Ballet Theatre Ashtabula School of Dance

Ballet Theatre
Ashtabula School of Dance

Ballet Theatre Ashtabula School of Dance provides students with a strong technical foundation in ballet via expert instruction and personal attention, in a studio space designed with safety and artistic excellence in mind. Classes are held year-round, and there are annual performance opportunities for all student levels, which dancers are strongly encouraged to take part in. Special artistic development opportunities are also available for Senior Company Division dancers, who have the chance to work with guest artists in a variety of dance genres. Our studios have shock-absorbing, basket-weave construction sprung floors surfaced with state-of-the-art marley, enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury. Many former BTA students have gone on to dance professionally in companies such as Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, MOMIX, Alberta Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, Hubbard Street 2, Les Ballets Trockadero, Ailey II, Verb Ballets, and Elisa Monte Dance, or have danced professionally for major cruise lines and in national tours of Broadway shows. Others have gotten their degrees in dance from institutions including the Juilliard School, Marymount Manhattan College, Mercyhurst University, and Wright State University. BTA also offers recreational classes, for students who enjoy dance for fun and fitness.

From ages 3-6, students are part of the Young Children’s Division, consisting of Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet. Children are introduced to basic ballet concepts and vocabulary, and begin to learn about movement and self-expression. Classes at this level emphasize imagination, simple musicality, and coordination, along with early learning concepts like listening for directions, being kind and respectful to classmates, and trying new things.

At age 7, students move into the Junior Company Division, consisting of Ballet I & II. At this level, dancers are expected to develop a sense of teamwork, responsibility, and self-confidence, learning and memorizing choreography and attending classes and rehearsals consistently. Once in Ballet I, all students are invited to perform in The Nutcracker and the Children’s Dance Recital. It’s important to note that entrance into Ballet I is the last time a student’s age determines their placement; advancement to subsequent levels happens when a student has shown sufficient growth in the skills and maturity needed to move on. This advancement is a unique journey for every student, focused on individual improvement, mastery of techniques, and self-confidence — not a timeframe.

Dancers advance to the pre-professional Senior Company Division, consisting of Ballet III & IV, when they demonstrate the levels of commitment, discipline, and focus required of young, developing artists. Senior Company Division dancers are encouraged to take extra classes beyond their requirements, take advantage of master classes and choreography workshops with guest artists, and are expected to be good role models to younger dancers. Missing classes or rehearsals at this level can quickly become a barrier to a dancer’s progress, so solid attendance is vital. While not all dancers at this level plan to pursue careers in dance, those who want to can get one-on-one support in researching programs, preparing for auditions, and creating individual training plans.

Dance Classes

Ballet III & IV
with Trinity Stevens
8 weeks beginning
June 9
10:30 a.m.-noon
Dancers will study sustained barre and center work, along with adagio, pirouettes, and allegro combinations, and will be expected to work with greater emphasis on discipline and precision in skills.

Contemporary Dance
Sr Div or invitation only
with Trinity Stevens
8 weeks beginning June 9
12:45-1:45 p.m.
Students will use elements of ballet, jazz, and modern dance to explore movement styles while having the opportunity for pushing boundaries, gravity, and imagery as they gain technical and artistic experience.

Musical Theater Dance
with Trinity Stevens
8 weeks beginning June 9
2-3 p.m.
PURCHASE TICKETS

Students will be introduced to intermediate/advanced dance vocabulary through movement in the musical theater genre while having the opportunity to learn combinations using the classic Broadway music and style.

Creative
Movement
for ages 3-5
with Violet LaSalle
8 weeks beginning June 10
10-10:30 a.m.
$58 class fee, $8 tutu/sash fee
REGISTER
This class focuses on the joy of movement, encouraging children to use and develop imagination through participation in dance, improvisation, & music. Students learn spatial awareness, musicality, teamwork, and develop social skills, coordination, and creativity.

Ballet II
with Clover
Robinson
8 weeks beginning
June 10
10:30 a.m.-noon
Ballet II students take two classes per week and focus on developing technical abilities as well as artistic expression, developing self-confidence, coordination, balance, and musicality, while learning the discipline of the art form.

Ballet III & IV
with Amaris LaSalle
10:30 a.m.-noon
see Mon. description
Beginning Pointe
with Trinity Stevens
8 weeks beginning June 10
12:45-1:45 p.m.
The study of Ballet technique as applied to pointe work.

Intermediate/Advanced Pointe
with Amaris LaSalle
8 weeks beginning June 10
12:45-1:45 p.m.
The study of Ballet technique as applied to pointe work.

Modern Dance
for Sr. Div or by invitation only
with Amaris LaSalle
8 weeks beginning June 10
2-3 p.m.
This class will explore Horton- and Limon-based techniques as well as some contemporary movement. This is a great class for ballet dancers to build their technique and understanding of breath work, floor work, and release/control of the body.

