Omaha Academy of Ballet

History

Established in 1962.

1962 — The Omaha Regional Ballet Academy was founded by Emmeline Skinner with the goal to create disciplined training in ballet that would produce dancers required for a Civic Ballet Company.

1964 — Valerie Roche became the Academy director. The Academy followed the Royal Academy of Dance system and syllabus.

1965 — Full-​scale productions for the new Omaha Regional Ballet, the performing arm of the Academy, had begun including the first Nutcracker in Omaha.

1967 — The Academy became the Midwest center for the Royal Academy of Dance examinations in America. From the early years the Academy collaborated with other Omaha arts organizations including Opera Omaha, Omaha Community Playhouse, Joslyn Art Museum, Jewish Community Center and Omaha Symphony.

2003 — The Academy moved into its current home at 50^th and Dodge Streets.

2005 — Omaha Dance Project (ODP) was created & developed as an important level in our teaching program for students.

2015 — 50^th Ann. of Nutcracker