School of Ballet RI
We offer a community where students can experience dancing in a joyful environment that is supportive, reimagined, and full of integrity.
Students will:
- Receive a rigorous, comprehensive, professional level education that focuses on process over perfection and artistry alongside technical precision
- Experience the power of self-expression in an environment that encourages individuality, risk taking, and creativity
- Learn from our world-class faculty with many years of educational training, degrees in dance pedagogy, and significant performance experience.
Together we are reimagining dance education. Join us as we cultivate the next generation of professional dancers and inspire a lifelong appreciation of dance for all.
STUDENT STUDIO
A central place for current Ballet RI students to access their portal and other important information.
SCHOOL OF BALLET RI REGISTRATION PORTAL
After reviewing our offerings you can sign up for classes by registering through our portal
School of Ballet RI (SBRI) provides a comprehensive dance education that fosters a strong technical foundation, excellence in multiple dance forms, a high level of commitment, and pure dance enjoyment. Our programs begin with classes for 2.5 year-old-children and continue through to classes for adult dancers, as well as those dancers pursuing a professional dance career. Additionally, we offer special programs for children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, as well as extensive programs for the youth in our underserved communities.
ACADEMIC YEAR PROGRAMS
2024-2025 Schedule
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM | AGES 3+
These classes have been created to magnify students’ imagination and explore their moving bodies. These classes are largely based in imaginative play and improvisational games to develop coordination skills, spatial awareness, musical appreciation, body awareness, balance, listening skills, attention and focus, directional skills, and most importantly the joy of movement through creative expression and age-appropriate physical exercises.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This class provides an introduction to both Ballet and Tap dance styles. Students will experience 30 mins of ballet fundamentals with a focus on the traditional steps and vocabulary of classical ballet and then switch over to 30 mins of tap instruction focusing on rhythm and coordination.
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.
School Directors and Faculty place students in classes according to their age, ability, strength, development and commitment level, and 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.
CORE PROGRAM | Primary Division
Primary Division 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 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.
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.
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. Classes are 1.5 – 2 hours, five times a week. 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.
With a focus on footwork, strength, turning and balance, students practice the skills traditionally designed for female dancers in pointe shoes.
Students learn and receive personal coaching on solos from ballet repertoire to enhance their coordination, strength, musicality and performing skills.
With a focus on allegro and turning, students practice the skills traditionally designed for male dancers.
Students learn and receive personal coaching on solos from ballet repertoire to enhance their coordination, strength, musicality and performing skills.
Students learn technical skills like floor work, counter-balance, spiraling, grounded center, improvisation through contemporary choreography and combinations.
Students learn traditional Ukrainian and European Folk dances found in classical ballets such as czardas, polka, mazurka, polonaise, and tarantella.
Led by an experienced Chinese dancer, students learn traditional Chinese dances that incorporate fans, ribbon streamers and parasols.
Students experience the rhythms, hand gestures and fast movements of traditional Indian style dancing with a focus on Bollywood.
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.
Core Program-2024/ 2025 Schedule
With a focus on footwork, strength, turning and balance, students practice the skills traditionally designed for female dancers in pointe shoes.
Students learn and receive personal coaching on solos from ballet repertoire to enhance their coordination, strength, musicality and performing skills.
With a focus on allegro and turning, students practice the skills traditionally designed for male dancers.
Students learn and receive personal coaching on solos from ballet repertoire to enhance their coordination, strength, musicality and performing skills.
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 both male and female students.
Students learn technical skills like floor work, counter-balance, spiraling, grounded center, improvisation through contemporary choreography and combinations.
Students learn traditional Ukrainian and European Folk dances found in classical ballets such as czardas, polka, mazurka, polonaise, and tarantella.
Led by an experienced Chinese dancer, students learn traditional Chinese dances that incorporate fans, ribbon streamers and parasols.
Students experience the rhythms, hand gestures and fast movements of traditional Indian style dancing with a focus on Bollywood.
