Goldsboro School of Ballet

782 N.C. Highway 111 South 778-0888

Lacing up ballet slippers and putting on a leotard have been part of Peggy Wingate's repertoire for 27 years.

She has helped people all over Wayne County learn how to point their toes and gracefully learn how to dance.

She and her husband, Alex, started the Goldsboro Civic Ballet in 1980 at 226 N. Center St., and the company was later renamed the Goldsboro School of Ballet.

Five years later, the school moved to Berkeley Boulevard and remained there until 1996 when they bought property at their current location on N.C. Highway 111 South.

Starting that June day in 1980, Peggy would strictly teach classical ballet. But since then, her daughter, Mary Franklin, has jumped in to help.

As of March of this year, Mary has been part-owner of the school with her parents and her husband, Craig, although she has been teaching classes at the school since 1999.

Peggy was certified as a Cecchetti Ballet Teacher from 1986 to 1992 and has stayed the primary ballet teacher through the years. Mary teaches tap, jazz and tumbling.

"We offer each dancer an individualized program for the development of proper dance technique for their body, mind and spirit," they said.

They said customers bring students to Goldsboro Ballet from around the area because they know their young dancers will learn the best dance technique.

The Goldsboro School of Ballet is a member of the Arts Council of Wayne County and is a non-profit organization that has received many grants including the N.C. Grassroots Grant. They also have many private or business supporters.

The school also has many honorary members who currently dance professionally.

Peggy, Alex, Mary and Craig, as well as dedicated supporters, continue to improve the school.

There are six new wall mirrors in the studio — put in around August, and the owners and many volunteers reorganized the costume storage then as well.