Experiencing the transformative power of professional, supportive dance education is life-changing. Whether learning one’s first dance steps, or looking for rigorous, professional, multidisciplinary training.  The School of Ballet RI has many opportunities for all movers.

As the region’s only dance school connected with a professional ballet company, we use modern, high caliber teaching techniques in a supportive environment.  The “whole student” has the opportunity to achieve success with a well-rounded dance education, performance experience, and connecting with stars on stage in the Ballet RI studios.

Our faculty is of the highest caliber with a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

STUDENT STUDIO

A central place for current Ballet RI students to access their portal and other important information.

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AGE 2.5 – 7

YOUNG CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

 

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AGE 8 – 12

BEGINNER PROGRAM

BALLET, MODERN, AND JAZZ

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AGE 14+

TEEN/
ADULT
PROGRAM

 

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AGE 8 – 18

CORE
BALLET
PROGRAM

 

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ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS

INCLUSIVE DANCE

 

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2023/24 SCHOOL OF BALLET OVERVIEW

Below is a general overview of our class offerings.  For further information, please visit our registration portal to view specific class descriptions, summer camp info, class dates, costs, and availability.

SCHOOL OF BALLET RI REGISTRATION PORTAL

After reviewing our offerings you can sign up for classes by registering through our portal

REGISTER HERE >

EVENTS

No Upcoming Events

PROGRAMS

Schedules Now Available for 2023-2024 Classes!

YOUNG CHILDREN’S PROGRAM  | 2.5 – 7 years old

2023-2024 SCHEDULE & PRICING

For our budding ballerinas just starting out, these classes explore the ways we can make art with our bodies. Developing creativity and independence in a supportive setting, experience the joy and inspiration that dance brings to our youngest students.

2023-2024 Classes NOW ON SALE

REGISTER HERE > 

Updated 8-28-23

ME & MY GUARDIAN | Ages 2.5-3 with Caregiver

This class caters to you and your little one. Through imaginative exercises and activities, young ones will explore music and movement side by side with their guardian while developing coordination, musical awareness, and gross motor and spatial skills.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT | Age 3-4

Designed for our youngest unaccompanied students, this class fosters independence and creativity, while developing coordination, musical awareness, and gross motor and spatial skills. The class is playful and nurturing within a structured setting.

PRE-BALLET 1 | AGE 5

This class continues to focus on coordination, motor development, listening skills, musical awareness, spatial skills, and begins to introduce elements of classical ballet through age appropriate activities.

PRE-BALLET 2 | AGE 6

This class slowly introduces a more formal study of classical ballet through age-appropriate skill development, creative expression, music appreciation, and the relationship between music and dance.

Please note, selected classes are held in a new location at Mt. Hope Community Baptist Church 734 Hope Street (Hope & Rochambeau).  Classes being held at this location are noted in all registration materials and students will receive an email prior to the beginning of a session with notes on parking and building entrances. All Ballet RI business must be conducted at the Ballet RI Studios.

PRE-BALLET 3 | AGE 7

This class continues to use a creative approach while introducing children to the structure and discipline of a ballet class. Classical ballet vocabulary is introduced along with foundational steps and positions.

Please note, selected classes are held in a new location at Mt. Hope Community Baptist Church 734 Hope Street (Hope & Rochambeau).  Classes being held at this location are noted in all registration materials and students will receive an email prior to the beginning of a session with notes on parking and building entrances. All Ballet RI business must be conducted at the Ballet RI Studios.

BEGINNER PROGRAM  | 8 – 12 years old

2023-2024 SCHEDULE & PRICING

BALLET, MODERN, AND JAZZ

The beginner ballet/modern/jazz program is designed to provide our community with the opportunity to explore dance as an enriching activity in a supportive and professional setting.

2023-2024 Classes NOW ON SALE

REGISTER HERE > 

Updated 7-14-2023

TEEN/ADULT PROGRAM  | 14 years +

2023-2024 SCHEDULE & PRICING

Our adult classes are designed to promote an understanding of the technique and artistry of movement in ballet and modern dance while developing a strong and flexible body. Taught in a welcoming and non-competitive environment, our classes are for everyone, whether you are a beginner or returning dancer. Our faculty have years of experience and will make class adaptations for mixed levels.

