In September 2012 Ade was appointed as CPYB’s first school principal and faculty member, a post to which he brought an exceptional eye and an understanding of the needs of young dancers. Under his leadership Ade led the expansion and formalization of the men’s dance training program, introduced the Male Scholarship Program that attracts students from across the United States, and created and implemented an aggressive recruitment process that paved the way for summer students to integrate into CPYB’s year-round academic programs. Prior to joining CPYB, Ade was school principal of the Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s Francia Russell Center, PNB’s Eastside School, under Artistic Director Peter Boal from 2006 through 2012.

As a dance educator, Ade teaches on the distinguished faculty of CPYB Founding Artistic Director Marcia Dale Weary. Ade taught seven years at Pacific Northwest Ballet’s School and is a permanent guest faculty member at Ballet Academy East in New York City. A sought-after instructor throughout Europe and North America, he has taught at the Iliev Foundation in Bulgaria, Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet, Utah Regional Ballet, and the University of North Carolina School of Arts. Ade also has been on faculty at the national and regional festivals for Regional Dance America (RDA). His relationship with RDA has also extended into adjudicating. Ade hosted the Craft of Choreography Conference (CCC) and Summer Intensive from 2007-2009 and was on the CCC faculty from 2004 through 2009. He hosted PNB’s Eyes on Dance and Discover Dance outreach performances and was project coordinator for PNB’s NEXT STEP (formerly Choreographers’ Showcase) 2005-2012.

Ade danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB), one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, from 1996-2006 under Francia Russell, Kent Stowell and Peter Boal. During his dancing career, Ade performed leading roles in works by George Balanchine, Ronald Hynd and Kent Stowell. He was featured in works by Peter Martins and originated roles in ballets by Val Caniparoli. A native of Los Angeles, CA., Ade received his professional training at San Francisco Ballet School and at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as attending summer programs at the School of American Ballet, Houston Ballet School and Boston Ballet School.

Embracing an attitude of innovation while preserving the organization’s rich history, Ade’s future business and financial plans support CPYB’s vision – to inspire, educate and enrich lives – leading the ballet school into its next 60 years. Ade has his sights set on increasing organization awareness in the broader arts industry to bolster the school’s ability to raise more support for scholarships, outreach and productions. While expanding upon communications and productions efficiencies, he aims to ensure good stewardship of resources while growing and augmenting the students’ education.

Ade has served The Ballet Alliance as both an Ambassador and an Emerging Choreography Mentor since 2021.