BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meet the 2024-2025 Board of Directors

Artistic Director

Kelly Perry

Kelly Perry, Studio Director and Owner of Blue Ridge Performing Arts Academy, is an Avery County native. She received her early dance training from The Dance Center, Cindy Beers Ballet Studio, Northwestern Studios, Appalachian Dance Theatre, and SG Ballet. As a dual-enrolled high school student, she also studied ballet, modern, and jazz at Appalachian State University. As a performer, Kelly danced competitively with the ADT Studio Stars and performed many roles in The Nutcracker with the High Country Youth Ballet, including the roles of "Snow Queen" and "Sugar Plum Fairy". She also performed with SHINE Worship Dance Ensemble and as a College Apprentice with SG Dance Theatre, a Professional Contemporary Dance Company in Boone, NC. Kelly's passion for teaching dance began in high school when she first started teaching ballet classes in her family's small home dance studio. After graduating from high school, she worked for two years as a dance instructor and choreographer at Appalachian Dance Theatre. While in college, she continued teaching dance at G3 America in Margate, Florida. In 2019, Kelly received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Pedagogy with a minor in Education from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Upon graduation, she returned home and opened Blue Ridge Performing Arts Academy in her hometown of Newland, NC.