Birmingham Ballet
2198 Columbiana Road - Suite 100
Birmingham, Alabama 35216
Phone: 205-979-9492
info@birminghamballet.com
Celebrating
25 Years of Excellence
BIRMINGHAM BALLET ACADEMY
Established in 1991
Ages 3 - 4
Ages 5 - 7
Ages 8 - 22
Tuition, Calendar, Policies
Meet Some of Our Dancers
Link to Parent Portal
Upcoming Cinderella Auditions
Elizabeth Lindsey
Class of 2016
|
Meet Some of Our Dancers
|
Elizabeth Lindsey, Class of 2016
Most Memorable Moment:
So many! The first time I lost myself in a role and became the character. Dressing room
bonding times.
What I like about BBA:
The family environment! I have so many moms and sisters here and all the performance opportunities.
How BBA has changed me:
When I first came to BBA I literally didn’t talk and had no confidence in myself. Now I have the confidence to do anything I
set my mind to and I talk too much.
set my mind to and I talk too much.
Favorite Shows:
Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Peter Pan
Favorite Role:
Oh so many:) Clara, Aurora, Romeo and Juliet Balcony Pas, Sugar Plum, Wendy,
Odile... so literally everything.
What do you plan to do next with dance?
I will be pursuing a professional ballet career.
Elizabeth Lindsey
as Clara in 2010
as Clara in 2010
Elizabeth Lindsey
as Aurora in 2016
Katherine Free, Class of 2017
Most Memorable Moment:
Peforming Odette with less than 48 hours of rehearsal. I was suposed to dance
the 1st Act Pas de Trois and Baby Swans.
But, when the principal guest artist, Emi Hariyama, came to town she was very sick with pneumonia. So, I was assigned to
be her understudy and learned the role of Odette overnight. I am so thankful for this opportunity and it was especially
wonderful to be coached in the role by Emi.
But, when the principal guest artist, Emi Hariyama, came to town she was very sick with pneumonia. So, I was assigned to
be her understudy and learned the role of Odette overnight. I am so thankful for this opportunity and it was especially
wonderful to be coached in the role by Emi.
Favorite Role:
Aurora. So much dancing! But really, everything I have danced has special meaning. Solar Flares is
another role that
comes to mind when I think of roles beyond the tutu ballets.
comes to mind when I think of roles beyond the tutu ballets.
Favorite Costume:
Clara’s nightgown and the Vision dress from Sleeping Beauty
What do you plan to do next with dance?
I hope to dance professionally with a ballet company. My summer training experiences at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in
Moscow have inspired my interest in Russian language and culture. I’m working on learning to speak Russian and hope
this might lead to the ability to join a Russian or European ballet company at some point. I like to travel, so I hope to find
performing opportunities or business opportunities that allow me to see the world.
Moscow have inspired my interest in Russian language and culture. I’m working on learning to speak Russian and hope
this might lead to the ability to join a Russian or European ballet company at some point. I like to travel, so I hope to find
performing opportunities or business opportunities that allow me to see the world.
Katherine Free,
Age 4
Katherine Free as
Aurora in 2016
Aurora in 2016
Kathleen McCrary, Class of 2018
Favorite Shows:
Nutcracker
Most Memorable Moment:
Kicking Carl Dean in the foot during Clara Pas....or, being Dew Drop and hearing
Mark Milner say “Yassss” off stage... or,
falling during Chinese fouettes.
falling during Chinese fouettes.
Favorite Role:
Lost Boy or Clara
Favorite Costume:
Lost Boy... or, Fairy tutu ...or, Dragon costume
How BBA has changed me:
I’ve gotten stronger mentally and physically. I’m more confident.
Favorite thing about BBA:
The people.
Linnea Blakemore, Class of 2017
Most Memorable Moments:
Triple finger turn with Carl as Harlequin; Sitting stage side with Haley, Kat, & Kathleen watching Elizabeth nail Aurora; Mario
lifiting me; Mark; Holding Kat before her 1st Odette show, trying to convince her she could do it.
lifiting me; Mark; Holding Kat before her 1st Odette show, trying to convince her she could do it.
