Christina Barton
Christina is from Hillsville, Virginia and grew up dancing since she was four. She developed a strong passion for the arts, and began performing locally at various community events. Throughout her schooling, she advanced in singing at both district and state competition levels before touring in show choirs across TN, NC, and VA. Christina's love of both music and dance led her to attend Radford University, where she graduated Cum Laude in 2000 with a BFA in Classical Ballet Performance.
While attending RU, she continued to split her time studying and performing within the two artistic departments. She loved singing with the Radford Singers and University Chorus while also balancing her love of ballet through the dance education program, guest artists workshops, and summer ballet intensives.
Christina has a background in a variety of technical studies such as Vaganova Russian ballet method, Martha Graham style of modern dance, and the Pilates method for physical fitness (originally known as Joseph Pilates “Contrology” body conditioning gym). She did her classical ballet training under Franco Jelincic and his wife Dagmar Kessler (a prima ballerina with PBT), and performed annually while at RU in various ballet productions such as The Nutcracker Suite, The Graduation Ball, and Swan Lake. She also studied jazz and choreography under Margaret Devaney and was introduced to modern dance, dance history, and Pilates method under the instruction of Dr. Pegeen Albig. Other artistic opportunities she experienced while at RU included guest artist workshops with the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble (now known as Ailey II) and with Donald McKayle (American modern dancer and choreographer). Prior to her senior year, Christina attended a summer ballet intensive at Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, MS founded by Kathy Thibodeaux.
Over the course of her educational years, Christina has performed vocally and danced across many states including NY, LA, MS, TX, FL, PA, TN, NC, and her home state of VA. Some of her favorite performances were singing with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and being selected as one of three RU dancers to perform in NY a contemporary lyrical solo in trio accompaniment with the VT chamber music ensemble spring production.
Post graduation, Christina went on to pursue local music theatre, Disney, and toured the east coast states with The New Dawn Singers before beginning her teaching years at In Motion Dance Center, The Center of Dance (while under the direction of Carol Crawford Smith, former dancer with The Dance Theatre of Harlem), and here at Cary Ballet Conservatory.
Christina loves to continue sharing with others a deep love for ballet, music, and choreography. Some of her favorite hobbies (away from the arts) can be found in outdoor camping and retreats. She completed her post grad educational studies at Drew University in outdoor camping ministries, receiving her “Common Ground” program certification. As a Camp Site Director, she loved exploring the beauty of state parks and traveling across the US. Recreationally, she enjoys hiking the Appalachian Trail, taking extended backpack trips, kayaking the New River, and climbing up rock walls. Wherever the road of life takes her, Christina maintains a positive outlook in life and feels blessed to once again share her passion for dance with a new generation of dancers here at Cary Ballet!