Elena Shapiro grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and began her serious ballet training at age 10 at North Carolina School of the Arts’ preparatory program where she ended up staying through high school. While at the School of the Arts she performed the role of Gerda in Nina Danilova’s The Snow Queen and danced in Balanchine’s Serenade for the Melissa Hayden Memorial Tribute. Ms. Shapiro also trained during the summers at Hungarian National Ballet, Houston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, School of American Ballet and National Ballet School of Canada. She comes to Carolina Ballet after a year as a trainee with Boston Ballet.

In Memoriam

We regret to inform you that Elena Bright Shapiro passed away on September 11, 2009. Elena was a trainee entering her second year with Carolina Ballet. The entire organization is devastated by the loss of Elena. She had many close friends and was a wonderful young woman that will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to the Shapiro family at this difficult time.