Studios for Adult Ballet

Do you take adult ballet classes? Share the joy! Leave the name, city/state and website of your favorite studio in the comments and I’ll add it to the list.

CANADA
Harbour Dance Centre
Vancouver, BC
http://www.harbourdancecentre.com
From contributor Freddie: “They have classes on variety of dance forms, including ballet, jazz, street jazz, hiphop, contemporary, and tap. Classes are divided into levels, including classes for complete beginners to master classes for professional dnacers. They have wonderful ballet techers such as Danielle Cliford, Eva Carius, Loreli Skinner, Nicola Earle, Absalon Figueroa, Dario Dinuzzi, Wen Wei Wang, Curtis Foley. I love love going to classes taught by Danielle who is also the co-founder of the centre.”

FINLAND
Tanssikeskus
Helsinki
http://www.tanssikeskusfootlight.fi/
Recommended teachers: Gabriella S, Marie-Pierre G.
Notes from contributor Johanna: “You can check out the spaces and class-descriptions on my blog too. My favorite teachers are Gabriella S. and Marie-Pierre G. Both teach in the tradition of the French School, G with added Bournonville – her first teacher was a soloist at Royal Danish Ballet. Marie-Pierre, who herself was a principal dancer at the same RDB until 2008, is very much influenced by Balanchine, but the Danish influence is strong as well. Other than their cool CV, these teachers impress the hell out of me because they are demanding, meticulous, pushy in the best way, energetic, and inspiring beyond! They really see the potential in each (adult) dancer. Long before you do. They both like to give lots of coorections, also individual and hands-on. If you want challenge yourself in a positive and encouraging class, there are no better teachers to learn from!”

GERMANY
Performing Arts Studios
Munich
http://www.pa-studios.net
From contributor Frau Klugschiesser: “Ballet classes with Thierry Paré are great and if you’re interested in Modern Jazz Nunzio Lombardo is your man.”

NEW ZEALAND
Wanganui Ballet and Dance Academy
Wanganui
http://www.wanganuiballet.co.nz/
From contributor Toni Jenkins: “We are taught by Fay Wilbur, who trained at White Lodge and the Rambert Ballet Academy, and she is great as she is encouraging, demanding and make class fun to boot! We dance in the end of year show with the kids, and I feel like I learn something new every class.”

SOUTH KOREA
Seoul Tanz Station
Seoul
http://www.seoultanzstation.com
From contributor Jenniferc: “I love Kwak Yoon-Mi teacher, so nice and friendly, can’t speak too much English but threw in a few words to help me understand her corrections. Former dancer with the Korean national ballet, her adv beginner class was pretty basic…”

UNITED KINGDOM
England
London Russian School of Ballet
Clapham, London
http://www.londonrussianballetschool.com/
From contributor wren: “Adult (Absolute) Beginner Classes most weeknights and some daytime classes. All the teachers are excellent.”

Scotland
Dancebase
Edinburgh, in the Grassmarket
From contributor Hiccup42: “Dancebase, in the Grassmarket. Adult beginners twice a week, and not-quite-so-beginners as well.”

UNITED STATES
California
Academy of Ballet
San Francisco
http://www.chamberdancesf.org/academy/
Recommended teachers from contributor Dominique: “Pretty much all of them …but, for Adult New Beginners: Richard Gibson (gives amazing technique and passion) and for everyone else: Joshua Trader (gives great constructive criticism and he pushes you not only physically, but mentally). This school loves their adult students, they treat them just like their younger, pre-pros, which is an amazing attribute! They provide adult classes all the way from New Beginning (aka, I’ve never taken a class in my life) to Adult 6, plus adult pointe.Great studio, great location, and great instruction.”

Anaheim Ballet
Anaheim
http://www.anaheimballet.org/schedule.html

Ariel Dance Productions
San Jose
http://www.arieldanceproductions.com
From contributor Beth Fisher: “This is a wonderful studio for those who are coming to dance for the first time, those who studied dance as children, and those who are more seasoned dancers. If you select Lauren’s Monday night ballet class, you’ll enter a supportive environment where dancers of various skill levels build their technique and have the option of learning choreography for upcoming shows. In addition, Lauren gives criticism respectfully and with the intention of truly wanting her dancers improve and feel more confident about their technique.”
Recommended teacher: Lauren Graves

Ballet San Jose
San Jose
From contributor jennifer: Ballet San Jose has wonderful adult ballet classes, welcoming to all adults of all ages, both teach students mainly that have a basic understanding of ballet, but can accomodate newbies as well. Thursday is the recommended day for beginners.
Recommended teachers: Le Mai Linh, Mads Ericksen

Berkeley Ballet Theater
Berkeley
http://www.berkeleyballet.org/adult_schedule.php
Recommended teachers: Robert Greer (beginner)
Notes from contributor Jenniferc: “I second Berkeley Ballet Theaer and Xiao Liu-Moore teaches a wonderful adv beginning/ intermediate class there. Deborah Moss is a fantastic beginning ballet teacher, focusing on technique in a warm class, particularly great for the newbies.”

Hirschl Ballet
Anaheim
http://www.hirschlballet.com/id78.html

Lines Ballet/San Francisco Dance Center
San Francisco
http://www.linesballet.org/sfdc/
Recommended teachers: Kathy Mata
From contributor Jenniferc: “I also love leeWei Chao’s int/adv class at Lines, its so dancey but tends to be packed since its so popular. I recommend this class only for the more advanced folks.”

North Coast Dance
Eureka
http://www.northcoastdance.org
From contributor Healther Walker: “We offer Adult Beginning Ballet classes 4 days/week and students who catch on fast or are non-beginners can ask about attending Company classes too.”

