Anthony Williams, founder of BalletRox, is of mixed race heritage (Afro-American/Italian). He was born in Naples, Italy, and raised in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury. He spent his formative years (8 through 18) living in the Bromley-Heath housing project.

After experiencing trouble as a street gang member, he discovered a way out through ballet. He received a scholarship from the Boston School of Ballet which led to a successful career as a professional international ballet dancer.

He worked his way up from corps-de-ballet to Principal with such companies as the Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the National Ballet of Portugal, and the Norwegian National Ballet.

Anthony remembers how his early exposure to dance opened up a treasure of self expression that was hidden to him at that time. Ballet gave him the confidence to take on a challenge of an exciting new career; offering him the necessary tools to make a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood. He has been teaching in the New England area for 22 years. With this background and as a father of three young sons, Mr. Williams is very sensitive to the needs of at-risk youth.