Central Utah Ballet is excited for the upcoming fall 2023 season, which will highlight Central Utah Ballet’s award-winning ballet classes, including ballet for kids, teens, and pre-professional ballet training programs.

In this new season, we are pleased to introduce our new Modern/Contemporary instructor, Ursula Perry, as well as to prepare for multiple performances, including our annual Nutcracker performance in November, and the popular spring Signatures performance in February.

To explore our classes, please click the button below. You may also request more information by calling or sending us a message through our contact page.

Creative Ballet

Creative ballet, also known as ballet for preschoolers or toddlers, includes ballet classes for 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, and 5-year-olds. Unlike many young children’s ballet classes, Central Utah Ballet assigns their most experienced instructors to teach Creative Ballet classes, as opposed to utilizing less experienced instructors in this role.

Central Utah Ballet is a classically based ballet studio, which means we have a commitment to technique, knowledge, and performance. By starting our young students off with experienced ballet instructors, we’re ensuring they have the best possible foundation should they choose to continue their ballet journey as they grow. Each of these classes is age-appropriate based on the physical, mental, and emotional maturity of the age group. Though the curriculum is of exceptionally high quality, our young dancers find it extremely engaging, fun, and accessible.

Children’s Ballet

In just a few short years, Central Utah Ballet has become a household name for ballet classes for children. Our Children’s Ballet Program includes a progression of ballet classes beginning by age group and progressing to classes based on skill level.

For instance, our Ballet 1 classes for 6-year-olds are one hour a week, teaching ballet fundamentals and techniques. Ballet classes for 7-8-year-olds progress to two one-hour classes per week. After age 8 (or after technique has progressed), our children’s ballet classes are broken up into Ballet 3, which includes 3 hours of training per week; Ballet 4 and 5, which includes 6 ½ hours of training, including ballet technique as well as contemporary and pointe. Class hours increase through Ballet 6, which includes longer class times on average, as well as a Saturday morning rehearsal.

Pre-Professional Ballet Trainee Programs

The Pre-Professional Ballet Trainee Program at Central Utah Ballet is designed by nationally renowned instructor and director, Jennie Creer-King. This program is a well-rounded ballet program that introduces students to a professional level of instruction, technique, & comprehensive skills to support professional pursuits, college programs, and more.

The Pre-Professional Ballet Trainee Program at Central Utah Ballet is designed to simulate a college and professional ballet experience. Each student is trained by top instructors in classical ballet, modern and contemporary dance, and pointe, as well as workshops for skills dances such as flamenco or character technique, which helps the student become a strong, well-rounded performer. Students of this program will also learn ballet repertoire and re-staged classical ballets, experience the creative process of diverse choreographers, and perform in front of a live audience.

Dancers will work directly with Jennie Creer-King, as well as nationally and internationally recognized instructors from Utah and across the country. These programs are audition-only, with a Junior and Senior company available based on ability.

Summer ballet programs are a rite of passage for many serious ballet dancers. They are a time of excitement, burgeoning friendships, advancing skills, and growth. If you’ve never participated in a summer program before then prepare for an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life!

8 Reasons to Participate in a Summer Ballet Program

Summer ballet programs are about so much more than “staying busy” during the summer months. They advance skills in more ways than you’d expect, helping to develop connections, friendships, and mental acumen that will last you a lifetime.

1. Maintaining Physical Advancements

Unfortunately, the adage “use it or lose it” is true when it comes to a physical sport like ballet. Ballet is a multi-faceted sport, requiring balance, strength, flexibility, and aerobic ability. Each of these begins to diminish in only 1-2 weeks of inactivity. According to some studies, you can lose up to 10% of strength in one week, and over 3 months can lose most of your gains. Participating in a summer ballet program helps ballet students maintain the progress they’ve made throughout the year.

2. Learning Opportunities

Another reason summer ballet programs are important is that they are excellent learning opportunities. Unlike traditional ballet classes which focus on a combination of technique and choreography, summer programs offer a more direct and dedicated effort to develop more advanced skills. Think of this as the time to hone skills that there just aren’t time for in your regular classes. Along with maintaining your already momentous gains, you’re developing and mastering skills you probably wouldn’t have otherwise experienced yet.

3. Great Connections

Summer ballet programs are also a great way to make connections in the ballet world. They typically include guest instructors, seasonal teachers, and dancers from other programs that don’t participate in your day-to-day lessons. The other dancers there are “your people.” They’re the dancers that choose to focus on long-term gains instead of short-term banalities, opting to spend hours during their summer vacation training in a studio instead of relaxing around the home. These friendships are powerful and can serve to motivate you during your training and support you through your growth as a dancer and beyond. As well as new friendships, you can expect to make great professional connections during a summer program as well.

4. Competitive Advantage

We know that it takes on average 10,000 hours of progressive practice to become an expert in any given field. It’s not abnormal for some dancers to take a break during the summer, but your commitment to a summer ballet program will give you a competitive advantage since you’ll be adding to your total practice hours in your journey toward expertise. You won’t have to “brush off the rust” at the beginning of the season, and you will have gained new skills during that time.

5. Responsibility & Work Ethic

As we grow from childhood to adulthood, one of the most important skills we learn is “grit,” or the ability to persevere even when things get difficult. We know that “grit” is a muscle that needs to be exercised, and like physical fitness as discussed earlier in this article, without regular practice we can lose some of our ability to persevere.

For some ballet students, persevering in training during the summer is one of the first experiences they’ll have in prioritizing responsibility and work ethic when it would probably be easier to decide to decline instead. Props to you for choosing to strengthen yourself and grow—that skill will prove to be invaluable during your lifetime!

6. Reduce Risk of Injury

Another reason choosing to participate in a summer ballet program is important is because it helps to reduce the risk of injury. While stress fractures are a reality when it comes to ballet (which is why fitness, rest during downtimes, and proper technique are important), they can also occur when we overextend ourselves after we’ve lost flexibility and strength during an extended break. Maintaining training during the summer months helps your body stay strong and flexible to be able to reduce the risk of injury.

7. Mental Edge

Participating in a summer ballet training program is also an excellent tool for strengthening your mental edge. You’ll find that maintaining your training during the summer months strengthens your confidence and reduces the first-of-season jitters that often derail students during the first weeks of fall classes.

8. Continual Improvement

Finally, a summer ballet program helps to ensure you’re continuously improving. You won’t be moving backward and having to regain skills you used to have; you’ll be able to keep the forward momentum you were experiencing during the highest gains of your fall and spring classes.

Final Thoughts

At Central Utah Ballet, we believe wholeheartedly in the importance of summer programs in the training of our serious dancers. If you are interested in auditions, competitions, or becoming part of a college program (or professional company!), then summer programs are an important part of your training. Learn more about our summer ballet programs and summer ballet intensives by clicking the button below.

Central Utah Ballet Academy is a fully comprehensive, classically-based ballet program for youth seeking to learn classical ballet and contemporary dance. Central Utah Ballet provides preschool and toddler ballet, children’s ballet technique classes, pre-professional ballet trainee programs, junior and senior ballet companies, adult dance classes, and live stage performance opportunities. Learn more about our classes in the descriptions below.

Most Popular Ballet Classes at Central Utah Ballet in Lehi, UT

Central Utah Ballet offers a wide range of classical ballet classes in Lehi, Utah for all ages! Our ballet classes are designed by award-winning instructor and director Jennie Creer-King. Learn about our classes below!

Pre-Ballet Classes ages 3-5 

We offer introductory creative ballet classes for your little ones. In our pre-ballet classes, we teach your child the foundations of classical ballet in a fun, engaging way. Your child will learn ballet terminology, as well as developing muscle strength, spatial and cognitive awareness, and, of course, some of our favorite early ballet techniques such as plié, tendu, degagé, chassé, pirouette, and more!

Each of our classes are specifically designed to introduce a gentle and fun experience for your child.

Children’s Ballet Program Class Description Ages 6-12 

Our children’s ballet program is for students 6-12 years of age. These classes teach classical ballet curriculum with exceptional ballet instructors to help build and advance ballet skills. Placement classes are required for ages 7-8. Children’s ballet classes offer several main stage performances of storybook ballets, classical repertoire and contemporary choreography, as well as parent observation and competition opportunities. 

Adult Classes 

Adult ballet classes at Central Utah Ballet allow adults to continue to indulge their passion in dance without the rigorous commitment of training programs. Central Utah Ballet offers intermediate ballet and barre classes for adults and as well as fitness barre classes with no experience needed.

Pre-Professional Ballet Trainee Programs 

Central Utah Ballet’s pre-professional ballet trainee program simulates a college and professional ballet experience with exceptional training in classical ballet, contemporary, modern, flamenco, character technique, and more. They will also learn ballet repertoire and re-staged classical ballets, experience the creative process of diverse choreographers, and perform in front of audiences. In this program, dancers work directly with Jennie Creer-King, as well as nationally and internationally recognized instructors from Utah and across the country. Junior and Senior programs are available. If you are interested in being part of Central Utah Ballet’s Ballet Trainee Program, please reach out today for audition information.

Our Instructors 

Central Utah Ballet is proud to have some of Utah’s top talent. Our wonderful director Jennie Creer-King has recruited some of the best in the state. Click here to meet our amazing instructors and learn more about them! 

Reach Out for Questions or to Enroll

Are you unsure which class to enroll your child in? Reach out for a free placement class. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about Central Utah Ballet Academy, our classes, or our performances. Please reach out today to learn more!

“What is the youngest age a child can start ballet?” is a question hotly debated by experts and parents, and different dance schools often have different answers. Who knows best? What makes one dance company better than another? To help you make the most practical decision for your child, we compiled a short guide with the key information you need. 

What is the Youngest Age to Start Ballet?

While some ballet studios will offer classes to children as young as one or two years old, these are typically “parent-child” classes that don’t necessarily teach ballet technique. Instead, these classes are more likely to be used to stimulate the child and get their little bodies moving. The youngest age to start ballet is more likely to be between 3-4 years old, when the child has enough control over their bodies to start learning introductory ballet technique.

Ballet Classes for 3 & 4 Year Olds 

Many ballet studios offer ballet lessons for children as young as 3 years old. Your child won’t be able to learn how to pirouette just yet, but these classes can give them a head start in understanding and building a foundation for ballet technique.

Beginning ballet as young as 3 or 4 years old helps children with their communication skills and their ability to move in time with the music. It helps them learn to use certain areas of their bodies and muscles, and will help them develop introductory skills they will later use in ballet. 

Some dance studios will not offer ballet classes to children under the age of 6 due to potential injury, as this is a key period of growth and development. This is why it’s important to find a ballet studio with experienced instructors teaching younger age groups if you want your child to start ballet early.

How Do You Know When Your Child is Ready to Learn Ballet? 

Dancers are made—they’re not born. Mikhail Baryshnikov, a renowned dancer and choreographer who didn’t start ballet until the age of 11, is credited with this claim. You can have your child start ballet as early as 3 and see how they like it, or you can wait until they’re a little older and see if they have a true interest in practicing ballet. The important thing to remember is that it is never a good idea to force a child into a sport they won’t enjoy.

There really isn’t a “right” age to start, so your choice can be based on your preference and that of your child. If you are on the fence about it, you could see if a dance studio near you offers a trial class—that way, you can see if your child enjoys ballet with no commitment. 

How Do I Find the Right Ballet Studio? 

It’s crucial to do your research before signing your child up for lessons with a ballet studio. Talk to the studio owner and teachers about what you and your child want. Do you want a classical program that helps prepare your child for future roles, auditions, or scholarships? Or are you looking for laid-back classes to keep your child entertained after school?

If you’re booking for a more serious program, explore the growth opportunities of the studio. Do they offer high-level performances? Audition opportunities? Are they affiliated with any summer ballet intensives or other training opportunities with professional choreographers and instructors? Check the teachers’ credentials as well–many studios will provide ballet teacher bios online. Did the teacher train at a well-known school? What certifications or degrees do they have? 

