Founders

Anne Marie Kimmell and Katie Beliveau

Our founders use their own experience of opening and operating a successful ballet studio as the foundation for The Ballet Method. The two have also created the Ballet Theatre of Ashburn and the EDGE Performance Company, in addition to offering a variety of programs at Ashburn Academy of Dance.

Katie and Anne Marie met at the University of Utah while earning their BFA in Ballet, a program that emphasizes both performing and teaching. Their paths continued together as they danced professionally with Ballet Theatre of Maryland. Taking all that they knew, they launched the studio, developing the curriculum, and helping each other to tailor teaching to individual dancers and classes. As the studio grew, they added additional instructors, programs and affiliations. Today Ashburn Academy of Dance is recognized as hotbed of talent and a standard bearer for quality instruction.

The Ballet Method was created in 2016 to address the growing desire for studios owners to enhance their teaching skills and ballet technique. Following the values of the More Than Just Great Dancing network of studios, they hope to inspire new generations of teacher and dancers to learn and love ballet.