Ron Jones began his romance with dance on a small farm in Hawaii, where his responsibilities included feeding chickens, cows, and pigs. At age 13, the family relocated to Michigan and Ron was enrolled in a magnet school where dance was offered in place of gym. Ron exhibited a strong talent and was soon invited to New York to audition at the School of the American Ballet, where he was awarded a full scholarship.

Ron was invited to join the Atlanta Ballet as their first paid dancer. There he met Kathleen Monahan, a beautiful young woman with a dance background who was moving into an administrative position as the Atlanta Ballet’s new Public Relations Director. A friendship developed and a year later, Ron proposed and the couple was married. Weary from the Atlanta Ballet’s extensive touring schedule, Ron accepted a position with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre as one of three company male soloists. The following season Ron was offered the position of one of two Principal Male Dancers with the company. But, the newlyweds missed the southern climate and lifestyle of Georgia. Soon, they set their sights on Augusta as the place to settle down and begin their family.

Ron and Kathleen opened the Ron Jones School of Ballet when their children were 3, 4 and 5 years old. After a name change in 2006, Columbia County Ballet is now in its 32nd year.