Cullman Ballet Theatre School
The Cullman Ballet Theatre School was established by Elaine Brown Willingham in 1972. Due to continued growth, the school is now in its third location.
Ballet Theatre School teaches three methods of ballet: Russian, Vaganova, and American Ballet (as taught by George Balanchine). Ballet Theatre School specializes in instruction in ballet, but also includes jazz for enhancement of the ballet student.
Ballet Theatre School highly stresses summer studies for serious students, Master classes with guest teachers of title are planned throughout the year for Intermediate to Advanced students.
Students who have studied with Elaine several years have acquired skills that allow them to take classes and perform with renowned places. Some of them include The Rock School in Pennsylvania; AL. High School of Fine Arts; School of the AL. Ballet Company; and Satellite School of the "Kirov" in D.C.; American Ballet Theatre Summer intensive; University of South Carolina Conservatory and Harid Conservatory in Florida.
All are invited to visit Ballet Theatre School and observe classes at anytime. There is an excitement in observing these talented young dancers in class. The excitement only grows in attending stage performances. The more one watches, the more the observer learns and appreciates the Art of Ballet. There is then an understanding of that for which the dancers strive.
Ballet Theatre School also offers more performance opportunities for the serious student by yearly auditions to the "Cullman Ballet Co."
Ballet is the foundation dance form for our school as it enables dancers to achieve more in any dance form that they may pursue. Each individual is encouraged to enroll in whatever dance form that they find most appealing.
About The Director
Elaine Brown Willingham, a native of Cullman, has studied classical ballet from some of the best teachers in the United States and abroad. Starting her training at the age of 11 with Anita Burbage of Cullman, Elaine's love of dance took her to the Birmingham Civic Ballet School. She then auditioned and was accepted into the Alabama Ballet Company at age 14 to begin strenuous training with such famous teachers and dancers as Richard England, Gage Bush, John Kritza, Patricia Wilde of American Ballet Theatre (from New York), and Yuri and Vicki Chatal.
Elaine performed lead roles in full length ballets including Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, Swan Lake, and Coppelia while touring the southeast with the Alabama Ballet Company. Also, during her association with the Alabama Ballet Company, she studied with the Alabama School of Fine Arts.
While performing in the Southeastern Regional Ballet Festival, Elaine was one of five girls from Alabama to be given summer scholarships to George Balanchine's "School of American Ballet" in New York. Elaine was then offered and accepted full scholarship for the next three years.
Elaine performed in New York at Lincoln Center and with Memphis Ballet Company, The International Academy of Dance in Portugal, and Ballet West in Colorado. Elaine has taught at Athens College, Huntsville Ballet School, Snead Junior College, Auburn University, in Paris, France, and Ballet Theatre School since 1972.
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