Miss Black began formal dance training at the age of 3, piano instruction at the age of 5, and studied the performing arts throughout her childhood. Over a decade of music, theater arts, and dance training eventually culminated in her graduation from The Northwest School, where The Arts are as vital to education as are academic subjects. (Famous alumni include Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters, and Jason Finn of The Presidents of the United States of America).

Ravenna has studied burlesque dance with Miss Indigo Blue, Kitten DeVille, Babette LaFave, Jacqueline Hyde, Tigger (Mister Exotic World 2006), Dirty Martini (Miss Exotic World 2004), Kitten LaRue, Jo "Boobs" Weldon, and burlesque legend Dee Milo, "The Venus of Dance." She is currently working with Milo to re-create the act which nearly got her arrested in the 1950's, "I Married An Angel".

It is clear by her performance style that Ravenna takes her inspiration from the spectacle of live theater. In addiiton to acting and performance roles, she has also filled key behind-the-scenes production positions such as property master, group dance choreographer, and special effects coordinator (a particular interest). Other skills include firearms training, both practical and theatrical, and horseback riding.