Dayton Ballet School

Registration Deadline June 11, 2013

To download the 2013 Summer brochure, with class schedules and enrollment form, click here!

For information regarding classes at both the downtown Dayton studio or SSK South studio in Centerville, call Ballet School Director, Carol Jean Heller at (937) 223-1542 or email her here.


The School

The mission of the Dayton Ballet School is to provide the very finest dance training to any child or adult who seeks to experience the wonder and the fun of dance.

The goal of the School is to serve the community by not only strengthening the body but also introducing accomplishments and discipline to the spirit of all participants.

For 86 years, Dayton Ballet School has provided excellence in dance training. Founded by Josephine and Hermene Schwarz, the Dayton Ballet School is not only the oldest dance school in Dayton but one of the oldest dance schools in the United States. As the only ballet school in the Miami Valley associated with a professional dance company, the Dayton Ballet School continues the tradition established by Miss Jo and Miss Hermene of "offering the highest quality dance training to professionals and non-professionals."

From the beginning, Dayton Ballet School’s primary goal has been to prepare dancers for professional careers. However, Dayton Ballet School realizes that most of our students will not pursue a career in dance. These students benefit from dance in many ways by building grace and poise and obtaining the mental and physical discipline that promotes a strong and focused character. Many students follow related careers in physical therapy, costume design, scene design or teaching. They also form an appreciative dance audience.

Performance Opportunities

Dayton Ballet School students enjoy many performing opportunities. Dayton Ballet II Senior and Junior Companies are our pre-professional training companies chosen by audition and often perform with the Dayton Ballet dancers in selected works. Dayton Ballet II and Level V students also perform a special presentation at the end of the school year.

Dayton Ballet II Senior and Junior Company Auditions

• Friday, May 10, 2013
• Victoria Theatre, 4th Floor, 140 N. Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
• Times:  DB II Jr (10–14 years)—4:30 p.m.; DB II Sr (14+ years)—6:00 p.m.
• Ladies:  Bring pointe shoes.
  

Graduates

Some of Dayton Ballet School's best known graduates:
    •    Rebecca Wright performed with American Ballet Theatre, on Broadway in Merlin, and with Joffrey Ballet.
    •    Dan Duell danced with the New York City Ballet and is the artistic director of the Chicago Ballet.
    •    Donna Wood performed with Alvin Ailey.
    •    Stuart Sebastian is the former Dayton Ballet artistic director and worked with Washington National Ballet.
    •    Bonnie Pickard danced with Suzanne Farrell Ballet.
    •    Rebecca Carmazzi performed with Dayton Ballet, BalletMet and the North Carolina Ballet Theatre.
    •    Penny Freeh is a choreographer for the James Sewell Ballet.
    •    Jeraldyne Blunden was the founder and former director of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.
    •    Peter Means was a company member of Milwaukee Ballet, Washington Ballet and Ballet Met.
    •    School Director Carol Jean Heller danced with Ballet Repertory in New York.