Teresangela schiano memorial scholarship
Teresangela Schiano was a dedicated, talented dancer at Bristol Ballet. Born and raised in Bristol, VA, she spent most of her free time in the ballet studio. Teresangela was in the last class that was fortunate enough to have started and grown up to perform under the tutelage of Bristol Ballet’s founder, Miss Constance Hardinge.
Having been personally chosen to dance the role of Clara when Teresangela was young, she also was able to dance the role when it became more an adult role with more dancing and partnering involved. She also shined as the Dew Drop in Waltz of the Flowers. Though Teresangela was a mere 5’1, her presence on stage was larger than life. She took command of the stage and captivated audiences with her vibrant performances.
Teresangela’s untimely death on March 8, 2014 shocked and saddened an entire community of friends and family. These friends and family members wish to keep her memory alive and perpetuate the vibrancy that she had on stage, as well as her love for ballet, by establishing the Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship Fund at Bristol Ballet. This award will be given annually to a dancer who has shown exceptional skill and composure, and who hopes to continue his/her pursuit of dance. Applicants do not necessarily have to aspire to be professional dancers, but should have a passion for dance that compels them to continue to progress.
The fund is capitalized by donations from private individuals or corporations who wish to perpetuate the art of ballet through Teresangela’s memory. The scholarship is for dancers at the intermediate/advanced level of ballet who are also part of Bristol Ballet’s performing company. The chosen dancer must be active in performing and show dedication and desire to progress and grow within the art.
Each spring Bristol Ballet will announce when applications are open, along with instructions and deadlines for submission. Bristol Ballet's Board of Directors and the Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship Committee will review applications and the winner announced prior to the start of the season. The season runs July 1-June 30.
Having been personally chosen to dance the role of Clara when Teresangela was young, she also was able to dance the role when it became more an adult role with more dancing and partnering involved. She also shined as the Dew Drop in Waltz of the Flowers. Though Teresangela was a mere 5’1, her presence on stage was larger than life. She took command of the stage and captivated audiences with her vibrant performances.
Teresangela’s untimely death on March 8, 2014 shocked and saddened an entire community of friends and family. These friends and family members wish to keep her memory alive and perpetuate the vibrancy that she had on stage, as well as her love for ballet, by establishing the Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship Fund at Bristol Ballet. This award will be given annually to a dancer who has shown exceptional skill and composure, and who hopes to continue his/her pursuit of dance. Applicants do not necessarily have to aspire to be professional dancers, but should have a passion for dance that compels them to continue to progress.
The fund is capitalized by donations from private individuals or corporations who wish to perpetuate the art of ballet through Teresangela’s memory. The scholarship is for dancers at the intermediate/advanced level of ballet who are also part of Bristol Ballet’s performing company. The chosen dancer must be active in performing and show dedication and desire to progress and grow within the art.
Each spring Bristol Ballet will announce when applications are open, along with instructions and deadlines for submission. Bristol Ballet's Board of Directors and the Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship Committee will review applications and the winner announced prior to the start of the season. The season runs July 1-June 30.
2025-2026 Scholarship recipient
Bristol Ballet is proud to announce that senior company member Josie Stockner is the 2025-2026 recipient of the Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship.
Josie is a senior at John S. Battle High School. She has been dancing at Bristol Ballet since she was 3 years old, and has been in the senior performing company for several seasons. Some of her favorite roles include Clara in the Nutcracker, the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland, Moth in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Fairy of Vitality in The Sleeping Beauty.
Josie loves everything about dancing. She says, “It would be impossible for me to choose just one thing about ballet that interests me. I love everything about ballet from the classes to the performances.” She also loves the acting element of ballet, saying that building her own interpretation of each character is one of her favorite parts about performing. She credits her teachers at Bristol Ballet as her biggest influences.
Upon receiving the award, Josie said, “I'm incredibly grateful to be the 2025-2026 recipient of this important scholarship. Ballet means friends, commitment, and hard work to me, and I am honored to receive a scholarship in memory of another committed Bristol Ballet dancer.”
In addition to ballet, Josie plays the trumpet in the John S. Battle High School Band. After graduation, Josie plans to get her doctorate in Physical Therapy and focus on dance medicine.
The Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to dancers at the intermediate/advanced level of ballet who are also part of Bristol Ballet’s performing company. The chosen dancer must be active in performing and exhibit skill and dedication to excellence.
Teresangela Schiano’s untimely death at age 33 on March 8, 2014 shocked and saddened an entire community of friends and family. It was their wish to keep her memory alive and perpetuate the vibrancy that she had on stage, as well as her love for ballet, by establishing the Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship Fund at Bristol Ballet.
PAST SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:
Monica Kaul, 2016-2017
Noah Cook, 2017-2018
Callee-Scout Love, 2018-2019
Cameron Roberts, 2019-2020
Emerson Gillispie, 2021-2022
Virginia Stockner, 2022-2023
Callie Baker, 2023-2024
Kielyn Minton, 2024-2025
Josie is a senior at John S. Battle High School. She has been dancing at Bristol Ballet since she was 3 years old, and has been in the senior performing company for several seasons. Some of her favorite roles include Clara in the Nutcracker, the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland, Moth in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Fairy of Vitality in The Sleeping Beauty.
Josie loves everything about dancing. She says, “It would be impossible for me to choose just one thing about ballet that interests me. I love everything about ballet from the classes to the performances.” She also loves the acting element of ballet, saying that building her own interpretation of each character is one of her favorite parts about performing. She credits her teachers at Bristol Ballet as her biggest influences.
Upon receiving the award, Josie said, “I'm incredibly grateful to be the 2025-2026 recipient of this important scholarship. Ballet means friends, commitment, and hard work to me, and I am honored to receive a scholarship in memory of another committed Bristol Ballet dancer.”
In addition to ballet, Josie plays the trumpet in the John S. Battle High School Band. After graduation, Josie plans to get her doctorate in Physical Therapy and focus on dance medicine.
The Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to dancers at the intermediate/advanced level of ballet who are also part of Bristol Ballet’s performing company. The chosen dancer must be active in performing and exhibit skill and dedication to excellence.
Teresangela Schiano’s untimely death at age 33 on March 8, 2014 shocked and saddened an entire community of friends and family. It was their wish to keep her memory alive and perpetuate the vibrancy that she had on stage, as well as her love for ballet, by establishing the Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship Fund at Bristol Ballet.
PAST SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:
Monica Kaul, 2016-2017
Noah Cook, 2017-2018
Callee-Scout Love, 2018-2019
Cameron Roberts, 2019-2020
Emerson Gillispie, 2021-2022
Virginia Stockner, 2022-2023
Callie Baker, 2023-2024
Kielyn Minton, 2024-2025