Location is also important. It’s best to choose a studio close by if your child is going more than once a week so you don’t have to drive long distances.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide when you want your child to start ballet. The most important thing is to do your research and find the best dance studio for your child, considering their age and how serious they are about ballet.

A summer ballet intensive is something of a rite of passage for ballet dancers. It is held during the standard break from traditional schools during the summer and often lasts a few weeks. These programs include daily rigorous and demanding dance training that fully immerse students in the art. Classical Utah Ballet offers two summer ballet intensives (Pre-Professional and Children’s) along with day camps for younger dancers (ages 3-6). 

What are the Benefits of a Summer Ballet Intensive?

These courses are called “intensive” for a reason: they are a series of dedicated and specialized classes that challenge and guide students towards ballet proficiency. Designed to make a space for the singular purpose of studying dance, they offer a glimpse into the world of a professional dancer, where their daily life and practice is dedicated to dance. 

Discipline

Discipline is required for strength training, too. Summer ballet intensives challenge and improve strength, flexibility, and muscle memory, which leads to improved technique. Dancers are required to be flexible and strong, and it takes sincere dedication to make it look effortless and graceful. A summer ballet intensive is somewhat akin to a boot camp in that regard: with singular focus, you are training your body to dance.

These days may be challenging, but the reward is worth the effort. Adherence to a static regimen also requires discipline, which is the only way to hone your craft. Our Pre-Professional Summer Intensive Schedule has four classes that rigorously train and fully immerse students in ballet dance. The summer intensive culminates in a final performance so that all your hard work may be recognized. 

Complete Immersion

Offered during the summer months when distractions are at a minimum, summer ballet intensives are about complete immersion in your dance training, a necessity for pre-professional and aspiring dancers. Being completely encompassed by the art includes receiving quality instruction, building strength, and training alongside peers who are similarly engaged. This lends itself to building a network of colleagues who will encourage and support you as you continue in your dance career. 

Final Thoughts

A summer ballet intensive is an enduring and memorable experience, and for some, considered to be one of the most valuable parts of your dance education. As a youth in the world of dancing, there is no other time that you can completely give yourself over to dancing and dancing alone without other large obligations competing for your time.

If you have already signed your child up for a pre-ballet class, congratulations! Your child is on their way to being better able to express themselves, connect with others, and find joy in dance. If not, perhaps you’re here to find out exactly what pre-ballet is or what benefits a toddler or preschooler might get out of these pre-ballet classes.

What is Pre-Ballet?

Pre-ballet is an introductory ballet class for young children. These classes are a great way for your child to learn creative movement and basic ballet techniques they can build upon in future classes.

In pre-ballet, students will learn basic techniques and terminology such as the 5 basic ballet positions, how to use a bar, and good ballet posture. While pre-ballet is not as rigid and structured as later ballet classes, it does introduce many early concepts of disciplined dance that will support later ballet progress.

Most importantly, however, pre-ballet offers a fun and engaging introduction to ballet that helps young children develop a genuine passion for dance.

Preparing For Your Child’s First Class

It’s important to buy your child proper ballet slippers that fit snugly but are not too small. Their feet should be able to relax, fully extended in the flat. Traditional ballet shoes are leather or canvas on top with a suede bottom. Since children in pre-ballet grow quickly, they are not typically expected to wear top-quality footwear–inexpensive ballet slippers work just fine for those quickly-growing feet.

It’s also important that your child is potty trained and you let them know what to expect for their first class. Tell them who their instructor is and what they will expect from your child. Let them know there will be other children learning ballet for the first time just like them. Tell them to expect that they will do some fun stretches at the beginning to warm up, and talk about some of the things you think they’ll love most about their new pre-ballet class.

Benefits of Pre-Ballet

Whether you expect your child to continue with a passion for ballet or simply hope to give them a new way to wear off some energy during the week, pre-ballet offers several benefits to young dancers:

• Creativity. We love pre-ballet for toddlers and preschoolers because it helps to foster creativity in a structured and engaging environment. If your child has difficulty expressing creativity, pre-ballet can help open them up to a more creative mindset.

