Kathy Baird, Artistic Director

Ms. Baird is a graduate of Kennesaw State College and has studied dance extensively throughout her life. Upon graduation from high school, she began teaching for the Clara Ellison School of Dance and became her successor after her retirement. Ms. Baird continued her training under the renowned Stanley Zompakos from the New York City Ballet and the Houston Ballet. She was co-director of the Rome Community Dancers under the Auspices of the Rome Area Council for the Arts 1983-1985. She danced the role of the Snow Queen (1986) in Rome Little Theatre's production of the Nutcracker in conjunction with the Ruth Mitchell's Dance Company. She also formed the Baird Ballet Concert Company that performed through-out the Floyd County area (1987-1989).

Ms. Baird has been artistic director of the Baird Ballet since 1980 and has taught dance at Shorter College and currently is on staff at the Dance Center. She has been a strong force in promoting awareness and appreciation of ballet in the Floyd County Area. The Baird Ballet has performed such ballets as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland , The Little Mermaid Ballet and Hansel and Gretel. Each Christmas, the Baird Ballet presents “ Lessons and Carols ” which is a biblical-based ballet set in Jerusalem and chronicles the period before Christ's birth.

Some of the Baird Ballet students have received scholarships and have been accepted to study dance at renowned schools such as the Joffrey, Houston, and Boston Ballet.

Ms. Baird just returned from a three-week ballet intensive workshop 2004 for teachers with Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson Mississippi. Ballet Magnificat! is a highly acclaimed Christian ballet company that tours nationally and internationally spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Katie Kiser Ballet/Tap, has studied dance since the age of 7 at the Baird Ballet. She is a Junior at Shorter College on an Academic Scholorship and currently teaches Pre-Dance and young school age children at the Baird Ballet in Rome.

Ashley Kuhn Modern, holds a degree in Dance from the University of Ohio.

Chelsea Flynt began studying dance from the Baird Ballet at the age of 3 and taught dance through her high school years. She recently graduated from Belhaven College in MS with a Bachelor's Degree in Performing Arts.