Heading into 2022, many of us have felt a wave of emotions from hopeful resolutions to pandemic discouragement, to creative inspiration through it all. We checked in with Stavna Ballet’s Founding Artistic Director, Shannon McConville, to see how she stays inspired. Stavna opened with a mission to enrich lives of young dancers through their love of dance, and this has not changed despite obstacles faced along the way. In fact, Stavna has only continued to persevere, with a new travelling ballet on the horizon.

Read ahead for Shannon’s words:

CultureWorks: Briefly introduce yourself and your connection to Stavna Ballet.
Shannon: My name is Shannon McConville.  I am the Artistic Director of Stavna Ballet.  I opened Stavna Ballet in 2010 as a non-profit dance company.  In 2012, we expanded to form the Stavna Dance Academy, which became the official training school of ballet.

CW: Tell me a bit about Stavna Ballet! How has it grown or changed in the last two years?
S: Stavna Ballet has adapted and grown the past two years, especially after the COVID pandemic.  We moved to teaching classes online, and opened this year with new regulations in order to keep our staff and students safe.  Our mission to enrich and inspire young dancers with our love of dance has not changed at all, and if anything we have become more determined than ever to keep Stavna thriving in this new environment!

CW: What kinds of projects, performances or classes are you working with now? Share whatever you’d like to about the present of Stavna!
S: This year, we are performing Sleeping Beauty at the Perkinson Center of the Arts on January 29th at 2pm and 6pm, as well as January 30th at 2pm.  We are very excited to perform a completely new ballet here at Stavna, and we cannot wait to share this timeless fairytale!  

CW: How has Stavna and your Reach programs fostered a relationship with the Richmond community?
S: Stavna Reach has continued to make dance more accessible and open to the Richmond community.  On February 4th, we will be traveling to perform Sleeping Beauty at the Robinson Theater and share our love of dance!

CW: Have you collaborated with any performers/art organizations recently that were meaningful for you?
S: Stavna Ballet has partnered with many libraries in the area to tell the story of Sleeping Beauty next month.  Our talented company members are thrilled to be able to connect with more people in the community, and we are so thankful for this opportunity.

CW: What was a triumphant moment with Stavna from the last year, reflecting on 2021 in the new year! Do you have any resolutions for Stavna in 2022?
S: The most triumphant moment for Stavna Ballet in the last year was being able to captivate, enrich, and inspire despite the threat of COVID-19.  Our instructors, staff, students, parents, and patrons were dedicated to keeping us operational throughout the pandemic and into 2021.  Despite all the regulations and uncertainty, Stavna was able to hire a completely new company from all over the country.  Even with the hardship we all faced, Stavna has continued to thrive. Our resolution for 2022 is to reach out to even more of the community, and bring the joy of dance to everyone we can.  We are so blessed to be able to share our love of dance with all of Richmond, and can’t wait to see where the new year will take us!

CW: Where do you look for inspiration in the arts and culture these days, and how do you stay inspired?
S: Inspiration for the arts can come from any experience.  During the past two years, we have felt the strong feelings of sadness and anger.  Things were difficult, and it was hard to find the happiness in being apart from loved ones and our students.  We had to adapt to a new way of life, and many of us are still struggling to do so.  But from this adversity, you can find a kind of strength.  I have felt so supported and loved by all our Stavna family, which has kept me going.

Of all the many artists that I can watch and draw from for inspiration, nothing quite inspires me like my students.  To see them change into the people they will become inspires me like nothing else can.  I can push them, drive them, support them and in the process learn things about myself.  Being able to watch and teach all my students inspires me to be a better version of myself.  As a teacher, I am inspired to give positive encouragement for their individuality as well as push them to reach their full potential.  As a choreographer, I am inspired to create movement that will not only represent myself, but movement that they can relate to and insert their own individuality into.  And as an artistic director, I am inspired to lead the rest of my staff with confidence because these students place their confidence in me.  Of all the sources of inspiration I have, the best comes from the students that dedicate their time and hard work at Stavna Ballet.

See what Stavna is up to next on: https://www.stavnaballet.com/