Anne Mueller, a renowned Portland ballerina who has recently moved into the theater world, has been named co-artistic director of The Portland Ballet, Oregon’s leading youth and young adult ballet company.

Mueller will join founding artistic director Nancy Davis and managing director Jim Lane in leading the dance outfit’s academy and youth company. The position, according to a release from the Portland Ballet, was “created specifically for her.”

Mueller, who now works as managing director for Hillsboro nonprofit theater companyBag&Baggage Productions, will begin the new gig in August.

The move is a return to roots for Mueller, who danced for Oregon Ballet Theaterfrom 1996-2011 and was named principal dancer in 2007. Mueller also worked in roles including ballet teacher, artistic administrator and interim artistic director at OBT until 2013.

Mueller is no stranger to The Portland Ballet, either. She taught and choreographed for the company while working at Bag&Baggage.

The creation of Mueller’s position is part of a major expansion of staff and programming after The Portland Ballet’s successful 2013 campaign to update and expand the group’s studio. Mueller will work on a new program to train young people for careers in the ballet, and will produce performances that eventually will include appearances outside the Portland area.

Mueller will also co-lead the ballet’s day-to-day operations.

“She has a rare combination of artistic gifts and organizational abilities,” Davis said of Mueller, in a statement. “There is also a deep commonality in our approach to teaching and performance. I couldn’t be happier that we will now be able to offer our students, faculty, board, staff and community the many benefits of her talents, energy and experience.”

Scott Palmer, Bag&Baggage founding artistic director, said of Mueller’s departure:

“Her time here has been remarkable, helping to establish an incredibly strong foundation for our future. We cannot thank her enough for what she has done for B&B, for Hillsboro, and for our patrons. Everyone at B&B wishes Anne well.”

Correction: An earlier version of the story noted an incorrect year for Mueller’s start as OBT’s principal dancer.

— Kelly House