History and Mission

About TERPSICORPS THEATRE OF DANCE

photo of Terpsicorps’ The Scarlet Letter by Jeff Cravotta

Learn about Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance through the eyes of our amazing dancers.

Just having completed a wildly successful 20th Anniversary Season, Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance proudly presents professional contemporary ballet performances in Asheville and Winston-Salem every summer. Terpsicorps is known for producing innovative, thought provoking, and entertaining performances of the highest professional caliber.  The subject matter varies, but is always deeply rooted in universal themes that convey the most basic and complex aspects of the human experience.   

Terpsicorps’ unique summer only performance season gives the company access to critically acclaimed dancers from some of the most respected companies in the United States during their annual summer hiatus. The number of applicants has grown steadily year by year, affording Terpsicorps the ability to consistently present an ethnically diverse cast of dancers who are hired for a unique combination of athletic virtuosity and theatrical artistry. This summer only model affords Asheville and Winston-Salem the ability to lay claim to an artistic product worthy of any large metropolitan city.  

The company performs works by artistic director Heather Maloy, ballet master Christopher Bandy, and the late master choreographer, Salvatore Aiello. Maloy danced for the North Carolina Dance Theatre under Aiello's direction, and was greatly influenced by him, both as a choreographer and as a director. His flair for creating dance that was not only noteworthy for its movement quality and musicality, but also for its theatricality, is the inspiration behind everything Terpsicorps produces.