Honoring the Class of 2025: Eugene Ballet Academy Graduates

At Eugene Ballet Academy, our graduating seniors represent years of dedication, discipline, and passion. Each dancer’s journey has shaped them as artists and individuals. As they begin the next chapter of their lives, we want to take this moment to celebrate their achievements and the inspiration they have shared along the way. To the Class of 2025: Thank you for the joy and hard work you have brought to EBA!

 

Annie Culver

15 Years at EBA

Annie’s time at Eugene Ballet Academy spans nearly her entire life, a testament to her dedication and love for dance. A longtime member of Eugene Ballet Youth, she brought joy to audiences throughout the community, performing at local events and venues while developing her artistry and stage presence.

Her years at EBA helped shape not just her dance technique but her character. Annie reflects on the friendships she formed, the support she felt from classmates and teachers, and the life lessons she’s taken beyond the studio. Through dance, she cultivated discipline and dedication, qualities that have served her academically and personally.

A graduate of Marist Catholic High School, Annie is an honors and AP student and served as an officer in the National Honor Society. This fall, she will attend Boise State University’s Honors College, where she plans to study kinesiology. With a goal of becoming an occupational therapist, Annie will continue to carry the strength, grace, and commitment she built at Eugene Ballet Academy into everything she pursues.

 

Natalie Grigsby

9 Years at EBA

Natalie’s nine years at Eugene Ballet Academy have been marked by steady growth, leadership, and compassion. She served as a student mentor for Pre-Ballet and Ballet Level 1, where she cherished the chance to build relationships with younger dancers. Watching them grow and gain confidence became one of the most rewarding parts of her experience.

Some of Natalie’s most treasured memories are the friendships formed at EBA, connections that shaped her both in and outside of the studio. Through her training, she developed not only technical strength but a deep sense of responsibility and resilience that she carries with her in all areas of life.

A graduate of Sheldon High School and the International High School program, Natalie is an IB Diploma Candidate and earned the Oregon Seal of Biliteracy through her Spanish Immersion studies. She is a member of the National Honor Society, served on the Sheldon Leadership Executive Board, and was President of Sheldon’s first Hispanic Honors Society. This fall, Natalie will attend Colorado State University’s Honors College, where she will major in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Anatomy and Physiology and a minor in Spanish. Her goal is to pursue a career in pediatric medicine, carrying with her the compassion and perseverance she honed at EBA.

 

Meridian Hula

8 Years at EBA

Meridian’s time at Eugene Ballet Academy has been defined by creativity, outreach, and a deep commitment to making dance accessible to all. Beginning her mentorship journey at just eleven years old, she has supported many classes at EBA while also expanding her impact far beyond the studio. She created A Bit of Ballet, a performance program for retirement homes, and regularly performs in the community, including bellydance appearances at The Asian Celebration and Oregon Country Fair. Meridian also teaches at Dynamic Dance Studio, continuing to share her love of dance with students of all ages.

Her onstage highlights at EBA include memorable roles in The Nutcracker Short and Sweet as Doll, Chocolate, Arabian, and Tea, each performance a reflection of her artistry and versatility. Whether in the studio, on stage, or in the community, Meridian brings passion and purpose to every aspect of her work.

A graduate of Teach-NW, she was named high school valedictorian and received the Summit Scholarship to the University of Oregon, along with the Selco Community Credit Union College Scholarship and the UO BFA in Dance Scholarship. This fall, she will apprentice with Ballet Fantastique while pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Oregon. Meridian’s dedication to sharing dance as both an art form and a service to others continues to inspire everyone around her.

 

Sofia Kovash

11 Years at EBA

Sofia’s experience at Eugene Ballet Academy is rooted in community, mentorship, and a deep connection to the art of dance. Over her 11 years at EBA, she mentored younger dancers, volunteered backstage at performances and fundraisers, and participated in community outreach through Eugene Ballet Youth and the Pre-Professional Program. These moments allowed her to give back while developing leadership and compassion through dance.

Sofia has performed in a wide range of roles, from Clara in The Nutcracker to Sugar Plum Fairy, Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote, and Odette in Swan Lake. Her time with the EBY competition team also gave her opportunities to explore lyrical and contemporary work, strengthening her versatility and deepening her bond with her fellow dancers. Sharing the stage with Eugene Ballet Company and her teachers was a particular highlight, an experience that inspired and shaped her growth as an artist.

A graduate of Mountain Heights Academy, Sofia has been recognized for both academic and artistic excellence. She received an academic scholarship and a Jordan College of the Arts Artistic Award from Butler University, where she will attend this fall. She plans to double major in Dance Performance and Creative Media and Entertainment, continuing her journey in both the performing and creative arts.

