Birmingham Ballet Academy offers dance training in Birmingham, Al for all ages.

Administration

Cindy Free, founding Executive and Artistic Director

Katherine McDorman, Registrar/Administrative Bookkeeper

Rebecca Martin, Director’s Assistant, Teaching Faculty

Maria Bennett, Production Assistant

Beth Hughes, Teaching Faculty

Leigh Burns, Teaching Faculty

Laura Moore, Teaching Faculty

Katie Welsh, Teaching Faculty

Cindy Free, founding Executive and Artistic Director, began her dance training in Canton, Ohio under teacher and mother

Suanne Ferguson. She first appeared with the Canton Civic Ballet under direction of John Begg. Upon moving to Birmingham, she performed professionally as the youngest member of the Birmingham Ballet directed by Alfonso Figueroa. Throughout her career she studied with many notable teachers including Robert Joffrey, Robert Barnett, and Gus Giordono. She attended the prestigious College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and Birmingham-Southern College. In 2012, Ms. Free received certification in teaching methodology from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. In addition, she has been recognized by the National Ballet of Canada for completion of continuing education teacher training. Mrs. Free toured internationally with Up With People before she returned once again to the Birmingham stage with the Alabama Ballet Theatre. Mrs. Free has a heart for developing dancers and giving them the training and opportunities they need to achieve excellence. In 1991, she co-founded Birmingham Ballet Academy along with Suanne Ferguson and Janet Wolnski. In 1996, she established the semi-professional performing company, Birmingham Ballet, which has since given thousands of young dancers opportunity to perform in professionally produced productions. In 2009, she founded the professional Birmingham Ballet Repertory Company as a re-establishment of the original Birmingham Ballet from her heritage. The Repertory Company presents an eclectic repertoire of professional works by Mrs. Free as well as emerging choreographers. The Repertory Company also gives advanced students from the Academy the important opportunity to apprentice next to professional dancers. Her students have received numerous honors including acceptance into highly competitive training programs with American Ballet Theatre - NYC, School of American Ballet - NYC, and the Russian Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Mrs. Free is known for creating visually stimulating productions that are “more than dance.” Her talent has been recognized with various awards including a Birmingham Obelisk nomination. Mrs. Free is a member of the Birmingham Chapter of National Society Arts and Letters serving as Vice President for 2012-2014.