2023-2024 Classes NOW ON SALE

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Updated 8-9-2023

BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

Our adult classes are designed to promote an understanding of the technique and artistry of movement in ballet while developing a strong and flexible body. Taught in a welcoming and non-competitive environment, this class takes a slower pace with tempos and choreography. It is recommended for students with a basic understanding of ballet terminology. 

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Our adult classes are designed to promote an understanding of the technique and artistry of movement in ballet and modern dance while developing a strong and flexible body. Taught in a welcoming and non-competitive environment, this class introduces more advanced choreography and tempos with modifications for those building up to advanced levels. 

CONTEMPORARY FORMS

This class begins with a short meditation. Dancers will then move together in two to three distinct movement sequences or phrases that travel from the ground up.  Basic elements of contemporary dance technique and movement patterns are executed through these flows. Class is moderately-paced and designed for those that may be new to contemporary dance forms and styles or just want to get their bodies warm through a somatic recharge! Expect some opportunities also for improvisation and play within set structures and/or phrase work. 

BALLET BARRE WORKOUT

This express workout is the only way to truly experience the fundamentals of flexibility and strength that barre offers, from the original barre experts: professional ballet dancers! The first half of class will offer an express Barre workout with a low-impact class that strengthens the body by working one muscle group at a time using high repetitions of both full range and small movements, as well as isometric holds. The second half of class will work through a more traditional ballet barre to introduce beginner ballet technique and fundamentals. The class is suitable for any level. 

CORE PROGRAM  | 8 – 18 years old

2023-2024 Schedule & Pricing REGISTER HERE > 

School of Ballet RI’s Core Ballet Program is a professional-track training program designed with individual student success at its core. The goal is to provide each student with 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 join professional companies. Other students achieve success in different career paths, leveraging skills like a strong sense of self, goal-oriented discipline and confidence, and a lifelong understanding and appreciation of the Arts and its impact in our society.

In this Division, students are placed in classes according to their age and ability at the discretion of the School Director and Faculty. Students move through the levels of this Program at their own pace. Students in the Program are offered performance opportunity through Ballet RI company productions and beginning in Level 4, students will have the opportunity to further develop performing skills through participation in our Performance Ensemble.

2023-2024 Classes NOW ON SALE

Updated 7-14-2023

ADAPTIVE PROGRAM 

2023-2024 SCHEDULE & PRICING REGISTER HERE > 

Ballet RI’s Adaptive Dance Programs provide an opportunity for all to experience the joy of dance. Dancers with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities or movement challenges and aging bodies can find a space to explore movement in an encouraging, safe environment where professional teachers are trained to modify and support ALL bodies through a series of exercises meant to increase physical mobility, flexibility, strength, musicality and self-expression. The Adaptive Dance teaching staff is committed to helping each student develop self-confidence. All classes are held at the Ballet RI Studios located at 825 Hope St, Providence, RI 02906. For additional information, contact the School of Ballet at 401-353-1129.

ADAPTIVE DANCE PROGRAM | AGES 5 – 18

Based on a successful program developed by Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Ballet, the program is designed to foster a love of dance and creative expression in children with Down Syndrome. Although the primary goal of the program is for the students to experience the joy of dance and music, it also offers other important benefits. These include improvements in coordination, overall fitness, balance, self-esteem, self-expression, teamwork, rhythm, and musicality.

The hour-long classes provide a positive atmosphere for the exploration of movement while maintaining a focus on the individual abilities of each child. With the assistance of percussive accompaniment, the students are able to improve their sense of musicality and rhythm. Each class includes staff from the FBP School and an assistant instructor.

INTEGRATED MODERN

This 1-hour class meets once a week and provides an introduction to modern fundamentals appropriate for dancers of all abilities. Dancers with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities must take our Adaptive Dance class before enrolling in Integrated Modern.

DAPPERS DANCE CLASS

Dance for All People (DAPpers) is a multigenerational dance class designed for people with movement challenges and aging bodies. DAPpers believes in the power of all people to find vitality, creativity, and joy within our own bodies. DAPpers celebrates each other as we are and fosters growth through dance, music, and dialogue in a welcoming community that encourages people of all ages, abilities, and identities to flourish.

ADVANCED TRAINING AND PROGRAMS 

Develop into a full and complete artist in a nurturing and forward-thinking environment.

School of Ballet RI provides the perfect environment to expand my artistry and focus on my technique. I’ve grown so much with the faculty’s guidance and I’m so grateful for their support to help me become the best artist I can be.

