Building Ballet from the Ground Up: Celebrating 20 Years of the Indianapolis School of Ballet

Victoria Lyras

In the wake of artistic loss, visionaries often rise to fill the void. That was the case when the curtain abruptly fell on Indianapolis’s former ballet company in 2005. What might have spelled the end of classical ballet in the city instead became the catalyst for a new chapter—thanks to the passion and persistence of Victoria Lyras, who would go on to found both the Indianapolis School of Ballet and, later, the Indianapolis Ballet professional company.

At a recent meeting reflecting on this journey, Lyras described the path as anything but linear. It began with a simple but profound question posed by a friend: “What are you going to do about it?” At the time, Lyras wasn’t affiliated with the former company, but she understood the cultural void its closure left behind. Inspired to act, she set out to prove that Indianapolis could indeed support a classical ballet institution.

Facing skepticism and limited resources, Lyras moved quickly. She filed articles of incorporation in April 2006 and secured nonprofit 501(c)(3) status by September—a rare and rapid turnaround for a grassroots arts initiative. With just 10 students enrolled, the Indianapolis School of Ballet opened its doors in August 2006. The school found its first home through a chance connection with Carl Zimmer Jr., a local arts patron whose support proved instrumental.

What many didn’t see was the personal risk behind the scenes. Lyras took out loans, signed a lease, and personally purchased studio flooring. “It was a $200,000 beast around my neck,” she said, underscoring the magnitude of the leap of faith she had taken.

From the outset, Lyras was clear: the school would be the bedrock upon which a professional company could eventually be built. Following the ethos of George Balanchine, who famously said, “First the school,” she focused on cultivating excellence through training rather than rushing to fill a performance calendar.

The 2008 recession tested the school’s resilience. With philanthropic support still reeling from the collapse of the previous ballet company, funding was hard to come by. Yet the school persisted—slowly growing, building a reputation, and establishing a consistent training methodology rooted in Balanchine technique.

That technique—known for its speed, musicality, athleticism, and precision—became the school's signature. However, it wasn’t always embraced locally. “Balanchine was not accepted in this community at first,” Lyras admitted. But over time, her dedication began to shift perceptions.

In 2017, Lyras began the process of realizing her long-term goal: creating a professional ballet company. The Indianapolis Ballet officially launched in 2018 with a 20-week contract season, marking a significant milestone for the city's arts scene. True to form, the company’s dancers were either cultivated through the school or carefully selected from national auditions—each chosen for their musicality, which Lyras ranks as the most essential quality for a classical dancer.

Today, the Indianapolis Ballet continues to honor the Balanchine legacy, performing works from the iconic choreographer’s canon with the permission of The George Balanchine Trust—a rigorous process that reflects the high standards of the repertoire.

While training professional dancers remains a central focus, Lyras sees the school's mission as far broader. “Not everyone will become a professional dancer, but everyone can take what they learn here and apply it to life,” she explained.

COVID-19 disrupted not just enrollment numbers, but also student focus and long-term commitment. Lyras noted a significant shift in attention spans due to digital distractions, making the cultivation of resilience, focus, and discipline more challenging—but also more vital. Ballet, she believes, offers a rare and powerful antidote to the fast-paced world of screens and instant gratification.

“Ballet is mathematical, historical, musical. It teaches you to strive for excellence and precision, even if perfection is unattainable,” she said. “That mindset builds incredible humans, regardless of the career path they choose.”

The success stories from the school speak volumes. Alumni have gone on to dance with companies like Boston Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Others have entered fields as diverse as architecture, nursing, and biochemistry. Still, many remain connected to the Indianapolis Ballet, returning to performances and supporting the next generation of dancers.

As the school and company near their 20th anniversary, Lyras remains focused on the future—but also realistic. “I told our team at a retreat, the next decade is about survival. That may sound stark, but it’s true. We must preserve this legacy.”

Thanks to her vision, Indianapolis not only regained a ballet institution, but it also gained a cultural anchor rooted in tradition, passion, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of the arts.

Photo Credit: Sonja Clark, Moonbug Photography