The Northshore's only non-profit ballet company and home to KFortier Studios and The ArtWalk
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BALLET APETREI
Support the Arts & Become a Ballet Apetrei Member
September begins Ballet Apetrei’s 2024-25 Membership Drive. As we kickoff the 2024-25 season, now is an ideal time to become a new member or renew your existing membership.
As St. Tammany’s own resident nonprofit ballet company in its 37th year, Ballet Apetrei, with the support of its members and sponsors, pursues excellence in dance training and ballet productions on the Northshore. If you were a member in the past, we thank you for your support and ask that you consider renewing your membership. If you are considering a new membership, we’d invite you to become a member now in time to enjoy all the membership perks of the season. Your membership provides resources for scholarships, production costs, guest artists and choreographer residencies, and community outreach.
Class Registration
What’s Coming Up Next
Considered to be the best Dance Company in the Mandeville area, BALLET APETREI has been making high-end productions since 1988. Our team of talented performers are here to offer you the chance to get lost in the world of performance. Interested in seeing what’s next on our agenda? Check our upcoming productions below.
fall classes start Monday, August 12, 2024
There is still time to be a part of the premier ballet school on the Northshore, KFortier Studios which is the home of the non-profit ballet company, Ballet Apetrei, and The Artwalk. We hope you'll check us out. Registration for the 2024-25 year has begun. Class sizes are limited!
Ballet Apetrei
Community Outreach
Ballet Apetrei company dancers enjoy giving back to the community throughout the year! Our dancers teach ballet classes at The Boys and Girls Club in Covington and we enjoy performing at community events.
Your support allows us to continue to bring the art of ballet to the St. Tammany Parish Community.
Come see us at The Three Rivers Arts Festival in November!
Kelly Fortier
Artistic Director
Kelly is a native of New Orleans, where she received her early training. She also trained and danced with the Houston Ballet, the Hartford Ballet, and in New York City. She danced as a soloist at the Dallas Opera from 1984 until 1988 when she retired from her performance career. In 1988, Kelly and Constantin Apetrei opened the Apetrei Dancenter and founded Ballet Apetrei. Kelly has choreographed several ballets for Ballet Apetrei including Requiem, Guide Me Home, and Symphony Classique. She is known for her great understanding and teaching of the classical ballet technique. Kelly is very involved in arts in education and giving back to the community. Ballet Apetrei has received the Legacy Award from St. Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce, been recognized by the St. Tammany School Board for involvement in the Special Ed Workplace Program, and arts in education, as well as providing tickets and transportation to the less privileged in our community to attend the Nutcracker performance. The company volunteers in our area by performing in community events such as Fall and Spring for Art, Three Rivers At Festival, White Linen Night, and helping build homes for Habitat for Humanity. Kelly has started a dance program and scholarship program for the Boys and Girls Club of Covington this season and is excited to bring her love and knowledge of dance to these children in our parish. Kelly has also formed a collaboration with local artists called The Artwalk, which provides the Ballet Apetrei Studio as a forum to display their work. The non-profit organization's mission statement is to provide ballet training and performances to the community with international artists alongside the dancers of St. Tammany Parish.
Information Request
Complete this form to request information about enrolling your child at KFortier Studios today!
