Following an incredible summer at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, where students engaged in summer intensives and a variety of dance programs, we are excited to welcome returning families back for a brand-new school year and to get to know our newly enrolled students. Classes started last week, and the hallways were alive with vibrant conversation and enthusiasm as students and families greeted their teachers and returned to the studios, ready to embark on another exhilarating year of dance.

Ashley Suta, the Manager of Atlanta Ballet’s Virginia-Highland Centre, is excited about the first few weeks of classes. “It’s great fun to see all of our returning dancers and catch up on how their summers were, as well as meet the new students,” she says enthusiastically. “The fresh energy that everyone brings is simply amazing. The first weeks of classes are filled to the brim with potential and set the tone for the new year.”

At the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, this potential is limitless. On September 7, enrolled students aged 6 and up will have the opportunity to audition for roles in Atlanta Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, choreographed by Yuri Possokhov. Some of these students will share the stage with Atlanta Ballet company dancers and Atlanta Ballet 2 dancers in roles such as Chicks, Young Mice, Toy Soldiers, and Party Children. Many of them may even pursue a professional dance career and delight audiences for years to come.

At Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, we pride ourselves on cultivating a noncompetitive, highly nurturing dance environment where each individual is respected and celebrated for their unique journey. Suta aims to encourage her students to continuously push the boundaries of their comfort zones, whether that means trying a new dance style, exploring more nuances in artistry, or even volunteering as a teaching assistant. She also hopes to enhance the sense of community at the Virginia-Highland Centre. “It has always been a huge goal of mine to foster a safe, nurturing environment where students of all backgrounds and abilities can thrive,” she adds. “When you walk into the Centre, I want it to feel like a second home for our students.”

Ansilla Bearden, the Manager of Atlanta Ballet’s Buckhead Centre, also serves as the Summer Programs Manager and has connected with many new families during the break. “Our summer activities are a big hit with both students and families. They provide the perfect opportunity to continue dance education throughout the summer or to explore a new hobby or dance genre. It’s wonderful to see so many students, who have participated in our summer programs and benefited from the guidance of our highly skilled instructors, returning to us as fully enrolled students in the fall. This truly speaks to the quality of our program.”

Coordinating the Summer Programs is a year-round passion project for Bearden. “I am always looking for ways to enhance and improve the experience for our dancers,” she says. “It’s important to me that every dancer leaves the program not only having advanced their technique but also feeling a sense of joy and accomplishment.”

For the Atlanta Ballet Boutique, the first week feels a little magical. It’s an exciting time for students as they get fitted for shoes, pick up their uniforms, and browse products sourced from local artisans. Louise Gordon, the Boutique Operations Manager, enjoys the energy of the new school year. “It feels a lot like welcoming everyone home,” she explains. “Families are such a significant part of what makes the Centre for Dance Education thrive. Reconnecting with returning families and welcoming new ones reminds me that ballet is about much more than steps and technique; it’s about community, resilience, and the joy of creating something bigger than ourselves.” Gordon aspires to strengthen connections between the Boutique, students, and families this year. “Our goal is to support our dancers not only through what we provide in the Boutique but also through mentorship and opportunities such as the Centre Ambassador Program, where young dancers learn leadership skills and connect with the ballet community.”

Whether your child loves to skip and twirl, enjoys ballet technique at the barre, or is ready to take the leap into a professional career, we have a dance program for them. Visit our website to find out more or head to one of our studios conveniently located in West Midtown, Buckhead, and Virginia-Highland. Registration for the new school year is still open, but classes are filling fast. And only enrolled students may audition for The Nutcracker.

We can’t wait to welcome you to our dance community and hope to see you in studios soon!