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Eugenia Jones Founding Company Member Eugenia Jones is a native to St. Louis and began her Ballet training with Dance Arts of St. Louis in her later teen years. She obtained her Bachelor of Art in Dance and Management from Ball State University in 2019. Post undergraduate Eugenia joined Ballet 314 as a Founding Company Dancer and Board Member. Eugenia’s passion to share Arts with underserved communities lead her to obtain her Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Webster University in 2022. Eugenia currently serves as the Director of Before and Aftercare for Premier Charter School, Company Dancer and Board Member for Ballet 314, Ballet instructor for Pointe of Surrender Dance Studio, and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Eugenia’s passion for youth and the Arts drives her commitment to utilize her experiences, skills, and passions to create programming and spaces for youth the experience and express art. Return

DATE October 17, 2026 LOCATION Touhill at UMSL in the Lee Theater Where Light & Darkness Collide 3 local choreographers | 3 riveting premieres | 1 day only. Purchase Tickets Donate Raffle Information PERFORMANCE DETAILS October 17 | 7:00pm Evening Fundraiser Performance* | Touhill at UMSL in the Lee Theater *includes a 6:15pm Pre-Show Cocktail Hour and a Post-Show After Party for VIP ticket holders. Run Time: Approx. 1 hour TICKETS 7:00pm Evening Fundraiser $35 for General Admission | $65 for Individual VIP Table Seat | $200 for VIP Table of 4 Evening VIP ticketholders will have exclusive access to preshow cocktail hour, open bar, appetizers, raffles and a post-show afterparty with the company. General ticketholders will have performance and raffle access, as well as one complimentary drink ticket. Purchase Season Tickets CHOREOGRAPHERS Robert Poe Rachel Bodi Marcela Gómez Lugo LEVEL UP WITH US TO RAISE $30,000! Donate Early! Early donations will receive recognition at our fundraising event! All proceeds raised will directly support our efforts to continue contracting professional dancers in St. Louis, provide scholarships and performance opportunities for local youth and adults, and produce free and low-cost community dance programs that expand access to the arts and literacy. Any amount makes a difference! ✔️ Donate $20/month to fund one Nutcracker scholarship ✔️ Donate $100 to fund one pair of pointe shoes ✔️ Donate $500 to fund one new tutu ✔️ Donate $1,500 to fund a classroom’s ballet field trip 2026 RAFFLE INFORMATION COMING SOON the LOUIE Bag Raffle Date Night Raffle Luxe Wellness Raffle Local Arts Raffle

Samuel Lawson 3rd season with Ballet 314 Sammy began his dance training in the Spring of 2020, graduating from Southeast Missouri State University in 2023 with a BSE in Secondary Education and minors in Dance and Music. During his time at SEMO, Sammy performed works by Alyssa Alger, Philip Edgecombe, Hilary Peterson, and Fernando Bujoñes while training in ballet, modern, aerial, and partnering. He started his professional career as a guest company member with Ballet 314 (2022-2024) performing as the Sugar Plum Cavalier, and in original works by Marcela Gómez Lugo and director Robert Poe. Additionally, Sammy was accepted as a trainee by the St. Louis Dance Theater for the 2023/2024 season where he performed under the direction of Brandon Fink, performing works by Maggie Dueker, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Emmi Small, Robert Poe, Leonides Arpon, Yuka Oba-Muschiana, and original works by Brandon Fink. Sammy was offered a contract by the Whirlwind Dance Company where he performed rep by Joshua Manculich, Hannah Brixton, Johnson Litzler & Cody Szarko, Jules Rizzo, and Yinqi Wei & Maggie Liang. He's excited to return to the stage with Ballet 314! Return

