Inside VRB: Faculty

Heidrun S. Robitshek, Artistic Director & Instructor

“Heidi” began her studies in Classical Ballet and Character in Heidelberg Germany under the direction of Tatiana Sawitzkaya and Henryk Szymczak. She took the examination to be certified as a professional in Stuttgart, Germany and studied with Anne Wooliams of the Stuttgart Ballet. Ms. Robitshek danced professionally with the State Opera and the State Theaters in Pforzheim and Heidelberg Germany.

Ms. Robitshek has studied at the Palucca School in Dresden, Germany, with Gret Palucca, and in Cologne, Germany, with Ursula Borrmann. Since in the United States, Ms. Robitshek has studied with Gene Hammett, Susan Borree, Teresa Martinez, Perry Brunson, Maggie Black, G.T. Darvash, Oleg Tupine, Gennadi Vostrikov and has danced professionally with the Richmond Ballet, Norfolk Civic Ballet, Annapolis Ballet, The Common Glory Outdoor Drama with Howard Scammon and Myra Kinch, Cumberland Dance Company, and the Chamber Ballet of Williamsburg. She has worked with choreographers Anton Dolin, Valerie Deakin, Edward Stewart, Luis Fuente, Dariusz Hochmona, Myra Kinch, Florin Scarlat, Robin Comissioni, and Enrique Martinez.

As Artistic Director of the Chamber Ballet, Ms. Robitshek produced or choreographed The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night's Dream, La Fille Mal Gardée, Les Patineurs, The Blue Danube, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Fairy Tale to Fairy Tale, The Secret Garden, The Magic Flute, and The Tales of Beatrix Potter.

In alternating years Ms. Robitshek accompanies selected students to Heidelburg, Germany, where they participate in L'Art de la Danse, a cultural exchange program. This is a tradition Ms. Robitshek started in 1993. Ms. Heidi also teaches seminars in Mexico, the United States, and Germany.

She teaches Intermediate-Advanced Ballet, Character Dance, Pas de deux, and Intermediate Adult Ballet.

Adelle Page Carpenter, Studio Director & Instructor/Artist

Ms. Adelle began her training at the age of ten as a protégée of Heidi Robitshek at the Chamber Ballet. She studied dance at Old Dominion University and has participated in numerous productions of The Nutcracker and other classical ballets for Chamber Ballet and other companies. She has competed in international dance competitions in Peru and Moscow and is a member of the Robitshek Dance Ensemble that performed in Heidelberg, Germany. Her full-length ballet roles include Swanhilda in Coppelia and Alice in Alice in Wonderland. In pas de deux, Ms. Adelle has danced Le Corsaire, peasant pas de deux from Giselle, the Snow pas de deux with the Old Dominion University Ballet and the grand pas de deux in Chamber Ballet's 1995 performance of The Nutcracker. She worked one season with Busch Gardens in the Festa Italia show. She was on the teaching staff of the Chamber Ballet from 1994 to 2006 and performed many principal roles in Chamber Ballet's productions.

Ms. Adelle has been teaching dance for fifteen years. She teaches Mommy & Me, Intro to Dance, Pre-Ballet, Ballet I-III, Intermediate Ballet, Beginning Pointe, and Teen/Adult Ballet.

Jordan Cann, Instructor

Jordan "Jordance" Cann is an international hip-hop choreographer/dancer/instructor.

He specalizes in Hip-Hop, and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Latin, Lyrical, and Ballroom.

He has choreographed for various musical artists, cheerleading teams, and numerous showcases. Mr. Cann teaches Hip-Hop.

Portia Jung, Instructor

Ms. Portia did her first plie’ when she was eight years old. She has studied at Boston Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Boston, Maryland Youth Ballet, and Richmond Ballet. She has taught at the Latin Ballet of Virginia, Henrico County Parks and Recreation, and Chamber Ballet/Institute for Dance. She is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America, and she earned a “Pass Commended” on her first teachers' exam. Portia holds a B.A. in art history from Wellesley College and has served as president of the Central Virginia alumnae club. She has also studied in Europe. Along with teaching ballet, Portia is a Program Assistant for the Reunion Giving Program at the College of William and Mary.

