Mount Dora School of Ballet

The Mount Dora School of Ballet is directed by Kathryn Wheeler. Ms. Wheeler attended New York University, with a major in performing arts. She is also a former scholarship student at the Joffrey Ballet School and was selected as an apprentice to the company. After her professional career, which included performing in the ballet classics and original modern works, Ms Wheeler honed her skills teaching throughout the United States, including Brenau University. She founded Georgia’s Duluth School of Ballet in 1987. Ms. Wheeler was named Principal of Metropolitan Ballet Theatre in 1998. Ms. Wheeler is an American Ballet Theatre Certified teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 5 of the ABT National Training Curriculum.

The Mount Dora School of Ballet was founded a decade ago by Kathryn Wheeler and Nan Cogswell Keating with the idea of bringing exceptional classical ballet training to central Florida. It has succeeded in that goal, with many students graduating to dance at some of the best ballet schools, colleges and professional companies in the country.

Ms. Keating is a former dancer from the famed American Ballet Theatre, was principle of the Boston Ballet School and a featured teacher in Dance Magazine’s “Great American Teacher Series.” In 2012 Nan Keating retired, but still remains very close with Ms. Wheeler, the school and keeps up with the success stories of her students.

Today, Ms. Wheeler and her talented team of teachers continue the MDSB legacy of excellence. We are so excited about the future of the school and have big plans. We hope you'll be a part of them!