Dancer Andre Benoni Van Damme (December 16, 1919-February 3, 1989) achieved great success in his native Belgium as the first star dancer with Brussels Royal Opera. After making his home in Charleston, his vision was to provide dance training and performance experience in a professional atmosphere for West Virginia dancers and to create a greater appreciation in the community for the art of ballet. In 1956, he founded the Charleston Ballet. The company has been a pioneer among regional ballet troupes in the United States. For more than 60 years, the civic company has enriched the cultural life of the state with hundreds of traditional and original ballets. Download the AVD Legacy Brochure Van Damme Legacy Society Membership By making a planned or current gift to the Charleston Ballet Endowment Fund, the donor becomes a member of the Andre Van Damme Legacy Society. Income from this fund shall be distributed to the Charleston Ballet for support of its activities, programs and projects. Please select the amount you would like to gift: $100 $1,000 $10,000 Other, type in textbox below. $