SHANNON COMERFORD
Shannon Comerford, who grew up in Amelia, VA, got her start dancing at Joy’s School of Dance. She continued her dance education at Radford University and graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance in 2015. While at Radford, she performed in many main stage productions, as well as at the New York Jazz Choreography Project and served as an apprentice for d a n a h b e l l a DanceWorks. Since graduating, Shannon has danced as a guest dancer for local RVA and DMV artists and was a company member with RVA Dance Collective for several years. Through her time with the company she worked with several notable choreographers including Eric Rivera, Miguel Perez, LaWanda Raines, Vicki Fink and Kelly Bartnik. In addition to performing Shannon has a huge passion for choreography and teaching. She loves creating and continuing to help nurture and cultivate other dancers’ journeys. Shannon joined SFD in 2022.
MOLLY HUEY
Molly Huey, originally from Pennsylvania, is a dance artist, videographer, and media artist, among other things. They perform, choreograph, teach, capture, create, and recreate often. Molly has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance, specializing in performance and choreography, and a Bachelor of Arts in communication, graduating from Slippery Rock University in 2019. A few highlights include performing on the Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out Stage with ACDA selected works, at the Joyce Theater in New York for the University Partner’s Showcase, the New Hazlett Theater in Pittsburgh for PearlArt’s 3600 Seconds of Solos, at Dixon Place in New York for WhiteWave’s SoloDuo Festival, at Schenley Park for Pittsburgh Ballet Theater’s Open Air series, in Brooklyn Bridge Park with Currents (take.6), and in Philadelphia for the Koresh Artist Showcase. They look forward to exploring more stages. Molly is the Media Specialist at Richmond Ballet and joined Starr Foster Dance in 2022.
MADISON ERNSTES
Madison Ernstes, born in China and raised in Richmond, Virginia, began her dance training at Dancers’ Studio and later danced competitively at Dance Destination. She continued her dance journey at the University of Richmond where she served as both a member of and company captain for the Department of Theatre and Dance’s company, University Dancers. She was also a member of the Department’s Electrics Crew. Additionally, she choreographed two original dance works that premiered in University Dancers’ Annual Concerts. After graduating with a BA in Dance and BS in Biology in 2020, Madison attended Radford University and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in May 2023. She is currently working with Fox Rehabilitation in Richmond, VA. Madison joined SFD in 2023.
Roya Baker-Vahdani
Roya Baker-Vahdani began her dance training at the age of three with Dance Fremont in Seattle, Washington, under the direction of Artistic Directors Vivian Little and Mary Reardon, where she danced until the age of seventeen. From 2018 to 2020, Roya trained under Artistic Director Megan Philipp at the State Street Ballet Professional Training Program in Santa Barbara, California, and then danced for Columbia Classical Ballet in Columbia, South Carolina, under the direction of Radenko Pavlovich from 2020 to 2021. Roya moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 2021 to join Stavna Ballet, where she danced under the Artistic Direction of Shannon Hunter McConville for two seasons. Roya guested with Starr Foster Dance for two seasons and joined the company in 2025. In addition to dancing, Roya works with Early Autism Services as a behavioral technician while completing her BA in psychology.
Sarah Carrington
Sarah Carrington is a dance artist and educator from Richmond, Virginia. She began her training at the age of five and now holds a BA in dance as well as a pre-K through 12 dance education license from James Madison University. While studying at JMU, Sarah trained under Ryan Corriston, Suzanne Miller-Corso, Matt Pardo, Darla Stanley, Joyce Yagerline and was able to connect with and study under many dance companies. Sarah works full time as a preK teacher and dance teacher. She has a great love of spreading the joy of movement to young folx. Sarah guest danced with SFD in SPITTING IMAGE 3 and joined the company in 2025.
