Our Mission: To provide all students with the skills they need to enjoy, appreciate,and excel in the art of dance for a lifetime.

Lisa Gore-Etter

Lisa Gore-Etter graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance in 1996. While attending OU on a ballet scholarship, she performed with the Oklahoma Festival Ballet under the direction of Mary Margaret Holt. In 1994, Lisa was crowned Miss University of Oklahoma and received special recognition for her dance talent.

Lisa has enjoyed working for her mother, Nancy Gore, and teaching both ballet and jazz to all ages since 1998 at Ballet Abilene. She has continued performing with her former regional company, Abilene Ballet Theatre. In addition to performing, Lisa has choreographed several works for ABT. In 2002, Lisa was one of 10 in the nation to be awarded the Monticello Scholarship for Choreography at Regional Dance America/ Southwest Festival for her work, "Valse Triste." In 2005, Lisa was awarded the "Excellence in Choreography" Scholarship for her piece "Beyond the Sea" by RDA/SW.

Lisa is happily married to Cary Etter, and they have three children: Lily Claire, Richard Miles and Chloe Rose.


Meredith Adcock

Meredith graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor's degree in dance in 2005. At SFA, Meredith was very involved with the dance program. She is from Abilene and studied dance under Nancy Gore for six years. She has danced many roles with Abilene Ballet Theatre in The Nutcracker and in various other shows. She has moved back to Abilene to pursue a career and to teach at Ballet Abilene.


Lindsay McGill

Lindsay McGill graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science in Graphic Design and Studio Art in 2007. While attending Hardin-Simmons, Lindsay participated in a study abroad program based in Salzburg, Austria. While traveling Europe, Lindsay studied under world famous Art Historians, Sculptors, Painters, Designers and Photographers. Upon returning to Abilene, Lindsay received awards and special recognition for her artwork throughout her college career.

Lindsay has been dancing for 21 years and began teaching for Ballet Abilene in 2001. She also has participated in other local productions such as The Paramount Theatre's production of "Ragtime" in 2005. From 1998-2001, Lindsay spent her summers studying with Ballet Austin Academy, under the direction of Stephen Mills. With roots as a dancer and teacher, Lindsay has fallen in love with the art of choreography, and finds joy in creating something new and cutting edge. Recent works performed on the paramount stage are Banghara Fever, Frail, and Tribal Drums. She hopes to continue exploring choreography and creating new ways for ABT to experience dance.

Lindsay married in November of 2007 to James McGill of Tifton, Georgia, and is blessed with a new and exciting stage in her life.


Julia Siewert

Julia is a native of Abilene. She received her BA at McMurry in communications with a minor in theatre. She is currently a student at McMurry working toward her EC-4 teaching certification. Julia has four children: Nick, Molly, Jackson and Emory. She has taught dance for over 20 years and still loves to teach students to love the art and all the advantages that are learned with it.

Julia has performed, costumed, directed and choreographed many productions throughout the years for theatres and ballet companies in Abilene. She is currently on the board of the Children's Performing Arts Series.


Amy Harrison Smith

Amy Harrison Smith graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Education degree in Counseling and Human Development. While at Hardin-Simmons, Amy earned her Texas Teaching Certification, a graduate assistantship and was named president of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education. Amy is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has practiced both in the mental health counseling field and as a solo practitioner specializing in play therapy and family counseling.

Amy has spent the last 30 years studying, performing, and teaching ballet, first at the Becky Payne School of Dance and then at Ballet Abilene under the artistic direction of Nancy Gore. Amy danced with Abilene Ballet Theatre as a member of the regional dance company, upon completion of graduate studies. She continues to enjoy performing with ABT, along with her family, in the productions of The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty and is priviledged to teach young children the joy and discipline of ballet. Amy's education and training in both music and dance have enabled her to also perform in community and church musical and theatre productions, including the annual production of Christmas At The Paramount.

Amy is married to Stanley and is the mother of Gracie, Harrison and Abigail. Amy is a homemaker who enjoys investing her time into shaping the lives of young children by helping them to discover their areas of giftedness.