What I like about BBA:
How invested everyone is in each other; it’s a safe place for me to be myself; I get to pretend like I’m a child again.
How BBA has changed me:
I have become my mom around my girls. They can come to me for anything, and they know that. I have found my
occupation.
occupation.
Favorite Show:
Mistake Waltz
Favorite Role:
Harlequin, Spanish, Gretel
Favorite Costume:
Gretel
What do you plan to do next with dance?
I want to be a dance/movment therapist - using dance as a form of therapy to
give those with mental illness a safe outlet to
express themselves.
express themselves.
One of the most exciting things to experience at Birmingham Ballet Academy is
the growth of the dancers from year to
year. Our students grow into beautiful performing artists at the same time that they are growing into outstanding
individuals. We are proud to introduce you to some of our current students and recent graduates who are Apprentice
members of our Repertory Company.
year. Our students grow into beautiful performing artists at the same time that they are growing into outstanding
individuals. We are proud to introduce you to some of our current students and recent graduates who are Apprentice
members of our Repertory Company.
Mary Margaret Freeland, Class of 2019
Most Memorable Moments:
Getting into Bolshoi Summer Intensive because of Birmngham Ballet Academy’s training... and everyone going to Moe’s
after auditions.
after auditions.
What I like about BBA:
Family atmosphere and dressing room fun
How BBA has changed me:
I’m more confident and outgoing.
Favorite Show:
Nutcracker
Favorite Role:
Clara or Lost Boy
What will I take with me when I move on after dance:
I know how to learn quickly and have good time management.
Favorite class moment:
Performing the YAGP variation (very well!) in front of the company
Favorite Costume:
Clara party dress, Marzipan tutu, Chinese leggings
Haley Lockhart, Class of 2017
Most Memorable Moments:
Kathleen, Linnea, Katherine, and I sat on the floor on the side of the stage
during Elizabeth’s Aurora variation.
How BBA has changed me:
Taught me to work hard and believe in myself
Favorite Shows:
Peter Pan! and Mistake Waltz
Favorite Role:
Mistletoe
Favorite Costume:
Red Songbird Fairy tutu
How can it help me in later in life:
When I become a lawyer I will be able to think on the spot easier and know how
to manage stress.
Favorite class moment:
When we used to stay after jazz and film ourselves doing tricks in slow motion
and taking fun pictures
Allison Pendleton, Class of 2019
What I like about BBA:
Everyone here is so supportive and encouraging. During performances people watch
in the wings and cheer you on.
How BBA has changed me:
Birmingham Ballet has given me the opportunity to believe in myself more. I have
accomplished things I have never
dreamed of doing.
dreamed of doing.
What dance gives me for the future:
I plan to become an interior architect, and ballet has given me an outlet to
express my creative and artistic side.
Favorite Ballet:
Peter Pan
Favorite Role:
Lost Boy, Clara, Chinese
Favorite class moment:
In Nutcracker call-backs, I did hops en pointe for the first time.
Kathleen McCrary in
BBA’s 2011 Recital
BBA’s 2011 Recital
Kathleen McCrary
as a Sleeping Beauty
Fairy in 2016
Fairy in 2016
Linnea Blakemore in
BBA’s 2008 Recital
BBA’s 2008 Recital
Linnea Blakemore as
a Sleeping Beauty
Fairy in 2016
a Sleeping Beauty
Fairy in 2016
Mary Margaret Freeland
as Clara in 2013
as Clara in 2013
Mary Margaret
Freeland as
Cinderella in
Sleeping Beauty
2016
Freeland as
Cinderella in
Sleeping Beauty
2016
Haley Lockhart as a
Gingersnap in 2008
Gingersnap in 2008
Haley Lockhart as a
Fairy in Sleeping
Beauty 2016
Fairy in Sleeping
Beauty 2016
Allison Pendleton
as a Sprite in
Nutracker 2011
as a Sprite in
Nutracker 2011
Allison Pendleton as
a Gold & Silver Fairy
in Sleeping Beauty
2016
a Gold & Silver Fairy
in Sleeping Beauty
2016