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About Our Programs
The Ballet Arkansas School for Dance is one of the top-rated dance schools in the state, offering classes of all disciplines to children and adults in a welcoming professional environment. Train with Central Arkansas's only professional Ballet Company, ranked among the top 100 largest ballet companies in America. Enroll today and experience the Ballet Arkansas difference.
A founding member of Little Rock's Creative Corridor, since 2016 Ballet Arkansas has been housed at 520 Main Street, directly adjacent to the Handle Barbershop and across the street from the Arkansas Rep. Whether you're looking for supplemental classes, seeking to introduce your child to the joys of movement, hoping to rediscover a love for dance, or explore dance as a career - Ballet Arkansas has you covered! The Ballet Arkansas School for Dance offers classes for children and adults ages 3+ throughout the week in convenient Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.
What We Offer
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Recreational programs for children and adults, and pre-professional training
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State-of-the-art facilities
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Training in a nurturing, family-friendly environment where are all welcome
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Limited class sizes to allow for personalized instruction
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Caring expert faculty consisting of current and former professional dancers
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Affordable tuition with multi-child discounts
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Flexible class schedules and payment options
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Performance opportunities on stage and in the community
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Access to guest instructors, specialized workshops, masterclasses, and partnership experiences | Details coming soon!
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Private instruction, coaching, and YAGP training
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FUN, FUN, FUN!
Our Curriculum
Ballet Arkansas School for Dance classes are taught by an expert faculty of current and former professional dancers and guest artists. Classes are designed to safely advance each student's technical and artistic abilities in a caring and nurturing environment. Our comprehensive syllabus responds to the physical, cognitive, and emotional development and wellbeing of each student, and introduces various dance styles to ensure a broad understanding of dance in all its forms. Ballet students learn to distinguish elements from the Vaganova, Cecchetti, RAD, and Bournonville schools, and explore the styles of the neoclassical and contemporary masters. Students interested in pursuing a career in dance are provided with mentorship and career counseling by the Company Artists and Artistic Staff of Ballet Arkansas.
Our Sessions
Fall Session | August 28 - December 16
No Class Dates include September 4-9, October 9-14, November 20-25, and December 4-9
Spring Session | January 8 - May 18
No Class Dates include February 12-17 and March 18-23
Includes parent observation week, a Spring performance (in costume!) on May 11, 2024 at UA-PTC CHARTS, and more!
Testimonials
"I've been absolutely amazed by the incredible progress my child made in just one year at Ballet Arkansas. She atteded a national summer intensive this year and received attention from her teachers for the first time - many who knew her teachers at BA!"
"Their classes for littles are fantastic. They inspire self-discovery and instill a passion for dance - while keeping things light, upbeat and educational."
"Being an adult with no prior dance experience, I was hesitant to enroll in ballet. Ballet Arkansas's adult beginner ballet classes have exceeded my expectations. The classes are fun and informative, and allow me to see improvement in my skills."
"The focus at BA is on honing dance technique rather than just learning routines. As a parent of a child aspiring for a professional dance career, this emphasis on training is absolutely vital."
"We live an hour out and couldn't make the switch to BA full time. The staff helped us create a class schedule that works for our family and prioritizes our child's development. So grateful."
"What sets Ballet Arkansas apart is the genuine care and understanding the faculty has for each student. During parent observation week, I witnessed firsthand how the teachers interacted personally with every child, showing kindness and individual attention. As an educator myself, this approach resonates deeply with me, and I'm so grateful BA prioritizes its students' growth AND well-being."
"Enrolling at Ballet Arkansas was a game-changer for our family. We used to spend the whole year waiting for summer programs to catch up on training. However, since joining BA, our child's progress has been steady throughout the entire year!"
At Ballet Arkansas, the teachers are wonderful and have been our child's biggest cheerleaders. They've instilled her with confidence and furthered her passion and understanding for dance."
"BA's teachers are pros and come from impressive ballet companies and schools. BA seemed like like an obvious choice for us knowing college and company auditions are right around the corner. We couldn't be happier with our experience."
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Classes For Children
All ages are approximations, and are based on the progression of training, when training begins at a young age. Dancers who begin training later in life, may take a different path through the levels. Contact education@balletarkansas.org to speak with the Directors about level placement and to set up a complimentary studio tour and level assessment today!
Creative Movement | Ages 3 - 4
Creative Movement encourages a child's sense of creativity and imagination while introducing them to the fundamentals of movement through music and dance. Students will gain awareness of musicality and rhythm while exploring the concepts of space, time, movement, and form. Age appropriate classroom activities develop coordination, balance, flexibility and strength while providing students with a knowledge of classroom structure, etiquette and the discipline of dance in a nurturing environment. Students will learn classical ballet terminology and practice exercises specifically designed to prepare them for future ballet training.
