Rachel Elizabeth Thompson (formerly Cockerham) 

​

received most of her pre-collegiate training at Dance Conservatory of Maryland under the instruction of Pamela Villeneuve, Linda O’Brien, Shana O’Brien, Barclay Gibbs, Paul Wegner, and Caryl Maxwell. In 2008, she was selected to participate in the Kennedy Center Ballet Class Series. In 2009, she was awarded a full scholarship to Kansas City Ballet's Summer Intensive. And, in 2010, she was recognized as a Maryland Distinguished Scholar in the Arts. Rachel went on to study Ballet at Mercyhurst University under the instruction of Tauna Hunter, Michael Gleason, Lesley Bories-Scalise, Melissa Bobick, Noelle Partusch, and Christina Maria Adelhardt. While at the University, Rachel served as chapter president of National Honors Society for Dance Arts, part of the National Dance Education Organization. She also had the honor of being hired by the D’Angelo Opera Theatre as Stage Manager for their production of Madama Butterfly. She graduated from Mercyhurst University with a B.A. in Dance (and a B.A. in English). Over the course of her training, she performed in numerous classical, contemporary, and liturgical roles. After graduationg from college, she taught and choreographed for local studios and fitness centers including Dance Conservatory of Maryland, Sudbrook Arts Centre/Mission DanceWorks, and YMCA. In 2018, she founded Oak Grove Classical Christian School's Classical Ballet Academy. And, in 2019, she joined EMC Performing Arts Studio as a Ballet instructor.

​