PASSION FOR ballet is something that Abigail Moss, owner of Ballet Adora, has had all of her life. At the age of 4, she saw “The Nutcracker” at the Atlanta Ballet and thought it was the most beautiful thing that she’d ever seen. She began taking ballet at age 5.
“I walked out there with this thought that I had found my thing. I had found that which my soul loves. I still love ballet. Owning a business is hard, but the joy of the art form — I don’t know anything else like it,” shared Abigail.
With her deep love of ballet, she decided to start a classical ballet studio in Lebanon. She didn’t see anywhere that offered it, so she took the leap in 2013. She had been cautioned that ballet wouldn’t likely be successful in a small town and she set out to prove the skeptics wrong.
Thirteen years ago, Abigail started Ballet Adora with just eight students at Crossroads Fellowship Church; today, the studio has grown to 250 students and has its own location on South Maple Street.
She confessed that running a business is harder than she could have imagined. There were times when she doubted her ability, but they figured it out. She gives credit to her team for its success. “We have an incredible team, and our community is some of my favorite people in the world. Getting to be part of their kids’ childhoods and help create positive core memories makes it all worth it,” she added.
Ballet Adora offers a mix of classical training with a heart for more than just dance. They prioritize kindness and inclusion to create a positive environment for families of all backgrounds. Another priority is the storytelling aspect of dance and putting on large productions; these began in 2019 at the Capitol Theatre and continue with their upcoming show, “Little Women,” scheduled for May.
“As an artist, you are a storyteller. It can lead to burnout if you are just working on technique but not really seeing what it’s all for. It makes people work more diligently when their mindset is to master these skills to become a better dancer, to tell the stories. It’s cool to see the kids take ownership of it and how they apply it to their own lives. It gives them a lifelong love of the arts,” shared Abigail.
The studio is primarily composed of girls, but they would like more male students in class. Dancing is a great form of cross-training for soccer players and other athletes.
Ballet Adora works with Audience of One for help with costumes, props, and sets, along with her dad, brothers, friends, and studio families. The productions are familiar, such as “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.” The audience doesn’t have to know anything about dance to enjoy the show, nor do they need to know any of the students in the performance. “Peter Pan” sold over 1,000 tickets, so get yours early. Ticket prices are very affordable, and shows usually sell out.
Students range from age 3 to 53, with a variety of goals. Some dancers want to learn because they love to dance, and others are training for professional careers. Abigail boasts that confidence is gained from completing a project from scratch, and that all ages experience the joy of dance. Dance can also be very healing.
She reflected, “I think dance can reach a part of your soul, your brain, and your physical body that you might not always be able to express in words, especially when you’re exploring themes like grief, heartache, and shame, and are grappling with the really hard questions in life. I’ve seen teenagers who are going through a difficult time — there is a visceral release for them. It’s just like letting go of the stress and anxiety that they bring in. Then they are just present, in the moment.” Her advice to aspiring dancers is, “Don’t wait until you’re perfect to be happy with yourself.”
Abigail Holcomb Moss, at the young age of 18, turned her passion into not only a successful career but also a way to make a difference in the lives of others. Ballet Adora is now an award-winning, thriving business that will build confidence and share the arts for years to come. GN
