Celebrating our 72nd Year in 2024!

Nunnery School of Ballet, ballet in Hickory NC, downtown Hickory NC, summer camps Hickory NC, jazz classes Hickory NC, best ballet Hickory NC

Louis Nunnery spent his lifetime inspiring others to greatness through the graceful art he adored. He instructed hundreds of students in the more than 60 years he taught in Hickory. His passion for dance now lives on through a new generation.

Our Instructors

Gretchen Wilson - Artistic Director and Lead Instructor

Gretchen began her dance career at the age of nine as a student at the Louis Nunnery School of Ballet. She trained professionally at the NC School of the Arts and her career achievements include dancing with the Tarheel Ballet, the Atlanta Ballet, and the Charlotte Regional Ballet. Throughout the years, she maintained close ties to the Nunnery School and participated in regional and community performances with the goal to inspire a passion for dance. She currently instructs the Adult Ballet, Advanced Ballet, and Beginning Pointe Classes, and assists with the Pas de Deux Class.

Babbie Walker Bolick - Ballet Instructor

Babbie began her career as a young child and was a member of one of Mr. Nunnery's first classes in Hickory. In high school, she was selected to study ballet at the NC Governor's School at Salem College, with renowned instructors Richard Englund and Vinnie Fredericks. Her training earned her a role for many summers in the famous outdoor drama, "Horn in the West," in Boone, NC. Throughout her teen years, she assisted Mr. Nunnery with instruction of his children's ballet classes and adult ballroom classes. As an adult, she established her own ballet schools in Lenoir, Morganton, and Granite Falls and was also on the faculty of the Suzuki School of the Arts.

Natalie Heavner - Ballet Instructor

Natalie began dancing in 2004 at the age of three. She has come full circle as an LNSB instructor as she was trained for many years by Louis Nunnery as well as other local, professional instructors. She’s regularly attended summer intensives from the age of ten and in 2016 was accepted into American Ballet Theatre’s premiere summer intensive program. Natalie has performed numerous lead roles including Clara, the Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy. She now combines her extensive training and pure passion for the art into the classes she teaches for LNSB including lead instructor for Ballet 1 and assistant for pre-ballet. The school is delighted she’s come home and is thankful she can share her infectious spirit for dance with our students.

Kaylie Younce - Ballet and Yoga/ Pilates Instructor

Kaylie discovered a true passion for ballet at the age of 13. She’s been dancing ever since and is now sharing that passion through instruction which she’s done for the past nine years at several local schools including Louis Nunnery School of Ballet. Most recently she achieved her 500-RYT yoga certification through Yoga Alliance and leads classes in this field of movement as well. She currently instructs Pre-Ballet, Ballet 2, Ballet 4, Advanced Ballet and Yoga for LNSB. Our students always appreciate her passion which is evident through her instruction. When Kaylie’s not dancing she’s creating beautiful art. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art for Appalachian State and currently works in both painting and ceramics. You can discover her gorgeous work at KaylieMade.com.

Owners:

Tiffany Brittain

Paige Levin

Tina Taylor Miller

Gretchen Wilson

Mailing Address:

1238 Pennwood Dr

Hickory, NC 28602