Enroll at the School of Madison Ballet

The School of Madison Ballet is committed to nurturing a love for dance across all ages and abilities, regardless of ethnic, sociological or economic backgrounds. We offer a progressive curriculum rooted in classical ballet.

As a respected and committed institution for dance education in the Midwest, we strive to develop confidence, discipline, and life skills in our students, from early childhood through pre-professional training.

Beyond the studio, we believe in the unifying power of dance to connect our diverse community. Through outreach and accessible programming, we bridge gaps, foster appreciation for the arts, and contribute to a stronger, more connected Madison. At our core, we are united by the shared heartbeat of dance.

Children’s Division

UP TO AGE 7
The Children's Division provides students with a solid foundation in ballet fundamentals, inspiring a lifelong love for dance.
These classes are a prelude to formal ballet instruction, introducing children to music and movement through a structured progression that stresses creativity and group interaction.

Learn More

Enroll

School
Division

AGES 7 TO 18 (*placement required*)
The School Division offers differentiated levels of well-coordinated, progressive curriculum in strong, classical technique.
Students follow a structured sequence of training stages designed to increase their technical skills, stamina, and discipline in accordance with their age and physical development.

Learn More

Enroll

Trainee

PROGRAM

AGES 18 AND UP (*Audition only*)
The Trainee Program offers advanced, rigorous programming focused on preparing each student for a career as a professional dancer.
Students train daily to master advanced technical skills, consistency, musicality, articulation and natural expression within the technical parameters of the art form.

Learn More

Enroll

OPEN
Division

AGES 12 AND UP *(beginner and intermediate)*
Open Division classes, also called Drop-In classes, provide young adult and mature adult dancers with flexible ballet classes for all experience levels, while maintaining the level of excellence that is the hallmark of the School of Madison Ballet.
Ballet 101 offers a progressive four-class program for dancers with little to no experience in ballet.

Learn More

Enroll

Shaping the next generation of dancers into artists

Since its establishment in 2005, The School of Madison Ballet (SMB) has been named the official training institute for the Overture Center resident Madison Ballet while instructing an annual student body of nearly 200 dancers.

Curriculum rooted in a shared vision

We engage and provide dance education to students of all abilities and identities. Our classes are created to supplement, motivate, and strengthen artistic goals. Our curriculum prepares emerging artists for the technical and mental challenges of ballet.

We utilize a performance-based curriculum, emphasizing a strong classical technique and a flow of movement that expresses a sense of energy, freedom, and joy. This style readily adapts to a variety of repertoire by choreographers, past and present.

A unique feature of our curriculum is the addition of live piano accompaniment for most ballet technique classes, giving students a direct connection between the movement and their musicality.

Learn More

Scholarships strengthen our ensemble and community.

The School of Madison Ballet is rooted in increasing accessibility to dance for all. Based on this principle, we invite every student into our studios, despite their finances. With the help of our sponsors, we provide tuition assistances to nearly 15% of our students each year. If you or your dancer requires financial assistance, please contact smb@madisonballet.org.