The Ballet Directory is a recommended list of the best places to train around the United States picked by A Ballet Education’s staff of teachers with the help of recommendations by artistic directors, professional dancers, and master teachers.
The directory is broken up into multiple categories to help you find the best school for you.
Every year A Ballet Education Publishes the Big Ten Article. This Article breaks down the Top Ten Ballet Schools in the world. As we are all about celebrating those ten schools, we also realize that there are amazing schools around the world who may not have the same visibility because of money, exposure, and government funding. A Ballet Education has broken down each school based on graduation rate, performing opportunities, competition wins at major international ballet competitions, funding for scholarships, acceptance rates, accessibility, and diversity.
The Big Ten Article is Published in Summer Edition of A Ballet Magazine
For more amazing schools keep scrolling down the page to find full profiles of tier one ballet schools around the United States offering some of the best training. (** notes that there is a professional company attached to to the school.)
Alabama Ballet**
Director: Tracey Alvey
2726 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 25233
(205)322-4300
https://alabamaballet.org/
Master Ballet Academy first made their major appearance at the Youth America Grand Prix showcasing Giselle Bethea who went on to win the USA IBC Jackson Competition and later joined American Ballet Theatre. While she may not be dancing anymore, Master Ballet Academy has become known for their “baby ballerinas”. These young Instagram stars have won major competitions including the Youth America Grand Prix, USA IBC Jackson, the Beijing Competition, The Dance Awards and more. Master Ballet Academy garnered even more fame when the placed on a Ballet Education’s Big Ten List after their winning sweeps at ADC IBC and YAGP in 2017. While they aren’t a full company, yet, they have created the student based company Phoenix Ballet.
Master Ballet Academy has also taken the internet and social media by storm by being one of the most watched schools online and has now created a youtube series and numerous apps and online courses to help guide ballet students
Artistic Director: Slawomir Wozniak
7625 E Redfield Rd #200, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Website: http://www.masterballetacademy.com
The Ballet Clinic
Director: David King, A Ballet Education
A Ballet Education’s Elite and Exclusive School
3875 E Evans Road #500
Phone: (480) 504-9107
www.theballetclinic.com
The School of Ballet Arizona**
School Director: TBA
2835 E. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: (619) 241-2565
San Francisco Ballet School is the official school to the San Francisco Ballet. The school is headed by Patrick Armand. In 2004, the school created the coveted trainee program in which 100% of the graduates get jobs. The San Francisco Ballet School has been on the Big Ten list now since the beginning, and is one of the most coveted spots to train in for students ages 14+. In the past, to get into the program a dancer would have to attend the Summer Intensive. In 2019 they held their first year-round program auditions in which young dancers had to submit a video, and then if you were lucky enough, you would be invited to an audition in San Francisco. The San Francisco Ballet Summer Intensive is still one of the most coveted programs to train at over the summer.
San Francisco Ballet School
455 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Website: https://www.sfballet.org/school
The School of Sacramento Ballet**
Director: Carinne Binda
Principal: Melanie Haller
1030 15th Street, Scaamento, CA, 95814
Phone: (916) 732-3660
http://www.sacballet.org
Golden State Ballet and Pilates
Artistic Director: Raul and Cindy Salamanca
A Ballet Education Partner School
6338 Riverdale St, San Diego, CA 92120
Phone: (619) 241-2565
https://www.gsballetpilates.com/
Southland Ballet Academy
Academy Director: Salwa Rizalla
9527 Garfield Ave, Fountain Valley, CA, 92708
Phone Number: (714) 962-5440
Location 2: 710 Roosevelt, Irvine, CA, 92620
Phone Number: (949) 757-1936
http://www.festivalballet.org
Burbank Dance Academy
Artistic Director: Jason Coosner
A Ballet Education Partner School
2518 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Phone: (818) 845-8856
www.burbankdanceacademy.com
Maple Conservatory of Dance
Directors: Charles Maple and Kathy Crade
1824 Kaiser Ave, Irvine, CA, 92614
Phone Number: (949) 660-9930
State Street Ballet School**
Director: Rodney Gustafson
2285 Las Positas Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Phone Number: (805) 845-1432
Los Angeles Ballet School**
School Director: Thordal Christensen
11755 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA, 90064
Phone Number: (310) 696-9057
Dance Center of Alonzo King LINES Ballet**
Director: Kristen Gurbach Jacobson
26 Seventh Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103
Phone Number: (415) 863-3040
Elite Classical Coaching is featured on the cover of Issue 15 of A Ballet Education’s digital Magazine. Each dancer is hand selected by the director, Catherine Lewellen and set on a very specific course. Dancers train in small group and private classes to ensure the quality and standard of training. In addition to quality training, Elite Classical Coaching brings in multiple guest teachers including world-renowned principals, master teachers, and guest artists to help the dancers grow.
Vitacca Vocational School for Dance
Director: Kelly Ann Vitacca
2311 Dunlavy St, Suite 210
Suite 210
HOUSTON, TX 77006
7135606985
info@vitacca.org
Integral Ballet
Director Erin Drennan
1842 Merrick Rd
Merrick, NY 11566
+15164421590
www.integralballet.com
misserin@integralballet.com
Ellison Ballet
Director Edward Ellison
248 W 60th St, New York, NY 10023
(646) 385-8485
Opus Performing Arts
Director: Brooke Evans
114 W. Holly St, Bellingham, WA 98225
360-734-5300
www.opusbellingham.com
opusperformingarts@gmail.com