Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Premier Dance Education in Savannah
Founded in 1958, Madeleine Walker Coastal Ballet Theatre has been a cornerstone of dance education for over six decades. Our studio specializes in ballet-based training while offering jazz and modern techniques for advanced students, with a mission to cultivate technical excellence and artistic growth. Our faculty comprises internationally recognized instructors with extensive professional experience, including performances with prestigious companies like New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. We prioritize personalized instruction, having trained generations of dancers who now excel as professionals worldwide. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our structured curriculum, which emphasizes progressive skill development and performance opportunities.With a legacy of producing award-winning choreographers and directors, we maintain rigorous standards while fostering a nurturing environment. Our students benefit from guest masterclasses, competitive opportunities, and annual productions like The Nutcracker and Coppelia. We serve both aspiring professionals and recreational dancers through age-appropriate programs from pre-kindergarten through advanced levels. Our alumni network spans continents, testament to our enduring impact on dance education. We continue to uphold the visionary standards established by our founder while embracing contemporary teaching methodologies.
Services
Ballet Classes
Jazz Instruction
Modern Dance
Summer Dance Programs
Performance Training
Private Lessons
Costume Rentals
Choreography Services
Dance Workshops
Competition Preparation
Details
- Year established: 1958
Highlights and features
- We offer 65+ years of continuous dance education excellence
- Our faculty includes ABT-certified instructors and former NYCB professionals
- We provide structured curriculum with annual performance opportunities
- We maintain small class sizes for personalized attention
- Our alumni network spans major dance companies worldwide
Services
Ballet Classes
Our ballet program develops technical mastery through progressive levels from pre-kindergarten through advanced. Certified instructors use Vaganova and ABT methodologies to build proper technique while nurturing artistic expression. Students participate in annual productions and receive performance coaching.
Jazz Instruction
Jazz classes combine technical training with creative expression for ages 9+. Our industry instructors prepare students for competition and performance through contemporary jazz techniques and choreography workshops.
Modern Dance
Modern dance curriculum focuses on expressive movement and technical versatility. Certified instructors teach Horton and Graham techniques while preparing students for performance opportunities in contemporary works.
Summer Dance Programs
Our intensive summer programs offer technique refinement and choreography development. Students work with master instructors on repertoire and receive performance preparation for showcase events.
Performance Training
Performance training includes role coaching, stagecraft, and production experience. Students prepare classical and contemporary repertoire for annual productions like The Nutcracker and Spring Gala.
People
Gaye Baxley
Artistic Director
Internationally recognized instructor with professional experience at New York City Ballet and Edward Villella and Dancers. Certified Vaganova instructor and ABT National Training Curriculum teacher with 25+ years directing Savannah's premier dance institution.
Ann Inglis
Artistic Director
Former New York City Ballet principal dancer under George Balanchine. Broadway performer in 'Call Me Madam' and faculty member at North Carolina School of the Arts. Brings decades of professional performance and teaching experience to our program.
Erin Demers
Jazz and Tap Instructor
ABT-certified instructor with 14 years teaching experience. Recipient of the Marjorie Perry Spirit Award and Tremaine Dance Competition choreography awards. Combines competition success with nurturing student development.
Jamal Edwards
Ballet Master
ABT-certified teacher with extensive performance experience. Trained at Hilton Head Dance School and University of Alabama. Specializes in ballet, tap, and jazz instruction for competitive and recreational dancers.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We specialize in ballet with jazz and modern instruction for ages 9+. Our curriculum follows Vaganova and ABT methodologies with progressive technical training.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes! Students participate in annual productions including The Nutcracker, Coppelia, and Spring Gala. We also offer competition and showcase events.
What are your class levels?
We offer levels from pre-kindergarten through advanced. Placement is by director evaluation with progressive technical training and performance preparation.
Do you offer summer programs?
Our Summer Dance Experience includes intensive training in ballet, jazz, and modern with master instructors and performance preparation workshops.
Are instructors certified?
Yes, our faculty includes ABT-certified teachers and certified Vaganova instructors with professional performance backgrounds in major dance companies.
