2011-12 Board of Directors

An honors graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Richard Thayer has served in ordained ministry for thirty years, leading congregations small and large, from coast to coast. He has been involved in denominational relations, with a focus on professional ministerial standards and ecumenical collaboration. Specialized ministries have included campus chaplaincy at Stanford University, where he served as Assistant Dean of the Chapel; and hospice chaplaincy, where he regularly presided over fundraising events, and developed and implemented training for hospice volunteers to better serve the spiritual needs of patients. His continuing studies have taken him to the Middle East, Indonesia, Europe, and Russia, all in the pursuit of deeper understanding and better relations between religious traditions. His current focus is on congregations in transition, providing vision, stability, and encouragement in changing times.

Richard Thayer is a life-long lover of the arts; his relationship with Classical Ballet Theatre goes to nearly the beginning of the enterprise: his son Aaron trained under Cynthia Donavin. Aaron went on to dance professionally for a decade, and attributes his success directly to the training he received as her student.

Reston has been the Thayer family home since 1989. Richard's wife Myra is an administrator for Fairfax County Public Schools. Their three children grew up in the planned town of Reston, while Reston grew up around and along with them. It is with great pride and pleasure that Richard serves as Chair of the Board for CBT. With Executive Director Cynthia Donavin, Artistic Director Alisher Saburov, and every member of the Board of CBT, Richard shares a vision of making Classical Ballet Theatre the premiere professional training program of the Mid-Atlantic for aspiring young dancers.