Fall 2024

Bainbridge Ballet offers a full array of dance classes in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theatre, acro dance & contemporary for children ages 3 to adult. Most individuals enroll in the fall. We do take enrollment in most classes (space permitting) until February.

Please note that while we take students year round, the opportunity to perform in our annual production of The Nutcracker is on an audition basis. Our annual Spring Ballet/Recital is open to all students, however, students who join a class past the midway mark of a session are only able to perform in the show at the teacher’s discretion.

September 9-June 13, 2025

Class Descriptions

Ballet- At Bainbridge Ballet, our number one goal is to ensure quality dance education that is student centered and based on proper technique, by meeting each student exactly where they are. We believe in artistic excellence as a product of a healthy, richly creative environment. Our ballet program, beloved and celebrated on Bainbridge Island for nearly 20 years, begins at age 3 and continues into ages 18 and beyond. Whether you are looking to be involved in a preparatory program, where we prepare students to become involved in the professional dance world, or are looking for a movement outlet and love the classical structure of a ballet class, there is a space for you here.

Pre-Ballet- Teaches basic movement and dance concepts such as spatial awareness, rhythm and gross motor skills as well as classroom structure, and focus.

Ballet/Tap- A wonderful combination class of tap and pre-ballet for those children who love both! Students learn physical coordination, rhythm, mental concentration, the basic disciplines of dance with a series of fun and exciting games and movements. Students who experience sensory sensitivity are welcome to wear noise canceling headphones during the tap portion of class to help create their best possible dance experience!  

Our current Ballet/Tap offering is designed for students ages 4-5, 5-6 and 6-7.

Pointe- Teaches the proper alignment and specialized techniques necessary to perform safely and properly en pointe. In order to begin pointe, students must pass a strength test with their instructor. 

In order to preserve the longevity of our student’s health, especially for students who are still growing, we require a pointe placement session prior to enrolling in a class.* Our current pointe offerings are Pointe A, Pointe B, Pointe C.

Jazz- Originating in the late 19th century from the African American community and parallel to the jazz music movement, jazz is now one of the most popular dance styles in the world. Our jazz classes include educational exposure to several different sub styles of jazz dance; movements and expressions in this course are featured in our annual performance of The Nutcracker! We recommend jazz for the student who is interested in fresh style exposure, up beat movements, or is looking to try a fun new class!

Lyrical and Contemporary- Our lyrical and contemporary classes marry the beauty and expression of ballet, jazz, modern, and more!  Dating back to medieval times and undergoing renaissance in the 1970s, lyrical and contemporary are beloved styles often featured in commercial dancing, central to college/company programs, and projects such as “So You Think You Can Dance.”  Basic knowledge of jazz and ballet movements is required; special permission may be granted to first year students who desire to take lyrical alongside two other technical classes on a case by case basis.  Our current offerings of lyrical dance are best suited for students age 11+.  Our current offerings of contemporary dance are best suited for students age 13+

Musical Theater- Natural performers, theater nerds, and Broadway fans unite! Our musical theater program covers a comprehensive educational exposure to musicals, from golden era broadway to modern hits such as Six and Hadestown. This high paced, fun program covers essential acting and expression exercises, ensemble and solo performance education, improv games, vocal training (on a class-by-class basis) and blends classic musical theater style choreography with modern technique to create performance sequences that are featured in our annual production of The Nutcracker! Our current offerings of Musical Theater I are best suited for students ages 9-16; Musical Theater II is best students for adult students ages 17+

Tap- Tap rose in the 19th century as a dance form combining Africa tribal dance, English clogging and Irish jigs, among other styles. Students will learn a mix of Broadway tap (stylized for theater) and rhythm tap (the art form of tap dancing).

Hip Hop- Combines body isolations with locking and popping techniques. Students will learn basic movements and then work on creating combos in their unique individual style. This is a fun and high-energy dance style.

Acro and Acro Fusion- From basic brain/body connective movements to complex sequences inspired from performance companies like Cirque Du Soleil, our Acro classes emphasize safety and body awareness at every ability.  Our current offerings of Mini-Acro (best suited for students age 3-6) and Acro A (best suited for students age 7-10) cover essential building blocks of self-understanding and strength building as the foundation for tricks such as handstands, cartwheels, rolls, and more! 

Stretch and Conditioning- Gain confidence, strength, endurance, and maximize your physical and mental ability in our Stretch and Conditioning (S&C) class!  Our S&C course approaches strength building movement from a trauma-informed, functional anatomy standpoint, meaning we will never push students beyond their abilities and ensure to empower them with tools for rest and recovery.  Stretch and Conditioning is a drop-in friendly class open to current students, adults, and even non dancers!  S&C is also recommended as a supplemental technique/strength class, and is highly encouraged for our Nutcracker cast members.

requirements

ages 3-7

Pre-Ballet 3- Must be 3yrs old by September 1

Pre-Ballet 4-5 and Ballet/Tap 4-5- Must be 4yrs old by September 1

Pre-Ballet 5-6, Ballet/Tap 5-6, and Tap/Jazz 5-6- Must be 5yrs old by September 1

Pre-Ballet 6-7 and Tap/Jazz 6-7- Must be 6yrs old by September 1

ages 7+

Ballet/Tap/Jazz/Hip Hop A1- Must be 7yrs old by September 1

Ballet/Tap/Jazz/Hip Hop A2- Must have completed a year of the A1 level of the class

Ballet/Tap/Jazz A3- Must have completed a year of the A2 level of the class

Lyrical A3- Must have completed a year of Ballet A3 or Teen Ballet

Ballet A3/B- Must have completed a year of, or be currently enrolled in, Ballet A3

Ballet B1- Must have completed at least 1 year of Ballet A3/B, or by instructor approval

Ballet B2- Must have completed at least 1 year of Ballet B1 and have instructor approval

Ballet B/C- Must have completed Ballet B1 or higher, or by instructor approval

Ballet C- Must have completed at least 1 year of Ballet B2 and have instructor approval

Pointe A- Must be at least 12yrs old, be enrolled in Ballet B1 and have passed pointe test given by instructor. Must be enrolled in at least two ballet technique classes

Pointe B- Must have had at least 1 year of Pointe A and have instructor approval. Must be enrolled in at least two ballet technique classes

Pointe C- Must have had at least 1 year of Pointe B and have instructor approval. Must be enrolled in at least two ballet technique classes

Variations- A class for learning choreography from classic ballets. Must be in at least Ballet B1 or higher. May be taken en pointe or on flat.