ODC/Rhythm and Motion
San Francisco
http://www.rhythmandmotion.com/
Notes: a huge range of classes beyond ballet!

Pamela Trokanski Dance Workshop
Davis
http://www.trokanski.com/classes.html
Notes from contributor Michele Tobias: “trains adults in ballet, jazz, modern/contemporary, African forms, hip-hop, break dance, and several others.”

Private Ballet LA
Los Angeles
From contributor lorry: “I take classes with Michael Cornell. See http://www.privateballetla.com. He offers beginning and intermediate classes for adults with special classes starting for those over 55. He has a series of classes for those with zero dance background Ballet 101, 102, and Perfect Basic. Michael gets you up and dancing straight away. He works out of a couple of different studios in West Los Angeles.”

Western Ballet
Mountain View
http://www.westernballet.org/documents/openclasschedule.html

Westside School of Ballet
Santa Monica
http://www.westsideballet.com/school/adult.html
Recommended teachers; Joan Bayley, Mark Anthony Lopez, Onisha Moore

Colorado
Madison Studio of Dance Education
Macon
From contributor Laura: “Jane Madison teaches 2 adult beginner/adult returner classes per week (one lunch-hour class, one early evening). She is a very experienced instructor and the classes are rigorous, but encouraging. It’s not a big enough studio to have an extensive adult dance program, but they are open to having adults in just about any class.”

Georgia
Atlanta Ballet
Atlanta
http://www.atlantaballet.com
From contributor jen: Atlanta Ballet several intro to ballet- classes with three studios. Miss Alera is wonderful.

Georgia Ballet
Marietta
http://www.georgiaballet.org
From contributor jen: “Georgia Ballet in Marietta Mrs. Barbara Hancock is great and danced in a movie with Fred Astaire “Finnian’s Rainbow'”

Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance
Roswell
http://www.tysod.com
From contributor jen: “Mrs. Mary is the most wonderful teacher”

Illinois
Peoria Ballet Academy
Peoria
http://www.peoriaballet.com/academy.html
From contributor Acacia: “Pretty much the only game in town besides the park district. The best teachers are Rebekah and Jennifer, but Josh (who regularly teaches the adult evening class) is a lot of fun and really encouraging.”

Indiana
The Children’s Center for Dance Education
Evansville
http://www.childdance.org
From contributor Lisa: “Brandon the instructor is wonderfull, he uses fun music, and is very patient…and by the way they are a not for profit dance school.”

Maryland
A Step Ahead Dance Center
Baltimore
http://www.astepaheaddancecenter.com
From contributor Karen Daniels: “Offers adult classes in several levels of experiences. Disciplines offered are ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical/contemporary, hip hop, modern, and musical theatre dance. Students can drop-in for class or register.”

Massachusetts
The Studio: A Dance Center for Adults
Brookline
http://www.studiodcfa.com
From contributor Alisha: “This is my favorite place on the planet- great for “I’ve never danced in my life and idk WHAT I’m doing here…” the very common, “Well, when I was in (pre, middle, high) school I danced, but it’s been years!” or even those who are already en pointe. The owner/instructor, Sue, is amazing, and is ready and willing to give you whatever it is you are looking for. Want to take it for fun? You won’t get any, “let’s try it again until you can do it right.” What to seriously improve? Believe me, she’s got the experience and know-how to move you along. In short, provided you want to dance, for whatever reason, with whatever experience, you will be seriously missing out if you do not stop in here.Oh- and they have about a dozen classes other than ballet- so you can branch out, try other (amazing) instructors, and styles that are totally new to you ”

Michigan
Dance Theatre Studio
Ann Arbor
http://www.dancetheatrestudio.com/
From contributor Michele Tobias: “They have an adult program that is very nice too.”

Missouri
City in Motion
Kansas City
http://www.cityinmotion.org
From contributor chrisgo: “City in Motion also offers great adult ballet classes also in KCMO.”

Kansas City Ballet School
Kansas City
http://www.kcballet.org
From contributor chrisgo: “I’m a student at the Kansas City Ballet School in the Adult/Open division in Kansas City MO. I’ve had great classes with both Emily Simpson and Rose Taylor Spann, both are wonderful teachers.”

New York
Albany Dance & Fitness
Albany
http://www.albanydancefitness.com/
From contributor gtassarotti: “Albany Dance & Fitness in Albany, NY offers dance and fitness classes for adults and teens. There are daytime, evening, and weekend classes. Dance genres offered are Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Belly Dance, Lyrical. Many levels – even Ballet classes for Seniors.

Alvin Ailey
New York
http://www.alvinailey.org/aileyextension/dance-fitness-classes-adults
From contributor Lia: “From beginner 1 to advanced pointe.”

Broadway Dance Center
New York
http://www.broadwaydancecenter.com/schedule/schedule_ballet.shtml

North Carolina
Ninth Street Dance
Durham
http://ninthstreetdance.com
Notes from contributor Shannon M.: “They offer many levels of ballet for adults and kids along with many other types of dance.”

Pennsylvania
Limelight Dance Studio
Wyomissing
http://www.limelightdancestudio.com
From contributor Helen: “I take all of my adult dance lessons at Limelight Dance Studio in Wyomissing, PA. Great teachers, caring staff, very knowledgable in their field!!!” 

Tennessee
School of Nashville Ballet-Community Division
Nashville
http://www.nashvilleballet.com/school/community.php
Recommended teachers from contributor Jen: Eric Harris

Texas
Tapestry Dance Company
Austin
artistsunitedinchristaustin@gmail.com
Recommended teachers: Renata Sanford (ballet), Sarah Yarborough (modern)
From contributor Meredith Dunham: “Dance in a Christian Context.”