Ms. Caroline
Founder, Artistic Director
Teacher, Choreographer
Caroline’s first ambition in life was to open a dance school (and a unicorn farm) and has been building her business over several years (the dance school not the unicorn farm). Caroline has worked as an actress, dancer and singer on the professional stage globally. Since moving to the DC area in 2009 she has been worked professionally as a Choreographer, Medical Dance Therapist, Dance Instructor and Performer. She is passionate about providing a reputable performing arts education available to everyone despite physical or economical limitations while also being prestigious enough to contribute to student preparation for professional dance and theatre. Her focus is not on profit, trophies or “fluff “ but artistry, encouragement and unadulterated performing arts education. She aims to provide curriculum that is physically, mentally and emotionally appropriate for each individual student and laden with imagination, awareness and injury prevention. Ms. Caroline's desire is to show the unfailing love of Jesus to every student, teacher, parent, etc that enters the studio doors.
HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH!
Training & Education
Texas Christian University
BFA Performance, emphasis: Musical Theatre, Pre-medical Sciences
Fort Worth, TX
George Mason University
Dance, Human Biology
Fairfax, Virginia
The Gaiety School of Acting
Movement, Voice, Acting, Devising
Dublin, Ireland
University of California, Irvine
Drama,Dance
Irvine, CA
The San Diego Ballet Company
High Desert Dance Studio
High Steppers Dance Studio
Joffrey Ballet
Joan Golden Dance Studio
Shenanigans Youth Theatre
Maple School of Irish Dance
Culkin School of Irish Dance
The End Film Productions
Nicole Duis
Ms. Nicole has been dancing since the age of two and has studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern and Latin. She was Captain of the Latin Dance Team in High School. She went on to pursue her love of dance and theater at Montgomery College in MD, where she was a member of their Dance Company. During her time there she had the opportunity to study under choreographers Alvin Mayes and Daniel Burkholder. From there she began to work as a choreographer/ performer in the DC Metro Area. Performance credits include: Willy Wonka, Children of Eden, Annie, Brigadoon, Hello, Dolly!, Gypsy. Choreography credits include: Children of Eden, Willy Wonka, Annie, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Pajama Game, Avenue Q, Rent, Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Footloose, Hairspray and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Both Hairspray and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee were awarded 1st Runner up for Outstanding Achievement in a Musical in the 2012 and 2011 Ruby Griffith Awards. Avenue Q won the 2013 award for Outstanding Achievement in a Musical.
With over 7 years as a dance instructor, Miss Nicole is excited to establish roots at Cornerstone Ballet.
Ms. Jojo
Jordan (Miss Jojo) has always been in love with the performance arts, and has always been partial to ballet in particular. After starting ballet at 13, she found much inspiration not only from her teachers, but also from her peers to push forward. Along with this, she’s found much inspiration in Misty Copeland, principal dancer at ABT, as she started at the same age. Ballet has always been a form of expression and freedom for Jojo, but what she loves the most is how specific it can be. She has very much enjoyed growing up in the cornerstone Ballet family, and getting to learn and work with Nicole and Caroline. She spent many of her years here at Cornerstone training, assistant teaching, and helping out with classes wherever she could; Now she is very excited to return as both a teacher, and a student in 2022 and get back into the rhythm of 5678!
Ms. Brenna
Ms. Emily
Emily was born and raised on an island called Cape Cod located in Massachusetts. Emily danced at a small local studio called The Academy of Performing Arts from the age of 10 until graduating high school.
After high school, Emily attended the University of New Hampshire and got her Bachelor's of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders with minors in Dance of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
During her undergraduate years, Emily continued to dance and had the opportunity to study many styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz,modern, hip hop, contemporary, and aerial. Emily served as a teacher's assistant for tap and jazz classes for beginner college dancers. She began teaching dance during her sophomore year, teaching ballet, tap, hip hop, and some contemporary.
Emily graduated with her B.S. in May of 2020. She has spent the last year and a half teaching at a residential home/school for individuals with disabilities and behavioral challenges (very different from teaching dance). Now, as she starts her journey into graduate school at Gallaudet University in D.C studying Deaf Education, she is excited to get back into dance and is looking forward to exploring a new part of the country.
Ms. Julie
Julie Longmire was born and raised in the Northern Virginia area, graduated from James Madison University with a degree in piano performance, and then attended The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) where she earned a master’s in music theory. After a short assignment teaching music theory at UNCG, she relocated to the Northern Virginia area and opened a private piano studio, where she continues to teach classical piano.
