The Carolina Ballet is a civic ballet. The company was founded under the aegis of the Columbia Music Festival Association by Ann Brodie, John Whitehead, Anita Ashley, Mimi Wortham-Brown, Donna Lewis and Adolfina Suarez-More. Mimi Worrell, Artistic Director, was a member of the founding Artistic Staff.

Ann Brodie also founded the Columbia City Ballet. The Carolina Ballet was created following the City Ballet's decision to become a professional company. Carolina Ballet was designed to meet the needs of the community and the countless well-trained young people who wanted the opportunity to perform in a civic -community- company.

The company's mission is interpreted to give young dancers opportunities to perform in classically based performances and in settings designed to showcase their budding talents. This direction does more than teach dancers to perform. It instills values and discipline; it encourages creativity and it explores possibilities. The lessons learned as a member of the Carolina Ballet carry through in all career paths and in both the pre-professional and avocational dancer/performer.

The CAROLINA BALLET is open to all qualified dancers through open audition. The dancers in this company, although a majority come from the Center for Dance Education, do represent the finest dance studios in the region. The Carolina Ballet artistic staff is "la creme de la creme" of dance professionalism in South Carolina. The Carolina Ballet productions shine with a luster and glamour which reflect the professionalism of its vision.

The CAROLINA BALLET, according to its founder, Ann Brodie, "wants to be perceived a the company in our area that presents the most spectacular, well executed, and popular classical performances for the enjoyment of the general public while providing world renown company training and performance experience for our young adults who dream of a professional career in dance."