2nd Street Studio of Dance is a provider of non-competitive creative movement instruction in Rochester. The company accommodates students of all ages, and it organizes yearly recitals, summer camps, and other fun learning activities. 2nd Street Studio of Dance offers modern, acro and stretch, tap, and ballet lessons.
Allegro Dance is a studio for creative movement in Bloomfield Hills. The center welcomes children who want to take the classes for fun or as a stepping stone to their dream of becoming a professional performer, and it has group and one-on-one sessions. Allegro Dance also welcomes adult learners, and it hosts summer camps and other enjoyable learning activities. The teachers offer a complimentary trial lesson in ballet and other styles.
Ann Parsley School of Dance is a training center in Clinton Township that has been around since 1976. The team provides quality instruction in a non-competitive and fun environment, and the programs focus on discipline and technique. Ann Parsley School of Dance offers lessons in creative movement, ballet, pointe, and jazz, and other styles, and it organizes performances, where the students can showcase their talent and collaborative skills.
Center Stage Dance Co. is a studio in Northville that offers lessons in ballet, pointe, contemporary, and other styles. The programs accommodate all ages, and the teachers afford students the opportunity to showcase their talent at recitals and community performances. Center Stage Dance Co. rents out the space for fun, memorable birthday parties.
Detroit Barre is a fitness studio in Detroit that combines techniques in ballet, yoga, and Pilates. The facility creates a supportive environment for all ages and backgrounds, and it aims to “define and tone the muscles” of dancers and other students with isometric, low-impact exercises. Detroit Barre posts its current schedule and registration guidelines on the company website.
Detroit Skating Club is a training center in Bloomfield Hills established in 1910. The facility welcomes recreational and competitive athletes, and it also runs a dance academy that offers lessons in ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, Broadway, Pilates, yoga, and other techniques. Detroit Skating Club features some of its students’ latest activities on the company website.
Juliana’s Academy of Dance is a school for creative movement and the performing arts in Madison Heights. The center has been part of the community since 1979, and it has always welcomed local students and those from other parts of Michigan who wish to receive quality instruction in ballet, pointe, acrobatics, and other styles. Juliana’s Academy of Dance accommodates learners of any age and skill level, and its foremost aim is “to strengthen and stimulate the mind, body, and spirit.”
Motor City Dance Factory is a school for creative movement in Southfield that welcomes recreational and competitive performers. The instructors welcome male and female students of any age and skill level, including toddlers and Baby Boomers, and they have individualized programs for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners. Motor City Dance Factory offers lessons in ballet, gymnastics, tap, hip-hop, and other styles, and its website features a gallery of activity photos and the studio policies.
Suzette’s Masters of Dance is a learning facility in Shelby Charter Township. The center provides a fun and positive atmosphere that embraces diversity, discipline, and creative expression through movement and music, and some of the classes are ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and gymnastics. Suzette’s Masters of Dance accommodates “people of various tastes, talents, and age groups.”
Taylor Dance is a training facility in Taylor that has been honing talent since 1966. The center is the home of Ballet Americana, a regional dance company, and it offers affordable, high-quality programs in a positive and nurturing environment. Taylor Dance welcomes learners of any age and performance level, including toddlers and seniors, and some of the classes are ballet, tumbling, Bollywood, and Hawaiian-Tahitian.
The Dance Academy in Westland, Michigan has taught thousands of students since its establishment in 2001. The academy offers a wide selection of classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, Hawaiian/Tahitian, modern, contemporary, lyrical, pointe, predance, kinderdance, tiny tots, and tumbling as well as fitness classes in yoga, Zumba, and Pilates. They offer a large schedule with a variety of class times to choose from in order to accommodate many busy scheduling needs. All of their dance instructors are highly qualified and make a point to stay current with trends in the dance world. Their year-end dance recitals are held at the beautiful Michael A Guido Performing Arts Theater located at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. Prospective students can call or drop by to learn more about The Dance Academy's accomplished students and alumni.
Timberlane Dance is a classical ballet studio in Northville that trains students in the Cecchetti method. The center inspires learners to express themselves through movement and music, and it helps them showcase their talent to the greater glory of God. Timberlane Dance runs Northville Ballet Theatre, a non-profit ballet company that brings classical and contemporary Christian dance to the community.
Tina Marie School of Dance is a studio in Warren that has been around for more than 35 years. The board-certified instructors have dance degrees, and they have decades of collective professional experience as performers, choreographers, teacher-trainers, and competition judges. Tina Marie School of Dance has another location in Shelby Township, and it welcomes students of all ages and skill levels. Some of the classes are ballet, tap, pom, and musical theater.
