Anya Hart, a 14-year-old dancer who trains at Atlanta Academy of Ballet and Dance in Kennesaw under the direction of Susan Banks Beebe, will attend summer training program at the American Ballet Theatre, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading classical ballet companies.
Anya, who lives in Marietta, is only of eight dancers worldwide to be named American Ballet Theatre National Training Scholars.
Anya, who began dancing at 4 years old, received a scholarship to cover cost of the summer intensive program as well as housing for the program and money to help fund her training throughout the year.
Anya trains in the Atlanta Academy of Ballet and Dance’s Daytime Pre-Professional division. She trains almost 20 hours a week in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Variations, Pilates, Modern, Pas De Deux, and Progressive Ballet Technique.
Beebe said Anya is a naturally talented, classical ballet dancer who puts in the hard work required to make it to the top.
Anya has performed many roles and variations for competitions such as Sugar Plum Fairy, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, and Act 1 Giselle. She has had lead roles in AABD productions of Christmas Carol and Flower Pas De Deux in Alice in Wonderland.
“This is a huge honor for my school because it helps put AABD on the map as a school that provides excellent technique and top notch training,” said Beebe who opened the Atlanta Academy of Ballet and Dance three years ago.
