Meet Jo-Ann Sundermeier | Principal Dancer/Ballet Master of New Orleans Ballet Theatre

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jo-Ann Sundermeier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jo-Ann, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Although I’m not the founder of New Orleans Ballet Theatre, I am an original Principal Dancer and Ballet Master for the organization. My husband and I were in the heights of our dance careers, dancing with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, when we decided to make the move to New Orleans to help launch the first full season of New Orleans Ballet Theatre (NOBT). Originally, it had been a summer performing company for professional ballet dancers during their seasonal layoff, but in 2019, the company hired their first full-time contracted dancers, and established a resident professional ballet company. The pandemic put a halt to the inaugural full-time season, but in March of 2021, the company held auditions looking for professional ballet dancers (where over 200 candidates from around the world showed interest) and hired a total of 12 contracted dancers for the 21/22 season. A bit of background:
My husband, Josh Reynolds, began performing with NOBT in the summer of 2008. We met in 2013, and I had my first performance with NOBT in 2014 (invited through his affiliation). Gregory Schramel (Director of NOBT) asked if we were interested in helping expand the company. We had just had our daughter while living and dancing in Canada, and long days of rehearsals and touring seemed less and less appealing. Our passion for dance and desire to be a part of something new (as well as the thought of being closer to family) really made this decision easy. We packed up our things and moved back to the US. Our roles include Principal Dancers and Ballet Masters for the company.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I moved away from home (Pompano Beach, Florida) when I was 13 to train with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. I spent 5 years in the school there, while also attending high school, where I graduated, and received my first professional ballet contract with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) as an apprentice. I rose through the ranks of the company to become principal dancer. I made a decision to move to San Francisco for personal reasons, and auditioned for Smuin Ballet. I received a contract to join the company there, which is when I met my husband, Josh Reynolds. We made the decision to move back to Winnipeg together, and we joined RWB for the following 4 seasons. We decided to move to New Orleans the summer of 2019 to be a part of the expansion of New Orleans Ballet Theatre. I live by the saying “everything happens for a reason”. I truly believe these words. You never know why your path is taking you a certain way, but when you look back, you realize why you went through happy times and hardships. Hard work pays off. Dedication and discipline pays off. Persistence pays off.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would recommend soaking in some music on Frenchmen street. Snug Harbor is definitely a favorite place to go! Also, restaurants such as Tito’s Ceviche and Pisco on Magazine Street, and Cochon on Tchoupitoulas are a couple of my favorite places to eat. I would also recommend trying a few local/touristy drinks such as purple drink from Lafitte’s or a signature drink from Port of Call. Lastly, it’s always nice to stroll around The Fly, Audubon Park or City Park, if they’re looking for just an easy afternoon outdoors.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could go on about a lot of people, but I’ll try to narrow it down. I owe a lot to my parents for allowing me to move away from home at a young age to pursue my passion for ballet. I also want to recognize the importance the Royal Winnipeg Ballet had on my training and career. Without the RWB I wouldn’t be where I am artistically. I met my husband in San Francisco while dancing for Smuin Ballet. If it weren’t for those short 2 years there, I would’ve never met him. I send extra special love and recognition to my husband Josh, for being my partner on stage and off. He’s my world. I’m so lucky to have him (literally) keep me on my toes, and also, love to our daughter… she is my inspiration and energy to keep going.

Website: www.nobt.org

Instagram: @joannsundermeier

Other: @nola_ballet

Image Credits
James Shaw Bonnie Holmes Devin Ball Kent Barker David l’Hoste Rejean Brandt