virginia
Gretchen Vogelzang

Gretchen Vogelzang is a dance educator, artistic director, choreographer, and arts management leader with more than 45 years of experience teaching and coaching ballet, pointe, repertoire, partnering, and contemporary dance.

Before founding Festival Ballet Virginia, she spent 14 years leading a nationally ranked pre-professional company in Northern California and 15 years as president and executive director of Regional Dance America.

Her choreography includes more than 30 ballets, among them five full-length works. She holds an MFA in Dance Education from the University of California, Irvine.

EducationMFA in Dance Education, UC Irvine

CredentialsABT® National Training Curriculum · Progressing Ballet Technique

Festival Ballet Virginia Guild

A community
in motion.

Supporting FBV since 2022

Two Festival Ballet Virginia dancers performing under violet stage lights

The Guild supports, promotes, and celebrates the dance arts while building lasting connections across our dance community, local schools, and businesses.

  • Fundraising
  • Marketing & outreach
  • Event organization
  • Production support
  • Community engagement

Guild co-chairs

Mary Ann Melkonian
Emily Simon

Membership

All parents of cast members in FBV productions are automatically Guild members. Membership is also open to community members.

Looking for a way to get involved and help FBV celebrate the dance arts?

Email the Guild

Make an impact

Keep Festival Ballet
Virginia in motion.

Your support creates extraordinary performances, grows opportunities for artists, and helps more people experience the transformative power of dance.

Make a gift Volunteer with us
Two Festival Ballet Virginia dancers performing a contemporary duet

Patron & sponsor benefits

Every gift moves
the story forward.

Festival Ballet Virginia relies on annual membership dues, ticket sales, donations, and corporate sponsorships to produce exciting programs and expand opportunities for the future. Every donation directly benefits our dancers and enhances the quality of our productions.

Patron benefits by annual giving level for the current season
Patron benefitsCompany$25–$99Supporting$100–$299Demi-Soloist$300–$999Soloist$1,000–$1,999
Recognition in digital programs and on our websiteIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Display your organization's website link on our siteIncludedIncludedIncluded
Direct your contribution toward a prop or costumeProp pieceCostume accessoryNon-soloist costume
Feature your website link in all digital programsIncludedIncludedIncluded
Include your flyer or swag in 100+ Scout favor bagsIncludedIncluded
Access ticket sales before the general publicIncluded
Feature your organization in a social media postIncluded

Company

$25–$99

  • Recognition in digital programs and on our website

Supporting

$100–$299

  • Recognition in digital programs and on our website
  • Display your organization’s website link on our site
  • Direct your contribution toward a prop piece
  • Feature your website link in all digital programs

Demi-Soloist

$300–$999

  • Recognition in digital programs and on our website
  • Display your organization’s website link on our site
  • Direct your contribution toward a costume accessory
  • Feature your website link in all digital programs
  • Include your flyer or swag in 100+ Scout favor bags

Soloist

$1,000–$1,999

  • Recognition in digital programs and on our website
  • Display your organization’s website link on our site
  • Direct your contribution toward a non-soloist costume
  • Feature your website link in all digital programs
  • Include your flyer or swag in 100+ Scout favor bags
  • Access ticket sales before the general public
  • Feature your organization in a social media post

Additional giving tiers are available. For more information, email fbvdevelopment@gmail.com.

Join our patrons

Help us continue
the magic.

Make a gift
A Festival Ballet Virginia dancer performing on pointe under violet stage lights

Before the curtain

Show pre-orders

Celebrate your dancer with flowers waiting in the lobby or delivered backstage. Every purchase supports Festival Ballet Virginia.

Choose your show item

Pre-order online, then select lobby pickup or a backstage surprise.

Secure checkout opens in Square. All proceeds benefit Festival Ballet Virginia.