BALLET KALAMAZOO® · PRE-PROFESSIONAL CLASSICAL BALLET TRAINING
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TRAINED HERE. GROWN HERE. PROVEN EVERYWHERE.
Every Conservatory dancer started somewhere. Many of ours started here at age three.
Ballet Kalamazoo®'s Conservatory Ballet Program is a pre-professional training pathway for dedicated dancers ages 10–17. We hold our dancers to a high standard because we believe they are capable of it, and we walk every step of that journey with them.
Our program is grounded in the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum and the Proven Teaching Syllabus© of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Our faculty hold teaching certifications from ABT® and Progressing Ballet Technique, and have trained directly with the professional staff of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, bringing that level of expertise into every class we teach.
This is not a program where dancers are left to figure it out. This is a program where they are seen, challenged, supported, and grown by people who have lived this art form at every level.
Serious training. Genuine support. We commit to them. They commit to this.
ABT® National Training Curriculum · CPYB Proven Teaching Syllabus© · Progressing Ballet Technique · National & International Ballet Competitions
FOUR LEVELS. ONE STANDARD.
Our Conservatory program follows a structured, progressive color-coded curriculum. Each level builds on the last technically, artistically, and personally. Dancers are placed by assessment to ensure the best fit and the strongest foundation for growth.
Teal Ballet — Foundation Conservatory level. Classical technique, musicality, and artistry begin to deepen. Dancers develop the discipline and focus that serious training requires. Trains up to 3 classes weekly.
Royal Ballet — Intermediate level. Pre-pointe work is introduced for qualified dancers. Competition preparation, contemporary technique, and Progressing Ballet Technique are integrated. Dancers begin performing with Kalamazoo Youth Ballet. Trains 3 technique classes weekly plus pointe preparation, contemporary, and PBT.
Ruby Ballet — Advanced intermediate. Pointe work is introduced for qualified dancers. Training intensity increases, and artistic identity begins to emerge. Trains 3 technique classes weekly plus pointe, contemporary, and PBT.
Noire Ballet — Advanced level. Pre-professional training at its highest. These are Ballet Kalamazoo®'s most dedicated artists. Trains the full Conservatory schedule: technique, pointe, contemporary, PBT, and conditioning.
Training frequency at every level is aligned to the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum ladder, the training volume that real pre-professional development requires.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
Everything a pre-professional education requires is included in one flat monthly tuition:
✓ All ballet technique classes
✓ Pointe classes for qualified dancers
✓ Contemporary technique
✓ Progressing Ballet Technique
✓ Performance opportunities with Kalamazoo Youth Ballet
✓ Competition preparation and coaching
CONSERVATORY BALLET TUITION
New for 2026–27: Conservatory dancers enroll in their level, not a list of classes. One flat monthly rate includes every class their level offers: all technique, pointe, contemporary, and PBT. No per-class math. No choosing between classes. The whole training week, one price.
Teal Ballet — $150 / month
Royal Ballet — $175 / month
Ruby Ballet — $199 / month
Noire Ballet — $225 / month
✓ Every class in your level is included; attend the full weekly schedule
✓ A flat season rate is the same every month, including five-week months and holidays
✓ Kalamazoo Youth Ballet membership: +$50/month (requires level enrollment)
✓ Built-in make-up flexibility: every class in your level is yours
Supplemental Track — $95 / month: for dancers whose primary training or main activity is elsewhere, cross-training athletes or dancers visiting from another school. One training day per week in your placed level (technique plus same-day pointe where applicable). Placed and held to the same standard as every dancer in the room. Supplemental enrollment is arranged directly with Miss Amy — text (269) 399-5342 before enrolling online.
Register early with confidence: September tuition paid at registration is fully refundable for withdrawals before August 15.
ON THE NATIONAL STAGE
Ballet Kalamazoo® dancers competed at the Ballet Championships of America in Chicago, Illinois, in March 2026, one of the most prestigious classical ballet competitions in the country, drawing studios from across the United States.
Our dancers brought home results we are deeply proud of.
1st Place — Gold & Artistic Performance Award
Emma Knapp: Blue Bird Solo Classical Repertoire · Apprentice · Petite (Ages 7–8)
Violet Solis: Esmeralda Solo Classical Repertoire · Apprentice · Teen (Ages 15–16)
Lillian Start: In a Quiet Collapse Solo Contemporary · Apprentice · Pre-Teen (Ages 13–14)
Violet Solis: If You Don't Love Me Now Solo Contemporary · Apprentice · Teen (Ages 15–16)
Catalina Sackett: Glitch Solo Contemporary · Apprentice · Senior (Ages 17–21)
Special Recognition Award: Violet Solis: BCA Innovative Choreography Award · Teen
Additional Medal Placements:
Lydia Knapp · Lillian Start · Sophie Rominger
Catalina Sackett · Eleanor Fraaza · Inara Takace · Sylvia Russell
These are Ballet Kalamazoo® dancers trained here, grown here.
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THE TRAINING LEADS SOMEWHERE.
WE'VE WATCHED IT HAPPEN.
When a dancer starts with us at three years old, we have no idea where they will go. Neither do they.
What we do know is that the training they receive here is grounded, credentialed, and deeply personal and will prepare them for wherever that turns out to be.
Our Conservatory dancers have gone on to university dance programs, year-round pre-professional training,
and summer intensives at some of the most respected companies in the world:
Western Michigan University Department of Dance
University of Michigan Department of Dance
Joffrey Ballet School, New York City
Joffrey Ballet School Midwest Summer Intensive
Royal Danish Ballet Summer Intensive
National Ballet of Canada
Joffrey Ballet Chicago
Grand Rapids Ballet Summer Intensive
Interlochen Center for the Arts
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
These are not borrowed outcomes. Every one of these dancers built their foundation here in this studio, with this faculty, through this curriculum.
We don't take credit for their talent. That was always theirs.
We take pride in having built the foundation that has allowed it to grow.
Ready to take the next step?
The Conservatory Ballet Program accepts new students by audition and assessment throughout the year. We evaluate each dancer individually to ensure proper placement and the best possible experience.
We would love to meet your dancer.
Text: 269-399-5342 Email: info@balletkalamazoo.com
Not quite ready for Conservatory? Every path starts somewhere.