ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Joni McDonald began her ballet training under the direction of Jacqueline’s School of Classical Ballet. Upon graduating from High School, Joni joined Utah Metropolitan Ballet and danced professionally for seven seasons performing principal roles such as Sugar Plum, Snow Queen, Swanhilda, Ucanogos in College’s original ballet Legend of Timpanogos, and may others. During that same time, Joni earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts at Utah Valley University with a full ride scholarship. She then joined Northwest Dance Project located in Portland, Oregon and performed original works by Sarah Slipper, Ihsan Rustem, Patrick Delcroix, Wen Wei Wang, and many more. Following Northwest Dance Project she had the experience to work with Michael Nunn and Billy Trevit from the Ballet Boyz on Ovation’s Television series, “A Chance to Dance”.
From that experience, she won the opportunity to tour with “So You Think You Can Dance”. She has been on faculty as a teacher at Brigham Young University, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Utah Valley University, Jacqueline School of Classical Ballet, and many more. After moving back to Utah, Joni helped created SALT in 2019 as Artistic Director and continues to choreograph and direct. Joni moved to Idaho falls 6 years ago to be closer to family. Joni has loved watching Brandy grow her beautiful school. She has known Brandy for 16 years guest teaching and choreographing for IBT throughout the years. Joni loves the beauty that has been created through Idaho Ballet Theatre and is humbled to be part of its future.