BALLET KALAMAZOO® · PRE-PROFESSIONAL CLASSICAL BALLET TRAINING
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Train with Purpose. Dance with Excellence.
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. It is rigorous, structured, and deeply personal. 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
The Path is Clear.
Our Conservatory program follows a structured, progressive color-coded pathway. 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.
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. Performance company eligible.
Ruby Ballet Advanced intermediate. Pointe work is introduced for qualified dancers. Training intensity increases, and artistic identity begins to emerge.
Noire Ballet Advanced level. Pre-professional training at its highest. These are Ballet Kalamazoo®'s most dedicated artists.
All new students are assessed individually to determine the best placement.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
Everything your dancer needs to train seriously — all 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
Designed for dancers enrolled in Teal, Royal, Ruby, and Noire Ballet. Flat-rate tiers based on the number of classes per week make tuition predictable and easy to manage.
Weekly Class Hours - Monthly Tuition
1 class per week $95
2 classes per week $135
3 classes per week $155
4 classes per week $175
5 classes per week $195
6+ classes per week (Unlimited)$225
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Tuition includes all ballet technique, pointe, contemporary, and PBT classes.
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Dancers in Teal–Noire are encouraged to take at least 2–3 ballet classes per week.
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Kalamazoo Youth Ballet members add $50/month membership fee.
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.