Episode 10 | Innovation II: Gianna DeMassio

What this episode covers

In this episode of At the Barre, we go behind the scenes with Madison Ballet apprentice and emerging choreographer Gianna DeMassio In her first season with the company, Gianna shares her journey from a competition dance background to discovering her passion for ballet and how she unexpectedly fell in love with choreography during her training. We also dive into her choreographic process for Innovation II, where she premieres a new work titled Memento Vivere inspired by a meaningful moment while dancing in Italy. The work is centered around the passage of time and the emotional experience of living in the present. Gianna offers insight into what it's like to create work on her peers, how she balances her own movement voice with the established language of a company, and why she's drawn to grounded, human-centered movement that resonates both with dancers and audiences alike. About Gianna DeMassio Originally from upstate New York, Gianna began her ballet training at the New Paltz School of Ballet under the direction of former New York City Ballet dancers Lisa and Peter Naumann. At fifteen, she joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theater's Full-Time program, while also attending summer programs at the Chautauqua Institute and American Ballet Theater in NYC. After graduating from high school, Gianna joined Charlotte Ballet as a trainee, where she studied with the renowned Patricia McBride and began choreographing under the mentorship of Mark Diamond. In 2020, Gianna joined the Richmond Ballet as a trainee and was promoted to their Studio Company shortly after. While dancing with Richmond Ballet, she worked with choreographers such as Jennifer Archibald and Katarzyna Skarpetowska, and performed with the company in many mainstage productions, including her favorite, George Balanchine's Serenade. From 2023 to 2025, Gianna danced as an apprentice with Ballet Rhode Island under the direction of Kathleen Breen Combes and Yury Yanowsky. While there, she enjoyed performing in diverse repertoire, as well as choreographing her own new works for the company. Gianna is looking forward to her first season with Madison Ballet! INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gigi.825/ See Memento Vivere by Gianna in Innovation II @ Overture Center Promenade Hall May 8-10, 2026 🎟️ madisonballet.org/innovation-ii Join the conversation! MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects Questions/comments? Email us at [email protected] Credits PODCAST COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928 GIANNA HEADSHOT: Lexia Frank Photography