We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amy Morton Vaughn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Over the years, I have had so many meaningful projects. However, one that stands out the most was our Appalachian Ballet Company production of Peter Pan that we presented in the spring of 2023. I had worked diligently on a grant through the Tennessee Arts Commission, a federal grant, that helped in the recovery after Covid. Because of this amazing opportunity, we were able to present Peter Pan to our community and also offer a school matinee to 1100 students. ( This project was supported, in part, by federal award number SLFRP5534 awarded by the State of Tennessee by the U.S. Department of the Treasury). We were able to give the school matinee at no charge to the students and we also found a sponsor to pay for the buses to transport the students. With Peter Pan literally flying overhead, the exclamations from the audience could be heard backstage and I remember just crying with such joy that these children were experiencing this moment that myself, our dancers, volunteers and staff had worked so hard to made happen. Knowing that some of the students who attended have maybe never seen a ballet before and then to show such a grand story with the actual flying included was a treat. To understand that ballet is not accesible to all due to ticket costs, presenting this show at no cost to the students was such a dream come true. Our production of Peter Pan was such fun and involved not only our dancers in the company but also included volunteers from our community who played the role of the pirates. The other special part of this production was that my new son in law, James La Russa, danced the role of Captain Hook, my youngest daughter, Laura Morton La Russa danced the role of Tinkerbell. My eldest daughter, Kylie Morton Berry, who was Peter Pan requested that her sister and brother in law were a part of the production as this was her retirement show. Unfortunately, Kylie sufffered an injury three days before the show and was unable to perform. Her understudy, Hannah Barber, stepped in and did an exceptional job. So, Kylie had the idea to read in a “British” accent some passages from the story by James M. Barrie during the production. She did a wonderful job as the “voice” of Peter Pan. As a director, to see the production come together after overcoming the adversity of Kylie’s injury, the hard work executed by all involved, the gratitude of working with my family and the excitement from our audiences magnified this meaningful production.

Amy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the artistic director of Appalachian Ballet Company, a non profit organization and I am the owner and sole proprietor of Van Metre School of Dance, one of the oldest businesses in Blount County. The school was established 66 years ago and I took over from Cheryl Van Metre in 1997 when she retired. In the school, we offer ballet, creative movement, modern, tap, jazz, hip hop and muscial theatre. We perform an annual recital that is always a full story ballet.

I was a classically trained dancer and performed for more than 30 years. I love teaching and choreographing. I am very involved in Regional Dance America/ Southeast and served on the national board of Regional Dance America for many years. I strive as a director of ABC to incorporate live music into as many productions as possible. We, as a company, are proud to have had the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra a part of our Nutcracker production for more than 48 years as well as other productions. We are not a competition school or company. Our mission is to provide dancers with the highest caliber of classical training and performing opportunities, to produce a first-class season of classical and contemporary ballets showcasing local artists and encouraging collaboration among the area’s performing arts and to promote and foster a love and appreciation of the arts through performances and lecture demonstrations within the community.
If there was one thing I would want people to know about me is that I have a very strong work ethic, I am a positive, encouraging teacher and I absolutely love my work – it is a passion.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I suppose facing the Covid issue was the most stressful time of my career. Wanting to make sure my school and the company survived during that time was a challenge. For my school, we went to zoom classes for a period of time, then eventually we were back in the studios with the constant cleaning and wearing masks. Teaching over music behind a mask, in front of kids wearing masks was hard work! For our recital, we chose to do our shows outdoors at the Charles West Sr. Theatre in the park near our studios.

Managing and directing our Appalachian Ballet Company was yet another hurdle during that time. We were so disappointed to not have our Nutcracker, so instead we continued rehearsing and then the following spring we created a documentary for our 50th anniversary and made a movie of our Nutcracker. This amazing opportunity came from the adversity we faced. We now have a piece of history preserved.

With the company and my school, we made it all work and are bringing our audiences back to the theatre and enrollment in the school is increasing once again.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I believe sharing myself and ideas through movement is so rewarding. I enjoy collaborating with other artists and having the opportunity to give this gift of dance to our community through our productions and lecture-demonstrations. My favorite part of classical ballet beyond training the dancers is creating story ballets, particulary with comedic elements involved. I love seeing a story come to life with music and movement.

I love teaching and choreographing and watching my students grow into artists and maturing into amazing young adults.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.appalachianballet.org https://vanmetreschoolofdance.com
• Instagram: appalachian_ballet
• Facebook: Appalachian Ballet Company Van Metre School of Dance
• Other:

Image Credits

Headshot of Amy Morton Vaughn – Greg Bonneville, Revery photos
Peter Pan – Hannah Barber – Abigail Photos
The Little Mermaid – Kylie Morton Berry – Abigail Photos
Laura Morton La Russa as Tinkerbell – Abigail Photos
Peter Pan – Hannah Barber with James La Russa – Captain Hook – Abigail Photos
Photo of Amy teaching with hand on Madelyn Barber’s back – Abigail Photos