Nicolette Kolesnikova 3rd season with Ballet 314 Nicolette Kolesnikova was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and was raised in New Orleans, LA. She began studying dance at the age of two and then attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap. In addition to NOCCA, she trained with Gregory and Margorie Hardwick Shramel at Shramel Conservatory of Dance and her mother’s studio where she was a competitive, award winning dancer. She attended Joffrey New York (2012), Atlanta Ballet (2013, 2014) and Milwaukee Ballet (2015) summer intensives on scholarships while in high school. In her junior year in high school she was a member of Gulf Coast Theatre on Tap before she concentrated solely on ballet. After high school graduation, she accepted a position in The Tallahassee Ballet, where she danced in the Nutcracker, Kingdom of Shades from La Bayadere, and Chaos by Christopher Huggins. In 2016 she joined NWA Ballet Theatre in Bentonville, Arkansas where she spent two seasons dancing multiple roles in the Nutcracker and Carnival of the Animal. She joined The Springfield Ballet Company in 2022 as a company artist under the direction of Adam Sage where she performed The Little Mermaid and The Nutcracker. Return

Welcome to Ballet 314's Open Class Portal Open Class Schedule Class Payment Liability Waiver Central Studio (CWE) Address: 5617 Pershing Ave, St. Louis, MO 63112 St. Louis Academy of Dance Address: 9656 Olive Blvd, Olivette, MO 63132

COMMUNITY EVENTS "Astra Planeta" at Up Late St. Louis Science Center 7/25 TICKETED EVENT

Rachel Bodi Executive Director rachel@ballet314.org Biography Rachel Bodi is the co-founder and Executive Director at Ballet 314, and also a dance educator as adjunct faculty of dance at Missouri Baptist University, and pre-professional instructor of dance at Devine Performing Arts. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Rachel trained at the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh and pre-professional intensives (School of American Ballet, Chautauqua, Nashville Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theater- presently Charlotte Ballet), eventually launching her professional career in 2008. She has enjoyed performing and teaching in the St. Louis region for the past 14 years. Prior to founding Ballet 314 alongside Robert Poe, she enjoyed careers with Missouri Ballet Theatre (2011-2017), Common Thread Contemporary Ballet (2018), and Nashville Ballet 2 (2008-2011). She has appeared as a guest artist with Texture Contemporary Ballet (2011, 2012) and Winter Opera St. Louis (dancer, choreographer 2022, 2023, 2024). In addition to the Executive Director role at Ballet 314, Rachel performs as a Resident Artist, and acts as the company's Education Director. She has commissioned both full length classical and contemporary works for Ballet 314 including: co-writing and producing "The Nutcracker & the World's Fair," and her newest classical ballet work "Astra Planeta." Original educational dance programs include "Assemblé," "Fiona Flamingo," "llama llama & friends," and co-choreographing and adapting "Chocolat," a bilingual Spanish/English story ballet. Additional choreographic credits include collaborations with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Dance Party!, Wild Symphony, A Zoo Called Earth, Howl at Powell), Sheldon Concert Hall (Dance the Story: Sleeping Beauty, Dance the Story: The Nutcracker & the World's Fair), St. Louis Art Museum (Monet/Mitchell), and Winter Opera St. Louis (Holiday Extravaganza, The Gondaliers, Naughty Marietta). Rachel has choreographed pre-professional recitals, competitive, and concert dance works in her roles on staff at MBU and DPA. Additional performance credits include Jenny Drugg in "The Ride" independent film. (est. 2026 release). Through founding Ballet 314, Rachel aspires to continue fostering a deeper sense of community both within our organization and in the arts community as a whole, and to continue to provide accessible, inclusive, and diverse arts education programming. Back to Leadership

CONTACT Address Email 331 N. New Ballas Rd. P.O. Box 37032 St. Louis, MO 63141 support@ballet314.org Phone Number 314-384-9935 Do you wish to attend open company class? Email support@ballet314.org to receive access to our open class portal. You can also contact us by using this form: First Name Last Name Email Subject Leave us a message... Submit We will be in touch shortly! SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Enter your email here Subscribe Thanks for subscribing!