• Balance & Flexibility. Young children grow quickly, which can mean they often experience stages of clumsiness as they adapt to their new, longer limbs and changing centers of gravity. The skills children learn in pre-ballet can help them develop strength, balance, and flexibility to more confidently control physical movement as they grow.

• Team Participation. For many children, pre-ballet is their first foray into a team sport. They will learn to be aware of the other children moving around them, how to work together in group practice and choreography, and the importance of remaining focused and on-task in a group.

• Ballet Basics. Finally, pre-ballet also offers a great foundational introduction to ballet. In a high-quality pre-ballet program, you can expect that your child will be introduced to basic ballet terms, skills, and techniques that they will be able to build upon in future classes.

Even at a young age, children who dance will gain strength, confidence, and even more emotional awareness when they are nurtured in safe environments. There are simply too many benefits of pre-ballet to name them all in this blog post, so jump over to this blog article to read more!

Pre-Ballet At Central Utah Ballet

Are you looking to enroll your child in a reputable ballet school in Utah? Then you’re in the right place. The wonders of ballet unfold to young learners (ages 3-5) in pre-ballet classes at Central Utah Ballet. In our classes, through a gentle and fun introduction to dance, your child will develop a love for ballet! Pre-ballet is specifically designed for young minds and is only taught by our most experienced teachers. By being introduced to age-appropriate skills in a fun and engaging environment, your child will have a positive first ballet experience.

Explore Classes

Central Utah Ballet offers pre-ballet preschool and toddler ballet classes for children 3-5. Learn more about these classes by clicking the button below!

As adults, it can be difficult to prioritize the things we love–especially when we have a family whose interests seem to trump our own. However, with self-care growing in the spotlight, the need to make time for our passions is being looked upon as less of a luxury and more of a necessity.

However, even without the self-care movement, there are still several reasons you should consider taking adult ballet classes.

Why You Should Take Adult Ballet Classes

“I see dance being used as communication between body and soul to express what is too deep to find for words.” -Ruth St. Denis

1. Ballet is a Great Form of Exercise

Adult ballet classes are a great form of exercise that, for many of us, doesn’t actually feel like exercise (at least not until we’re rubbing down our sore muscles the next day). Ballet is a whole-body workout. Not only is it a great source of cardio exercise, but it is also fantastic for strength training, balance, and coordination. While traditional adult ballet classes often require that you have some ballet experience, barre fitness classes allow adults a ballet-style workout without having to have knowledge of ballet technique.

Ballet helps to increase flexibility, coordination, and strength, all of which are important to maintain regardless of age. Done properly, this kind of training can help reduce injuries and increase mobility that many adults experience as they age.

2. Ballet Promotes Mental Wellness. 

As with most forms of exercise, ballet helps to release endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. For adults, adult ballet classes are also a good excuse to get out of the house, break away from the day-to-day responsibilities, socialize, and let out emotions in a healthy, productive way. All of these things can help to boost mood and improve attitude.

3. Ballet Can Help Improve Energy

Because of its positive benefits on mental and physical health, another benefit of adult ballet classes is that they can help to improve energy.

4. Adult Ballet Classes Provide Opportunities to Socialize

Adult friendships are difficult to begin and maintain. However, adult ballet classes give you an excuse to get together with other adults who are passionate about dance. It provides a fun, easy environment to socialize and interact with others.

5. Dancing Ballet Can Help Improve Self-Esteem

Adult ballet classes also provide the benefit of helping to improve self-esteem. Regardless of skill level, adult ballet classes can help to improve self-esteem by improving physical health and providing a structured, positive environment for self-expression. As your skills and technique progress, you’ll find yourself feeling a sense of pride and confidence as you execute skills you couldn’t–or that were rusty–before.

Final Thoughts

At Central Utah Ballet, we know that it can be difficult to make a commitment to adult ballet classes. That’s why our adult ballet classes are non-sequential, allowing for drop-ins at any time. Come when it’s convenient for you, or buy an unlimited monthly pass to come as often as you’d like. Explore our classes online or drop in today!