FOR THE OF DANCE

The Theodora Dance Conservatory at The Mill on Etowah in historic Canton offers a classical ballet education for its corps of dedicated students and a significant cultural experience for the community.

The nonprofit dance conservatory opened in June 2021 and occupies 5,000 square feet in the historic converted mill. The dance school has three state-of-the-art studios with custom-built floating floors and ballet barres, vinyl flooring, 10-foot mirrors, and soaring ceilings. The school’s young artists can find superior classical ballet training, along with opportunities to explore new and diverse movement. The Theodora Dance Conservatory is the official school of the Canton City Ballet, which gives audiences the opportunity to enjoy professional classical ballet and contemporary performances throughout the year.

Artistic Director Theresa Shampine and her husband Jack Shampine, who serves as executive director, operate the conservatory under the guidance of a board of directors.

“We are grateful to be included in the amazing revitalization of the mill and to help honor the history of Canton. We believe that art is the glue that holds a community together, and the opportunity to bring excellence in the arts to the riverfront is a remarkable gift,” Theresa says.

Before opening the school in Canton, Theresa spent a lifetime in the world of ballet, and received her initial training in Syracuse, New York, before being awarded a scholarship to train at The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet in Philadelphia. She received a bachelor of arts in dance from

Mercyhurst College and then danced with The Charleston Ballet Theatre in South Carolina.

Theresa located to Georgia when she became a company member of The Georgia Ballet, where she danced for seven seasons. Eventually her career brought her to Canton.

“So with a deep breath and an abundance of hope, we decided to dream, and The Theodora Dance Conservatory was born. It was born out of necessity. It was born out of love. It was born out of gratefulness for what dance brings to the human experience and the welcomed responsibility we have to nurture it,” Theresa explains.

The school is named after Theresa’s greatgrandfather, Theodore Zablotsky, who came to America after leaving his homeland and his job as a librarian behind to become a coal miner in Pennsylvania to give his family a better life… an opportunity to dream.

Theresa says those memories are important to her. “I can’t help but feel my passion for classical ballet has its roots somewhere deep in my heritage, and the opportunity to open a dance education center is a gift from Theodore all these years later.”

It is the conservatory’s mission to make pre-professional dance training accessible and affordable to our community. The conservatory awarded over $12,500 in merit need-based scholarships during this past season.

Board member Victoria Pacheco explains, “Theresa and Jack work without compensation. Theresa serves our community by volunteering her valuable time and expertise – over 50 hours per week – pouring into our artists and audiences. It is inspirational to watch her work so selflessly, with such focus and passion.”

Theodora Dance Conservatory offers a variety of classes, including The Children’s School for students two to ten years of age, The Conservatory for pre-professional dancers ages eight to eighteen (accepted by audition only), and The Moderate Program for dancers who wish to continue to advance their training beyond The Children’s School but need a flexible schedule. Dance genres offered include pre-ballet, ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and contemporary. Teachers at the conservatory hold either a bachelor of fine arts in dance or have professional experience.

In its first season, the Canton City Ballet offers artists the opportunity to advance their careers. Some of the dancers are professionals, and others are training in the Emerging Artist’s Program. Students at the conservatory dance alongside the professional dancers in performances such as “The Nutcracker: Land of Sweets” and an annual Spring Gala performance. This year’s spring performance was held in June at the Falany Performing Arts Center in Waleska.

Theodora Dance Conservatory also offers classes for adult dancers and has summer day programs available. For more information or to donate, visit theodoradanceconservatory.org.