The Ballet Academy

Robert Cole’s background includes dancing and touring with the National Ballet of Canada for 5 years and Dennis Wayne’s Dancers of New York City. He is passionate about the art form of ballet and the values he feels it helped him internalize: pursuing something to the highest degree possible and giving to individuals and to the community. When Bob’s dancing career ended due to an injury, he turned naturally to teaching. Watching dancers at all levels grow as individuals with ballet as their platform is thrilling to him.

In 1994, The Ballet Academy (TBA) began as a local need and a skill set converged. A group of intermediate/advanced dancers in the Coshocton area found themselves wanting to continue their training, yet their school was abruptly closed. Bob and Lisa Cole pushed forward on their “future” idea of creating a local ballet school in Newark. What they had imagined was a few years away, became a response to this surprise need. The Ballet Academy has had three different homes in its 24 year history, all in downtown Newark, the most recent being generous accommodations in a building owned by Steve Layman. Throughout its quiet presence in Licking County, constantly blending the high expectations of the art form in a family-friendly, supportive environment, The Ballet Academy has solidly prepared dozens of dancers for continued training with prestigious conservatories, alongside those dancing for many other reasons.

While maintaining directorship of The Ballet Academy, Bob has also held a ten-year teaching position at Denison University and continues to be the Artistic Director of Central Ohio Youth Ballet. The Ballet Academy provides ballet and modern dance training, while Central Ohio Youth Ballet offers performing opportunities.

The Ballet Academy currently exists as a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization, a structure which changed from a for-profit business in 2018. Having always held that financial circumstances should not keep anyone from experiencing dance, TBA has maintained scholarships and tuition adjustments so as to not turn anyone away for financial reasons. With its new non-profit status, TBA is looking forward to expanding this part of its mission. Also in 2018, renovation of a new studio home began. The Ballet Academy will now live at 64 W. Main St in a beautifully appointed facility owned by Central Ohio Youth Ballet.

Come, dance with us!