Rachel Turner grew up in Charlottesville and trained at several local studios. In high school, Rachel was awarded partial and full merit scholarships to attend the School of Richmond Ballet. In 2008, she joined the Charlottesville Ballet as a member of the professional company for two and a half seasons. She took a hiatus from professional dancing to pursue a higher education. While finishing her Bachelors’ degree, she completed an extensive course with the University of Virginia as preparation for the physically and mentally challenging AFAA group fitness certification. For the next two years, as a certified group exercise instructor, Rachel taught a variety of classes at UVA Intramural - Recreational Sports including an adult beginning ballet and pre ballet for a summer program.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Richmond with a Bachelors’ degree in Paralegal Studies and has worked for various law firms in Richmond, Charlottesville, and Washington D.C. After relocating to Northern Virginia, Rachel had the opportunity to dance and choreograph for a small modern dance company, Choreographers Collaboration Project, for five seasons while continuing her training in the Adult Division Program with BalletNova. She has danced as a guest artist with the Gin Dance Company, Onelight, and Dance ICONS.

Her leading and soloist ballet roles include the Snow Queen in the Nutcracker, Dying Swan in Carnival of the Animals, Little Red Riding Hood in A Fairy Tale Gathering, and Cinderella in Cinderella. She has trained in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Partnering, Character Dance, Modern, Contemporary, Improvisation, Jazz, and Theatre Dance. Over the years, Rachel has attended several summer intensives, workshops, and master classes with the School of Richmond Ballet, Christopher K. Morgan & Artists, Motion X Dance DC, BalletNova, and Dogtown Dance Theatre.

In 2019, she moved back to Charlottesville to work at the University of Virginia. She is thrilled to share her passion and love of dance with the Charlottesville community