Jessica Schmitt, originally from Wisconsin, joined VNB in 2022-23 and is excited to be dancing with the company again in 2023-24!  Jessica performed many solo roles in 2022-23 including Emeralds Soloist in Aladdin, Flowers Soloist in The Nutcracker, and many other roles in The Nutcracker, Aladdin, and “The Four Seasons.”  Jessica spent her youth training at Monona Academy of Dance/Dance Wisconsin, Studio M Dance Academy, and Central Midwest Ballet Academy. In 2019 she joined BalletMet’s Trainee Program. While there, she performed in the program’s productions of Giselle and The Sleeping Beauty. She also performed alongside the professional company in BalletMet’s The Nutcracker. In 2021, she joined United Ballet Theatre as a Trainee, where she had the honor of performing alongside the company in corps roles in Paquita, The Nutcracker, and La Bayadere. She has spent summers training at BalletMet and Oklahoma City Ballet. Throughout her training, she has enjoyed performing numerous corps and soloist roles, including Marie, Pirouette Doll, Spanish, Flower, Demi-Soloist Snowflake and Arabian Attendant in The Nutcracker; a Willi in Giselle; and the Wheat Flower Fairy and a jewel in The Sleeping Beauty;. She has performed original ballets and new works by choreographers such as Marguerite Luksik, Miye Bishop, Chelsey Bradley, Ashley Christensen, and Danielle Furhman. She also performed at Regional Dance America Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona as a member of Dance Wisconsin.