At a small house on Fells Avenue, a block over from downtown Fairhope, there is a small house with a sign that reads “Bayshore Ballet Academy.” Bayshore Ballet is the oldest ballet studio in Baldwin County and has been providing classical ballet training since 1973. 

Recently, in 2023, Bayshore Ballet took new ownership under Amanda and Abby Kate Long. The mother-and-daughter duo has taken a new approach to classical ballet. 

Abby Kate serves as assistant director and maintains other logistical roles, while Amanda deals with the company’s finances and budgeting.

“I started dancing at Bayshore Ballet in 2014 when I was 8 years old, so it was important for me to keep the studio alive,” Abby Kate said. 

Having been a dancer since the age of 4, I took a break from ballet in 2020, but with the new ownership of the company, I knew that I wanted to support Abby Kate and Amanda. This would be a fresh start for me.

I can attest to the hardworking nature of both Abby Kate and Amanda. Their dedication is evident during every performance due to their attention to detail and devotion to each and every one of the students.

At the original studio purchase, lack of a director to help them get the company back on its feet created a challenge, so they hired Zoey Bannell. As the new director, Banell directed her first show with Bayshore Ballet, “A Fairytale Story,” which combined popular pieces from spring Ballets.

The next piece that followed in December was the 24th Annual Nutcracker. The Nutcracker, performed for 27 years, has become a staple Fairhope tradition. Spring productions are performed for two years until the next one is chosen, while “The Nutcracker” continues annually. 

Previous owner Janet Carol directed more than 40 productions at the studio throughout her 20 plus years. Some of these included “The Nutcracker,” “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “ Hansel and Gretel” and “La de Toyshop.” 

The younger Long remarked how “cool” it is to see what Carol built and to know that foundation exists for the new generation to expand upon. She said the process of choosing the upcoming productions includes some common-sense factors. 

“How we choose a production is entirely based on the number of students we have, what ages our students are and the costumes that are available,” Abby Kate said. 

Not uncommon are dancers who have performed with Bayshore Ballet their entire lives and look forward to dancing in certain roles. 

“It is a family legacy, one of our dancers—she’s in our level 3 class, and her older sister danced here throughout her younger years,” Abby Kate said. 

Bayshore Ballet is like a family. As a dancer, the connections I have built with my fellow dancers and their families are a special bond. Once we as dancers get involved, our entire family gets involved. Parents, grandparents and even extended family cannot resist being a part of something that is so invested in the lives of their children and their development as dancers, but also as people.

My mom, Emily Smith, is the head of lobby design and management, and I can say with confidence that she is just as invested as Abby Kate and Amanda.

“We consider it a privilege to be a part of the Bayshore Ballet family. It is a rare find to be able to be a part of a business that is run by a family that wants to serve the community as well as their clients,” Smith said. 

Amanda is an avid Christian and leads her company the same way. Many parents claim the reason they started to dance at Bayshore Ballet was the faith-led devotion that the staff leads for the dancers.

Bayshore Ballet provides students from Fairhope High School the opportunity to earn service hours through participating in the productions as actors for certain scenes or serving as backstage hands. Allowing such an opportunity for students who are not dancers exemplifies Bayshore Ballet’s service to the community as they show students about dedication and hard work through first-hand experience..

Once a parent sees all that goes on within this phenomenal ballet company and learns of the opportunities it provides for their children and their community, involvement is only natural. 

“As a parent, investing not just our resources, but our time and talents into what our children are doing is a privilege.” Smith said. “ As a family, we are all in on each production in different capacities, but it is something that we really enjoy and will be one of our favorite memories for years to come. Seeing my children be able to participate all together is rare and special.”

After performances, company dancers spend the night at the Long’s house and watch previous ballet performances. I love this tradition, and it truly embodies the family that Bayshore Ballet has brought me.

A tradition and staple in the Baldwin County community Bayshore Ballet will continue to touch lives and develop dancers for generations to come.

Although small, it provides so much more than just classical ballet training and pretty lobbies; it provides a home for young dancers, their families and a community of all ages.