American Ballet Academy   American Ballet Academy was founded in Salem, Oregon in 1991.  It has always encouraged working to one’s potential in a loving, fostering environment.  The studio has had a history of success.  Numerous dancers have attended elite dance programs on scholarships, and moved on to dance in professional companies.  Others have gone on to college pursuing degrees in dance.  The studio encourages dedication while understanding the need of enjoyment to help a person properly grow and appreciate the art of dance. American Ballet Academy is proud to include the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 8 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidlines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels. Primary through Level 3 will be taught by the ABT® Certified Teacher, Annie Joslin, who has successfully completed th ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT National Training Curriculum. Today students of the American Ballet Academy have numerous opportunities.  They perform Salem's Annual The Children's Nutcracker at the Elsinore Theatre, a benefit performance for the Pediatric Ward of the Salem Hospital.  ABA students perform an annual spring recital, the theme of which changes every year.  Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Performance Awards, a program designed by the American Academy of Ballet.  All opportunities presented to ABA students help develop well trained dancers, confident, disciplined individuals, and help foster love for the arts as a whole.