NEWS & MEDIA The Nutcracker & The World’s Fair | Trailer | Ballet 314 Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Now Playing The Nutcracker & The World’s Fair | Trailer | Ballet 314 00:33 Play Video Now Playing Beyond the Barre: Ep 1. Trailer 00:24 Play Video Now Playing Beyond the Barre: Ep 2. Trailer 00:24 Play Video Articles Read Article Ballet 314 tells the story of Salem through dance St. Louis Magazine Read Article Three local dance companies are driving innovation.... STL Magazine Read Interview Meet Rachel Bodi Voyage STL Magazine Inspiring Stories from St. Louis Read Article Guide to St. Louis Dance Companies STL Post Dispatch Read Blog Post Black History Month Spotlight On: Robert Poe St Louis Dance HQ Read Interview Meet Robert Poe Voyage STL Magazine Inspiring Stories from St. Louis View Interview Ballet 314 Presents: Angels & Demons Fox2News Read Blog Post Women's History Month Spotlight: Rachel Bodi STL Dance HQ Read Interview Meet Ballet 314 STLMade Conversations Reviews 12/30/2025 HQ Review: The Nutcracker and the World’s Fair In this clever retelling, choreographers and directors Rachel Bodi and Robert Poe incorporate an exciting chapter of St. Louis’ history into the ballet. The World’s Fair serves as an ideal backdrop for this magical story—a real-life event that engendered wonder and novelty, catapulting people of the time out of their everyday lives and connecting them with exciting new ideas and cultures. Read More 6/5/ 2024 HQ Review: The Accused ...To conclude, Ballet 314 did not provide a show with a general theme. Instead, they created a show to demonstrate the versatility of their dancers. The Lark Ascending showcases the dancers’ technical expertise, Envy of Angels their emotional quality of movement, and The Accused their acting capabilities. The night was truly about the dancers, and they delivered. Read More 5/18/2023 HQ Review: Ragtime This ballet doesn’t just expose its audiences to harsh realities...it immerses audiences in the raw emotions from these experiences from start to finish. Read More 10/26/2023 HQ Review: Fall Fête: Twisted Tales Fall Fête celebrated Ballet 314’s growth as a company and took the audiences’ breath away with gorgeous dancing and engaging stories behind the pieces performed. Read More

CORPS DE BALLET 314 Corps de Ballet 314 is an adult ballet performance ensemble dedicated to showcasing talented adult performers from across the St. Louis region. Summer Intensive June & July 2026 Spend a focused weekend training with Ballet 314’s Artistic Staff! Register Now! The Corps de Ballet 314 Weekend Intensive offers committed dancers the chance to deepen technique, musicality, and artistry in a supportive setting. Through classes, coaching, and rehearsal, you’ll explore classical repertoire while learning how Ballet 314 brings accessible, story‑driven ballet to local audiences. June 26-28 at Central Studio on Pershing 6/26 at 6:30-7:30 Modern Class (Robert Poe) 6/26 at 7:40-8:30 Modern Rep Class (Robert Poe) 6/27 at 10:30-1:30 Ballet Class (Robert Poe) 6/27 12:10-1:30 Classical Rep (Robert Poe) 6/28 at 11:30-12:30 Modern Class (Maura Caldwell-Thompson) 6/28 at 12:40-1:30 Choreography/Improv (Maura Caldwell-Thompson) July 10-12 at Devine Performing Arts Friday, July 10 (Rachel Bodi) 6:30-7:45 Ballet Technique 7:50-8:30 Astra Planeta Rep Saturday, July 11 (Maura Caldwell-Thompson) 10:30-11:50 Ballet 12:00-12:30 Modern 12:30-1:30 Choreo/Improv Sunday, July 12 (Rachel Bodi) 11:30-12:45 Ballet Technique (Pointe optional) 12:50-1:30 Astra Planeta Rep What to expect: ballet and modern technique, pointe/prep for pointe, improv/choreography, and Ballet 314 repertory- including rep from “Astra Planeta,” “The Nutcracker,” and more! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTACT US What is Corps de Ballet 314? In collaboration with Ballet 314's professional company, performers in Corps de Ballet 314 will have the opportunity to perform and train alongside the professional company as well as in their own performance opportunities for Ballet 314's 10-month season (August 2025 through May, 2026). The intention of Corps de Ballet 314 is to work in tandem with, but not to be a feeder to the professional company. Rather, Corps de Ballet 314 will continue to operate as its' own entity with opportunities throughout the season to perform alongside the professional company. What is the application process? Fill out the online application. Select applicants will be asked to interview with Artistic & Executive Directors in order to continue with the invitation process. Following interviews, dancers will be selected and issued a letter of understanding further detailing the responsibilities and mission of the program. When is this program held? Corps de Ballet 314 members would train with Ballet 314's professional company with options to participate in classes and rehearsals based on scheduling. Weekday class options with the professional company are held between 10:30-2:00 Tuesday-Friday, and Sunday participation will be scheduled with only Corps de Ballet 314 between 11:30-2:00pm. What is the cost to participate? Expected tuition would be a rate of $200 per month over a 10-month season, and will be able to be divided to monthly or quarterly installments. Corps de Ballet 314 dancers are responsible for their day to day dance wear, shoes for rehearsal and performance, and any other performance needs like makeup and tights. What does tuition include? Tuition would provide: unlimited access to Ballet 314 company classes, with 2 required per week; costuming, rehearsal, and choreography fees for all performances; access to have a professional photo and headshot for the season, and streaming video access for performances that the dancer is cast. Corps de Ballet 314 dancers would be responsible for their day to day dance wear, shoes for rehearsal and performance, and any other performance needs like makeup and tights. What does tuition cost? This program is tuition-based, with a limited number of spots for our inaugural season. There will be 2 options for commitment: 2 Day (Weekday + Sunday) Class and Rehearsals, or Sunday-Only Class and Rehearsals. Expected tuition would be: 2-Day Membership: $200/month over a 10-month season; paid by monthly or yearly installments. 1-Day Membership: $100/month over a 10-month season; paid by monthly or yearly installments. What repertoire will we perform? Corps de Ballet 314 would have 2 performance opportunities in the upcoming 25-26 season: The Nutcracker & the World's Fair in December, and WIP 314 (choreography project) in May, 2026. Corps de Ballet 314 dancers would work on this repertoire both in tandem with the professional company and also in their own class and rehearsal. Leadership Maura Caldwell-Thompson Corps de Ballet 314 Director Biography maura@ballet314.org Dancers In order of appearance: Amy Bloomfield, Mattilyn Bryant, Sarah Crawford, Elena Dissen, Julie Fultz, Sophia Hart, Krystle Hatter, Sydney Horton, Melina Hudak, Tori Lawrence, Danny MacLaughlin, Kenda McIntosh, Sarah Uschold, Katie Williams, Carley Yanuck.

