Biography

Ms. Valerie is originally from Champaign, IL, and trained in the Vaganova technique at Champaign Ballet Academy, under Deanna Doty. There she fell in love with classical ballet and had the privilege of dancing principal and soloist roles with Champaign Urbana Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Cinderella, La Bayadere, Paquita, and The Nutcracker. After being deeply impacted by her experience at Ballet 5:8's summer intensive in 2013, Linsner joined Ballet 5:8's trainee program in 2017. She is extremely grateful for the training she received from Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager and former Trainee Program Director Brette Benedict during that time. Linsner was promoted to Apprentice with Ballet 5:8 in 2019, Company Artist in 2020, and Solo Artist in 2021, performing principal and soloist roles in many of Julianna Rubio Slager’s works, including Reckless, Butterfly, Meditations, Brothers & Sisters, and Lost Women of Juarez. Linsner has been teaching at the School of Ballet 5:8 since 2018 and currently serves as Co-Director of the Pre-professional Program. Ms. Valerie is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique.