Staten Ballet School

School of the Staten Island Ballet

2010-2011 Schedule and forms - click for more information

Training for a Lifetime

The art of building young dancers begins with strict professional standards. SIB’s not-for-profit School uses classical ballet arts as a foundation for other dance forms and theater skills - and ultimately, the gift of self-confidence and poise that can last a lifetime.

Even if a student forgoes the performing arts for other careers, for example law or business, he or she is more capable of making important first impressions just by an ability to command a poised and confidant entry into a room.

The study of dance also creates vital muscle tone to help growing young bodies, while helping develop a healthier future of fitness.

In the Company of Dancers

Classes are taught by working theater professionals throughout the academic year and in summer programs, all aimed at exposing students to a performance environment. Indeed, the SIB environment prohibits commercial endeavors of any kind such as recitals, dance contests, various fees, costume sales or other profiteering devices that can drain household resources.

Of SIB’s 150 students, 20 percent studied with scholarships valued at $52,260 last fiscal year. Other students pay subsidized nominal fees that are below typical commercial market rates. Students regularly win entry to LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, and training programs of American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet and Kirov Academy.

Numerous students are often cast in children’s roles in Lincoln Center’s touring productions of the Royal Ballet and Kirov. SIB students also succeed in earning dance scholarships to colleges using audition skills and other advantages gained from participating in a professional dance environment that also encourages academic skill.

Class Schedules

Classes are conducted in classical ballet technique, pointe, charracter, modern, jazz, advanced partnering, mime, musical theater. Three semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Adult and Teen classes are offered in Ballet, from beginner to advanced, as well as activity classes for seniors.

The School is open Monday-Friday 3 - 8:30pm; Saturday 9am - 2pm. Please call the School at (718)980-0500 for a personal evaluation of the appropriate class for you.

Partnering with Diversity

SIB’s free dance training program - Dancing Over Walls™ - promotes diversity in the arts, and continues to win an enthusiastic response from children and families in economically challenged areas. The program awards full scholarships – along with travel and free dancewear – to 15 talented youths each year. This past year, two of our original Dancing Over Walls™ students who had studied free with us for a decade won college scholarships in dance.

Outreach to locate candidates for Dancing Over Walls™ is done through a volunteer network as well as dance company demonstrations at public libraries and schools in economically challenged areas. Students accepted into the program aren’t publicly identified as such, enabling freer participation as peers.

More than 100 talented and deserving students over the years have benefited from the free training program, while improving academic performance and gaining self esteem with peer status. Selected students have performed with the professional company in original children’s roles in works created to expose them to legitimate theater.

Where Teaching and Doing Meet

The SIB has developed useful and lasting arts education techniques. The SIB was among just four dance companies selected in competitive citywide reviews by the public schools agency to provide artistic and professional development services at all New York City public schools in 2004. In addition to the Staten Island Ballet, the companies selected were New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre/Lincoln Center, Eliot Feld and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Since many schools could not afford to pay for such services, SIB provided its services to selected schools in poor areas without charge.

SIB continues to provide free dance demonstrations to inner city schools on Staten Island, with support from its Friends of Staten Island Ballet service organization, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and foundations including The Staten Island Foundation, the Richmond County Savings Foundation and Verizon Foundation.

Summer Camp Achievements in Arts and Literacy

A summertime performing arts camp offers dance, theater, music and art, all taught by working professionals. Our theater program uses scripts and the spoken word as a literacy tool for youths to enhance reading skills during the summers.

A fully staged Summer Showcase at the Center for the Arts enables youths to present musical and dance works they’ve created under the tutelage of professionals.