Salem hosts many performing arts. Though perhaps not as well known as the community’s many venues for live theatre and music, ballet is still a thriving force with in the Mid-Valley community.

The Historic Elsinore Theatre has been a venue for multiple ballet touring companies, including the Eugene Ballet, the Moscow Ballet, as well the Imago Theatre and local presentations of children's ballet recitals.is a centerpiece of its upcoming season.

“This season we are excited that the Eugene Ballet will be presenting a full season of shows at the Elsinore, which will include Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker and Swing Kings with An American in Paris.”

Also gracing the stage is perhaps the largest ballet school in Salem-- the American Ballet Academy. The school was purchased in 2004 by Annie Joslin, the academy director. Joslin, who has danced professionally with Pergine Spetaculo Aperto in Italy and Ballet Concerto in Texas, has done wonders for the school’s enrollment.

In the five years she has operated the school, she has seen enrollment increase from 35 students to nearly 200. Professionally, ballet is among the most exclusive and painfully demanding of pursuits. But that is not the attitude Joslin engenders in her own studio.

“My goal as an instructor is to help my students reach their potential in a healthy manner while developing confidence both as dancers and individuals," she said. "I try to make everyone feel important, and want all my students, regardless of what they do and how long they dance, to have a appreciation and love for the art of ballet.”

The classes offered at the American Ballet Academy benefit not just the students, who begin attending as young as 3 years old, but the community as a whole. Joslin devotes the profits from all of her school’s recitals to different local charities.

“We do our annual children's Nutcracker for the pediatric ward of the Salem Hospital. Our spring show is also a benefit, but I choose to change this one every year so that I can reach a number of different organizations. We have given the proceeds from our spring show to the Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics, SSHS Peer Mentors, Help Autism Now Association, and the Marion and Polk Food Share. In total, I would estimate that in the past 5 years ABA has given about $30,000 back to the community," Joslin said.

Joslin believes ballet does not only benefit the community directly, but through the individuals who study it.

“Studying ballet has many benefits. It teaches focus, self-confidence, and discipline," she said. "Ballet is an art form that requires persistence and determination to reach the degree of perfection it requires. These are all things that not only develop a strong dancer, but develop a strong character."

This is congruent with Elsinore director Martin’s more succinct summary of the value of ballet.

"Live theatre, dance and music are all integral components of a vibrant arts community."