Olivia Ratliff started Southern Appalachian Dance Collective in Abingdon, Virginia, to provide seasoned dancers an inclusive and professional space to share the art of dance. It grew from there, expanding into a center that offers classes for the public. Their new facility is across from the U.S. Post Office, Abingdon, Virginia.
“My hope was that dancers from all backgrounds could come together in a nurturing environment that promotes creativity, collaboration and joy. I felt compelled to offer mature dancers a place to either continue their training or return to a past passion. As SADC grew, the original company dancers were both eager and committed to expanding the organization to both serve professional dancers and aspiring young dancers alike. As a result, the Southern Appalachian Dance Center was born,” she says.
The center provides opportunities for all ages, abilities and backgrounds and serves as an avenue for creative self-expression, exercise and social opportunities through movement.
Southern Appalachian Dance Center provides high-quality and professional instruction in a safe, creative and welcoming environment. SADC is committed to being present in the community of Abingdon by participating in local events and outreach opportunities. The center facility also serves as the home base for Southern Appalachian Dance Collective.
They offer a variety of adult classes ranging from beginner to advanced. Classes include ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theater and hip-hop. They also have a variety of fitness classes such as yoga, barre, Pilates and senior chair dance.
“Southern Appalachian Dance Collective is a true collective as its company dancers both teach and choreograph for the company and center students. The company is also honored to have resident choreographer, Will Smith (Roanoke, Virginia), as an invaluable choreographer and advisor. Having danced with Montgomery Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Manassas Ballet, Kansas City Ballet and Roanoke Ballet, Smith has a plethora of creativity and experience. Smith has been awarded the Virginia Commission for the Arts Fellowship for Choreography, won Roanoke’s Artist of the Year, and was featured in the January 2024 issue of Dance Magazine,” Ratliff says.
The collective performs “A Taste of Sweets: Act II of The Nutcracker’ Dec. 13-15 at the McGlothlin Center for the Arts at Emory & Henry University. The shows include two school performances at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13 and two public performances Saturday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. Additional performance takes place at The Russell Theatre in Lebanon, Virginia Dec. 1 at 3 p.m.
Ratliffgrew up in the Southwest Virginia area training and performing for 25 years. She obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Radford University with a classical concentration. She received her master’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Fine Arts degree in choreography. She has created and produced new dance works for SADC over the past two years and is committed to sharing the art of dance with the Southwest Virginia area and beyond.
To sign up for classes or for more information, visit www.southernappalachiandancecenter.com, email oratliff@southernappalachiandancecenter.com or call 276-608-7509.
