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.

Winter/Spring 2025 Dance Classes

Pre-ballet
with Emma Van Norman
for ages 5-7
winter: 6 wks beginning Jan 27
spring: 6 weeks beginning Mar 24
4:30-5:15 p.m.
$56 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
16 weeks beginning Sept 16
5:15-6:45 p.m.
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.

Teen/Adult Ballet
with Trinity Stevens
8 weeks beginning Jan 13
5:30-6:30 p.m.
$90 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!

Adaptive Dance
with Trinity Stevens
8 weeks beginning Jan 13
6:45-7:30 p.m.
$90 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. So come, have fun, and get moving– all while learning some basic dance techniques. Various modifications will be offered for exercises as we all work towards the common goals of expressing ourselves through artistry and building a sense of community through movement.
Trinity Stevens has trained in adaptive dance and arts integration with Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Program, Dark Room Ballet, the Destination Arts Integration Conference, and the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning.

Partnering
with Clover Robinson & Jayson Gage
for levels III & IV or by invitation
8 weeks beginning Jan 13
6:45-7:45 p.m.

Spring Concert rehearsal for Sr. Company: 7:45-8:45 beginning Feb 3

Pilates
for level II & up
with Julia Kubec
16 weeks beginning Jan 14
4:30-5:15 p.m.
A mat-based fitness class focusing on core strength and flexibility. This is an excellent class for dancers and individuals looking for a total body workout. Modifications will be given to accommodate different levels.

Ballet II
with Julia Kubec
16 weeks beginning Jan 14
5:15-6:45 p.m.
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 Cassandra Serdula
16 weeks beginning Jan 14
5:15-6:45 p.m.
see Monday’s description

Beginning Pointe
with Julia Kubec
16 weeks beginning Jan 14
7-8 p.m.
The study of Ballet technique as applied to pointe work.

Intermediate/Advanced Pointe
with Cassie Serdula
16 weeks beginning Jan 14
7-8 p.m.
The study of Ballet technique as applied to pointe work.

Spring Concert rehearsal for
Sr company: 8-8:45 p.m.
beginning Feb 4

Ballet III & IV
with Heather Burns
16 weeks beginning Jan 15
5-6:30 p.m.
See Monday’s description

Ballet I
for age 7 & up
with Heather Burns
16 weeks beginning Jan 15
6:30-7:30 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.

Creative Movement
for ages 3-5
with Emma Van Norman
winter: 6 weeks beginning Jan 30
spring: 6 weeks beginning Mar 27
4:30-5 p.m.
$56 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 Heather Burns
16 weeks beginning Jan 16
5-6:30 p.m.

Ballet III & IV
with Clover Robinson
16 weeks beginning Jan 16
5-6:30 p.m.

Beginning/Intermediate Pointe
with Heather Burns
16 weeks beginning Jan 16
6:45-7:45 p.m.

Intermediate/Advanced Pointe
with Clover Robinson
16 weeks beginning Jan 16
6:45-7:45 p.m.

Spring Concert rehearsal for Sr Company: 7:45-8:45 p.m. beginning Feb 6

No Friday dance classes currently scheduled.

Broadway Tap
with Kara Cervelli
8 weeks beginning Feb 1
noon-1 p.m.
REGISTER

Weekend Spring Concert rehearsals for Sr company dancers begin Feb 1.

 Camps will be back this summer!

Dance Faculty Members

Dance
Pilates