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Staff

Amanda Hairston, Artistic and Development Director
Certified PBT instructor, certified ABT National Training Curriculum Teacher in Pre-Primary through Level 3
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Amanda began her studies at age three under the direction of Maryann Snyder at the Bristol Ballet, where she continued her studies until the age of 16. She was then accepted into the Virginia School of the Arts where she finished her last two years of high school under the direction and instruction of Petrus Bosman, David Keener, and Martha Faesi. Amanda performed various roles including Swan Lake’s Neapolitan Pas de Deux, a corp member in Balanchine’s Serenade, and a demi-soloist in the Nutcracker's Waltz of the Flowers. Her senior year she performed in the Spring Gala as a demi-soloist in the reproduction of Kirk Peterson’s (ABT) Carmen, working alongside principal dancers of the Cincinnati Ballet. Amanda also completed various summer programs including the Joffrey Ballet School (NYC), Richmond Ballet, and North Carolina Dance Theatre.
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After graduating from VSA, Amanda was accepted into the Richmond Ballet’s traineeship program, in which she received merit scholarships that increased each year. While there, she performed in The Nutcracker, Giselle, Windows, and Sleeping Beauty. Upon completion, she decided to focus on her education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Amanda became an instructor at Bristol Ballet in 2018. She also danced in three Nutcrackers as well as her most recent role in Cinderella as a step-sister.  As of July 1, 2022, Amanda was hired as the Artistic and Development Director. She is excited to be of the Bristol Ballet leadership team with Moira Frazier Ostrander, the Artistic and School of Ballet Director. 

Amanda is an American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT National Training Curriculum. She is also a certified teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique. ​

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