ABOUT ACB
Erica Becher Dye established The Appalachian Center for Ballet in Abingdon, Lebanon and Honaker, Virginia in 1980.
The ballet center offers classical ballet for preschoolers through adult. The emphasis of the program is to provide a comprehensive ballet education while encouraging dancers to develop grace, self-confidence, self-esteem and discipline that they will use in all aspects of their lives. Our dancers learn the joy of ballet in a caring, professional, family oriented atmosphere.
The ballet program is enhanced with special holiday celebrations, parent visitations and demonstrations.
The Appalachian Center for Ballet has an annual recital that is always a full-length story ballet theme. Students are involved in learning the whole production process for their recitals. All current ACB dancers participate in our recitals.
Classes are currently being taught at our Abingdon studio and at our Lebanon branch. Classes are available for all dancers beginning at age three. Our main studio is located in the historical district of Abingdon at 318 Valley Street, S.W.
Erica Becher Dye is originally from New York. Her earliest ballet training was received at The Dorothy Singer School of Dance in Bay Shore, New York. Erica’s later training was with Andre Eglevsky and Leda Anchutina Eglevsky at The Eglevsky School of Ballet in Massapequa, New York. Erica was also a student at The American Ballet Theatre School in New York City where her instructors were Patricia Wilde, Michael Maule, Leon Danielian and Valentina Pereyaslavec. Erica also trained with David Howard and Melissa Hayden.
Erica Becher Dye graduated from Virginia Intermont College where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ballet. While at Virginia Intermont she was a member of The Bristol Concert Ballet Company. Erica has done graduate work at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.
In addition to her own studio Erica also taught classes for the S.E.E.K. program in Marion for five years. She taught ballet for the Handicapped Art Camp at William King Regional Arts Center for several years. Erica has also done many lecture demonstrations and career days at area schools, public libraries and community colleges. She has choreographed for many community productions.
Erica and her husband Ian reside in Abingdon and are the parents of three sons; Ian, Nolan and Logan.
The Studio
The Instructor
Demonstarator Program
Students in the advanced class are invited to become demonstrators!
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Demonstrators will have a real responsibility to one particular class. Dancers who demonstrate grow in self-confidence. In this extra class, the demonstrator will have the opportunity to refine, analyze, and practice her skills.
The demonstrators follow directions given by the teacher and are an example for the younger dancers.
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For these younger dancers who often idolize the older girls, this will give them a chance to really get to know one or two dancers. Perhaps when they find steps frustrating it will help to see that a dancer only slightly older has mastered that step. Having an older friend will also alleviate some of the fears of a first stage experience.
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While most classes will have a demonstrator present, all ballet classes are taught by the ACB director, Erica Becher Dye, not by teenagers.
Capezio Dealer
The Appalachian Center for Ballet is an authorized Capezio dealer. We can order dance wear and dance shoes for our students as well as for the public.
NOW REGISTERING for 2023-2024 classes!
