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Ballet Studios Teaching the Balanchine Method

The Balanchine method is the American neoclassical style developed by George Balanchine, co-founder of New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet. It's known for speed, musicality, and expansive, dynamic movement — deep pliés, an emphasis on attack and energy, distinctive arm and hand positions, and an off-balance daring that set it apart from the older European schools. It reshaped American ballet in the twentieth century. Studios teaching Balanchine style may have faculty trained in the tradition or teach its repertoire and aesthetic. If you love the quick, musical, athletic look of American ballet, this is its source — and, as ever, the individual teacher and studio culture matter most for your day-to-day experience. The 95 studios below have real evidence of teaching the Balanchine method — from the studio's own site or from students' reviews — ranked by rating, with the student mentions shown as proof.

Related: see the ballet methods explained — how Balanchine differs from the Russian, Italian and RAD schools.

Method labels come from each studio's own website and students' reviews, and studios apply a syllabus to differing degrees. If training in the Balanchine method is the reason you're choosing a studio, confirm it with them before you enrol.

All 95 studios teaching the Balanchine method, ranked by rating

  1. Studio R Ballet — Mesa, AZ
    5 ★★★★★ 109 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  2. Cleveland City Dance — Cleveland, OH
    5 ★★★★★ 75 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens
  3. Institute of Dance Artistry — Fort Washington, PA
    5 ★★★★★ 49 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  4. Almayeva Ballet Academy — Hurst, TX
    5 ★★★★★ 24 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  5. Accelerate Dance and Fitness — McKinney, TX
    5 ★★★★★ 19 reviews Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons
  6. New Paltz School of Ballet — New Paltz, NY
    5 ★★★★★ 18 reviews Kids & teens Private lessons

    “Former NYC ballet dancers that were students under the great George Balanchine, the Naumann's can offer dancers in the Hudson Valley what no other dance school can.”

  7. Believe Ballet and Barre — Altamonte Springs, FL
    5 ★★★★★ 17 reviews Kids & teens
  8. Rye Ballet Conservatory — Rye, NY
    5 ★★★★★ 16 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  9. Altitude Performing Arts — Frisco, CO
    5 ★★★★★ 15 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  10. Front Street Dance Center — Winfield, IL
    5 ★★★★★ 14 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  11. Dance Academy of North Jersey — Lake Hopatcong, NJ
    5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  12. Nyemchek's Dance Centre Ltd — Pearl River, NY
    5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  13. Upswing Aerial Dance Company — Berkeley, CA
    5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  14. Warrenton Ballet Center — Warrenton, VA
    5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews Kids & teens Private lessons

    “My daughters love her teaching methods because they learn the best dance technique through multiple styles; classical, Balanchine, and contemporary (and many others).”

  15. Amherst Ballet Theatre Company — Amherst, MA
    5 ★★★★★ 12 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  16. Ballet Arts Studio — Beacon, NY
    5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  17. Coastal Ballet Center for the Arts — Encinitas, CA
    5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons · 2 student mentions

    “Catharine’s knowledge of both Vaganova and Balanchine technique has been incredibly helpful.”

  18. Virginia Beach Ballet Academy — Virginia Beach, VA
    5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews Kids & teens
  19. Yu Xin Ballet School — San Jose, CA
    5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews Free trial Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons

    “Hidden Treasure: ranging from deep dive into technique to fun stylized dance moves from Balanchine and others.”

  20. Centre Dance — State College, PA
    5 ★★★★★ 9 reviews Private lessons
  21. Swan Conservatory of Dance — Seymour, CT
    5 ★★★★★ 7 reviews Adult classes
  22. School of Philadelphia Ballet — Philadelphia, PA
    5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews Free trial Kids & teens
  23. THE DANCE FACTORY — Springfield, VT
    5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  24. State Street Ballet — Santa Barbara, CA
    5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews
  25. Ballet Rochester — Rochester, MN
    5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews Kids & teens
  26. Elise Flagg Academy of Dance — Geneva, IL
    5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews Kids & teens
  27. School of Philadelphia Ballet / New Jersey — West Berlin, NJ
    5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews Free trial Kids & teens
  28. Dance Works of Wilton — Wilton, NY
    5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews Private lessons
  29. Gem City Ballet — Springboro, OH
    5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews
  30. Texas Ballet Theater School Dallas Studio — Dallas, TX
    5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  31. Cultivate Performing Arts Academy — Colorado Springs, CO
    5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens
  32. Saint Louis Ballet — Chesterfield, MO
    4.9 ★★★★★ 61 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons

    “I see every show I can (usually they are at The Blanche Touhill performing arts Center), with this upcoming Valentine's day show (Balanchine's Rubies) being no exception.”

  33. Encore Dance Studio — Adrian, MI
    4.9 ★★★★★ 55 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  34. Elite Dance of Tulsa — Tulsa, OK
    4.9 ★★★★★ 31 reviews Kids & teens Private lessons
  35. Hot Shots Dance Studio — Pleasant Grove, UT
    4.9 ★★★★★ 27 reviews Kids & teens
  36. The Movement Academy — Mansfield, TX
    4.9 ★★★★★ 19 reviews Kids & teens
  37. Chicago Ballet Arts — Evanston, IL
    4.9 ★★★★★ 17 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  38. City Ballet of San Diego — San Diego, CA
    4.9 ★★★★★ 15 reviews Pointe

    “The City Ballet of SD is as good or better in their stagings of Balanchine's ballets.”

  39. Eastern Connecticut Ballet — East Lyme, CT
    4.9 ★★★★★ 12 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  40. New York City Ballet — New York, NY
    4.8 ★★★★★ 571 reviews Pointe Kids & teens · 3 student mentions

    “I've heard about the legendary days Balanchine and Robbins so I've always wanted to experience it for myself.”

  41. Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater — Bedford, NH
    4.8 ★★★★★ 61 reviews Free trial Adult classes Kids & teens
  42. American Dance Institute Magnolia — Seattle, WA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 37 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  43. Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford — Stamford, CT
    4.8 ★★★★★ 32 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  44. Madison Professional Dance Center, LLC — Madison, WI
    4.8 ★★★★★ 24 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  45. The Francia Russell Center — Bellevue, WA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 19 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  46. VH Dance Center — Aurora, IL
    4.8 ★★★★★ 17 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens
  47. Institute of Dance Artistry — Plymouth Meeting, PA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 13 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  48. Roudnev Ballet Training — Rockford, IL
    4.8 ★★★★★ 6 reviews Kids & teens Private lessons
  49. Orlando Ballet — Orlando, FL
    4.7 ★★★★★ 225 reviews Kids & teens
  50. Ballet Academy East — New York, NY
    4.7 ★★★★★ 116 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  51. Kansas City Ballet - Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity — Kansas City, MO
    4.7 ★★★★★ 116 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  52. EMC Performing Arts Studio — New Freedom, PA
    4.7 ★★★★★ 64 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  53. The Sarasota Ballet — Sarasota, FL
    4.7 ★★★★★ 39 reviews Kids & teens
  54. Ohman School of Ballet — Commack, NY
    4.7 ★★★★★ 26 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens · 3 student mentions

    “Warm, welcoming place to learn ballet in the Balanchine tradition!”

  55. Dance Step — Kensington, CT
    4.7 ★★★★★ 25 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  56. Oregon Ballet Theatre School — Portland, OR
    4.7 ★★★★★ 21 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  57. Ridgefield School of Dance, LLC — Ridgefield, CT
    4.7 ★★★★★ 15 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  58. Canton Ballet — Canton, OH
    4.7 ★★★★★ 14 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  59. Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Opera and Ballet Theater — Bloomington, IN
    4.7 ★★★★★ 13 reviews Kids & teens
  60. N10 Dance Studios — Tustin, CA
    4.7 ★★★★★ 13 reviews Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons
  61. Metropolitan School of the Arts — Alexandria, VA
    4.6 ★★★★★ 54 reviews Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons
  62. Extensions Performing Arts Academy — Lancaster, CA
    4.6 ★★★★★ 38 reviews Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons
  63. Pacific Northwest Ballet — Seattle, WA
    4.5 ★★★★★ 233 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens · 2 student mentions
  64. Oregon Ballet Theatre — Portland, OR
    4.5 ★★★★★ 55 reviews Kids & teens
  65. Nevada Ballet Theatre — Las Vegas, NV
    4.5 ★★★★★ 54 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  66. Westside School of Ballet — Santa Monica, CA
    4.5 ★★★★★ 48 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens

    “If you want serious training in Balanchine technique in LA this is your place.”

  67. International Ballet Academy — Cary, NC
    4.5 ★★★★★ 22 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  68. BelArts Ballet (a trade name of Emerald Ballet Theatre) — Bellevue, WA
    4.5 ★★★★★ 17 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  69. Texas Ballet Theater School Richardson Studio — Richardson, TX
    4.5 ★★★★★ 15 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  70. School of Classical Ballet in Verona, NJ — Verona, NJ
    4.5 ★★★★★ 14 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  71. School of American Ballet — New York, NY
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 71 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  72. Cary Ballet Conservatory — Cary, NC
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 62 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  73. Staatsballett Berlin — Mill, IN
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 61 reviews
  74. Los Angeles Ballet — Los Angeles, CA
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 41 reviews Kids & teens
  75. The Portland Ballet — Portland, OR
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 34 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons

    “The teachers are post-professional dancers trained in Balanchine, Vaganova and more.”

  76. Campaneria Ballet School — Apex, NC
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 26 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  77. Ballet Aligned — Logan, UT
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 17 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  78. Cuizon Ballet Centre — Thousand Oaks, CA
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 13 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens · 2 student mentions
  79. The Premier Ballet School of Orange County — Tustin, CA
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 7 reviews Kids & teens Private lessons
  80. Ballet Arizona — Phoenix, AZ
    4.3 ★★★★☆ 118 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens · 3 student mentions

    “Performances to not miss: any Botanical Gardens performance, All Balanchine, Contemporary Moves, Coppéllia, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Today's Masters and Romeo & Juliet.”

  81. Miami City Ballet — Miami Beach, FL
    4.3 ★★★★☆ 93 reviews Pointe Kids & teens

    “) And to confirm what I've just said, recently there was a Balanchine festival at City Center in New York City.”

  82. Ballet Chicago — Chicago, IL
    4.3 ★★★★☆ 24 reviews Kids & teens
  83. Texas Ballet Theater School Fort Worth Studio — Fort Worth, TX
    4.3 ★★★★☆ 22 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  84. Alabama Ballet — Birmingham, AL
    4.3 ★★★★☆ 21 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  85. Blissfully Yours Ballet — Englewood, CO
    4.3 ★★★★☆ 21 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  86. Tampa Bay Dance Academy — Oldsmar, FL
    4.2 ★★★★☆ 35 reviews Kids & teens
  87. Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy — Laguna Hills, CA
    4.1 ★★★★☆ 27 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  88. The Rock School for Dance Education — Philadelphia, PA
    4 ★★★★☆ 66 reviews Free trial Kids & teens Private lessons

    “They also don't teach the Vaganova (Russian) technique it's Balanchine style, which is standard for the best ballet schools in the US.”

  89. Philadelphia Ballet — Philadelphia, PA
    4 ★★★★☆ 57 reviews Kids & teens
  90. Madison Dance Academy — Sun Prairie, WI
    4 ★★★★☆ 14 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  91. Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance — Ridgefield, CT
    4 ★★★★☆ 4 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  92. Bridgeman Academy of Performing Arts — O'Fallon, MO
    3.7 ★★★★☆ 15 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons
  93. Miami City Ballet SCHOOL — Miami Beach, FL
    3.3 ★★★☆☆ 3 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens
  94. Ballet With Hilary — Montclair, NJ
    Not enough Google reviews yet Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons
  95. Rye Ballet — Rye, NY
    Not enough Google reviews yet

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