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 16 – 22
This level is designed for the aspiring dancer who shows the potential, technical skills and commitment in order to realize a career within the industry. Students are accepted as Pre-Professionals at the discretion of the Director of the Company and the Directors of the School. Students accepted into the Pre-Professional Level continue to train full-time in our Core Program, while taking additional Trainee class twice a week, with additional opportunities for professional development and participation.
Core Program-2024/ 2025 Schedule
core program | company trainee level
Students are accepted into SBRI’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.
Open & adult PROGRAM
School of Ballet RI’s Open & Adult Program is designed to provide our community with the opportunity to explore dance as an enriching activity in a supportive and professional setting. Classes are offered in a variety of styles and levels and students may take as many or as few dance classes as they wish.
This 1-hour class meets once a week and introduces students to ballet fundamentals and vocabulary appropriate for beginners.
Students learn various styles of jazz, with an emphasis on coordination, rhythm, and personality. Students dance to a variety of music and show-tunes and incorporate their acting skills into their dancing.
This 1-hour class meets once a week and introduces modern fundamentals appropriate for dancers of all abilities
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.
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.
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.
Students learn traditional Ukrainian and European folk dances found in classical ballets such as czardas, polka, mazurka, polonaise, and tarantella. Indian Character Dance is also introduced to dancers so that they may experience the rhythms, hand gestures and fast movements of traditional Indian style dancing with a focus on Bollywood.
Students learn various styles of jazz, with an emphasis on coordination, rhythm, and personality. Students dance to a variety of music and show-tunes and incorporate their acting skills into their dancing.
Students experience both ballet and tap dance styles in each class and focus on rhythm and coordination.
ADAPTIVE dance PROGRAM
Ballet RI’s Adaptive Dance Program enables dancers with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities or movement challenges and aging bodies 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.
This 1-hour class meets once a week and introduces 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.
COMPANY REP WORKSHOP 2025
July 7-11, 2025
Ages 16-22
The one-week Company Rep Workshop (CRW) 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.
2025-2026 Ballet RI Trainees will be selected exclusively from the workshop.
SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE 2025
July 7-August 8, 2025
Ages 10-22
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!
James Whiteside Principal, ABT
Daniel R. Durrett Soloist, Boston Ballet
Anjuli Cirio English National Ballet, Boston Ballet
Jeffrey Cirio Principal Boston Ballet
Kurt Douglas Professor Boston Conservatory, Limon Master Teacher
Joseph Lynch Dancer, Ballet West
Maurice Brandon Curry Director, Eglevsky Ballet
2 weeks – $1,300.00
3 weeks – $1,875.00
5 weeks – $3,000.00
Optional housing for Summer Dance Intensive will be provided on the historic Rhode Island School of Design campus where participants will enjoy experiencing dorm life with their peers and exploring the Cultural Capital of Rhode Island.
$750 per week per participant.
All SDI students will be housed together with a Resident Assistant who oversees their day-to-day experiences. Students will have access to bus transportation to the studio, on campus dining for breakfast and dinner, bagged lunch at the studio from a local hotspot, and 24-hour campus security.
Room and Board can be secured on a week-by-week basis. If the minimum number of resident students is not met, housing may need to be modified or canceled. All deposits are non-refundable.
$800 Per participant
$700 per participant when also attending one week or more of SDI*
Financial Aid is not available for this program. Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the directors.
*Dancers interested in joining the Ballet RI Trainee program are strongly encouraged to participate in SDI following CRW.
Optional housing for Company Rep Workshop will be provided on the historic Rhode Island School of Design campus where participants will enjoy experiencing dorm life with their peers and exploring the Cultural Capital of Rhode Island.
$750 per week per participant.
All residential CRW students will be housed together with a Resident Assistant who oversees their day-to-day experiences. Students will have access to bus transportation to the studio, on campus dining for breakfast and dinner, bagged lunch at the studio from a local hotspot, and 24-hour campus security.
Room and Board can be secured on a week-by-week basis. If the minimum number of resident students is not met, housing may need to be modified or canceled. All deposits are non-refundable.
