Avery Held
Avery Held was born in Carmel, Indiana, where she began her ballet training at the Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana under the direction of Alyona Yakovelea-Randall. Her early development continued at Ballet Theatre of Carmel with Jane Hachiya-Weiner, where she cultivated a strong technical foundation and an early passion for performance.
Eager to pursue a professional career, Avery attended the prestigious Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, Massachusetts, training under Michael Owen for four years. There, she gained extensive experience performing classical and contemporary works while balancing a demanding academic curriculum.
After graduating with Honors, Avery joined BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, as a trainee, performing alongside the main company and expanding her versatility through a diverse range of repertory. In 2020, she continued her journey at Grand Rapids Ballet, first as a trainee and then as an apprentice, a promotion she received in 2022. Her notable performances there include Precious Lord by James Sofranko, Nutcracker by Val Caniparoli, Cinderella by Ben Stevenson, A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Christopher Stowell, and two Balanchine works: Serenade and Who Cares?. She also appeared in Romeo and Juliet by Sofranko and Jump Cut by Penny Saunders.
In 2023, Avery joined Azara Ballet as a founding company member for its inaugural season. She quickly found a creative home within the company’s inclusive, forward-thinking environment. As she enters her third season with Azara, Avery reflects on some of her favorite roles to date with the company, including the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, soloist in Divine Serenity by Leiland Charles, soloist in Symphony by Joshua Stayton, soloist in Is This What Love Is? by Olivia Huseonica, and soloist in A Fantastic Trip by Arianna Hughlett.
In addition to her work as a dancer, Avery also serves as Operations and Development Director for Azara Ballet, helping lead the organization’s strategic growth, community partnerships, and fundraising initiatives. She is passionate about creating sustainable, inclusive spaces for artists and audiences alike, and is proud to be part of a company that is redefining what ballet can be.