Adrianna Ouelette, Instructor

Ms. Adrianna began dancing eighteen years ago.  She has studied and performed with numerous companies throughout the United States, however her most prestigious studies were at the Chamber Ballet in Williamsburg, VA under the direction of Heidi Robitshek.  In 2000 Adrianna was invited by Ms. Heidi to perform at a Cultural Dance Exchange in Germany which she attended for two weeks.

After high school, Adrianna wanted to further her education by attending Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.  While at college, she focused her studies towards the performing arts program studying under the direction of Pamela Risenhoover.  Adrianna’s training included extensive studies with the Martha Graham Dance Company, Paul Taylor Dance Company and Pilobolus.  In 2007 Adrianna graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College with a BA in Fine Arts.

Adrianna has performed in such roles at Klara in Chamber Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Peter Rabbit in Chamber Ballet’s Beatrix Potter’s The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Friends, Primitive Mysteries choreographed by Martha Graham at R-MWC and Tarleton’s Resurrection from the Pilobolus Dance company at R-MWC.

Adrianna has performed professionally with Busch Gardens Williamsburg during the summer seasons 2004 – 2006 as a strolling actor.  She has taught for the Virginia School of the Arts, Academy of Fine Arts.

Jenna Richter, Instructor

Ms. Jenna has trained in ballet, modern, musical theatre, tap, jazz, world dance, voice, and acting. She received her BFA in Dance from Stephens College. Ms. Jenna teaches tap, jazz, and modern.

Guest Artists/Instructors

Ava Adinolfi

Ms. Ava trained in Virginia Beach, Virginia with Denise Wall and Vickey Cooke. Ms. Ava has competed in National Dance Competitions, finishing with honors as a soloist and in group performing with Dance Energy. Ms. Ava performed one season with Busch Gardens, Williamsburg in “A trio of three,” “This is Oktoberfest,” and “Jack is Back.” In 2006, Ms. Ava was a featured soloist in Beverly Duane-Cordova's work in Old Dominion's Spring Concert. Ava is currently attending Old Dominion University pursuing a degree in Sociology and Dance.

Cornelius Bartlett

Mr. Bartlett trained with Heidi Robitshek at the Chamber Ballet before attending the Kirov Academy (now the Universal Ballet Academy) in Washington, D.C. as a scholarship student and North Carolina School for the Arts. At the Kirov Academy he studied with Ulena Vinogradova and Rudolph Kharatian and danced with the Kirov Ballet in The Nutcracker. He began dancing with Virginia Ballet Theatre in 2003. He has since performed as The Prince, Cavalier and Russian in The Nutcracker and the Court Jester in Cinderella. He also performed in Allegro Brilliante, Serenade, Irish Ode, Mr. Evil & the Forever Diamond, Kettentanz -- Eisel und Beisel Sprung, Suite Saint-Saens and The Firebird. Other professional affiliations include Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Tampa, The American Music Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Oak Ridge Civic Ballet in Tennesee. He teaches Pas de Deux.

Sandra Carlino

Sandra Carlino began her dance training at age nine with the Norfolk Civic Ballet under the direction of Gene Hammett and Perry Brunson.  Her eight years of study included five years of performing with the Company.  Ms. Carlino has an extensive performing repertoire, including memorable roles in Paquita, Raymonda, Spring Waters, Graduation Ball, La Bayadere and Swan Lake as well as major classical and contemporary works.  At age 17, she was offered a position with Joffrey II, where she studied for three years. 

Ms. Carlino has 25 years teaching experience for regional companies and festivals, as well as the Virginia Governor’s Magnet School, Virginia Ballet Theatre (formerly Norfolk Civic Ballet), Harrisburg Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School Summer Program, Baltimore School for the Arts and served as temporary Ballet Mistress for Cedar Lake Ensemble’s premiere touring season.

She began her association with Pennsylvania Regional Ballet (formerly Cumberland Dance Company) in 1989, becoming Ballet Mistress in 1991 and was named Artistic Director in 2000.

In addition to her work as Artistic Director, Ms. Carlino serves as a master teacher and rehearsal director throughout the country, as well as the Northeast Coordinator to the National Board of Regional Dance America and as a panel member for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Stephanie Jackson

Stephanie Jackson received her training at Capital Area Dance, where she was a charter member of the Cumberland Dance Company. Stephanie also trained at the Joffrey Ballet Trainee Program, Washington Ballet, University of the Arts, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and the Carlisle Project. She has guest performed with the Allegheny Ballet Company and was a member of Harrisburg Ballet. She has performed various roles in Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Dracula, Cinderella and Romeo and Juliet. Formerly, Stephanie taught at Harrisburg Dance Conservatory where she served as Director of the Beginner/Intermediate Division, Greater York Youth Ballet and has now been with CDC since 1999.

Noelle Mattox

Ms. Noelle began her dance training at Newport News Parks and Recreation, where she was noticed by Adelle Carpenter. Thereafter, she became a dedicated student to Chamber Ballet, under the instruction of Heidi Robitshek. In the summer of 2000 and 2004, Noelle participated in a cultural exchange program to Germany with the Robitshek Dance Ensemble. She was awarded a dance scholarship to Butler University. After finishing her sophomore year at Butler University, she took a semester and performed as a trainee with the Richmond Ballet. Noelle is currently completing her BA in Dance Education at Old Dominion University. She is a member of Sigma Rho Delta, the honorary dance fraternity. Noelle has performed leading roles with Chamber Ballet, such as Lissette in The Magic Flute, and the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker.

Mjnari Simpson

A native of Hampton Roads, Mr. Simpson has been dancing for fifteen years throughout the United States and other countries. He is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop. He has danced with Long Island Ballet, Royal Caribbean International, Disney World and Busch Gardens. Mr. Simpson is also a former Mr. Dance Educators of America, and has performed in music videos with Missy, Mobb Deep, D.M.X. Most recently he has danced with Virginia Ballet Theatre in The Nutcracker, Serenade, Mr. Evil & the Forever Diamond, and The Firebird.

Gennadi Vostrikov

Gennadi Vostrikov was born in Siberia, Russia. He received his early training in Perm. Mr. Vostrikov studied with the renowned ballet teachers Plaht and Asaular. Gennadi was awarded the first degree diploma in the Leningrad Ballet Competition. Upon graduation, he was asked to join the Moiseyev Classical Ballet Company. While with the Moiseyev Company he was coached by the legendary ballet masters, Igor Moiseyev, Asaff Messerer, and Sulamif Messerer.

The Moiseyev Classical Ballet Company traveled worldwide. It was during one of their many tours that Mr. Vostrikov saw the possibility for freedom and defected while in Mexico. The Mexico Ballet Company prompted him to join their company as a principal and teacher. Nicholas Petrov, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre director, heard about his defection and requested that Gennadi join PBT. While with PBT, Gennadi performed numerous principal roles in such ballets as The Nutcracker, Prince Igor, Rite of Spring, Spectra de la Rose, Carmena Burana, Coppelia, Cinderella, Giselle, Swan Lake, Les Sylphide, Romeo and Juliet, Corsaire Pas de Deux, La Bayadere, and Don Quixote, as well as having performed with the Pittsburgh Opera. Mr. Vostrikov also was a principal with Chicago Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet. Gennadi was an associate professor of dance with the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Shenandoah University, as well as Director of Ballet Zulia in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Mr. Vostrikov is currently director of the Virginia Youth Ballet and Vostrikov's Academy of Ballet. He is also a guest teacher and choreographer with Cumberland Ballet, New Castle Ballet, Virginia Regional Ballet, Louisiana Dance Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and master teacher with national and regional ballet festivals.

Kristen Weiser

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Cumberland Dance Company (now Pennsylvania Regional Ballet), and The Julliard School. Currently a company member of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet.

Anton (Tony) Wilson

North Carolina School of the Arts, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Parnassus Dance Theatre (Japan), Djazzex (Holland), Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, The Works/New York. Currently an instructor for Baltimore School for the Arts.