CORE PROGRAM  | AGES 8 – 22

This professional-track training program is designed with individual student success at its core. Students receive a solid dance foundation that allows for individual success and accomplishment. Many graduating students are accepted into high-level college dance programs or traineeships, or professional companies, while others achieve success in different career paths, leveraging skills like a strong sense of self, goal-oriented discipline and confidence.  All graduate with a lifelong understanding and appreciation of the Arts and its impact in our society.

Students are assessed by the Faculty and Principal and are placed in classes according to their age, ability, strength, development and commitment level, each student moves through the levels at their own pace.

Students in the Core Program are offered performance opportunities through Ballet RI productions like our audition-based children’s cast of The Nutcracker, Culmination, Next Generation Choreographic Project, Performance Ensemble, and regional and national competitions.

Please note that Option 1 is traditionally chosen by students identifying as female, and Option 2 is traditionally chosen by students identifying as male.

 

Primary | Ages 8–13

The entry point into formal ballet training, where students strengthen their love of dance while laying a strong foundation. The classes build on previous introductory experience and gradually increase in frequency and commitment level. Increasingly challenging exercises begin to include turning and jumping, with an emphasis on building the foundation of strength and flexibility required for pointe work and more complex movements.

Upper Levels | Ages 12–22

Dancers refine foundational alignment and gain stamina and strength while cultivating artistry and musicality. Pointe work and men’s technique are emphasized alongside expressive port de bras, pirouettes, and batterie. At the highest level, dancers focus on both technical precision and the expressive, individual artistry that brings ballet to life.

Pre-Professional | Ages 15–22

Dancers that are committed to pursuing a professional career in ballet, and who are identified as ready by the Principal and Artistic Executive Director, will be selected for this program which includes a hybrid morning and evening option to begin preparing them for the more intensive experience of being a full-time Trainee.

Trainee Program

An immersive company experience program with a focus on individual rigorous technical training. Admission is by audition at our Company Rep Workshop or by invitation from the Artistic Executive Director. Trainees commit to a limited number of School classes while fully immersing themselves in the company schedule. The trainee program offers mentorship, industry specific workshops, audition preparation, and professional performance opportunities.

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PRIMARY

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CORE PROGRAM | Primary

Primary classes are the entry point into formal ballet training. The classes build on previous introductory experience and gradually increase in frequency and commitment level. Increasingly challenging exercises begin to include turning and jumping, with an emphasis on building the foundation of strength and flexibility required for pointe work and jumps. In order to adequately provide our students with the necessary cross-training and conditioning, all classes will begin with a Floor Barre, which is appropriately designed for their level.

PRIMARY LEVELS

• Primary A (Levels 1–3): Designed for first-year students beginning their primary education. These classes focus on building foundational skills appropriate to each level.

• Primary B (Levels 1–3): For students who have completed Primary A or have already developed foundational skills at this level. These classes offer a more advanced pace and deeper training opportunities.

Placement: Students are placed in Primary A or Primary B based on the results of a placement class and the Principal’s recommendation, ensuring the class aligns with their current abilities and learning needs.

PRIMARY 1 A/B | AGES 8 - 11

Young students with previous introductory experience continue their study of ballet fundamentals with an emphasis on stretching, posture, primary positions of arms and feet, memorization and musicality. Classes are 90 minutes long (1.5 hours), twice a week.

PRIMARY 2 A/B | AGES 9 - 12

Students enhance their training by integrating more traditional class structure with barre, center and across the floor exercises focusing on engendering proper alignment, stretching, articulation of the feet and building coordination and musicality. Students will work their way to completing a full series of barre exercises, while integrating more complicated footwork and port de bras, focusing on proper use of head and épaulement, strength of turnout and core engagement, strength and flexibility of feet and ankles and balances on demi-pointe in multiple positions.

PRIMARY 3 A/B | AGES 10 - 13

Students will complete a full barre with the introduction of more intermediate level vocabulary while maintaining a focus on relevé and balances in all positions. Center work will focus on more complex and dynamic combinations, with an emphasis on pirouettes from fifth and fourth and an expansion of petite, medium and grand allegro. This level includes the introduction of Pre-Pointe. Primary 3 will take all forms of Character and Jazz.

core program | upper level 1 | Ages 12 – 15

Dancers focus on the strength, stamina and alignment necessary for pointe work and men’s technique. Center work includes greater emphasis on pirouettes, and faster tempos of petite, medium and grand allegro while integrating more detailed and articulate port de bras. Classes are 1.5 – 2 hours six times per week and include Pointe or Male Technique, Variations, Floor Barre, all forms of Character and Contemporary.

Flex Program (ages 12-18, Upper 1 & 2): Students register for a reduced class schedule, offering more flexibility. Designed for those seeking a strong ballet education with less time commitment. Please note that Flex students are not eligible for Ensemble, Pas de Deux, or scholarships. Both Core and Flex students will participate in Character and Contemporary elective classes.

POINTE | UPPER LEVEL 1

With a focus on footwork, strength, turning and balance, students practice the skills traditionally designed for female dancers in pointe shoes.

FEMALE VARIATIONS (INCLUDED IN OPTION 1) | UPPER LEVEL 1

Students learn and receive personal coaching on solos from ballet repertoire to enhance their coordination, strength, musicality and performing skills.

MALE TECHNIQUE (INCLUDED IN OPTION 2) | UPPER LEVEL 1

With a focus on allegro and turning, students practice the skills traditionally designed for male-identifying dancers.

