Who we are
Ballet School in Goose Creek
At Berkeley Ballet School, we are passionate about nurturing the next generation of dancers. Founded with the belief that every child deserves to experience the joy of movement, our school provides a warm and welcoming environment where toddlers and their caregivers can explore the artistry of ballet together.
Our dedicated instructors are committed to instilling a love for dance while teaching the foundational skills that will support lifelong appreciation and admiration for ballet. We strive to create a space where creativity, friendship, and joy flourish, fostering not only dance skills but also confidence and personal growth in our young dancers.
As a community-focused organization, we embrace the beauty of ballet as a means to connect families and inspire a shared journey of discovery. Join us at Berkeley Ballet School, where little feet take their first steps into a world of poise, play, and passion!
Our Mission
At Berkeley Ballet School, we are dedicated to nurturing young dancers through an early introduction to ballet that combines foundational training, joyful learning, and community. Our mission is to create a welcoming and inspiring environment where children not only learn the essentials of ballet technique but also build lifelong friendships and discover a love for dance that can grow with them.
Recognizing the need for a dedicated ballet school in Goose Creek, we took it upon ourselves to establish one—bringing quality ballet education to local families who previously lacked this opportunity. By fostering a balance of structure and play, we aim to ignite a lifelong passion for ballet and the arts, enriching both the lives of our students and the broader community we serve.
About the Instructor
Etta Hulcher is a dedicated ballet instructor and former arts administrator with a rich background in performance and teaching, shaped by training with renowned mentors and experience across various esteemed programs and studios.
Etta Hulcher began ballet at age 3 in Huntsville, AL. At 8, she moved to Montgomery, where she trained on full scholarship at Montgomery Ballet under Priscilla Crommelin-Ball, Stefan Grebel, and Oscar Antunez. By 13, Etta was a company trainee in their professional program and attended the North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Program, where she studied exclusively with Melissa Hayden. At 16, after relocating to Maryland, she trained at the Washington School of Ballet on full scholarship with Rudolf Kharatian, Victoria Lee, Patricia Berrend, and Lorraine Spiegler.
Etta’s teaching journey began at Joy of Dance in MD and VA, where she taught young dancers and later expanded to teaching at various schools in the DC area. In 2016, she joined Moveius Contemporary Ballet as an arts administrator, later dancing and managing for the company. She performed professionally at prestigious venues like the Kennedy Center, toured for international climate conferences in San Francisco and New York, and ultimately became Managing Director before moving to South Carolina in 2022. That same year, Etta and her husband welcomed their daughter. Etta founded Berkeley Ballet in November 2024.