Mrs. Longmire has always loved singing and accompanying choirs, with over 25 years of experience as a choral accompanist. She directed the Wesley Foundation choir at James Madison University, and has sung in choirs from childhood through her college years. She continues to accompany choirs in Fairfax and Loudoun County public schools. She is thrilled for the opportunity to share her love of the choral arts with children.
Ms. Lizzy
THE NUTCRACKER
Ballet Workshop
July 5, 6, 7
T-W-TH 9:00-12:00 and 9:00-4:00
9:00-12:00 option is for ages 8+
9:00-4:00 option is for Teens/Tweens
Instructor: Ms. Caroline
9:00-12:00 will focus on Ballet foundational technique, stretching, strengthening and Nutcracker choreography with the 9:00-4:00 option including more advanced variations and additional technique.
Please wear Ballet attire with hair in bun and Ballet shoes with Pointe shoes if you are a Pointe student along with a labeled water bottle and nut free snack.
We will hold a showcase the last afternoon of workshop. This coarse will be beneficial in preparing for Nutcracker in a Nutshell auditions in September!
Early Bird Registration before 5/1:
*9:00-12:00: $90 per student
Additional siblings: $65
*9:00-4:00: $210
Additional siblings: $150
Regular Registration:
*9:00-12:00: $100 per student
Additional siblings: $75
*9:00-4:00: $240
Additional siblings: $180
ENCANTO
Ballet & Tap Camp
Grades K-6
July 11-15
M-F 9:00-12:00
Instructor: Ms. Caroline
Ballet, Tap, Creative Movement, Crafts...
Please wear clothes you can dance easily in and bring labeled Ballet and Tap shoes if you own them along with a labeled water bottle and nut free snack. We will have an end of camp showcase at 11:40 the last day of camp.
Early Bird Registration before 5/1:
$150 per student
Additional siblings: $115
Regular Registration:
$165 per student
Additional siblings: $125
THE MUSIC MAN
Musical Theatre Intensive
August 1-5
M-F 9:00-2:00
Instructors:
Caroline Keener- Acting and Dance
Julie Longmire- Music
Acting, Dancing/Choreography, Vocal Direction, Auditioning Technique... This intensive will help prepare students for future musical theatre auditions as casting processes while we learn both individual repertoire material and of course a musical number and more from THE MUSIC MAN!
Please wear clothes you can dance easily in and bring labeled Jazz and/or Character shoes if you own them along with a labeled water bottle and nut free lunch. Bring a labeled folder, notebook, pencil and highlighter. Each student will have the opportunity to fine tune one monologue and one 32 bar Musical Theatre song selection for their audition portfolio. Please come prepared with selections or we will help choose one for you the first day of camp. We will have an end of camp showcase at 1:00 the last day of camp. Ages 8- Adult.
Early Bird Registration before 5/1:
$250 per student
Additional siblings: $215
Cornerstone Performance Company students 2022-23: $200
Regular Registration:
$265 per student
Additional siblings: $225
Cornerstone Performance Company students 2022-23: $200
FAIRYTALE BALLET
Ballet Camp
August 8-12
M-F 9:00-12:00
Instructor: Ms. Jojo
Ballet, Creative Movement, Crafts...
Please wear clothes you can dance easily in and bring labeled Ballet shoes if you own them along with a labeled water bottle and nut free snack. We will have an end of camp showcase at 11:40 the last day of camp.
Early Bird Registration before 5/1:
$150 per student
Additional siblings: $115
Regular Registration:
$165 per student
Additional siblings: $125
SUMMER DANCE CLASSES:
Schedule TBD
Schedule TBD
Be sure to keep up tp date with drop in offerings and dance :)
OPEN AUDITIONS:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Ms. Lizzy began dancing at Cornerstone Ballet when she was in middle school. She is experienced in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, and pointe dance, and throughout her high school career she performed in many different plays and musicals, choreographing a few of them as well. Ms. Lizzy currently studies at Christopher Newport University where she is a musical theatre major with a minor in dance. She is excited to pursue her passion and enjoys witnessing students’ growth in the studio! All glory to God!
Jubilee Players with Cornerstone Ballet presents..
ANNIE
August 12-14 2022
Annie Auditions: June 2 & 3, 4:00-8:00 audition slots
Audition Call Backs: June 4, 11:00am
Rehearsals: June 6- August 14
Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00-8:00pm & Saturdays 10:00-2:00pm
