The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy, the official school of Ballet West, is one of America’s premier source of classical ballet and performing arts training. Ballet West Academy is dedicated to developing and inspiring the whole child, both as an accomplished artist and a healthy individual, professionally and recreationally.
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
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Adam Sklute
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST
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Evelyn Cisneros-Legate
DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST ACADEMY
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Sarah Taylor
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS, BALLET WEST ACADEMY
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Katherine Lawrence
PRINCIPAL, BALLET CENTRE & TROLLEY CORNERS CAMPUSES
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Allison DeBona
PRINCIPAL, PEGGY BERGMANN PARK CITY CAMPUS
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Heather Thackeray
PRINCIPAL, UTAH COUNTY CAMPUS
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Catherine Batcheller
PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND ARTISTIC ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
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Courtney Hellebuyck
PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND STUDENT REHEARSAL DIRECTOR
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Stacey Mahan
PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM
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Bridget Payne
PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND COSTUME COORDINATOR
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Jeff Rogers
PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND DIRECTOR OF ACADEMY MEN’S PROGRAM
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Kristina Windom
PRINCIPAL FACULTY & TRAINEE MANAGER
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Eunice Kim Stafford
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL, TROLLEY CORNERS CAMPUS AND STUDENT LIFE MANAGER
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Michael Waldrop
FULL-TIME FACULTY & CONTEMPORARY PROGRAM MANAGER
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Joshua Trader
FULL-TIME FACULTY AND DANCE ADVANCE COORDINATOR
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Calvin Kitten
ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
DIRECTOR OF BALLET WEST II -
Bruce Caldwell
ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR/COMPANY ARCHIVIST, BALLET WEST -
Jane Victorine Wood
ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
PRINCIPAL REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST -
Pamela Robinson-Harris
ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST -
Michele Gifford
ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
ASSISTANT REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST -
Jordan DeBona
SENIOR MANAGER OF STUDENT LIFE AND SUMMER INTENSIVE COORDINATOR
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Jennifer Hildreth
SENIOR ACADEMY OPERATIONS MANAGER
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Amanda Kindt
RESIDENT ADVISOR & INSTRUCTOR IN PARK CITY
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Izzy Arrieta
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY
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Silver Barkes
INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE
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Liesel Blue
INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS
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Jamie Butler
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY
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Claire Campbell
INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS
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Dantzel Cherry
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY
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Emily Coello
INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS
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Natalie Desch
INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE AND TROLLEY CORNERS
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Ivy Drumm
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY
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Mariah Edmunds
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY AND TROLLEY CORNERS
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Isabella Flanigan
INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY
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Sammy Gomm
UTAH COUNTY CAMPUS INSTRUCTOR AND ADMINISTRATOR
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Tyler Gum
INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE AND ADULT CLASSES
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Hannah Higgs
INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY
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Stefany Jaurrieta
INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY
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Vera Kotova
INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE
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Lindsey Larsen Laford
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY
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Nicole Lawrence
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY
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Michelle Lapioli
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY
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Sasha Lowell
INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS
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Alesha Tuley Ramos
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY
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Nanette Reimschussel Chertudi
UTAH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, INSTRUCTOR AND ADULT PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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Ashleigh Richardson
INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS
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Autumn Ryskoski
INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS, AND ADULT CLASSES
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Mary Ann Schaefer
INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY
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Heidi Slagle
INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY
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Connie Smith
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY AND TROLLEY CORNERS
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Kristen Stringham
INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY
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Scout Sutton
INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS
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Samantha Taggart
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY
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Jessica Harston Thompson
INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE
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Rex Tilton
INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY
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Barbara Valles
INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS
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Elizabeth Weldon
INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS, BALLET CENTRE, AND ADULT CLASSES
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Kyohei Yoshida
INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY, BALLET CENTRE, TROLLEY CORNERS, AND ADULT CLASSES
Upcoming Events
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Ballet & Broadway
May 2, 2026, 6:00pm
Eccles Center, Park City
1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
The Peggy Bergmann Park City Ballet West Academy campus presents, Ballet and Broadway. A culmination of our expansive curriculum in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, and Musical Theatre! This performance will feature special musical selections from Seussical the Musical, and Vivaldi's Four Seasons featuring our ballet students from Elementary B to Level 8. -
Under the Sea
May 2, 2026, 11:00am
Eccles Center, Park City
1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
Dive into a magical underwater world where shimmering sea stars, playful dolphins, graceful mermaids, and curious little fish come together in a sparkling ocean adventure. Presented by our youngest Park City dancers, Under the Sea is a joyful celebration of imagination, movement, and the wonders of the deep blue sea, perfect for the whole family. -
Bournonville Dances
May 21-23, 2026, 7:00pm
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Salt Lake City
The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy presents students from our Salt Lake City campuses in Bournonville and Balanchine. This performance highlights the repertoire of August Bournonville whose historic choreography showcases the technical proficiency of our hard-working students. Complimentary to the Bournonville is the iconic choreography from the George Balanchine repertoire. This spring we are featuring his Square Dance. -
Madame Coppelius' Toyshop
May 23, 2026
10:00am, 12:30pm, 3:00pm
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Salt Lake City
Ballet West Academy's Trolley Corners campus presents Madame Copelius' Toyshop. In a quiet village, Madame Coppelius creates beautiful dolls so lifelike they seem real. When curious villagers Swanhilda and Franz discover her toyshop, imagination and mischief set the toys dancing at last. A charming ballet filled with whimsy, heart, and joyful celebration for the whole family.
“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.”