Richmond, VA — VCUarts Department of Dance + Choreography is proud to announce that current student, Toria Donaldson, and Adjunct Faculty member, Angelica Burgos, received awards at the 2025 Virginia Dance Award Ceremony on December 7th, 2025. The Virginia Dance Awards are “an annual awards ceremony created in an effort to recognize the many talented performing artists and contributors amongst the growing dance community throughout Virginia.”
Toria Donaldson, a member of the 2026 graduating class, was awarded the prestigious Dance Of The Year Award. To qualify for the award, “the dancer (18+) [must consistently exhibit] an immense amount of hard work, dedication, growth and perseverance throughout the 2024 calendar year.” When asked how Donaldson felt about being nominated and receiving the award, they stated “I am honored to have won this award as it represents the hard work that I have put into my love for dance. This experience has also reminded me that there are people who believe in the work I am doing and rooting for me, and for that I am forever grateful!”
Angelica Burgos, a longstanding Ballet Adjunct Faculty member with the department, was nominated and received the award for Outstanding Ballet Choreography for their work “Seat At The Table.” The Outstanding Ballet Choreography award is described as “the choreographed piece (and choreographer) that exhibits creativity, technique and innovative entertainment using traditional Ballet movement.” Burgos explained that “last year, [she] choreographed ‘Seat At The Table’ for University [of Richmond] Dancers, which explores gender inequality in leadership positions and emphasizes the importance of including women in high-level conversations and decision-making. In our field, I aim to inspire, connect, create, and make a meaningful impact through my work, leaving a lasting impression on everyone I encounter through dance. As an educator, I am continuously exploring different methods to continue growing and learning.” When asked what was next for her professionally, Burgos noted that she recently got certified in Progressing Ballet Technique PBT and will be premiering a new work for University of Richmond Dancers’ 41st concert, Currents, her latest work, “Caged Sonatas”. Angelica’s headshot is by Anthony Burgos (narratography).
Additionally, VCUarts Dance Associate Professor Eric Rivera received a nomination for Outstanding Contemporary Choreography.
