1. To provide dancers with the highest caliber of classical and contemporary training and performing opportunities.
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2. To produce a first-class season of classical and contemporary ballets showcasing local artists and encouraging collaboration among the area's performing arts.

3. To promote and foster a love and appreciation of the arts through performances and lecture demonstrations within the community.

Appalachian Ballet Company’s Mission is three-fold :

Meet our Artistic Staff

Amy Morton Vaughn

Artistic Director

Presently, under the artistic direction of Amy Morton Vaughn, Appalachian Ballet Company has maintained a strong tradition of classical repertoire while developing an innovative contemporary repertory to match. After 30 plus years as a talented dancer, teacher and choreographer; Ms. Amy has served as Artistic Director of ABC since 1997. She has choreographed countless works for ABC and mounted several full-length ballets for the company. She is the chair for the advisory board for The Clayton Center for the Arts, as well as serving on the board of Regional Dance America. She has also received the Individual Artist Fellowship from the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Kylie Morton Berry

Associate Artistic Director

Kylie Morton Berry began her training at Van Metre School of Dance and Appalachian Ballet Company. In 2007, she received a contract with the North Carolina Dance Theatre (now known as Charlotte Ballet), where she remained for several seasons. She returned to Tennessee in 2010 and has performed title roles as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and The Little Mermaid. Kylie recently retired from dancing principal roles in 2023. Kylie teaches ballet and jazz at Van Metre School of Dance and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. She is the rehearsal mistress for the Appalachian Ballet Company. In addition, Kylie was announced as Associate Artistic Director in December 2021 for the company. Kylie serves on the National Board of Regional Dance America as the RDA/Southeast President and the RDA Social Media Manager.

Cheryl Van Metre

Cheryl Van Metre had a vision for her company beginning in 1971. She wanted to create a company for her community and share the love of dance. Her legacy continues… the company developed a strong foundation in classical technique and a repertoire comprised of many great classics. In 1989, the company was accepted into Regional Dance America’s Southeast Regional and made the prestigious level of Honor Company in just three years. After directing Van Metre School of Dance for 39 years and Appalachian Ballet Company for 25 years, Cheryl Van Metre retired and now resides in Edisto Beach, SC with her husband, Mitchell.

Founder

Principal Artists

  • Originally from Maryville, TN, Laura Morton La Russa is an alumna of Appalachian Ballet Company and Van Metre School of Dance and trained with Houston Ballet’s Academy. She is a former company member with Atlana Ballet, staibdance, and Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre. Throughout her career, she has worked with and performed works by world-renowned choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, Liam Scarlett, George Balanchine, and David Bentley, as well as Atlanta’s George Staib, Heath Gill, and Tara Lee. Laura was featured in Ana Maria Lucaciu’s “LONG AGO AND ONLY ONCE” digital and live premiere and originated the title role “Marley” in Heath Gill’s “Marley was dead, to begin with.”

    In 2021, Laura was named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” and in 2023 she received the National Choreography Award at Regional Dance America/Southeast 2023 Festival for her work titled “SHED” performed by Appalachian Ballet Company. As an educator, Laura was the Student Program Principal of Terminus Ballet School for three years and currently teaches ballet and contemporary for Van Metre School of Dance. She was most recently named ABC’s Marketing Director.

    After 9 years of dancing professionally in Atlanta, Laura is happy to be back in Maryville working closely with Appalachian Ballet Company and Van Metre. Laura is also a company artist with Chicago-based Contemporary Company, PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, as well as a freelancing dancer, teacher, and choreographer. It is an honor to perform and share with this community and she is excited to continue celebrating the arts in East TN and beyond.

  • James La Russa received his early years of training from Atlanta Ballet. He earned full scholarships to the training programs at the Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance Education and the Australian Ballet School, as well as, Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, and Orlando Ballet Summer Intensives. James earned his Bachelor of Arts in Dance & Movement Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Pre-Veterinary Medicine concentration at Emory University.

    While attending Emory, James guest performed with Atlanta Ballet, performed with the Emory Dance Company, captained the Hip-Hop dance crew TrickaNomeTry (TNT), and was hired into Atlanta’s staibdance. During his 8 years as a company dancer with staibdance, James also staged and rehearsal directed multiple staibdance works across the Eastern United States and overseas. In addition, James was selected as the RDA/Southeast Emerging Choreographer Scholarship Recipient in 2023 to attend the National Choreography Intensive for his original work, “Ascent”. And at the 2024 RDA/National Festival, his work “Reverie” was selected as the only Emerging Piece to represent all of the RDA/Southeast Region.

    Throughout his career, James has also worked with world-renowned choreographers including Twyla Tharp, Simon Dow, Bruce Wells, and John McFall, as well as performed with Atlanta’s Fly on a Wall and Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre. Presently, James dances with PARA.MAR Dance Theatre under the direction of Stephanie Martinez and stages Martinez’s works on other prestigious dance companies. In addition, James choreographs, teaches and continues to freelance perform across the nation.

Meet the Team

  • Julie Spivey

    OFFICE MANAGER

  • Jan Valenti

    PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

  • Laura Morton La Russa

    MARKETING DIRECTOR

  • John Horner

    LIGHTING DESIGNER

  • James Fellenbaum

    MUSIC DIRECTOR

We are proud to be the resident dance company of the Clayton Center for the Arts

Board of Trust

Amy Morton Vaughn, Artistic Director

Kylie Morton Berry, Associate Artistic Director

Andy Luttrell, Chair

Chris Hayes, Secretary

Helena Pound, Secretary

Kimmy Allen, Member

Buffy Bright Arms, Member

Evans Bowen, Member

Dustin Busby, Member

Sue Clark, Member

Catherine Quist Shanks, Member

Melissa Sykes, Member

Julie Spivey, ABC Office Manager