Susan Pace, Artistic Director

Susan Pace began her training at the Holloway Dancing School of Johnson City, Tennessee. At the age of 8, she was invited to study with Thalia Mara and Arthur Mahoney in New York City. At age 16, she was offered a scholarship to the School of American Ballet. At age 19, she was dancing professionally with the Miami Junior Civic Ballet. Ms. Pace studied with Rudolph Nureyev at the National Ballet of Canada, Leon Danielian of American Ballet Theatre, Melissa Hayden of Skidmore College in New York, Edward Caton and Mary Day of Washington School of Ballet, and others.

Ms. Pace has taught classical ballet for 40 years and has been the Director of the Johnson City Ballet since 1990. She has a broad view of classical ballet and, as a result, seeks out other professionals to help her train her students.

Many of her students have gone on to dance in college or with major ballet companies, including the Atlanta Ballet, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Washington Ballet, the San Diego Ballet, Kentucky Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, and the San Antonio Ballet.

She has conducted outreach workshops in city recreation programs and public schools throughout Northease Tennessee. Ms. Pace received the Tennessee Governor’s School Outstanding Teacher of the Year award for 2003 and was recently named as a Tri-Cities Local Hero.