Asheville Academy of Ballet is a dance school rooted in the long history of The Asheville Ballet, founded in 1963 and recognized as North Carolina’s oldest non-profit ballet company. The academy emphasizes classical ballet within an active performance tradition, connecting training to multiple productions throughout the year and sustained artistic development. Its program also includes modern, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop, serving dancers across a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Under the direction of Ann Dunn, with faculty including Youth Director Allison Hertzberg and Ballet Mistress Fleming Lomax, the academy reflects both regional roots and extensive professional teaching and performance experience.