Pre-Ballet | Ages 5 - 6
Pre-ballet introduces the foundations of ballet technique, including barre work and basic ballet terminology to young dancers. Through guided exercises and movement activities dancers will practice spatial awareness, rhythm, balance, and coordination while preparing students for the fundamentals of ballet technique and the discipline of classroom etiquette. Pre-ballet is an essential class that provides a smooth transition for dancers from Creative Movement to Ballet I.
Ballet 1 | Ages 7 - 8
Students in Ballet 1 learn the progression of the standard ballet barre and center work, expanding the French vocabulary that defines all ballet steps. Students grow their knowledge of ballet technique while focusing on proper body alignment, strength, musicality, coordination, épaulment, and artistry.
Ballet 2 | Ages 9 - 10
Students in Ballet 2 expand their knowledge of ballet technique while concentrating further on proper body alignment, strength, musicality, coordination, épaulment, and artistry.
Ballet 2/3 | Ages 10 - 14
Ballet 2/3 is designed for the BEG-INT level dancer with an understanding of the basic fundamentals of ballet technique and classroom etiquette and a passion to further their dance training. This class focuses on expanding the technical and artistic abilities of each student.
Pre-Pointe & Pointe 2/3 | Ages 10 - 14
Pre-pointe & Pointe 2/3 is designed to develop and strengthen and fine tune the muscles necessary for pointe work. Dancers not yet on pointe will work in flat shoes to prepare for future pointe work and dancers who are on pointe, and approved for pointe at BA, will work in pointe shoes, with a focus on barre work.
Teen Beg Ballet
This class is perfect for children and teens who have not had an extensive ballet background, and those who would like to take dance and learn the fundamentals of a ballet class in a positive and nurturing environment.
Ballet 3/4 | Ages 11 - 15
Ballet 3/4 is designed for the INT level dancer with a clear understanding of the basic fundamentals of ballet technique and classroom etiquette and a passion to further their dance training. This class focuses on expanding the technical and artistic abilities of each student while preparing them for pointe work and intermediate repertory.
Pointe 3/4 | Ages 11 - 15
Pointe 3/4 is designed to develop, strengthen and fine tune the muscles necessary for pointe work, and to work on specific pointe exercises to strengthen pointe work. Dancers not yet on pointe will work in flat shoes to prepare for future pointe work and dancers who are on pointe, and approved for pointe at BA, will work in pointe shoes. Dancers enrolled in Pointe must take Ballet the preceding Ballet 3/4 class.
Ballet 4 | Ages 12 - 16
Ballet 4 is designed for the INT/ADV level dancer with a clear understanding of the basic fundamentals of ballet technique and classroom etiquette and a passion to further their dance training. This class focuses on expanding the technical and artistic abilities of each student while preparing them for advanced repertory.
Pointe 4 | Ages 12 - 16
Pointe 4 is designed to develop and strengthen pointe work, particularly in the center. Dancers enrolled in Pointe must take Ballet the preceding Ballet 3/4 or Ballet 4 class.
Ballet 5 | Ages 15 - 18
Ballet 5 is a class designed for the ADV level pre-professional dancer. This class focuses on expanding the technical and artistic abilities of each student and increasing their knowledge of the professional world of dance.
Pointe & Variations 5 | Ages 15-18
Pointe/Variations 5 is a class designed for the ADV level pre-professional dancer. This class focuses on advanced pointe work, men's technique, and variations from the classical ballet repertoire. Dancers enrolled in Pointe/Variations 5 must take the preceding Ballet 5 class.
Contemporary
Contemporary dance introduces elements of modern dance styles, imrovisation, jazz, floor work and more. Dancers will be exposed to new and unique movement vocabularies and will discover their own creative voice.
Jazz
Much Like Contemporary, Jazz is a new-age dance discipline. Students will study the Jazz techniques of the greats: Frank Hatchett, Matt Mattox, Gus Giordano, Luigi, and those of current-day dance makers. An upbeat, high intensity class, Jazz is a popular offering at dance schools nationwide.
Classes For Adults
*Adults may enroll by the month or for the full Fall or Spring sessions. Adults of currently enrolled students are eligible for a tuition discount!
BEG Adult Ballet
This class is designed for adults who do not have prior dance training and would like to learn the basics of ballet. This class is also a great class for adults with prior dance training who would like a refresher course to ease back into the studio.
BEG/INT Adult Ballet
This class is a combination ballet class for adults at the BEG and INT levels. This class focuses on the fundamentals of ballet technique with an emphasis on coordination, artistry, flexibility, and strength.
INT Adult Ballet
This class is designed for adults who have been taking the BEG adult ballet class and feel ready for new challenges, and for those who have had prior dance training, or would like to progress to a more advanced level. Advanced options will be provided for dancers with extensive dance backgrounds.
Faculty
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Michael & Catherine Fothergill, Directors
Pictured from left: Meredith Loy, Keith Newman, Brittany Harano, Sage Feldges, Celeste Lopez-Keranen, Aldrin Vendt, Kerridwyn Schanck, and Murray McCormack.