Student Cullen Gamache

 

SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE

Advanced training program, plus Company Rep Workshop

5 week Summer Dance Intensive: 2024 Dates Coming Soon!
Ages 10-22

Company Rep Workshop: 2024 Dates Coming Soon!
Ages 16-22

The Summer Dance Intensive (SDI) at BALLET RI offers students the opportunity to study in a professional training environment. Our exceptional roster of teachers includes BALLET RI faculty and international guest teachers who are committed to providing individualized attention to maximize success! Participation in our Company Rep Workshop is by invitation only.

POST-GRADUATE LEVEL

Students accepted into Ballet RI’s Post Graduate Level continue to train full-time in our school while attending all company classes and rehearsals. Post Graduate students are offered all of the benefits of our advanced level students while working alongside the company dancers in rehearsals and productions.

Company Trainee Level

Program Overview

Ballet RI’s trainee program offers an encouraging, supportive environment that will develop young artists into the professional dancers of tomorrow. Aspiring dancers who are at or almost at professional level are accepted into the Trainee Program through an audition process offered during our Company Rep Workshop (CRW). The program offers devoted technique and extra curricular classes to bridge the gap between student and professional, offering real world professional experience working along side Ballet RI’s resident company when repertoire opportunities arise. Additionally, Trainees will have the opportunity to explore other arts management and administrative roles within the organization to develop future career paths and experience beyond their dancing. Audition preparation classes and mentorship is also provided for the trainees, helping them move into the professional world at the end of the trainee program, whether that be with Ballet RI or another organization.

The program is designed to be a guiding hand into the professional world. Trainees will share many of the same responsibilities as company dancers, and will be held to the same level of professionalism, while being supported and encouraged through additional dedicated training and development. The program will be capped at 15 dancers to maintain the intensity and focus of training, and will be highly selective to ensure the continuation of high-level individualized growth. Housing will not be provided, and pointe shoes will not be supplied through the company.

Schedule

Trainees will be required to take the noted trainee technique class every day. Professionalism within the classes, including timeliness, preparation, and focus is expected of all trainees within the program. Additional required classes will be offered after the technique class, including but not limited to pointe, variations, conditioning, contemporary. Additional professional development classes will include, mental strength training, wellness workshops, and living seminars that will touch on topics from taxes to the importance of reading and understanding contracts. Mentoring utilizing the experience of Ballet RI’s resident company dancers will also be offered to trainees.

All classes are required unless trainees are requested for company rehearsals. There is no guarantee trainees will be cast in company rehearsals, and it will be repertoire dependent throughout the course of the season.

Potential Schedule

5 Day Week / 6 Day Week

Monday
9:30 AM – 3:45 PM / 9:30 AM – 3:45 PM

Tuesday
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM / 9:30 AM – 3:45 PM
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM / 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Wednesday
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM / 9:30 AM – 3:45 PM

Thursday
9:30 AM – 3:45 / PM 9:30 AM – 3:45 PM

Friday
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM / 9:30 AM – 3:45 PM

Saturday
N/A / 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Dancers will get a 5 minute break every hour and a 30 minute break for every 4 consecutive hours of rehearsal time.

Performance Opportunities

Multiple performance opportunities will be available to the trainees throughout the course of the year. Performance opportunities with the company will depend on repertoire, and trainees are not guaranteed performance opportunities alongside the company. There will be performance opportunities available to the trainees through our community engagement programs and School of Ballet RI Culmination which will serve as the completion of the trainee program for the Academic Year.

Tuition Information

Tuition: $6900.00 per year

Merit scholarships are offered at the discretion of the Director

 

COMPANY REP WORKSHOP

Experience Ballet RI repertoire in a workshop setting.

2024 Dates Coming Soon!
Ages 16-22

The one-week Company Rep Workshop will give young professionals the opportunity to experience Ballet RI repertoire in a workshop setting. Classes will be taught by Ballet RI Artistic Staff and Faculty. Participants will work with Artistic Curator and Resident Choreographer Yury Yanowsky on choreography, receive coaching on classical repertoire, and experience the process of a new creation with a leading guest choreographer.

Ballet RI Trainees will be selected exclusively from the workshop.

Financial Aid is not available for this program. Scholarships awarded at the discretion of the directors.

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 also 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.