The Sarasota Ballet School
At The Sarasota Ballet School, we believe every child deserves the chance to shine. Our world-class ballet training begins at age 3 and is designed to inspire creativity, nurture individuality, and build confidence—step by step.
With a strong commitment to excellence and student development, our faculty—made up of certified educators and former professional dancers—foster an environment where every child is encouraged to thrive. We support each student’s growth as both a dancer and an individual, offering high-quality training in a setting that values discipline, creativity, and personal progress.
We are proud to teach the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 9 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels.
· Primary Levels (ages 3–7)
· Levels 1–4 (ages 8 & up)
Classes Begin Again Monday August 18th
The Nutcracker Auditions will be held September 6th
The Nutcracker Tickets Are Available Now!
The Sarasota Ballet created a safe and inclusive space for my daughter to learn and grow as a ballet dancer. All of their kindness and positivity has made a lifelong lasting impact on her passion and love for dance. Each year she counts down the days to perform in The Nutcracker. We highly recommend it!
Primary Levels
AGES 3-7
Let your child discover the magic of dance in a joyful and imaginative program designed just for them. In these early levels, students are introduced to movement and music through playful storytelling, rhythm games, and creative exploration—all while learning the foundational principles of ballet.
Classes are led by nurturing and experienced teachers who understand the importance of age-appropriate instruction and child development. Through the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, young dancers build coordination, focus, musicality, and confidence in a safe and uplifting environment.
Levels 1 – 4
AGES 8+
As students progress into our Upper Levels, they continue to follow the ABT® National Training Curriculum, with increasing structure and focus on classical technique. Dancers build strength, balance, and discipline while continuing to explore artistry and personal expression.
In addition to ballet, students begin training in Character, Progressing Ballet Technique, Musical Theatre, Pre-Pointe and Pointe (as developmentally appropriate). These additional classes are designed to enhance their ballet training, developing additional skills and introducing new and fun dance genres. Students also have the opportunity to join our Performance Ensemble, where they gain valuable stage experience and deepen their connection to the art of performance.
Levels 1 – 4
Character Dance: Stylized form of traditional folk and national dances often featured in classical ballets like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. In these classes, students explore styles such as Hungarian, Russian, and Spanish, developing musicality, coordination, and expressive movement. Character dance enriches ballet training by deepening cultural understanding and enhancing performance skills.
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT): An innovative program that helps students feel how to engage the right muscles for strong, safe ballet technique. Using fit balls, resistance bands, and focused exercises, dancers improve core strength, posture, alignment, and body awareness—all in a fun, supportive environment. Designed to build the muscle memory needed for classical ballet, PBT enhances control, flexibility, and coordination. It’s a great way for students to deepen their understanding of how their body works, preparing them to dance with more confidence and precision in class and on stage.
Musical Theatre: New Elective – Open to All Students and the Sarasota Community! Step into the world of Broadway with our fun, high-energy Musical Theatre class led by the talented Savannah Holds. Combining dancing and acting, this elective helps students build confidence, stage presence, and storytelling skills. Open to all Sarasota Ballet School students and community members, it’s a great way to explore performance and have fun on stage.
2025 – 2026 Performance Opportunities
The Nutcracker in Venice | December 12 – 13, 2025 | Venice Performing Arts Center
The Nutcracker in Sarasota | December 21 – 23, 2025 | Sarasota Opera House
Year End Performance
Register Now!
Registration for the 2025–26 school year is now open!
· For students ages 3–8, registration is open year-round.
· For students ages 9+ with prior dance experience, we offer complimentary placement evaluations and a chance to meet our dedicated faculty.
[email protected] | 941.487.8763
American Ballet Theatre ® National Training Curriculum
The Sarasota Ballet School is proud to include the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 9 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels.
The Sarasota Ballet Difference
- Faculty of professional, certified, and caring educators
- Full AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum instruction
- Progressing Ballet Technique integration
- The only Gulf Coast ballet school affiliated with a professional world-renowned company
- Performance Ensemble opportunities for Levels 2B and up
- The Sarasota Ballet School’s Production of The Nutcracker – Performances in both Venice and Sarasota for Primary A and above
- Annual Year-End Performance for Primary A and above
- Special End-Of-Year Celebration for Pre-Primary students
- Complimentary tickets to Sarasota Ballet company productions
- Pathway to pre-professional training through The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory with a special bridge class
Downtown location
1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34243
The beautiful Patricia A. Golemme Studios are conveniently located in the Rosemary District in downtown Sarasota.
Referral Program
At The Sarasota Ballet School, we believe that great experiences are best shared. That’s why we are thrilled to announce our Referral Program—a special opportunity for current students and families to enjoy exclusive rewards
by introducing new students to our ballet community!
Participation is easy! Simply fill out the Referral section on the registration form and mention the friend who referred you. Referring Students: make sure to tell your friend to list your FULL name. Click the button below to learn more details about the program.
Contact Us
For any additional questions, stop into the studio at 1400 Boulevard of the Arts. We are open every day from 11am-7pm. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] or call 941.487.8763.
School Calendar