MALE VARIATIONS (INCLUDED IN OPTION 2) | UPPER LEVEL 1

Students learn and receive personal coaching on solos from ballet repertoire to enhance their coordination, strength, musicality and performing skills.

CONTEMPORARY

Students learn technical skills like floor work, counter-balance, spiraling, grounded center, improvisation through contemporary choreography and combinations.

WESTERN FORMS OF CHARACTER DANCE

Students learn traditional Ukrainian and European Folk dances found in classical ballets such as czardas, polka, mazurka, polonaise, and tarantella.

CHINESE CHARACTER DANCE

Led by an experienced Chinese dancer, students learn traditional Chinese dances that incorporate fans, ribbon streamers and parasols.

INDIAN/BOLLYWOOD CHARACTER DANCE

Students experience the rhythms, hand gestures and fast movements of traditional Indian style dancing with a focus on Bollywood.

JAZZ

Students learn various styles of jazz found today. With an emphasis on coordination, rhythm, and personality, students learn to dance to showtunes and incorporate their acting skills into their dancing.

core program | upper level 2 | Ages 15 – 18

Dancers continue to explore strength, stamina and alignment necessary for pointe work and men’s technique while integrating more detailed and articulate port de bras. Center work includes continued emphasis on pirouettes and introduction to batterie in allegro as well as greater focus on musicality and expressivity. Classes are 1.5 – 2 hours per week 6 times per week and include Pointe or Male Technique, Variations, Floor Barre, all forms of Character and Contemporary.

POINTE | UPPER LEVEL 2

With a focus on footwork, strength, turning and balance, students practice the skills traditionally designed for female dancers in pointe shoes.

FEMALE VARIATIONS (INCLUDED IN OPTION 1) | UPPER LEVEL 2

Students learn and receive personal coaching on solos from ballet repertoire to enhance their coordination, strength, musicality and performing skills.

MALE TECHNIQUE (INCLUDED IN OPTION 2) | UPPER LEVEL 2

With a focus on allegro and turning, students practice the skills traditionally designed for male-identifying dancers.

MALE VARIATIONS (INCLUDED IN OPTION 2) | UPPER LEVEL 2

Students learn and receive personal coaching on solos from ballet repertoire to enhance their coordination, strength, musicality and performing skills.

PAS DE DEUX | UPPER LEVEL 2

Pas de Deux class is designed to help students learn the art and skill of partnering. This class teaches essential partnering techniques and skills for all students who register for the CORE Program.

CONTEMPORARY | UPPER LEVEL 2

Students learn technical skills like floor work, counter-balance, spiraling, grounded center, improvisation through contemporary choreography and combinations.

WESTERN FORMS OF CHARACTER DANCE | UPPER LEVEL 2

Students learn traditional Ukrainian and European Folk dances found in classical ballets such as czardas, polka, mazurka, polonaise, and tarantella.

CHINESE CHARACTER DANCE | UPPER LEVEL 2

Led by an experienced Chinese dancer, students learn traditional Chinese dances that incorporate fans, ribbon streamers and parasols.

INDIAN/BOLLYWOOD CHARACTER DANCE | UPPER LEVEL 2

Students experience the rhythms, hand gestures and fast movements of traditional Indian style dancing with a focus on Bollywood.

JAZZ | UPPER LEVEL 2

Students learn various styles of jazz found today. With an emphasis on coordination, rhythm, and personality, students learn to dance to showtunes and incorporate their acting skills into their dancing.

CORE PROGRAM | pre-professional | Ages 15 – 22

The Core Program is designed to nurture dancers on a journey that combines technical rigor with artistry and dedication. Training scaffolds students into the intensity required to embody the technique of classical ballet, while fostering creativity, musicality, and versatility through diverse movement experiences.

Pre-Professional students are selected at the discretion of the Artistic Executive Director and the Principal of the School.  Students accepted into the Pre-Professional Level continue to train full-time in our Core Program with a hybrid option to add additional morning training classes. Students who wish to audition for the Trainee program can do so through the Company Repertory Workshop held each summer.

core program | Professional Trainee PROGRAM

Students are accepted into the School of Ballet RI’s Trainee Level through an audition process offered during our Company Rep Workshop or at the discretion of the Company Director. Trainees are required to take a limited number of classes in the school while engaging fully in the company schedule. Trainees work extensively in our outreach program and are afforded many performance opportunities with our Company.  After two years, trainees may move on to become company members at Ballet RI or other professional companies.

The 2026-2027 Trainee Program begins September 8th, 2026.

*Please note: Ballet RI does not support Visas for students or trainees; international students may enroll in programs in our school that do not exceed 90 days in duration.

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STUDENT STUDIO

A central place for current Ballet RI students to access the student handbook and other important information.

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Hone Your Technique | Private Lessons with School of Ballet RI

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FACILITIES

Located in the heart of Providence’s vibrant, charming East Side, Ballet RI’s facilities feature three spacious, light filled studios with sprung floors, ballet barres and mirrors, offering a safe and nurturing environment for developing dancers of all ages and abilities. The largest of the studios transforms into a 95 seat Black Box Theatre where new and innovative works for audiences of all ages are performed.

The vibrant, walkable neighborhood features unique shops, diverse restaurants, a charming public park and playground, and is easily accessible by bicycle, transit, and car. Ballet RI is a proud member of the Hope Street Merchants Association.