Ann Marie Kennedy

Appointed Fall 2019

Ann Marie Kennedy started dancing before she could walk. She would choreograph dances in her basement, using her friends as cast members, then invite their families over to watch the performance. That passion turned to formal classical ballet training at the Prochotsky Ballet Center in Bethedsa, MD. She mastered grade eight of the Kirov Ballet Syllabus and completed the Vaganova Instructor Certification Program. 

Kennedy was chosen to train on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet (New York City Ballet), American Ballet Theatre School, Joffrey Ballet School and The Washington Ballet. Her professional credits include Santa Barbara Ballet, LA Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Minnesota Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Washington Ballet. She performed as a guest artist for many local companies with partners from the New York City Ballet, and was featured in performances of the Washington Opera and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. 

Kennedy continues to share her love of dance through coaching. In 2001, she returned to her alma mater to become the head coach of the University of Maryland Dance Team. When she isn't on the sidelines of football or basketball games cheering on the TERPS, she can be found in a gym, coaching baton twirling. The Wheaton Dance Twirl Team, under her direction, has won more national and world championship titles than any other program. Her favorite part of her work is mentoring young ladies as they grow into talented, successful and self-confident women.