Ballet Schools in Texas - Austin

[Guest TexasGirlAJ]

Does anyone know of any good studios in Austin, Texas to take an adult ballet class? I have been in dance for a long time but took a year off for college stuff, and am now getting back into it. I would prefer an adult beginner class to start off with, but would like to move into heavier ballet later. Any responses would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Skittl1321]

Check out Tapestry or Ballet Austin. Both have adult classes.

 

 

 

Edit to Add- Sorry I did not notice this was a young dancer forum. I just saw "adult classes" and clicked. My mistake.

[Redbookish]

As this is a question about adult ballet classes, I hope the moderators will allow this response: I'm visiting Austin for research at UT, and trying out ballet classes at both Tapestry and Ballet Austin (also saw the Ballet Austin piece "Light/Humanity Project" at the UT PAC on Saturday!). I've been attending Renata's Cechetti-based classes at Tapestry at levels I and II/III, and the Elementary class at Ballet Austin taught by Mariah Thomas, a member of the Ballet Austin II company.

 

Very different studios, with different styles of teaching, but both excellent and very welcoming to a visitor like me, just staying for 3 weeks. At Tapestry, you'll see (and hear) all sorts of other classes, with lots of different dancers coming & going - it feels very "Austin" to me (ie laid back and a bit weird - by Texan and US standards ....! At Ballet Austin, it's a quieter atmosphere, but the studios are bigger & classes smaller. And I'm sure some of the dancers in the pre-pro classes I saw finishing up while I waited for the adult class have members on this board, so Hello!

 

In my first class at Tapestry, Renata gave me lots of corrections particularly helping me to start to fix the habit I have of lifting my hips in arabesque and grand battement derriere. She will spend quite a bit of time with individuals and is really hands on, as well as having a great sense of humour and a pretty fast moving class. It's not difficult, but you have to think, and she keeps you going back to the basics of your technique. This has been great for me as I've been 6 years away from this kind of teaching. When I get home, things will HAVE to change!!

 

At Ballet Austin, Mariah Thomas is very young, but is already a really excellent teacher. She's enthusiastic and enjoys teaching adults (or does a VERY good impression of it!). I think she's also training as a Pilates instructor, and she uses this in her teaching, particularly at the barre. She has a gift for finding lots of different verbal and visual images to help explain the physical feelings of ballet technique. Again, she gives good corrections - general & individual, and tailors the class to those who are there. I haven't seen her dance professionally, but I think she has a great future (when she's retired as a dancer!) as a teacher.

 

I think the Elementary at Ballet Austin was about the level of the Level I at Tapestry, so you might want to try Ballet Austin's Intermediate class - it's at the wrong times for me, given that I'm actually in Austin to get some archive work done for the next book

 

HTH

Kate

[lsu]

Hi, I am looking for a good pre-pro school with serious training for an older teen (19)...not interested in Ballet Austin's program. Thanks!

[bbrock]

Slavin-Nadal on Burnet is an excellent choice. The teachers are older but danced with Ballet Russe. My son has been training at this studio for 3 years mainly under Eugene Slavin. I removed him from Ballet Austin when forced to make a choice between the two studios. Slavin-Nadal also has adult classes from beginners up to advanced. The training is very traditional and classical.

[lsu]

Thanks so much for the advice. We will check this out!

[dancingmeghan]

bbrock may I ask why you pulled your son out of ballet austin?

[bbrock]

bbrock may I ask why you pulled your son out of ballet austin?

 

Ballet Austin wouldn't allow my son to attend both studios. Eugene Slavin was/is a very experienced and qualified male teacher and my sons new level 5 teachers at BA, at that time, were young new dancers with little teaching or professional experience.

[ATB]

Hi everyone,

 

I am looking for a pre-professional school in the Austin area for my daughters, who have been attending a pre-professional school for the past 5-6 years. Ballet Austin speaks for itself, of course, but can anyone tell me anything about the following:

 

Slavin Nadal

Austin School of Classical Ballet

Dance Institute

 

The first two look like actual pre-professional schools, the third appears to be for the recreational dancer. Can anyone confirm/deny/suggest?

 

My daughters have told me they are committed to dancing through the end of high school, and are interested in exploring the possibility of joining a company after that. Of course... they're still quite young. Right now, I'm just happy to help them follow something they're passionate about.

 

Thanks for any advice,

ATB

[Kaeli Mae]

I personally started at the Austin School of Classical Ballet- the director there is amazing with corrections! I highly recommend ACB over the other two.

I have friends that attend the Dance Institute, and from what I've heard it has very good hip hop and jazz programs... not so great ballet classes however.

Also I have not been to Slavin Nadal (although I'm thinking about taking a trial class there).

[raymondwantsballet]

Hey,

 

As I mentioned in my intro, I have never taken a class before. I apologize if this is the wrong place to place this in but I am in the right region. Nonetheless, I saw the schools you posted. Any recommendations for someone who is new on what classes to take, and what schools might be better for new adults?

 

Thanks,

Ray

[Pointeandpuppies]

 

bbrock may I ask why you pulled your son out of ballet austin?

Ballet Austin wouldn't allow my son to attend both studios. Eugene Slavin was/is a very experienced and qualified male teacher and my sons new level 5 teachers at BA, at that time, were young new dancers with little teaching or professional experience.

Eugene Slavin founded ballet Austin!

[rasheika]

 

Hello there,

We are new to the Austin area, and looking for a ballet studio for my 15 year old daughter. She has danced since she was 4, and was very active in our home studio. She has done a couple of ABT intensives, and were looking for a studio that reflects that style and method of teaching.

Thank you so much in advance, its hard finding a brand new studio, so any input would be great.

Thanks!

[meatball77]

Which side of town are you on? That matters, I35 is terrible.

 

I know people who have danced at Slavin and at Austin School of classical ballet. Neither have much performance however both are accepting with dancers doing outside performances with Austin City Ballet.

[rasheika]

Hello-

I am in the southwest. Aren't those places specifically Russian? I'm looking for ABT curriculum.

Thanks for responding!