Faunsdale, Alabama, population just under 100, would seem an improbable center for classical ballet. And it is. Serious training options do not exist in Faunsdale itself. But within a 45-minute radius—stretching toward Montgomery, Selma, and the Black Belt region—several established programs serve dancers at every stage, from preschoolers in their first pink tights to teenagers aiming for conservatory auditions. This guide covers four schools worth considering, with enough detail to help you visit, compare, and choose with confidence.
Who This Guide Is For
- Parents of young beginners (ages 3–8) looking for structured, age-appropriate foundations
- Pre-professional students (ages 12–18) needing multiple weekly classes, pointe training, and performance experience
- Adult learners seeking open classes for fitness or returning to training after years away
Not every school serves every group well. Read below with your dancer's age and goals in mind.
The Schools
Alabama School of Ballet — Montgomery
Best for: Pre-professional students and Vaganova-method purists
Drive from Faunsdale: ~40 minutes southeast
Founded in 1979 and directed by Jennifer Echols-Walton, a former dancer with Alabama Ballet who later trained at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, the Alabama School of Ballet operates the most rigorous pre-professional track in the region. Echols-Walton's faculty includes former company dancers from Tulsa Ballet and Nashville Ballet.
Quick facts:
- Ages/levels: Children's division (ages 4–7), student division (8–12), pre-professional division (13–18, by audition)
- Method: Vaganova-based with live accompaniment for all technique classes Level 3 and above
- Schedule: Pre-professional students attend 5–6 days per week, 15+ hours
- Performances: Two full-length productions annually (typically Nutcracker and a spring story ballet), plus student choreography showcases
- Tuition: $285–$395/month depending on level; merit scholarships available for pre-professional division
- Notable alumni: Two dancers currently in regional companies (Atlanta Ballet II, Oklahoma City Ballet)
Distinctive strength: The school's relationship with Alabama Ballet's Montgomery outreach program means upper-level students occasionally take master classes with visiting company directors.
Faunsdale City Ballet Academy — Faunsdale
Best for: Committed local students of all ages seeking classical foundations without daily travel
Drive from Faunsdale: In town
The only institution on this list actually located in Faunsdale proper, the Faunsdale City Ballet Academy was founded in 2008 by Margaret Chen, a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) registered teacher and former soloist with Hong Kong Ballet. Chen built the school explicitly to fill a geographic gap, drawing students from Marengo, Perry, and Dallas counties.
Quick facts:
- Ages/levels: Ages 3 through adult; graded RAD syllabus through Advanced 2
- Method: RAD syllabus with additional Cecchetti influence in the upper levels
- Schedule: Children's classes 1–2x/week; serious students 4x/week
- Performances: Annual spring recital at the Faunsdale Civic Center; biennial participation in Regional Dance America/Southeast
- Tuition: $145–$265/month; family discounts and work-study for older students
- Floor: Sprung wood with Harlequin Marley overlay (confirmed during studio visit)
Distinctive strength: Chen emphasizes individual attention in small classes—typically 8–12 students even in the upper grades. For families who cannot commit to Montgomery drives multiple times per week, this is the most serious option remaining close to home.
Southern Ballet Conservatory — Selma
Best for: Performance-focused students who want frequent stage time
Drive from Faunsdale: ~25 minutes northeast
Under artistic director Dr. Amara Okonkwo, a dance scholar and former Ailey II dancer with a PhD in performance studies from NYU, the Southern Ballet Conservatory takes a slightly broader approach. While ballet is the core curriculum, the school weaves in modern, Horton technique, and West African dance—reflecting Okonkwo's belief that 21st-century dancers need versatile bodies.
Quick facts:
- Ages/levels: Ages 5–20; no formal adult open division
- Method: Balanchine-influenced ballet base with mandatory modern and Horton requirements from Level 4 upward
- Schedule: 3–5 days per week depending on level
- Performances: Three productions annually, including a collaborative community arts festival in Selma each March
- Tuition:
