Ballet Virginia Academy
Ballet Virginia Academy, 700 W 21st St, Norfolk, VA 23517
About
Ballet Virginia Academy offers classes in ballet, tap, modern, and contemporary dance. The program includes academy classes, a Children’s Program, Lower School classes, an Upper School progressive course of study, and adult dance classes. Classes, camps, and workshops take place from June through August.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Classes, camps, and workshops June through August
Ballet Virginia was founded in 2008 by Suzanne Lownsbury and Janina Michalski. By the summer of 2019, it had opened a second academy location in Virginia Beach and launched a full-time professional company, creating a thriving dance academy of over 400 students plus a full-time professional company. Other artists involved with Ballet Virginia include Lydia Roberts Coco and Lisa McCarty.
The Children’s Program offers classes in ballet and tap from ages 18 months to nine years old. The Lower School offers classes in ballet and modern for ages 7 and up. 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 with classes in ballet and contemporary, and adults of all ages and abilities are welcome, with adult classes meeting throughout the academy year and summer.
The main location’s historic building was brought back to life by parents, staff, and a construction team and includes five large dance studios, a wardrobe room, offices, and dressing rooms. Ballet Virginia describes itself as Coastal Virginia’s Ballet Academy and Company and has two academy locations in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
According to its mission statement, Ballet Virginia is committed to fostering a lifelong passion for dance through nurturing education, invigorating performances, and artistic excellence. The mission statement also says the two academy locations teach to the whole child by instilling discipline, self-confidence, joy, and a sense of teamwork, and that academy students perform side by side with top-tier professionals. Ballet Virginia states that it upholds the highest standards and strives to maintain artistic excellence in all of its endeavors.
Ballet Virginia is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). It works with community partners such as The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and Symphonicity to bring artistic excellence to the Hampton Roads community and acknowledges support from the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.
Performances include annual productions such as The Nutcracker, which have become family traditions for many. The 2026–2027 season includes a family-friendly experience at Zeiders American Dream Theater and ends with a new production titled “Time in Motion.”
Last updated July 19, 2026.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Classes, camps, and workshops June through August
Ballet Virginia was founded in 2008 by Suzanne Lownsbury and Janina Michalski. By the summer of 2019, it had opened a second academy location in Virginia Beach and launched a full-time professional company, creating a thriving dance academy of over 400 students plus a full-time professional company. Other artists involved with Ballet Virginia include Lydia Roberts Coco and Lisa McCarty.
The Children’s Program offers classes in ballet and tap from ages 18 months to nine years old. The Lower School offers classes in ballet and modern for ages 7 and up. 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 with classes in ballet and contemporary, and adults of all ages and abilities are welcome, with adult classes meeting throughout the academy year and summer.
The main location’s historic building was brought back to life by parents, staff, and a construction team and includes five large dance studios, a wardrobe room, offices, and dressing rooms. Ballet Virginia describes itself as Coastal Virginia’s Ballet Academy and Company and has two academy locations in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
According to its mission statement, Ballet Virginia is committed to fostering a lifelong passion for dance through nurturing education, invigorating performances, and artistic excellence. The mission statement also says the two academy locations teach to the whole child by instilling discipline, self-confidence, joy, and a sense of teamwork, and that academy students perform side by side with top-tier professionals. Ballet Virginia states that it upholds the highest standards and strives to maintain artistic excellence in all of its endeavors.
Ballet Virginia is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). It works with community partners such as The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and Symphonicity to bring artistic excellence to the Hampton Roads community and acknowledges support from the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.
Performances include annual productions such as The Nutcracker, which have become family traditions for many. The 2026–2027 season includes a family-friendly experience at Zeiders American Dream Theater and ends with a new production titled “Time in Motion.”
Last updated July 19, 2026.
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