Rachelle Fochs

Mrs. Fochs’ professional training began with Madison Ballet in 1999. After dancing with the studio company for a year she was accepted on full scholarship to The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet where she trained for two years with world renowned teachers, including Olga Kostritzky (School of American Ballet) and Violette Verdy (former principal with New York City Ballet and originator of many Balanchine ballets). At the Rock School, she trained under dancers from American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet as well as one of George Balanchine’s first dancers, Yvonne Patterson.

Mrs. Fochs continued her training with some of the best schools in the country including Ballet Chicago, under the direction of Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair. While at Ballet Chicago, she performed in a large repertoire of Balanchine ballets as a soloist and principal dancer, and was choreographed on by Studio Company Director, Daniel Duell. Her favorite roles include principal in Allegro Brilliante, Second Violin in Concerto Barocco, and the title pas de deux/stairway solo in Who Cares?.

Her professional career began with Sacramento Ballet, where she studied the original Balanchine choreography for Valse Fantasie under the guidance of John Clifford, originator of the lead male role. While at Sacramento, she expanded her repertoire under the guidance of directors Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda-Cunningham. Her career continued with Madison Ballet, where she performed soloist and principal roles until her retirement in 2016. During her tenure with Madison Ballet, she was blessed to perform the lead role of Mina Harker in Dracula, as well as many other roles created on her.

As a Ballet Master, Mrs. Fochs began honing her skills while with the company, and continued following her retirement as an Assistant Ballet Master for two years. During that time, she rehearsed company dancers and students in full-length productions such as The Nutcracker, as well as Madison Ballet’s mixed repertory programs.

She continues to share her love of all things ballet as a Ballet Master with the company, and has recently begun to choreograph her own work. Her credits include a short film with Madison Gas &Electric’s GENRE2030 production company, Capital City Theatre’s Find Your Light educational program, numerous works set on students of the School of Madison Ballet.

Mrs. Fochs began teaching while still a student at Ballet Chicago, and has continued to develop her comprehensive and compassionate teaching style throughout her professional career. Well-versed in the Balanchine technique, Vaganova, and RAD styles, she seeks to grow as a teacher, learning new techniques to bring to the students of the School of Madison Ballet to lift them to higher heights.

Her passion for bringing ballet to underprivileged youth sparked her to work in the Chicago, Sacramento, and Madison communities in outreach and education throughout her career. Mrs. Fochs would like to thank her family for their constant support and her students for their continual inspiration.