Celebrating New Promotions at Eugene Ballet

Eugene Ballet is excited to recognize two dancers who are stepping into new roles this season. Joshua Downard has been promoted to Principal Dancer, and Siobhan Nickell has been promoted to Company Dancer. Their growth as dancers reflects years of hard work and perseverance. Their journeys continue to inspire both their colleagues and audiences alike. Pictured above dancing in The Nutcracker, Joshua and Siobhan embody the artistry that defines Eugene Ballet. We asked them to share more about their promotions and what this next chapter means for them.

Joshua Downard – Principal Dancer

Now in his seventh season with Eugene Ballet, Joshua Downard has wowed audiences in roles such as Hans and the Nutcracker in The Nutcracker, Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty, Gremio in Taming of the Shrew, Oberon, King of the Fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the lively Monkey King in Mowgli: The Jungle Book Ballet. Born in Sacramento, California, Joshua trained at Northern California Dance Conservatory and attended prestigious programs at Boston Ballet School, Ballet Austin, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater on scholarship. He loves sharing the stage with his wife, Principal Dancer Sarah Kosterman.

Artistic Director Jennifer Martin shared, “We are thrilled to announce Josh’s well-deserved promotion to principal dancer this season. Over the past eight seasons, his unwavering commitment, remarkable growth, and passionate dedication to his craft have been truly awe-inspiring to witness. Joshua’s determination stirs enthusiasm in his fellow dancers and engages our audience members. We look forward to his continued growth and feel honored that he has chosen Eugene Ballet as his artistic home.”

When he learned of his promotion, Joshua described himself as “grateful” both for the opportunity and for the colleagues who inspire him. “Eugene Ballet is a talented company with dancers whom I admire very much… Over Eugene Ballet’s 46-year history, there have been a lot of tremendous dancers who have held the title of principal dancer. There is a lot of legacy that comes with the title, and I hope to live up to it,” he said.

Preparing for the demands of principal roles is a meticulous process for Joshua, combining targeted physical conditioning with thoughtful mental preparation. His training approach varies by role, but always includes daily pilates-based workouts, a thorough warm-up before class, and drilling choreography until it feels second nature. He shared, “Before a performance, I like to sit on the stage as the curtain is closed, listen to the orchestra tune, and feel the energy of the audience settling in. It’s my quiet moment of gratitude before the curtain rises.”

Siobhan Nickell – Company Dancer

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Siobhan Nickell began her ballet journey at a small recreational school before moving on to train with Dayton Ballet, The Washington School of Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet, where she was a trainee under Sarah Hairston for three seasons. While at Cincinnati Ballet, she performed in Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Valse-Fantaisie and Four Temperaments, and Adam Hougland’s Requiem.

Siobhan joined Eugene Ballet as an Aspirant for the 2022/23 Season, quickly finding her place within the company and community. “Eugene has become my home over these past three seasons, and the dancers in the company have become a second family,” she said. “Becoming a professional ballet dancer has been my lifelong dream, and finally achieving it feels surreal.”

Her first season as an Aspirant was a turning point in her growth as a dancer. “The program really gave me the essential next step in my training where I was able to dive into not only the technical aspect of ballet, but also explore the artistic quality I bring as a dancer and individual,” she reflected. “After growing up in the ballet world and experiencing the ups and downs of company culture, I was overwhelmed to dance with an organization that provides a safe environment to learn and grow as an artist.”

As she steps into her first season as a company dancer, Siobhan is eager for familiar traditions and new opportunities alike. “I am very excited to revisit The Nutcracker this season as a company member. Every year when we start rehearsals, I feel the same excitement I did when I was a child,” she shared. “I love revisiting roles I’ve performed before and finding ways to do a step better or add something different to the performance.”

Outside the studio, teaching keeps her inspired. “Being able to share my passion and knowledge with the next generation of dancers is extremely fulfilling. Watching my students learn and grow brings me immense pride and gives me another perspective on ballet. I definitely learn as much from my students as they learn from me.”

Siobhan also offered advice to dancers who hope to move from trainee or aspirant into a company role: “Focus on your own path and stay consistent. Your path may look different than others and it may have uncertainty and setbacks, but persistence, hard work, and staying open-minded make all the difference. And as artists, you can’t be afraid to be seen trying. There is so much you can learn from mistakes, and nothing is ever perfect the first time around.”

Look for Joshua and Siobhan on stage this season as they step into their new roles with Eugene Ballet.