One of the most highly respected and affordable dance schools in the Midwest, the School of Madison Ballet classes range from early childhood to adult and recreational to pre-professional. Gaining the confidence, discipline, and fundamental life skills inherent in the study of classical ballet, SMB provides unprecedented opportunity to dancers in all stages of life and career.
Children’s Division
UP TO AGE 7
The Children's Division provides students with a solid foundation in ballet fundamentals, inspiring a lifelong love for dance.
These classes are a prelude to formal ballet instruction, introducing children to music and movement through a structured progression that stresses creativity and group interaction.
School
Division
AGES 7 TO 18 (based on level)
The School Division offers five levels of well-coordinated, progressive curriculum in strong, classical technique.
Students follow a structured sequence of training stages designed to increase their technical skills, stamina, and discipline in accordance with their age and physical development.
Trainee
PROGRAM
AGES 13 AND UP (based on level)
The Trainee Program offers advanced, rigorous programming focused on preparing each student for a career as a professional dancer.
Students train daily to master advanced technical skills, consistency, musicality, articulation and natural expression within the technical parameters of the art form.
OPEN
Division
AGES 12 AND UP (beginner and intermediate)
Open Division classes, also called Drop-In classes, provide young adult and mature adult dancers with flexible ballet classes for all experience levels, while maintaining the level of excellence that is the hallmark of the School of Madison Ballet.
Ballet 101 offers a progressive four-class program for dancers with little to no experience in ballet.
Shaping the next generation of dancers into artists
Since its establishment in 2005, The School of Madison Ballet (SMB) has been named the official training institute for the Overture Center resident Madison Ballet while instructing an annual student body of nearly 200 dancers.
We engage and provide dance education to students of all abilities and identities. Our classes are created to supplement, motivate, and strengthen artistic goals. Our curriculum prepares emerging artists for the technical and mental challenges of ballet.
We utilize a performance-based curriculum, emphasizing a strong classical technique and a flow of movement that expresses a sense of energy, freedom, and joy. This style readily adapts to a variety of repertoire by choreographers, past and present.
A unique feature of our curriculum is the addition of live piano accompaniment for most ballet technique classes, giving students a direct connection between the movement and their musicality.
The School of Madison Ballet is rooted in increasing accessibility to dance for all. Based on this principle, we invite every student into our studios, despite their finances. With the help of our sponsors, we provide tuition assistances to nearly 15% of our students each year. If you or your dancer requires financial assistance, please contact smb@madisonballet.org.
Turning inspiration into instruction
An expert group of professionals and artists, the SMB faculty facilitates an influential, and valuable learning experience for all ages. Combining a mastery of skill and technique they lead with a genuine passion for dance and guide classes for the well-being of our students, positioning them to succeed.
The details matter, and so do these questions.
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