Erin Utley

Erin is currently attending Hardin-Simmons University, where she is majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. She is involved in the Tri Phi social club. Erin was born and raised in Abilene and has danced at Ballet Abilene under Nancy Gore for 16 years. Erin has danced many different roles in The Nutcracker such as Clara as well as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She has been a member of the Abilene Ballet Theatre regional dance company for over six years and has performed in many Spring Flings, Sleeping Beauty and at numerous RDA Festivals. Throughout the years, Erin's love for dance has been immensely supported by her wonderful family. Erin's favorite thing about teaching is what she inevitably learns from her students, especially of their genuine love for life. Erin's passion for dance has been a consistent theme in her life, and she looks forward to the many more things she will continue to learn through dancing and the indescribable joy she experiences from performing.


Mary Elizabeth Walker

Mary Elizabeth is a native of Stamford and has studied at Ballet Abilene, under the artistic direction of Nancy Gore and Lisa Gore-Etter, for the past 17 years. Mary Elizabeth has performed many roles during her career at Ballet Abilene, participating in Abilene Ballet Theatre's production of The Nutcracker 15 times, from tiny angel to Sugarplum Fairy. She has also been selected to participate in and perform multiple pieces set by talented choreographers; many of these pieces have been performed at various RDA/SW Festivals, including Lisa Gore-Etter's Beyond the Sea, Valse Triste, and Strait to the Pointe. Currently a junior English major at Hardin-Simmons University, Mary Elizabeth joyfully continues to dance with her beloved company, in addition to passing on her love for the art of dance to her precious students.


 

 



 

Ballet Abilene is the home of Abilene Ballet Theatre. We provide a fun approach to learning the art of ballet in our fine facility located in downtown Abilene.

Our staff consists consists of highly qualified and dedicated teachers and classroom assistants. Our class sizes are manageable to insure quality instruction and personal attention.

Click here for 2010 Summer Class Schedule

2010-2011 Class Schedule

Baby Ballet (3's and 4's) Mon. 10:30-11:15 a.m. Amy
Baby Ballet (3's and 4's) Mon. 11:15 a.m.-noon Amy
5 & 6's Ballet Mon. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Lisa
7 & 8's Ballet Mon. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Nancy
7 & 8's Ballet Mon. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Meredith
Junior I Mon. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Erin
Junior II Mon. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mary Elizabeth
Senior I Mon. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Lisa
Senior II Mon. 6:30-8 p.m. Nancy
Jazz III (9-11) Mon. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Lisa
     
5 & 6's Ballet Tues. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Lisa
Beginning Ballet (7 and up) Tues. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Julia
Baby Ballet (3's and 4's) Tues. 5:30-6:15 p.m. Mary Elizabeth
Jazz I (5 & 6's) Tues 5:30-6:30 p.m. Lisa
Senior I Jazz Tues 5:30-6:30 p.m. Lindsay
Senior I Pointe Tues. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Mary Elizabeth
Senior II Pointe Tues 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nancy
Tap (5-8) Tues. 6:30-7:30 Pierce
     
7 & 8's Ballet Wed. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Nancy/Meredith
7 & 8's Ballet Wed. 4:30-5:15 p.m. Julia
Baby Ballet (3's and 4's) Wed. 4:45-5:30 p.m. Lisa
Junior I Wed. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Lindsay
Junior II Wed. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Erin
Senior I Wed. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Nancy
Senior II Wed. 6:30-8 p.m. Nancy
     
Beginning Ballet (7 and up) Thurs. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Julia
5 & 6's Ballet Thurs. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Lisa
Senior II Jazz Thurs. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Lindsay
Jazz II (7-8) Thurs. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Julia
Ballet Challenge Thurs. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Lisa
Tap (9 and up) Thurs 7:30-8:30 p.m. Pierce

1 lesson weekly $50/month
2 lessons weekly $55/month
3 lessons weekly $70/month
4 lessons weekly $85/month
5 lessons weekly $100/month
Individual sessions are $10 per hour
Registration Fee $15