Isabella (Bella) Schmitt 1st season with Ballet 314 Isabella (Bella) Schmitt grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and began dancing at the age of 4. In 2020, she moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from Point Park University. While in the conservatory, Schmitt trained under professors such as Jae Man Joo, Jesse Factor, Kiesha Lalama, and Susan Stowe. Her artistry and dedication at school allowed her to work with choreographers such as Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa, Twyla Tharp, and Yoshiaki Nakano, among others. Closing out her senior year, she had the opportunity to perform as the “Jumping Girl” soloist in George Balanchine’s Who Cares?. Before and during her time in college, Bella invested many hours performing in fundraisers in her hometown. She helped support local charities and businesses while performing for events such as the CARTI Festival of Fashion, Wardrobe Wednesday, and “Thriller” at the Little Rock Zoo, all in collaboration with Allison Stodola Wilson at Shuffles and Ballet II. Following her college graduation in 2024, she joined Saint Louis Dance Theatre (previously The Big Muddy Dance Company) as a trainee and explored contemporary and experimental movement. Bella is thrilled to be her first season with Ballet 314. Return

Ballet 314 is a nonprofit professional ballet company in St. Louis, MO. Directed by Rachel Bodi and Robert Poe. Rachel Colombe 4th season with Ballet 314 Rachel Colombe is a graduate of Webster University, earning her BFA in Dance with a Ballet Emphasis. In 2016, she attended ArcDanz in Puebla, Mexico and performed works by local artists Karen de Luna and Angel Arambula, as well as Andrea Weber from the Merce Cunningham Trust. Following graduation she worked as a freelance dancer, utilizing the flexible schedule to focus on choreographic and educational development in the St. Louis area. She assisted in the production of Leverage Dance Theater’s film Wear Me Out (2020), which received the Kramer Award from the Pittsburgh Fashion Week. With Ballet314, she has performed roles such as Clara in The Nutcracker and the World’s Fair, Leah in Ragtime: The American Experience, as well as performances at Saint Louis Art Museum Underground and theaters across the region. As an educator, her focus on core technique and challenging choreography has earned special awards in the competitive dance circuit. Return