Meet Desmin | Best Jazz Choreography Nominee

Present day, I’m teaching more than ever while also hosting RVA Dance Life Series which gives dancers in RVA a chance to teach in a diverse lineup of teachers to new audiences. So far in this 6 year journey, I’ve learned so much about myself and what I’m capable of. However, I’ve only scratched at the surface. There are so many more incredible things in store for me, and I cannot wait to explore them. Also, my family is now one of my biggest supporters.

I am beyond thrilled and honored to be a nominee for best jazz choreography because I’ve been extra passionate about it in my classes in the past year. It’s such a fun style that I cannot get enough of sometimes.

RVA Dance Awards, RVA Dance CollectiveKatrina Taggart-HecksherDecember 17, 2019Jazz, VMFA, Dogtown Dance TheatreComment

Meet Lauren | Best Tap Choreography Nominee & Winner

Looking back over 16 years of teaching, it’s amazing to think back to those days when I was so fresh and wildly passionate, and perhaps a little naïve to the complexities of teaching. It lights a different fire in you because you want to share your passion and give your students more than you had been given. My teaching style is strongly influenced by music as it is the driving force of my craft. I pride myself on the challenges I create for my students, and love watching the development of their growth within those challenges. This is my drive to continue this journey. The music and complexity is my spirit coming out and it ignites my passion day after day.

TAP, VMFA, RVA Dance AwardsKatrina Taggart-HecksherDecember 15, 2019Tap Dance, chesterfield dance center, RVA Dance Awards, VMFAComment

Meet Eric | Best Ballet Choreography Nominee & Winner

I have been in the Richmond area for the last four years, and have been working hard to meet the dance community of VA. It has been a long and joyful journey to become a choreographer and professor. I now have the opportunity to spend time doing research on the topics that inspire me. More importantly, I am in a position to inspire and train young dancers and to be part of their own journeys.

Meet RADAR | Best Collaboration | Best Dance Company Nominee

RADAR is incredibly honored to be nominated for Best Dance Company and Best Collaboration! We love and are passionate about dance and find the process of creating and performing rewarding in and of itself. That being said, having the Richmond community recognize us and our work in this way definitely enhances that reward! We are so grateful for the support and excited to be representing Richmond dance alongside so many other amazing dance companies!

Meet Richmond Urban Dance | Best Digital Media Content Nominee

Richmond Urban Dance is extremely excited and grateful to be one of the nominees in the category of Best Digital Content! It is so humbling to see that the RVA dance community appreciates the hard work that we put into our social media. We consider our digital content just as much as an art form as we do our dancing, so it is an honor to be recognized. Taking a dance class or participating in a performance is one thing, but trying to reach a larger audience through social media is entirely different. We want our audience to feel the same positive energy and vibes that we try to have in all of our classes and performances!

RVA Dance Awards, Richmond Urban DanceKatrina Taggart-HecksherDecember 7, 2019Richmond Urban Dance, RVA Dance AwardsComment

Meet Maggie | Dancer of the Year Nominee

I am excited to be nominated as Dancer of the Year because there are so many incredible artists in Richmond who could be included in this category and I am humbled to be considered among those chosen this year. As the dance world in Richmond continues to expand and grow, I am honored to be recognized even as a nominee for my contributions on the ballet stage.

Meet Carrie | Best Dance Studio | Best Dance Studio Performance

I am honored to be nominated for both Best Dance Studio and Best Studio Performance Company. As an educator, you hope to grow your students, but it is truly a privilege for that growth to be recognized. I believe that teaching children is a gift. There is no greater joy than to envelop a child into a world of creative expression, movement, and passion for the art of dance. Children are the next generation of dancers and without diversifying their training, dance would never evolve.

Meet Tony | Hip Hop Dancer of the Year | Best Collegiate Team Nominee

I’m so excited to be nominated not only for Best Hip Hop Choreographer, but Best College Dance Line as well (Virginia Union University) because this nomination was voted on by the dance community. That alone means the world, just to know the community is actually watching and respects and sees your hard work is an honor in itself.

Meet Rachel | Dancer of the Year Nominee

“ I began dancing in Los Angeles at the age of 10, later setting focus in ballet with opportunities to train in schools around the country including Pacific Northwest Ballet, LINES Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Chicago, North Carolina Dance Theatre, and the Richmond Ballet. I am ecstatic to have been nominated for the Dancer of the Year RVA Dance Award, and really owe this nomination to my many mentors and supporters, Shannon Hunter McConville, Nicole Mickey Shaver, Madison Ellis Ellington, Lisa Rumbauskas, and of course to my many beautiful and talented dance students at the West End Academy of Dance who I love so dearly. My fun fact is that my favorite activities outside of ballet are tap dancing, water aerobics, hanging out with Bretta (my cat) and crying over episodes of the Great British Baking Show.”

Meet Starr | Choreographer of the Year | Best Dance Company

“It is an absolute privilege to be able to share my love for dance through teaching and choreography around the country for young and professional dance artists. If I am able to inspire young dancers to reach beyond their limits, believe in themselves and fulfill their dreams, then I consider that my greatest accomplishment.”

Meet Nicole | Best Ballet Choreography Nominee

“I’m honored to be nominated as Best Ballet Choreographer. My passion is telling the audience a story through innovative ballet. I’m humbled and amazed to be recognized in the RVA dance community, with such a talented group of artists. “

Meet Ana | Latin Ballet | RVA Dance Award Nominee

I am from Colombia, South America. My grandmother was a poet, my mother a dancer and my father was a doctor who treated everyone regardless of their ability to pay. I LEARNED FROM THEM the importance of HELPING OTHERS while promoting ARTS AND CULTURE.

“When I came to Richmond 24 years ago to marry my husband, William King, I knew very little English but it was easy for me to adapt to a new culture. It was very hard for my daughter who was 12 years old. She was placed in an ESL class and was very unhappy until she was asked to write an essay about her culture. She made a video of herself dancing SALSA. With her presentation not only did her pride return, but her confidence, security and motivation – all major keys for a happy, successful life.”

VMFA, Ballet, RVA Dance AwardsKatrina Taggart-HecksherNovember 5, 2019vmfaLatin Ballet, BalletComment

MEET LIV | RVA DANCE AWARD NOMINEE | YOUTH DANCER OF THE YEAR

Hello RVA! My name is Liv Klingler, I’m fifteen years old, and I love to dance! I began dancing at age three and haven't stopped since. I decided to commit more to dance at age seven by joining the J'adore Dance Project, which I am still part of. I spend multiple hours training at my home studio, J’adore Dance each night. I train in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap. I also spend my time as an assistant instructor and teacher at J’adore.

Ballet, VMFA, RVA Dance AwardsKatrina Taggart-HecksherOctober 31, 2019VMFARVA Dance Awards, J'Adore Dance, Ballet, VMFAComment

Dancers of rva is a heart project that shares the passion and stories of dancers in the richmond, va area.

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email: dancersofrva@gmail.com