Congratulations 2022 Seniors!

As the last curtain falls at our 2022 Spring Show, we bid farewell to our amazing graduating Seniors. These nine graduates have continued to impress us over the years with their maturity, drive, and passion for the arts. Their devotion to dance is indeed something to be celebrated.

Academy studios are a space for growth and inspiration, and a space for connection and lifelong relationships. Dance training is, of course, about technique, yet more importantly, about the development of valuable life skills: self-discipline, a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, healthy habits, teamwork, creative expression, and so much more. Though we are sad to say goodbye to these nine graduates, we know that they are well-rounded humans, ready to take on their next adventures.

Faolan Adams graduates from South Eugene High School and Eugene International High School with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. She has received the Presidential Scholarship and Summit Scholarship, covering full tuition, as she joins the University of Oregon next year. There she will major in political science with a possible double minor in dance/Spanish. Faolan is a natural leader and educator, and after years of mentorship, joined the Academy teaching faculty in Summer 2021.

Jaya Bell graduates from Churchill High School with 4.0 GPA. Next year, she is attending the University of Oregon on Summit Scholarship, majoring in education with a minor in dance. Jaya has been an incredibly valuable classroom mentor, serving so many Academy students with her kindness and passion for dance. She shared that assisting the younger dancers has been a highlight of her time with EBA.

Sophia Chiara graduates from South Eugene High School. Next year, she will dual enroll at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College, where she plans to major in dance. Sophia took her first ballet class at the age of three with our very own Ms. Pamela Siegel. She also used her dance skills as she performed in several Rose Children’s theater productions.

Melia Cook graduates from Springfield High School as a Valedictorian. She received the Western University Exchange and State Merit Scholarship to attend the University of Utah. There she plans to study ballet and biology. Melia has been with the Academy for more than 12 years and has been a valuable member of our performing group, Eugene Ballet Youth (EBY).  

Brede Gaston graduates from South Eugene High School and Eugene International High School with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. Next year Brede will attend the University of Southern California to study communication design and international business. Brede has focused her dance training on contemporary styles such as lyrical, jazz, and modern, and was a member of EBY’s Contemporary Practices.  

Joyce Lin graduates from South Eugene High School. She was nominated for the Presidential Scholars Program and is also a National Merit finalist. Joyce will attend Grinnell College in Iowa, majoring in biology. She plans to pursue medical school, bioengineering/biomedical engineering, or research. In addition to being a talented dancer and gifted student, Joyce is also an exceptional illustrative artist.

Carly Miller graduates from South Eugene High School, Eugene International High School with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. She is a member of the National Honor Society and a 4J Honors student. Carly received the Trustee Endowed Scholarship to attend Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR. She plans to major in pre-law with a dance minor. Humble and sophisticated, and we know Carly will accomplish great things. 

Selena Prince graduates from Winston Churchill High School with a 4.0 GPA. Next year Selena will dance with Eugene Ballet as an Aspirant. In the past year, Selena has taken morning class with the Company dancers, attended school, then returned to the studio to train in the Academy. Her dedication to ballet is inspiring, and she shared that she is excited to be able to turn her childhood dream into reality.

Kira Royce graduates from South Eugene High School. She received the Summit Scholarship and will attend the University of Oregon next year as a math major and Japanese minor. Kira is an incredibly versatile and talented dancer. She has excelled in our core tracks—ballet, pointe, jazz, and modern—and has included hip hop and tumbling in her training. We are inspired by her drive and perseverance.

We wish these amazing young dancers success and happiness in all of their future endeavors.