Vermont Ballet School Goes ‘En Pointe’ With Solar Power

In June 2022, Ballet School of Vermont students took the stage for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic to perform “Hansel and Gretel” at Northern Vermont University in Johnson, part of the St. Albans-based institution’s 20th anniversary celebration.

The school follows the American Ballet Theatre National Curriculum, combining training with the fundamentals of dancer health and child development.

Over the course of two decades, this renowned ballet school, whose mission is to provide Franklin County residents with high-quality dance training, has undergone a number of significant changes, including improving its environmental friendliness.

Thanks to financial support from VEDA and the Vermont Federal Credit Union, the Vermont Ballet School was able to purchase a new building in 2017 and install solar panels on the roof that will generate enough electricity to power the ballet school.

“The Ballet School of Vermont solar project is a great example of innovation and forward thinking from a small company,” said Cassie Polhemus, CEO of VEDA. “By supporting renewable energy and incorporating this type of equipment into their footprint, the school is preparing for the future, offsetting operating costs and putting the planet first. We appreciate this work and are honored to have been a part of it.”