In 1994, Maria Hirsch and Beth Griffin founded a privately-owned ballet school which presented its first full-length presentation of The Nutcracker in December of 1995, in the Fine Arts Hall Auditorium at Columbus State University. In 1996, the newly formed Ballet Arts of Columbus, performed their second full-length presentation of The Nutcracker, and in 1997, Mrs. Hirsch directed the second acts of both Swan Lake and Giselle at the Springer Opera House, while that same year, the board voted to officially change the company name to “Columbus Ballet.”

Since that time, Columbus Ballet has performed several classics including Cinderella, Coppelia, and excerpts from many others, in addition to performing many original choreographed works. As a way of engaging the artistic communities of Columbus and the surrounding areas, Columbus Ballet has repeatedly invited different musical groups, including string quintets, choral ensembles, and rock bands, to accompany and enhance the dance performances using their own unique and individual talents.

When Mrs. Hirsch chose to step down as Artistic Director, the Board of Directors began a search for her replacement, which culminated in the appointment in July 2004 of David Herriott as Executive Artistic Director. As an experienced professional dancer with vast administrative experiences, David Herriott has helped Columbus Ballet achieve a new level of professionalism.

Columbus Ballet’s annual holiday productions of The Nutcracker, have become so popular in the Southwest Georgia area, that a demand for more has prompted them to add a spring repertory, featuring classical ballet and original pieces choreographed by the company choreographers, which have included Swan Lake Act II, Paquita, Graduation Ball, Cinderella.

The official school of Columbus Ballet is the Columbus Ballet Conservatory whose studios and offices are located at Columbus State University’s Rankin Arts Center, in beautiful Uptown Columbus. In 2002, Columbus Ballet Conservatory was pleased to accept a partnership with CSU’s Continuing Education Program in order to promote and educate aspiring students of ballet. Since then, the program has more than doubled, with student enrollments reaching over one-hundred and fifty dancers per week, learning from master classes, school lecture-demonstrations, mini-performances, and professional grade ballet performances that promote, educate, and entertain the residents of the Chattahoochee Valley area.

During this short period of time, under the direction of Executive Artistic Director David Herriott and Associate Director Beth Griffin, Columbus Ballet has grown and continues to provide a strong presence in the art community of the region taking its place among Southwest Georgia’s premier performance organizations.