Over the years we have proven ourselves as a well-established hands-on studio and have become a positive fixture of the Fredericksburg community. Today we continue to offer high-quality dance instruction while focusing on keeping our prices affordable for all families.

All of our instructors are handpicked for their dance skills, friendly nature, and ability to work with children and adults of all ages. Give our studio a call today to learn more about our available classes and dance instructors, or to schedule a tour to our fun and friendly environment in person.

 

Judy was introduced to the world of ballet at age six by Jacqueline Hepner-Thurston, a dancer with the prestigious New York City Ballet, the Washington Ballet, and the National Ballet before retiring to Judy's neighborhood in the early 1960s.

Hepner-Thurston turned her new house into the area's first classical ballet school. Within the mirrored walls of this local Rockville, Maryland studio, Judy's passion for dance ignited.

 

As a student of Hepner-Thurston, and of another Washington and National Ballet alumnus, Phyllis Blake, Judy was introduced to the rigors of the Royal Academy of Dance, a training technique developed by England's great ballet masters of the 1920s.

 

As a teenager and young adult, Judy explored a variety of other studios and dance styles. She learned both the Russian Vagonava and the Italian Cecchetti styles of dance from the inspirational Daniel Diamond, founder of the Maryland Ballet and previous Director of the Panamanian National Ballet. Through Diamond, Judy studied elements of kinesiology to improve her technique and prevent injuries. 

Judy also studied with one of George Balanchine's first students, Catherine Maloney, adding the renowned Balanchine style of rapid-fire precision to her dance repertoire.

 

In 1975, Judy became a soloist for Rockville Civic Ballet (RCB), performing such demanding roles as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker Ballet, Odette in Swan Lake, Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, and Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Judy brings musicality, an elegant line, and crisp pointed work to all her roles. What does Judy like best about performing? "I love letting go and pouring all my emotions into drama and movement."

 

Although best known as RCB's most seasoned ballerina, Judy is an accomplished ceramic artist as well, with a private studio located on the grounds of her woodland home in Falmouth, Virginia. She is a professional set designer for the City of Rockville for performances of RCB in the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater.

When she is not roughing it at Spruce Knob with husband Chip, or playing fetch with Molly Dog, Judy uses her stagecraft talents to create wedding backdrops, paint murals and faux finishes, and design home furnishings for family, friends, and friends of friends!

She has performed and choreographed in DC, MD, and VA with Rockville Civic Ballet, Stafford Ballet Academy, Fredericksburg Ballet Centre and magnifique! While away at college Ms. Copley competed and performed with Penny’s Dance Studio in TN, OH, and WV. She has had the pleasure of learning from some of Radio City Music Hall’s Rockettes and has performed at the Kennedy Center.

After a hiatus from dance and the area, Kelly returned to Stafford Ballet Academy in 2004 and began teaching again; she currently teaches Jazz, and Friday's Adv and Int Ballet classes. She couldn’t think of a better place to pass on the respect she learned for dance, herself and fellow artist than at Stafford Ballet Academy.

Away from the studio Ms. Copley works as the statistical analyst and graphics designer for Stafford County Economic Development and Tourism. She enjoys spending time with her Yorkie, Miss. Mason; Cat, Gretchen; and her friends.