Cornerstone Ballet

Our teachers are passionate about performing arts and passionate about encouraging our students

In addition to proper training, our teachers care about the WHOLE student and we care about our teachers. We strive for discipleship and growth for teachers and students alike! Teachers are committed to growing Cornerstone Ballet as a both a nurturing and outstanding performing arts community and meeting together to communicate and pray together so Cornerstone can foster growth through dance discipleship for both teachers and students. I invite you to pray with and us and for us. To God be the glory!

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 and excellent in order 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

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!

NUTCRACKER AUDITION INFORMATION

Welcome to our wonderful rendition of THE NUTCRACKER. All Cornerstone and Jubilee classes will feature in this performance. This audition is specifically for principal roles and special/additional roles.

Doors open at 9:00am on September 10. Please sign in upon arrival. Auditions for ALL AGES begin at 9:30am. Dancers will be released throughout the morning with the last group of dancers ending tentatively by 12:00pm. Please wear classic Ballet attire with hair in a bun. Bring Pointe shoes and all other dance shoe genres if applicable.

Below you will find the audition form which you can fill out and bring to your audition.

The cast list will be sent out no later than Thursday, September 15 with the first rehearsal taking place Friday, September 16.

THE NUTCRACKER IN A NUTSHELL Audition Form 2022