Dallas-Fort Worth's premier ballet company is raising the curtain on a new school in a new location: Dallas. Texas Ballet Theater will open the doors to its very first dance school in Dallas, at 6118 Luther Lane in Preston Center.
Located in a former fitness center, the school is expected to debut in the fall, a release says.
TBT operates dance schools in Fort Worth and Richardson but (somehow!) has never before had a dedicated school in Dallas.
“The education and training offered through our dance schools play a crucial role in nurturing not just future dancers, but also in cultivating life skills that benefit all students," says Vanessa Logan, executive director of TBT, in the release. "It’s exciting to be able to offer these opportunities to more students in the community.”
The new TBT will be in a former fitness center in The Plaza at Preston Center.Photo courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater
Classes will be offered for students from age 3 to adult, from beginner ballet to elite professional training. They will include Creative Ballet, Ballet, Pre-Pointe, Pointe, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theater, Latin Ballroom and Contemporary.
"TBT’s curriculum is designed to nurture aspiring artists by strengthening their technical dancing skills, creating a life-long appreciation for ballet and helping develop critical life skills such as confidence, discipline and creativity," the release says.
There's added excitement for 7-year-old students: That's the age at which they can audition for TBT’s acclaimed holiday-time production of The Nutcracker, directed by company artistic director Tim O’Keefe.
“We take a holistic approach to dance training and ensure that the choreography taught in our schools is preparing students to audition for roles in TBT productions like The Nutcracker,” O’Keefe says. “It’s always exciting to see our students take the stage for the first time in a TBT production.”
For those who don't aspire to be on stage but are all in on the fitness benefits of dance class, the school will offer adult dance and fitness classes including Absolute Beginner Ballet, Beginner/Intermediate Ballet, Ballet Barre, Jazz, Mat Pilates, Yoga, Tap, Yogalates and Latin Ballroom.
“We want everyone to have the opportunity to experience the joy of dance,” says Yvonne Leffel, TBT’s administrative director of schools. “Whether you’re focused on a future as a professional dancer or simply want to take a dance class for fun, all are welcome at our TBT schools.”
More information about classes and registration can be found on the TBT website.
