Heather Fryxell received her early dance training with Thomas Armour in Miami, Florida.  Ms. Fryxell attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University, majoring in English literature and educational psychology while on a full tuition talent scholarship. Ms. Fryxell then danced with the Atlanta Ballet before joining Southern Ballet Theatre (currently Orlando Ballet) as a principal dancer.  During her eleven year tenure with the company, she also taught in the company’s school and served as a lecture demonstration coordinator for the outreach program. In her last year with Southern Ballet Theatre, Ms. Fryxell directed the School of Southern Ballet Theatre.  In addition to these positions, she also created her own adaptive dance program, Movement Mentor®, to teach children and adults of special abilities. Movement Mentor® is a part of the Ballet West education and outreach program and is taught in several schools in Utah and Florida, including certified teachers at Orlando Ballet.

In 2000, Ms. Fryxell co-founded the Central Florida Ballet and the Ballet Academy of Central Florida. There she directed the school, directed the student company, developed her adaptive dance program, and danced in the professional company.  Upon returning to Utah in 2005, Ms. Fryxell spent the next 15 years teaching at the Ballet West Academy where she served on the principal faculty and then as principal of the downtown and Park City campuses.  She also implemented and directed her Movement Mentor® adaptive dance program.  Currently Ms. Fryxell is a teaching artist for Orlando Ballet’s community enrichment program and school and also the manager of their Come Dance With Us! adaptive dance program.  Ms. Fryxell also teaches and coaches at Xplosive Dance Academy.

Ms. Fryxell has danced the principal roles in all the great classical ballets, and she has also performed in Balanchine ballets and contemporary works.

Awards and accomplishments include competing in the International Ballet Competition, performing at the International Ballet Festival in Cuba, earning degrees in English literature and educational psychology from Brigham Young University, and being honored with Honorary Alumni at Brigham Young and Heather Sanders Appreciation Day for the city of Orlando. Ms. Fryxell’s teaching career has spanned 3 decades, teaching ballet to students of all ages and skill levels.  Ms. Fryxell has had many award-winning students who have won top honors at ballet competitions and students who are currently dancing professionally nationally and internationally.