Ballet is an intense and beautiful sport. It can help people learn how to be more creative, as well as become physically stronger. And while most people who intend to become professional ballerinas start at a young age, people can take up ballet at any time. To learn ballet, you'll have to take professional lessons at a ballet studio, either privately or as part of a class. Of course, if you've never taken dance lessons before, you may be uncertain about how to decide which studio to choose. Keep reading for answers to the most common questions about ballet classes, so you can make an informed decision when selecting a studio.
Ballet is an artistic dance form characterized by light, fluid, graceful, and precise movements. Ballet dancers wear pointe shoes that allow them to stand on their toes and twirl. This type of performative dance can tell a story to an audience. Ballet is very technical, often taking people years to master.
Ballet originated in Italy in the early 1500s. In fact, the word ballet stems from the Italian word "ballare," which means "to dance." Although it originated in Italy, ballet was introduced to the French and Russian courts, where it was really transformed. By 1850, Russia had become the leader in creating and transforming ballet into what it is today.
The length of a ballet class depends on the student's age. Children aged three to eight will only take a 30-minute to one-hour class. From there, class length increases with age:
You can absolutely learn ballet as an adult. In fact, ballet is a great way to get physical exercise and increase your strength as an adult. Of course, starting as an adult means it's unlikely you’ll become a professional ballet dancer, but it does mean you can do it for fun!
There's a benefit to learning to dance ballet en pointe in your younger years. As your feet develop, dancing ballet helps ensure they gain the strength, flexibility, and shape to dance en pointe. However, it’s not impossible for adults to learn en pointe. It will just take a lot of time and dedication.
Ballet is all about dedication and practice. You should be committed to going to your classes every week (multiple times a week is ideal), warming up before classes, and wearing the right shoes. You can also improve your ballet by staying fit and taking part in other types of physical exercise.
Ballet is a form of physical exercise, and like any activity, it can come with an element of danger. Most notably, ballet can cause foot pain, foot injuries, and even permanent foot damage. Additionally, ballet dancers may be susceptible to falling and breaking bones in their arms, legs, ankles, and feet.
Yes, as ballet is incredibly intense, it’s a great form of exercise for adults. Ballet is a weight-bearing exercise, so it provides a workout for the entire body. Adults taking ballet classes will burn calories and fat, as well as strengthen their muscles.
Ballet is often about precise and graceful movements, so you don’t want loose clothing getting in the way. Women are encouraged to wear form-fitting leotards, tights, and ballet flats. Men should wear black footed or footless tights, a form-fitting white T-shirt, and ballet shoes.
Ballerinas often opt for a bun hairstyle, so their hair is up and out of their face and doesn't distract them. There are various styles of buns, including sock buns, high buns, low buns, etc. You can find tutorials on YouTube that will guide you through making a bun in a style you like.
Consider wearing ballet flats, a fitted shirt and leggings to your first class, Once you're sure you want to continue with the classes, you can invest in ballet tights and leotards.
Your body will need fuel for an intense ballet class, but you can't eat too heavy a meal, as you may be spinning and moving around a lot. Instead, opt for calorie-dense food that's not too filling. Some great examples are nuts and seeds, protein bars, granola bars, hummus and crackers, cheese and crackers, and fruit.
How many calories you burn during a ballet class depends on various factors, including your body mass index and metabolic rate. However, on average, an individual burns 462 calories during 30 minutes of a ballet class. More calories are burned during ballet classes than with many other types of dance, such as the waltz, samba, and Zumba.
You can try to learn basic ballet at home with video tutorials or virtual lessons from an instructor. However, nothing can replace in-person training where a teacher can adjust your form and show you how to improve. Consider starting with video tutorials and progressing to in-person classes.
Yes, you can make a ballet barre at home. You can purchase the supplies a home improvement store and watch a video on how to install the barre at the right height. This barre can help you practice and improve your ballet skills at home.
Ballet classes can vary in cost depending on the student's age, the school's location, the class size, whether it's beginner's or advanced instruction, the school's reputation, and other factors.
In general, you can expect to pay:
The price of ballet shoes will depend on the brand, quality, and other factors. Typically, a pair of ballet shoes can cost between $45 and $125. However, if you’re purchasing a popular brand, prices are likely on the higher side at $65 to $90, on average.
The ballet class is a famous painting by Edgar Degas. It’s estimated that Degas painted it between 1871 and 1874. The painting was commissioned by Jean-Baptiste Faure and showcased young dancers at the end of a ballet lesson with French master Jules Perrot.
