Business Details
38 Years
experience
Premier Ballet Training & Performances in Columbia, SC
Founded in 1988 by dance legend Ann Brodie, our organization has served as the premier pre-professional ballet company in South Carolina's Midlands region. We provide rigorous classical and contemporary dance training grounded in the Vagonova method, complemented by a uniquely American neoclassical approach. Our company dancers have achieved success on global stages, from professional ballet companies to Broadway productions, while our educational outreach programs engage over 5,000 local students annually. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we maintain affiliations with the Columbia Music Festival Association and receive support from municipal governments, the South Carolina Arts Commission, and private donors. Our dual mission combines professional-caliber performances at The Township Auditorium with comprehensive dance education through the Center for Dance Education, which we established in 2002 to cultivate future dance professionals and arts advocates.Our faculty includes internationally recognized instructors who deliver both structured pre-professional curricula and customized enrichment programs. Through summer intensives, community performances, and school partnerships, we foster artistic development while instilling discipline and time management skills that benefit participants throughout their lives. Our commitment to accessibility ensures financial barriers don't prevent talented individuals from pursuing dance excellence.
Services
Ballet training
Summer academy
Community outreach
Performance productions
Dance education
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of experience developing professional dancers through proven training methods
- Our faculty includes internationally recognized instructors with professional performance backgrounds
- We provide both structured pre-professional curricula and customized enrichment programs
- Our dancers have performed with companies across the United States and Europe
- We maintain strong community partnerships for educational outreach and performance opportunities
Services
Ballet training
Our comprehensive ballet training program combines the prestigious Vagonova method with American neoclassical techniques. Students receive personalized instruction from internationally recognized faculty members through structured pre-professional curricula or customized enrichment programs. The training develops technical mastery while emphasizing discipline, time management, and artistic expression that benefits participants throughout their lives.
Summer academy
This annual summer intensive provides intermediate and advanced dancers with immersive training in classical ballet technique, pointe work, and variations. The program features professional faculty, performance opportunities, and enrichment classes designed to challenge students at the highest level. Participants gain valuable experience through team-teaching environments and preparation for professional dance careers or conservatory programs.
Community outreach
We deliver dance education to over 5,000 local students annually through school partnerships and special programs. Our outreach includes in-school demonstrations, senior citizen programs, and community performances that make dance accessible to diverse audiences. These initiatives cultivate future audiences while demonstrating dance's educational and cultural value to the Midlands region.
Performance productions
Professional-caliber performances feature classical and contemporary works at The Township Auditorium, Columbia's premier performance venue. Productions include full orchestral accompaniment and showcase both established repertoire and original works. The company maintains high production values while providing performance opportunities for pre-professional dancers to develop stagecraft and artistic expression.
Dance education
We offer comprehensive dance education for ages 18 months through adults at our Vista Studio and Lexington locations. Programs include recreational classes, pre-professional tracks, and private coaching for competitions. The curriculum develops technical proficiency while emphasizing artistic growth, with faculty available for personalized instruction to help students achieve specific performance or competition goals.
People
Calvert Brodie
Founding Director
As founding director, Calvert Brodie established the organization's artistic vision and commitment to dance excellence in the Midlands region.
John Whitehead
Executive Director & Artistic Director
John Whitehead provides executive leadership and artistic direction, maintaining the company's professional standards and community engagement initiatives.
Mimi Worrell
Artistic Director and Director of Faculty
Mimi Worrell oversees artistic programming and faculty development, bringing extensive experience in dance education and curriculum design.
Amy Hartley
Junior Company Assistant Director
Amy Hartley supports the junior company's development, focusing on training young dancers for professional opportunities and community performances.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We focus on classical ballet technique using the Vagonova method with American neoclassical influences.
Do you offer classes for beginners?
Yes, we provide age-appropriate instruction for students aged 18 months through adults at all skill levels.
How can my child join the pre-professional program?
Pre-professional dancers must demonstrate technical proficiency through audition and commit to rigorous class and rehearsal schedules.
Are there performance opportunities for students?
Yes, our productions regularly feature student performers alongside company artists in professional-caliber productions.
What payment options are available for summer programs?
We accept Venmo, PayPal, credit card payments, and traditional payment methods for our summer academy.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Contact our office directly to discuss payment plans and financial assistance options for qualified applicants.