Adaptive Dance
with Trinity Stevens
8 weeks beginning June 10
2-3 p.m.
$92 class fee
REGISTER

Dance has a place in the lives and bodies of everyone! This class will allow participants of all abilities to explore movement and dance in a safe and inclusive environment. This class is geared towards participants with various disabilities, and adaptations will be offered to accommodate physical disabilities, along with classroom structures to support cognitive, developmental, and sensory needs.
The age range for this class aligns with that of the Ashtabula County ESC.
Caregivers are welcome and encouraged to participate.
The Arts Center is an accessible space, equipped with four accessible parking spots, ADA push buttons at the main entrance, and a ramp leading into dance studio B.
For those that face barriers to transportation, Ashtabula County ACTS Bus runs
Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Trinity Stevens was first introduced to adaptive dance during undergraduate capstone research at Cleveland State University. This project led Stevens to work with the Dancing Wheels Company, learning about physically integrated dance techniques to offer movement translations for various physical disabilities. Last summer, Stevens attended the Boston Ballet Adaptive Dance Teacher Training, professional development sessions with the Center for Arts Inspired Learning, and the Darkroom Ballet Teacher Training. The latter focused specifically on teaching blind/low-vision dancers and audio description for dance. Diving further into the topics covered in this training, Stevens completed a semester-long access internship with Full Radius Dance. With a continued interest in the dance and disability scene, Stevens is presently working on a virtual project with Abilities Dance Boston.

Pre-Ballet
with Violet LaSalle
for ages 5-7
8 weeks beginning
June 11
10-10:45 a.m.
$58 class fee, $8 tutu/sash fee
REGISTER

Dancers at this level will learn posture, flexibility, and coordination using music and expression, developing a strong foundation of physical and mental understanding necessary for Classical Ballet training. Fun and beautiful basic ballet concepts are introduced. Dancers will learn vocabulary and build a foundation in ballet technique prior to entering into our leveled classes.

Ballet III & IV
with Clover Robinson
8 weeks beginning June 11
10:30 a.m.-noon
See Monday’s description

Stretch Conditioning
with Clover Robinson
8 weeks beginning June 11
12:45-1:45 p.m.
This class is an opportunity to release muscle tension and improve flexibility through passive and dynamic stretching, strengthening core and stabilization muscles, and enhancing a dancer’s technical development.

YAGP Rehearsal
with Clover Robinson
8 weeks beginning June 11
2-3 p.m.

Ballet I
for age 7 & up
with Heather Burns
8 weeks beginning June 11
6-7 p.m.
REGISTER
Formal training in Classical Ballet begins at this level. We’ll focus on learning basic vocabulary, alignment, weight transfer, musicality, and coordination, while dancing in a fun and nurturing environment.

Teen/Adult Ballet
with Heather Burns
8 weeks beginning
June 11
7-8 p.m.
$92 class fee
REGISTER

For the student who always wanted to take ballet, but never did. We’ll cover the basics of ballet: learning dance vocabulary, proper body alignment, and coordination. Dance for fitness & fun — it’s never too late to start!

Ballet II
with Amaris LaSalle 8 weeks beginning June 12
10:30 a.m.-noon

Ballet III & IV
with Clover Robinson
8 weeks beginning June 12
10:30 a.m.-noon
Beginning Pointe
with Amaris LaSalle
8 weeks beginning June 12
12:45-1:45 p.m

Intermediate/Advanced Pointe
with Clover Robinson
8 weeks beginning June 12
12:45-1:45 p.m.

Jazz
Sr. Division or by invitation only
with Amaris LaSalle
8 weeks beginning June 12
2-3 p.m.
This is a modern jazz class utilizing techniques of Giordano and Fosse, among others. The class will focus on isolations, precision, and dynamic movement.

No Friday dance classes currently scheduled.

Folk Dance Series
4 weeks beginning June 7
11 a.m.-noon
with Kara Cervelli
$47 class fee
REGISTER

Come explore the art of other countries and cultures while connecting with others through music and movement. Learn simple traditional dances done by your ancestors while improving your fitness and making new friends. This 4 week workshop will be held Saturdays at 11am June 7, 14, 21, and 28. No prior dance experience is needed—just bring your enthusiasm and a desire to learn and have fun. Open to teens and adults. Come dance with us and experience the joy and community of folk traditions from Europe, America, and many other countries of the world.

Broadway Tap
for teens & adults
with Kara Cervelli
8 weeks beginning June 7 (no class July 5)
noon-1 p.m.
$92 class fee
REGISTER

A beginning/intermediate tap class in the Broadway style.

 

Fairytale Prince & Princess Dance Camp
for ages 5 and up

June 23 – 27 with Emma Van Norman
or July 21 – 25 with Violet LaSalle
noon – 12:45 p.m.  
$50 
Limit 15 students per camp
REGISTER

Have a simply magical time learning to dance in our Fairytale themed dance camp!  Students will explore movement and music inspired by popular fairytales while learning basic dance vocabulary and engaging in imaginative play.  Dance games, activities, crafts, and choreography will bring their favorite prince or princess to life.  Students will walk in a parade on the last day of class donning their very own crowns and capes to keep!

Dance Faculty Members

Dance
Pilates