A Family in Every Sense of the Word

At Eugene Ballet, we often describe ourselves as a family. While that sentiment is rooted in the countless hours we spend together in the studio and onstage, it has grown into something even more meaningful over the years. Ours is a culture that celebrates not only artistic excellence, but also the milestones, relationships, and families that flourish beyond the stage. 

This season, our ballet family has much to celebrate. 

Principal Dancers Danielle Tolmie and Mark Tucker recently welcomed their third son into the world, a joyful addition to a family that has become an integral part of Eugene Ballet.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to share that Principal Artists Sarah Kosterman and Joshua Downard are expecting their first child in the new year.

Watching our artists build their lives here has been one of the greatest joys of this profession. Whether welcoming a new child, offering encouragement during pregnancy, or simply stepping in to lend a helping hand, there is something incredibly special about witnessing the genuine care our artists and staff have for one another. That support reflects not only who we are as an organization, but the culture we strive to cultivate every day. 

Supporting one another through life’s biggest milestones, whether in the rehearsal studio, backstage, or in our administrative offices, is part of the culture we’ve worked hard to cultivate. 

My own children have grown up at Eugene Ballet. They take classes through our Academy, have shared the stage with our professional artists during The Nutcracker, and have spent countless hours in the studio, backstage, and in the theater alongside many of the children who now consider Eugene Ballet their second home.

Some of my favorite memories aren’t always found under the stage lights. They’re the moments between rehearsals when my own children are playing in the hallways, coloring backstage with Mark and Danielle’s boys, or peeking into the studio to watch their parents rehearse. They have traveled with us during The Nutcracker, celebrated opening nights, and grown up together in an environment where the performing arts are woven into everyday life. From an early age, they’ve learned that dance is built not only on discipline and artistry, but also on collaboration, kindness, and community. 

Perhaps what continues to inspire me most is witnessing the extraordinary strength of our ballerinas throughout pregnancy. Dance demands remarkable physical discipline, and it is nothing short of amazing to watch these artists continue to care for their changing bodies with such intention. They attend company class, thoughtfully modify their training, and remain committed to cross-training and conditioning for as long as it is safely appropriate. 

This past spring, Danielle was still soaring through grand allegro while carrying the newest member of her family. It was a beautiful reminder of the resilience of the human body and the remarkable adaptability of these incredible women. Pregnancy does not diminish their artistry; it simply adds another extraordinary dimension to it.

There is also something deeply moving about watching artists choose to make Eugene their home, not only for their careers, but for their lives. They are choosing to put down roots here, to build families here, and to raise their children in a community that embraces them both as professionals and as parents. That sense of belonging is something we treasure. 

Whether these children one day choose to dance or follow entirely different paths, they are growing up surrounded by music, movement, creativity, and storytelling. Long before they take their first steps, they’ve experienced rhythm from within the womb and watched the people they love dedicate themselves to an art form that values discipline, imagination, and expression. They are, in many ways, the next generation of arts enthusiasts. 

At Eugene Ballet, we celebrate each performance, every opening night, and the pursuit of artistic excellence. But we also celebrate growing families, first birthdays, and the everyday moments that remind us why community matters. 

Because while we are proud of the dancers we bring to the stage, we are equally proud of the people they are when the curtain comes down. 

– Jennifer Martin, Artistic Director