Highlands Ballet

For over two decades, Highlands Ballet has been a cornerstone of the performing arts landscape in Abingdon, Virginia, and throughout Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. More than just a dance studio, Highlands Ballet is a dedicated civic ballet company and its feeder school, the Highlands Center for Ballet Arts. Founded in 1994 by directors Deanna Cole-Roberts and Deirdre Cole, this esteemed institution is passionate about providing aspiring young dancers with exceptional training, unwavering support, and a profound appreciation for the fine art of classical ballet. Their mission extends beyond the studio walls, as they are committed to bringing professional-quality performances to the broader community, enriching the cultural fabric of the region. As one delighted customer shared, it's an "Amazing dance family so happy we joined. Great adult classes too." This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the warm, inclusive, yet highly professional atmosphere that defines Highlands Ballet. Whether you're a budding ballerina, a seasoned adult looking to reconnect with dance, or simply an admirer of exquisite performances, Highlands Ballet offers a unique blend of top-tier instruction, a nurturing environment, and captivating theatrical productions right here in your local community.

Highlands Ballet is conveniently located at 18174 Lee Hwy, Abingdon, VA 24210, USA. This accessible address places the dance center within easy reach for residents of Abingdon and surrounding areas throughout Southwest Virginia. Lee Highway, also known as US Route 11, is a major thoroughfare, ensuring straightforward navigation to the studio. Its strategic location makes it a convenient option for families commuting from nearby towns and communities, minimizing travel time and making dance classes easily manageable within busy schedules. The availability of parking typically found in this type of location further enhances the ease of access for parents during drop-off and pick-up times, contributing to a stress-free experience. This prime spot underscores Highlands Ballet's dedication to serving a broad regional audience, making quality classical ballet instruction and performance opportunities readily available to anyone in the area with a passion for dance. Being situated on a main road means the studio is visible and easily integrated into the daily routines of local families.

• Classical Ballet Training: The core of the curriculum, offering rigorous instruction in classical ballet technique for all levels, from beginners to advanced aspiring professionals. This includes barre work, center floor exercises, and challenging combinations.
• Pointe Work: Specialized training for advanced ballet students who have developed the necessary strength and technique to dance en pointe, focusing on precision, balance, and artistry.
• Jazz Dance: Supplementary classes that explore various jazz styles, enhancing dancers' versatility with dynamic movements, turns, leaps, and expressive choreography. This complements the strong classical foundation.
• Contemporary Dance: Classes that delve into modern and contemporary dance forms, encouraging self-expression, improvisation, and a broader range of movement vocabulary. This is introduced around age 8 after classical foundations are established.
• Adult Dance Classes: Opportunities for adults of all experience levels to engage with dance, providing a fantastic way to stay active, learn new skills, and enjoy the artistic benefits of ballet in a supportive environment, as highlighted by community reviews.
• Highlands Center for Ballet Arts (Feeder School): The academy's school provides a structured curriculum for aspiring young dancers, ensuring a strong progression from one level to the next, with age-appropriate physical and mental development in mind.
• Pre-Professional Training: Programs designed to support and train students with the potential for professional dance careers, offering advanced technique and performance opportunities.
• Performance Opportunities: Students are regularly involved in showcase performances, including an annual recital that often follows the professional format of company productions, giving every class level its own stage time.
• Summer Intensive Programs: While not explicitly detailed, the curriculum prepares dancers for prestigious summer intensives, with many students gaining acceptance to renowned programs like Joffrey Ballet School and Nashville Ballet.

• Dedicated Civic Ballet Company: Highlands Ballet Company is not just a school; it's a true civic ballet company dedicated to the performing art of classical ballet, providing advanced students with semi-professional performance opportunities and enriching the community with high-quality productions.
• Original Choreography and Artistic Vision: A hallmark of directors Deanna Cole-Roberts and Deirdre Cole, the company is renowned for its original ballets, including full-length productions like "The Nutcracker," "A Christmas Carol," "Robin Hood," and "The Wizard of Oz," showcasing unique artistic expression.
• Nurturing and Wholesome Environment: Consistently praised for fostering a supportive, friendly, and wholesome atmosphere for aspiring young dancers, ensuring a positive and enriching experience where students feel like part of a "dance family."
• Professional Quality Performances for the Community: Highlands Ballet brings professional-level cultural, educational, and entertaining programs to Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, making high art accessible to local audiences.
• Experienced and Visionary Leadership: The founders and directors bring decades of experience and a clear artistic vision, ensuring a strong, consistent curriculum and high standards of training.
• Comprehensive Curriculum Progression: A well-structured curriculum ensures that students progress appropriately through levels, with a strong focus on classical ballet during primary years, supplemented with jazz/modern/contemporary around age 8.
• Emphasis on Technical and Artistic Excellence: The mission is to nurture and inspire young dancers, striving to offer a level of training that invokes both technical precision and artistic expression.
• Community Involvement and Outreach: Highlands Ballet actively participates in local events such as the Virginia Highlands Festival, Abingdon Community Christmas, and Mistletoe Market, further integrating with the community.
• Volunteer Opportunities: The company relies on a dedicated army of volunteers for everything from intermission receptions and poster hanging to costumes and special events, highlighting its community-driven spirit.

Address: 18174 Lee Hwy, Abingdon, VA 24210, USA

Phone: (276) 623-0822

Mobile Phone: +1 276-623-0822

For residents of Abingdon, Virginia, and the wider Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee regions, Highlands Ballet stands as an extraordinary cultural asset and a truly exceptional place for dance education. Its decades-long dedication to the performing art of classical ballet, combined with its commitment to fostering a supportive and wholesome "dance family" environment, makes it an unparalleled choice for aspiring dancers of all ages. From its rigorous classical training that emphasizes technical and artistic excellence to its engaging adult classes and its captivating, original full-length ballet productions for the community, Highlands Ballet offers something for everyone. The directors' artistic vision and the instructors' passion ensure that students not only master dance steps but also develop confidence, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. For locals seeking a professional, nurturing, and deeply community-oriented dance experience that truly brings "professional quality performances to the community at large," Highlands Ballet is the definitive destination, enriching lives and fostering artistic growth right here in Abingdon, VA.

Highlands Ballet

18174 Lee Hwy, Abingdon, VA 24210, USA