Ballet Virginia Academy Classes
Ballet Virginia Academy, 700 W 21st St, Norfolk, VA 23517
About
Ballet Virginia Academy Classes include ballet, tap, modern, pointe, and contemporary, along with specific class levels such as Dance with Me, Pre-Ballet, Beginning Ballet, Ballet A, Ballet B, and Levels 1 through 6 and BV II. The program is part of a larger academy that includes both children’s classes and an adult dance program.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Academy Classes run from September to June; Adult Dance Program classes meet throughout the academy year and summer.
The Children’s Program offers classes in ballet and tap for ages 18 months to nine years old, and at this age students are usually placed based on age and beginners are welcome. The Lower School offers classes in ballet and modern for ages 7 and up, and students must be placed in a level before registering. The Upper School is a progressive course of study intended to bring a dancer from an intermediate level to the technical abilities and artistry of a professional dancer. The adult program is for ages 14 and up and offers classes in ballet, pointe, and contemporary, and adults of all ages and abilities are welcome. Registration is open for the 25/26 academy year, and Season 2025–2026 marks their seventh season with a professional company. Annual productions such as The Nutcracker are held each year.
Ballet Virginia was founded in 2008 by Suzanne Lownsbury and Janina Michalski, together with artists including Lydia Roberts Coco and Lisa McCarty and a group of Ballet Virginia families. By the summer of 2019, Ballet Virginia had opened a second academy location in Virginia Beach and launched a full-time professional company. The main location’s historic building houses five large dance studios, a wardrobe room, offices, and dressing rooms, and is home to a dance academy of over 400 students plus the professional company.
Ballet Virginia states that its mission is to foster a lifelong passion for dance through nurturing education, invigorating performances, and artistic excellence. The two academy locations state that they teach to the whole child by instilling discipline, self-confidence, joy, and a sense of teamwork. The organization states that its performances are of a high caliber, with academy students performing alongside top-tier professionals, and that it upholds high standards and strives to maintain artistic excellence in all endeavors.
Ballet Virginia works with community partners such as The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and Symphonicity to bring artistic programming to the Hampton Roads community. The organization invites community members to share dance experiences on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience, and acknowledges support from the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), Ballet Virginia relies on contributors for financial support and volunteers for time and expertise.
Last updated January 20, 2026.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Academy Classes run from September to June; Adult Dance Program classes meet throughout the academy year and summer.
The Children’s Program offers classes in ballet and tap for ages 18 months to nine years old, and at this age students are usually placed based on age and beginners are welcome. The Lower School offers classes in ballet and modern for ages 7 and up, and students must be placed in a level before registering. The Upper School is a progressive course of study intended to bring a dancer from an intermediate level to the technical abilities and artistry of a professional dancer. The adult program is for ages 14 and up and offers classes in ballet, pointe, and contemporary, and adults of all ages and abilities are welcome. Registration is open for the 25/26 academy year, and Season 2025–2026 marks their seventh season with a professional company. Annual productions such as The Nutcracker are held each year.
Ballet Virginia was founded in 2008 by Suzanne Lownsbury and Janina Michalski, together with artists including Lydia Roberts Coco and Lisa McCarty and a group of Ballet Virginia families. By the summer of 2019, Ballet Virginia had opened a second academy location in Virginia Beach and launched a full-time professional company. The main location’s historic building houses five large dance studios, a wardrobe room, offices, and dressing rooms, and is home to a dance academy of over 400 students plus the professional company.
Ballet Virginia states that its mission is to foster a lifelong passion for dance through nurturing education, invigorating performances, and artistic excellence. The two academy locations state that they teach to the whole child by instilling discipline, self-confidence, joy, and a sense of teamwork. The organization states that its performances are of a high caliber, with academy students performing alongside top-tier professionals, and that it upholds high standards and strives to maintain artistic excellence in all endeavors.
Ballet Virginia works with community partners such as The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and Symphonicity to bring artistic programming to the Hampton Roads community. The organization invites community members to share dance experiences on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience, and acknowledges support from the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), Ballet Virginia relies on contributors for financial support and volunteers for time and expertise.
Last updated January 20, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.