About Lynchburg Ballet Academy

“Excellence in Dance Education”

Lynchburg Ballet Academy (LBA) is a center for dance education for ages 1.5 through adult. LBA is an official training school of Charlottesville Ballet. Charlottesville Ballet is central Virginia’s nonprofit professional ballet company with a mission to elevate the art of dance through wellness, performance, education, and community outreach.

History of LBA:

Founded in 2007, Charlottesville Ballet began with a vision of providing exceptional professional ballet while promoting health, wellness, and artistic excellence. As the professional company grew, Co-Founders Sara Clayborne and Emily Hartka recognized the need to cultivate these values from the very beginning of a dancer’s training.

In 2011, they established Charlottesville Ballet Academy, the official school of Charlottesville Ballet, to provide outstanding ballet instruction in a positive, healthy environment. The Academy was created to ensure that young dancers receive excellent technical training while developing confidence, wellness, and a lifelong love of dance.

In 2018, Charlottesville Ballet was honored to be named the Resident Dance Company at the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, further expanding its presence and commitment to serving Central Virginia through professional performances, arts education, and community engagement.

Building on that relationship, Charlottesville Ballet expanded its educational mission to Lynchburg in the summer of 2026 with the acquisition of Ecclesia School of the Arts. Renamed Lynchburg Ballet Academy, the school continues the same commitment to excellence, wellness, and community that has guided the organization since its founding.

Today, Charlottesville Ballet, Charlottesville Ballet Academy, and Lynchburg Ballet Academy work together to provide professional performances, exceptional dance education, and free community engagement programs that make the arts accessible to audiences and students throughout Central Virginia.

We are excited to continue growing our dance family and invite you to be part of our journey. Thank you for your support, and please feel free to contact us with any questions.