School and Professional Company
Executive Director: Sandra Meythaler
Artistic Director: Rolando Sarabia
2023 Summer Intensives
Beginning Intensive
Ages 7-11 | June 26th-30th
$225
This 1-week intensive is from 9:30am-1pm each day. It is designed for new students who would like to begin dancing, Beg. Level 3 students, or CYB 1/2 students who are wanting to keep dancing this summer. They will have classes like Ballet Technique, Modern, Choreography, Stretching and more.
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Intermediate Intensive
Ages 11+ | July 10th-21st
$750
This 2-week intensive is best for new students with some ballet training or CYB 3/4 students. The program will broaden your students' technique and dance knowledge. Classes are from 9:30am-2:30pm and will include Ballet Technique, Pointe or Pointe/Prep, Modern, Conditioning, and Choreography.
Advanced Intensive / Trainee Summer Program
Ages 13+ | July 24th-August 11th
$1300
In this 3-week program from 9:30am-3pm, advanced dancers will have a chance to work their technique in daily Ballet Class, Pointe, Male and Female Variations, Ballet Repertoire, Modern, Strength and Conditioning, and more. This Intensive is best for any new or current advanced students, CYB 5/6, Trainees or Apprentice level dancers.
Acro Intensives
Beg/Int Acro Intensive: Ages 6-13 | July 10th-14th
Int/Adv Acro Intensive: Ages 8-18 | July 17th-21st
$200
In both of these 1-week intensives, we will spend time focusing on building strength, flexibility, and acrobatic techniques, as well as skills we don’t always get to practice during the year, such as partner tricks. We will also spend time putting dance steps before and after our tricks, learning about the integration of dance and acrobatic skills – all while having lots of fun!
Beg/Int is for students who either are brand new to acrobatic dance or those who are working on standing up from their backbend on their own.
Int/Adv is for those who can complete a front walkover without a spot (defined as a handstand into a backbend, then standing up on their own with arms over their head).
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2023 Instructors
Rolando Sarabia
Rolando Sarabia is a Cuban ballet dancer of international acclaim who has danced with companies throughout the world including the Cuban National Ballet, Houston Ballet and Miami City Ballet. He danced with American Ballet Theatre as a guest artist in 2011, and is currently a principal dancer with the Washington Ballet. Sarabia is often compared to the young Mikhail Baryshnikov, and has been called the “Cuban Nijinsky” by The New York Times.
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Sandra Meythaler
Ms. Meythaler was a principal ballerina with the National Ballet of Ecuador. She has performed ballet and contemporary dance around the world in over 10 countries. She began dancing professionally at the age of fifteen before joining the National Ballet of Ecuador in 1989. In 2001 Sandra became a part of Roanoke Ballet Theatre, and was promoted to Director in 2007. Ms. Meythaler also performs and teaches Flamenco, Salsa, Rumba and Afro-Cuban styles.
Patricia Cope-Levy
Patricia Brooks Cope-Levy holds a M.F.A. in dance from Hollins University in collaboration with the Forsythe Ballet Company. She studied with Jeffery Bullock, Donna Faye Burchfield, Pam Petro, Lisa Race, Sara Procopio, Mark Haim, Nia Love, Shani Collins-Achille, Nicholas Leichter, Ishmael Houston-Jones, and Irene Dowd, among others. Prior to returning to Roanoke, she was a member of the Northern Ireland Dance Research Base, and the Braided Light Dance Company in Jacksonville, Florida. She joined Roanoke Ballet Theatre teaching staff in 2012 and teaches modern and acrobatic dance classes. She was first introduced to acrobatics dance at Village Dance Center in Jacksonville, where she also graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Patricia is former faculty for Hollins University and has taught at regional dance schools.
Pat Wilhelms
Pat Wilhelms founded and served as Artistic Director of Roanoke Children’s Theatre from 2008-2020. Prior to that, she worked at Mill Mountain Theatre as Director of Education and Resident Director for 10 years. Pat’s theatre education includes a BFA from Daemen College. She attended Penn State for her MFA. Acting credits include residencies with GEVA, Theatre of Youth Co, Idaho Rep, Melic and Mime and Mill Mountain Theatre. Pat is now excited to helm the P B & J Theatre Co. and to bring the art and craft of theatre to Roanoke Ballet Theatre.