For additional information or specific inquiries, contact the office at [email protected].
To audition virtually please, first, complete the registration form then send the following to Christopher Anderson [email protected] to be considered.
-Resume
-Headshot
-Photo in 1st arabesque
-Video of classwork (barre, centre, pointe)
AUDITION TOUR
The 2025 in-person audition tour has concluded. We are still accepting virtual auditions!
VIRTUAL AUDITIONS
Ballet RI will accept virtual SDI/CRW audition submissions. Click below for more details.
SUBMIT VIRTUAL AUDITIONS HERE >
SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES 2025
SUMMER CAMPS & SUMMER CLASSES
Get moving this summer with camps and classes for movers of all ages! From fun day camps filled with engaging, creative activities, to classes to give your summer training a boost, spend the summer at School of Ballet RI!
CHILDREN’S SUMMER DANCE CAMPS
CHILDREN’S SUMMER DANCE CLASSES
CHILDREN’S DANCE CAMPS
JUNE 23-27, 2025 & AUGUST 11-15, 2025
Join us at School of Ballet RI and immerse in one of our day camps for children ages 4 and up. These enriching and engaging experiences are designed to explore movement, music, choreography, set design, costuming, and the great ballets! Each camp will consist of a daily ballet class and then be filled with activities and lessons relevant to the camp’s theme.
CHILDREN’S SUMMER DANCE CAMPS
Rhythm & Dance
Ages 7+
June 23-27, 2025
1:00pm-4:00pm
This is a half-day program designed for dancers ages 7+ years old. The Summer Dance Camp offers the perfect balance between successful learning and fun. Dance alongside your friends with positive and nurturing teachers while exploring new elements of arts with a variety of dance styles, arts and crafts and lecture lessons. Dancers will learn and prepare a Showcase to present for their families and friends on the last day of camp.
Precision Jazz
Ages 10-14
June 23-27, 2025
9:30am-3:30pm
Dance Playground
Ages 9-12
June 23-27, 2025
9:30am-3:30pm
Pop Star Dance Camp
Ages 10-14
August 11-15, 2025
9:30am-3:30pm
This is a full-day program designed for dancers ages 9-14 years old. The Summer Dance Camp offers the perfect balance between successful learning and fun. Enrich your ballet training while exploring new elements of arts with a variety of dance styles, arts and crafts and lecture lessons. Dancers will learn and prepare a Showcase to present for their families and friends on the last day of camp.
Moana Dance Camp
Ages 4-6
June 23-27, 2025 9:00am-Noon
August 11-15, 2025 1:00pm-4:00pm
Frozen Creative Movement Camp
Ages 4-6
June 23-27, 2025 1:00pm-4:00pm
August 11-15, 2025 9:00am-Noon
This is a half-day program designed for dancers ages 4-6 years old, perfect for introducing or continuing your child’s dance journey. Dance alongside your friends with positive and nurturing teachers, prepare arts & crafts that involve the weekly theme, and learn creative and fun choreography to perform during the week’s end Showcase.
Boys Dance Camp 2025
Ages 8-14
August 11-15, 2025
9:30am-3:30pm
This one-week program is designed for young boys. The Boys Dance Camp it is the perfect opportunity for dancers learn the technique and performance of a male dancer. Lessons will be taught by a faculty of all male dancers and teachers, enriching their ballet training while exploring new elements of arts with a variety of dance styles, and lecture lessons about boys in ballet. Dancers will learn and prepare a themed Showcase to present to their families and friends on the last day of camp.
CHILDREN’S DANCE CLASSES
Make a splash all summer long with our Summer Session classes for children of all ages! Sign up for one or more of our classes and experience the magic of dance all summer long!
CHILDREN’S SUMMER DANCE CLASSES
TEEN/ADULT Summer classes | 16 years +
Our summer 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 a returning dancer. Our faculty have years of experience and will make class adaptations for mixed levels.
SUMMER DANCE CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
CLASS AND WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
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.
