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.