Lisa de Ravel is the Founder and Lead Educator of Vitality and Grace Fitness, a wellness space where adults rediscover the joy and strength of purposeful movement. Her innovative programs—Silver Swans Ballet, Pilates, Aqua Fitness, and BeBalanced—are designed to support physical vitality, mental well-being, and social connection at every stage of life. From 2019 to 2023, Lisa served as Managing Director of the Miami City Ballet School, where she led the development and implementation of the institution’s first-ever strategic plan. Her leadership included spearheading a groundbreaking collaboration with the City of Miami to establish a student dormitory, expanding access and community engagement.
Lisa’s career in dance and education spans more than 30 years at American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School, where she held numerous leadership roles. As Dean of Students (2007–2017) and Alumni Relations Coordinator (2015–2019), she cultivated a strong sense of community among generations of dancers. She co-chaired milestone events such as the organization’s 50th Anniversary, The Nutcracker Reunion, fashion shows, and multiple annual galas.
Lisa began her tenure at ARB in 1988 as a dancer under the direction of Dermot Burke, performing works by renowned choreographers including Alvin Ailey, Gerald Arpino, George Balanchine, August Bournonville, José Limón, Antony Tudor, Paul Taylor, Septime Webre, and others. From 1989 to 2006, she taught and choreographed for Princeton Ballet School, including directing the Cranbury summer program, now known as the Summer Intensive Intermediates.
In recognition of her contributions to dance education, Lisa was honored with the Audrée Estey Award for Excellence in Dance Education and inducted into the Princeton Ballet School Wall of Fame.
She holds a B.A. in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development from Rutgers University, where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and the Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society. She is a Certified Pilates Instructor and a licensed Silver Swans teacher through the Royal Academy of Dance. Her early dance training includes the North Carolina School of the Arts, the School of American Ballet, and Boston Ballet.
