Business Details
Your Home for Classical Ballet in West Michigan
CARE Ballet has been a cornerstone of the West Michigan dance community for over three decades. Founded with a mission to cultivate artistic excellence and personal growth through classical ballet, we combine rigorous technique training with performance opportunities to nurture well-rounded dancers. Our leadership team, including Artistic Director Mary Jo Priest and Technical Director Trent Wadsworth, brings decades of professional experience from prestigious institutions like the Grand Rapids Ballet and the Paul Taylor Summer Intensive. We maintain strong ties to the community through outreach programs that introduce over 2,400 local students to ballet annually, including transportation assistance and pre-performance educational workshops.Our facility in Grand Rapids houses the Care Conservatory of Ballet, offering Italian Cecchetti-based instruction across three 10-week sessions. With a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, we ensure ADA compliance at all performances and provide scholarship opportunities to remove financial barriers. Our alumni have achieved recognition through awards, scholarships, and professional dance careers, testament to our educational philosophy that values both technical mastery and character development. As a non-profit organization, we maintain financial transparency while reinvesting resources directly into program quality and community engagement initiatives.
Services
Ballet Classes
Pointe Classes
Partnering Classes
Adult & Pilates Classes
Community Outreach
Highlights and features
- We offer Cecchetti-based training with 30+ years of proven educational methodology
- Our instructors include former Grand Rapids Ballet apprentices and NYC intensive participants
- We provide performance opportunities for 1,000+ local dancers annually
- Our community outreach program serves 2,400+ students with free transportation and education
- We maintain 100% ADA compliance at all performance venues
What people say
Helped our daughter grow
Lifelong friendships
Able to be in all productions
Services
Ballet Classes
Our Cecchetti-based ballet classes develop technical proficiency and artistic expression for students aged 3+. Three 10-week sessions allow flexible enrollment while maintaining progressive skill development. Classes emphasize proper alignment, musicality, and classical technique through personalized instruction in a supportive environment.
Pointe Classes
Designed for dancers aged 11+, our pointe program builds strength and precision for en pointe work. Instructors assess readiness before placement, ensuring proper technique to prevent injury. Classes focus on balance, foot articulation, and classical repertoire preparation for performance opportunities.
Community Outreach
This initiative provides free ballet experiences for over 2,400 local students annually. Includes transportation assistance, pre-performance assemblies with live demonstrations, and post-show meet-and-greets with performers. Designed to make ballet accessible to underserved populations while meeting educational standards.
Adult Classes
Offered for all experience levels, these classes combine fitness with classical ballet technique. Focus on posture, flexibility, and graceful movement patterns in a non-competitive environment. Participants enjoy the physical and mental benefits of ballet while building community connections.
Performance Programs
Three annual productions feature dancers in professionally staged performances. Open to students from all studios, with roles matched to skill levels through audition. Includes educational components about choreography, character development, and theatrical production elements.
People
Mary Jo Priest
Artistic Director
Mary Jo Priest trained at Grand Rapids Ballet School and earned her BA in Dance from GVSU. She has performed soloist roles in major classical works and brings 20+ years of teaching experience to CARE Ballet.
Judy Genson-Wadsworth
Artistic Director Emeritus
Judy Genson-Wadsworth studied under Cecchetti method practitioners and performed with Grand Rapids Civic Ballet. She served as CARE's Artistic Director for 25 years before retiring in 2018, maintaining a legacy of technical excellence.
Trent Wadsworth
Technical Director
Trent Wadsworth manages technical operations for CARE Ballet and East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center. With extensive theater technology experience, he oversees production design for all ballet performances and venue logistics.
Questions
What age requirements exist for ballet classes?
Children's classes start at age 3. Pointe and partnering classes require students to be at least 11 years old.
How do auditions work for performance opportunities?
Auditions occur annually in April/May. Dancers may audition for any or all productions, with roles assigned based on skill assessment.
Are there community programs for underserved populations?
Our Community Outreach program provides free ballet experiences for 2,400+ local students annually, including transportation and educational support.
What dance styles are offered besides classical ballet?
We offer modern, jazz, and pilates classes in addition to classical ballet training for comprehensive dance education.
How does CARE Ballet support dancer development?
We provide technical training, performance opportunities, and educational workshops to develop both artistic skill and personal growth.
Reviews (2)
Patty Alvarez
Nov 09, 2017
Report
Our daughter is having the most amazing experience with CARE!!! It feels like a family and our daughter is loving every minute. The instructors have been extremely helpful and are very caring. Thank you.
Anne Roseberg-King
May 06, 2017
Report
Wonderful instructors at the studio. Great performances by the care ballet. Wonderful community outreach to underserved audiences nothing like this in michigan.
