About

The Center for Ballet Arts is a community dance studio offering a range of classes in ballet, pointe, modern, tap, and jazz.

Located in Fairfax, VA, near the intersection of Waples Mill Road and Fairfax Boulevard, CBA houses three spacious, air-conditioned studios with sprung Marley floors and glass doors.

Two hands holding a barre
The Ballet Arts Ensemble in Espana

Directions

​3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105, Fairfax, VA 22030

From 66
Take Rt. 50 East exit toward Fairfax. Turn LEFT at the first light onto Waples Mill Rd. Bear RIGHT at the first light onto Pender Drive. Take a RIGHT into the second entrance of the Fair Oaks Business Park. Take your second LEFT and park in the parking lot. CBA is located at 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105, Fairfax, VA 22030.

 

History & Founders

Founded in 1992, the Center for Ballet Arts is home to the resident performing companies the Ballet Arts Ensemble of Fairfax, the Ballet Arts Junior Ensemble, and the Ballet Arts Tap and Jazz Ensemble. CBA has produced professional dancers from international and local companies including The Mark Morris Dance Group, The Washington Opera, Bowen McCauley Dance, Dancin’ Unlimited Jazz Dance Company, and Motion X Dance Company. Students have attended summer programs including the Virginia Governor’s School, Jacobs Pillow, Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, School of American Ballet (NYC Ballet School), Boston Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, Pittsburg Ballet Theatre, and The Rock School. CBA was a member of the Southeast Regional Ballet Association (SERBA) from 2001- 2011 and is a founding member of the Virginia Dance Coalition (VDC). CBA received the Best of Fairfax award in the category of dance education for 14 consecutive years.

Founding Directors Benn and Debra Savage met and performed for New Orleans Ballet Company and Delta Festival Ballet Company from 1979-1984. For the following decade, they lived and performed in New York City. In 1992, they moved to Virginia and created The Center for Ballet Arts and The Ballet Arts Ensemble of Fairfax. After 30 years, they passed on the legacy of the school to their protege, Dustin Kimball. They currently live in Virginia Beach with their cat Max and dog Miko, who watch Miss Debbie as she does her daily ballet barre.