The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy, the official school of Ballet West, is Utah’s premier source of dance training, providing the highest caliber of ballet instruction to the pre-professional student as well as to those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of this beautiful and demanding art form.

Beginning & Elementary

The Beginning Division is for our youngest dancers ages 3 to 9. Classes are offered by age and are carefully developed in accordance with a child’s physical and cognitive abilities. Classes are designed to encourage students to explore the elements of dance with a focus towards ballet in a fun and nurturing environment while setting the stage for future training.

Student Division

Ballet Levels 1 through 8 are designed for students ages 9 and up. Placement in these levels for new students requires an audition. End of season advancements are considered on an individual basis and determined by class observation and exam classes. Students in this division can expect to spend more than one year in each level. Students perform in the Ballet West Academy Winter, Spring, and Contemporary Showcases. Students in this division are also expected to participate in Ballet West Academy’s summer Accelerated Ballet Workshop and/or a Ballet West summer intensive or other approved ballet intensive program.

Professional Training

Ballet West Academy’s Professional Training Division is designed for serious ballet students, 14 years old and up. The PTD program is comprised of three female and two male levels and is designed to carry students through their high school years. The Professional Training Division is by audition or invitation only and each dancer commits to a contracted year of study with the program. PTD students are considered for a Trainee position.

Summer Intensives

The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy Summer Intensive is recognized as one of the top programs in the nation, attracting the highest caliber of dancers. Under the supervision of Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute and Academy Director Evelyn Cisneros-Legate, dancers are provided the opportunity to learn from principal faculty, guest artists, choreographers, and ballet masters from throughout the world. The BWA Summer Intensive focuses on developing well-rounded dancers through exposure to a wide variety of disciplines with an emphasis on classical ballet technique and key elements.

Adult Classes & Seminars

Each class is carefully cultivated by one of our world-class instructors or Ballet West company dancers. All adult ballet and tap classes are open to the public ages 13 years and older.

Regardless of prior experience, if you are brand new to ballet we recommend our Starter Series. Call 801-869-6912 for more information.

We offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced ballet classes at all of our locations.

Artistic Leadership, Staff, and Faculty

  • Adam Sklute

    ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST

  • Evelyn Cisneros-Legate

    DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST ACADEMY

  • Sarah Taylor

    DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS, BALLET WEST ACADEMY

  • Katherine Lawrence

    PRINCIPAL, BALLET CENTRE & TROLLEY CORNERS CAMPUSES

  • Allison DeBona

    PRINCIPAL, PEGGY BERGMANN PARK CITY CAMPUS

  • Heather Thackeray

    PRINCIPAL, UTAH COUNTY CAMPUS

  • Catherine Batcheller

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND ARTISTIC ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

  • Courtney Hellebuyck

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND STUDENT REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

  • Stacey Mahan

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM

  • Bridget Payne

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND COSTUME COORDINATOR

  • James Payne

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY & TRAINEE COORDINATOR

  • Jeff Rogers

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND DIRECTOR OF ACADEMY MEN’S PROGRAM

  • Jordan DeBona

    SENIOR MANAGER OF STUDENT LIFE AND SUMMER INTENSIVE COORDINATOR

  • Eunice Kim Stafford

    ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL, TROLLEY CORNERS CAMPUS AND STUDENT LIFE MANAGER

  • Michael Waldrop

    FULL-TIME FACULTY & CONTEMPORARY PROGRAM MANAGER

  • Calvin Kitten

    ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
    DIRECTOR OF BALLET WEST II/REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST

  • Bruce Caldwell

    ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
    REHEARSAL DIRECTOR/COMPANY ARCHIVIST, BALLET WEST

  • Pamela Robinson-Harris

    ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
    PRINCIPAL REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST

  • Jane Victorine Wood

    ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
    ACTING PRINCIPAL REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST

  • Michele Gifford

    ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
    ASSISTANT REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST

  • Izzy Arrieta

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

  • Jennifer Hildreth

    SENIOR ACADEMY OPERATIONS MANAGER

  • Hannah Argyle

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Silver Barkes

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE

  • Liesel Blue

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Jamie Butler

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

  • Claire Campbell

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Dantzel Cherry

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

  • Avery Denney

    ADULT CLASS INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Natalie Desch

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE AND TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Ivy Drumm

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

  • Mariah Edmunds

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY AND TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Isabella Flanigan

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

  • Sammy Gomm

    UTAH COUNTY CAMPUS INSTRUCTOR AND ADMINISTRATOR

  • Tyler Gum

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE AND ADULT CLASSES

  • Hannah Higgs

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

  • David Huffmire

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE

  • Stefany Jaurrieta

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

  • Daisy Jeffers

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS AND UTAH COUNTY

  • Jazz Khai Bynum

    ADULT BALLET INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE

  • Amanda Kindt

    RESIDENT ADVISOR & INSTRUCTOR IN PARK CITY

  • Vera Kotova

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE

  • Lindsey Larsen Laford

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

  • Katelyn Milner-Packer

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

  • Nanette Reimschussel Chertudi

    UTAH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, INSTRUCTOR AND ADULT PROGRAM COORDINATOR

  • Ashleigh Richardson

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Autumn Ryskoski

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS, AND ADULT CLASSES

  • Mary Ann Shaefer

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

  • Heidi Slagle

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

  • Connie Smith

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY AND TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Kramer Snead

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS, BALLET CENTRE, AND ADULT CLASSES

  • Kristen Stringham

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

  • Scout Sutton

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Samantha Taggart

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

  • Jessica Harston Thompson

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE

  • Rex Tilton

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

  • Joshua Trader

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE, TROLLEY CORNERS, AND UTAH COUNTY

  • Barbara Valles

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Elizabeth Weldon

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS, BALLET CENTRE, AND ADULT CLASSES

  • Bashaun Williams

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

  • Ella Whitney

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

  • Kyohei Yoshida

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY, BALLET CENTRE, TROLLEY CORNERS, AND ADULT CLASSES

Learn about our faculty

Performances

  • Willam Christensen's The Nutcracker

    Presented by Ballet West, with students of the Ballet West Academy

    December 6 - 28, 2024

    America’s 1st Nutcracker Celebrates 80 Years! Ballet West’s holiday classic, by founder Willam Christensen, remains just as fresh and joyous as its premiere in 1944. Enjoy the rare opportunity to witness an iconic masterpiece that has defined generations.

    PURCHASE TICKETS
View All Academy Performances
“I am impressed by the level of our students and am committed to offering opportunities. In fact, 75% of the current company trained with Ballet West Academy. Under Evelyn Cisneros-Legate, I feel the level has increased further and I’m looking forward to the next chapter for these programs.”
— Ballet West Artistic Director, Adam Sklute