 

Ellen Poulsen

9 Years at EBA

Ellen’s time at Eugene Ballet Academy has been defined by artistry, leadership, and commitment. Since 2018, she has been a core member of Eugene Ballet Youth and, since the founding of the Touring Team in 2019, has competed in events such as YAGP, consistently representing EBA with grace and excellence.

She has volunteered at youth programs and Eugene Ballet Company events and has taken pride in setting a positive example for fellow students, fostering a caring and supportive environment in the studio. Ellen has also contributed behind the scenes through her passion for photography, capturing both Academy and Company dancers in motion.

Some of Ellen’s most memorable moments include dancing Sugar Plum and Cupid in EBY productions, attending partnering classes, and performing alongside Eugene Ballet Company, experiences that shaped both her technique and her sense of community. She graduates from Sheldon High School as a Full IB Diploma recipient, a member of the National Honor Society, and earned the Oregon Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. Ellen also served as Executive President on Sheldon’s Associated Student Body Board.

This fall, she will attend California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering and plans to minor in Dance, carrying her passion for both science and art into her next chapter.

 

Kenna Slocumb

5.5 Years at EBA

Kenna joined Eugene Ballet Academy midway through her high school years and embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm and heart. She performed in Spring Shows, The Nutcracker, and even at the Eugene Saturday Market, sharing her love for dance with the community and building strong connections through each performance.

One of the most meaningful parts of Kenna’s experience at EBA has been the friendships she formed during shared rehearsals, challenging technique classes, and backstage support. Dance offered her a creative outlet and a place to grow, both personally and artistically.

Kenna graduates from Oakridge High School, where she served as Senior Class President, was a member of the National Honor Society and Sources of Strength, and earned the Western Undergraduate Exchange Scholarship. She will attend Weber State University, where she plans to pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Healthcare Sciences. With a passion for helping others, Kenna takes with her the discipline, poise, and confidence nurtured during her time at EBA.

 

Samantha Thompson

3 Years at EBA

Though Samantha joined EBA later in her dance journey, her impact has been immediate and inspiring. As a student mentor, she supported dancers in Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and Ballet levels 1 and 2, offering encouragement, guidance, and a steady presence in the classroom.

Samantha was invited into the Pre-Professional Program, a milestone she worked toward with determination. She has performed in Eugene Ballet Company productions including The Nutcracker, Mowgli, and Carmen, and danced leading roles such as the Chocolate Queen in The Nutcracker Short & Suite and Variation #1 in Raymonda. Her performance experience also includes competitions with EBA’s touring team and her first solo, both of which were proud moments in her dance journey.

For Samantha, the highlights are numerous: dancing alongside role models, finding a second family at EBA, achieving new goals with the support of friends and teachers, and discovering a deep, lasting passion for dance. She graduates from Churchill High School and plans to attend Lane Community College while continuing to train and audition for ballet trainee programs and companies. Wherever her path leads, dance will remain a vital part of her life.

 

Gabriel Warren

9 Years at EBA

Gabriel’s nine years at Eugene Ballet Academy have been filled with growth, mentorship, and meaningful experiences both on and off stage. He served as a student mentor for jazz classes, bringing patience and enthusiasm to younger dancers, and has cherished the opportunity to dance in productions alongside the Eugene Ballet Company. These experiences shaped his artistry and deepened his appreciation for the professional world of dance.

In addition to his work as a performer and mentor, Gabriel brought kindness, consistency, and focus to every class and rehearsal, contributing to the supportive environment that defines the EBA community.

Gabriel graduates from Teach Northwest and has received the Summit Scholarship to the University of Oregon. He will continue his academic and dance journey this fall as an aspirant with Eugene Ballet Company while pursuing a BFA in Dance and participating in the Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon. His passion, work ethic, and talent will continue to thrive as he balances academic excellence with professional dance training.

 

Kailynn Wright

14 Years at EBA

Kailynn’s journey with Eugene Ballet Academy began at age two and blossomed into more than a decade of performance, mentorship, and personal growth. A natural leader, she began mentoring young dancers ages 3 to 6 while still in middle school, sharing her enthusiasm and setting an example of kindness and perseverance.

From fifth through tenth grade, Kailynn was a dedicated member of the Eugene Ballet Youth company, touring to schools and retirement communities and performing regularly at the Wildish Theater. She also joined EBA’s competition teams during their inaugural year, performing with them for three seasons. Her commitment to Eugene Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker spanned more than a decade (from age five through sixteen), taking on nearly every student role, including one of her favorites: Coffee at age sixteen.

Kailynn’s favorite studio memories include long Saturdays at the old EBA studios, filled with friendship and dancing from morning to evening. She graduates from Sheldon High School as a Full International Baccalaureate candidate, having earned a Presidential Scholarship to both Oregon State University and John Cabot University, as well as a Dean’s Scholarship to the University of California, Santa Cruz. This fall, she plans to attend the University of Oregon, where she will double major in Classics and Journalism.