Business Details
48 Years
experience
Premier Ballet Training in Rye, NY
Founded in 1978 by Lynne Stetson, a former New York City Ballet dancer, Rye Ballet Conservatory has nurtured generations of aspiring dancers through classical ballet training rooted in the Balanchine technique. Our mission is to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for ballet while fostering resilience, mastery, and artistic expression in a supportive environment. Located in Rye, New York, we operate two state-of-the-art facilities: the historic Rye Arts Center, home to our original sunlit studio, and The Chapel, a renovated 19th-century stone church featuring dual studios and a grand piano.Our faculty comprises internationally recognized professionals with extensive experience in performance and pedagogy, including former New York City Ballet principals and certified instructors in specialized methodologies. We emphasize individualized instruction, community building, and technical excellence, serving students from early childhood through adulthood across Westchester and Fairfield Counties. Our alumni have achieved success on professional stages worldwide, and our commitment to quality remains unwavering after four decades of operation.
Services
Ballet Training
Adult Classes
Pre-Professional Programs
Character Dance
Summer Intensives
Performance Opportunities
Faculty Mentorship
Dance Conditioning
Costume Rentals
Nutrition Counseling
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- Our faculty includes former New York City Ballet principals and certified specialists in Balanchine technique
- Dual state-of-the-art facilities housed in historic Rye landmarks
- Proven curriculum developed over 45 years of professional dance instruction
- Personalized approach with individualized attention at all skill levels
- Strong track record of preparing students for professional ballet careers
Services
Ballet Training
Our comprehensive ballet curriculum develops technical mastery from beginner to pre-professional levels. Students receive personalized instruction in Balanchine technique, with progressive training in barre work, center combinations, and performance skills. The program emphasizes proper alignment, musicality, and artistic expression while fostering a supportive learning environment for long-term growth.
Adult Ballet Classes
Open-level ballet classes cater to returning professionals and recreational dancers seeking technical refinement. Former New York City Ballet principal Stephanie Stradling leads sessions focusing on traditional barre exercises and center work adaptable to all skill levels. The welcoming atmosphere encourages personal growth while maintaining professional standards of technique and artistry.
Pre-Professional Programs
Advanced training programs prepare students for professional ballet careers through rigorous technique classes and repertoire study. Faculty members with international performance experience provide mentorship in audition preparation and career development. The curriculum includes partnering work, variations, and performance opportunities to build stage confidence and professional readiness.
Character Dance
Specialized character dance instruction combines historical research with performance technique. Certified instructors teach traditional folk dance styles adapted for ballet performance, focusing on authentic movement vocabulary and cultural context. The program includes original choreography and repertoire from classical ballet productions.
Summer Intensives
Annual summer programs offer concentrated ballet training with guest faculty from major companies. Participants receive daily technique classes, pointe work, and repertoire instruction in an immersive environment. The program includes masterclasses with industry professionals and performance showcases to demonstrate technical progress.
People
Ashlee Knapp Stewart
Director
Former New York City Ballet principal dancer with 7 years of professional experience. Recipient of the Mae L. Wien Award and Princess Grace Award. Serves as RBC Director since 2018 and teaches advanced classes.
Madeline Driver
Associate Director
RBC alumna with BFA in Ballet Performance from University of Utah. Former dancer with Ballet Fantastique and certified in Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet teaching methods. Leads character dance curriculum development.
Paul Boos
Balanchine Repetiteur
Licensed Balanchine Trust repetiteur with 13 years at NYCB. Stages works for international companies including Paris Opera Ballet and Bolshoi. Teaches advanced classes and preserves Balanchine's choreographic legacy.
Stephanie Zungre Stradling
Adult Ballet Instructor
Former NYCB principal dancer with 10 years of professional experience. Specializes in adult ballet instruction and teaches at The Chapel location. Holds principal roles in classical repertoire including Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet.
Allegra Herman
Faculty Member
Professional dancer with Broadway and contemporary company experience. Bessie Award recipient and former NYCB trainee. Teaches contemporary ballet technique and choreographs for student performances.
Questions
What ballet training methods do you teach?
We specialize in the Balanchine technique, with faculty directly trained by School of American Ballet instructors.
Do you accept adult students?
Yes, we offer open-level adult ballet classes taught by former NYCB principal dancers.
What performance opportunities exist?
Students participate in annual productions like Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, with roles for all levels.
How are instructors qualified?
Our faculty includes former NYCB principals, certified ABT National Training Curriculum instructors, and international guest teachers.
What locations do you operate from?
We have two facilities: Rye Arts Center (51 Milton Road) and The Chapel (88 Milton Road).
Videos
Reviews (4)
Maj Wickstrom
Jul 05, 2020
Report
The BEST ballet studio around. They are meticulous with technique and loving, nurturing and supportive in their approach. Suitable for everyone - from a child just exploring ballet to a pre-professional. They have awesome adult classes too. This is a special place like no other.
Liz Crozier
Jan 04, 2020
Report
Phenomenal classical ballet training by some of the best teachers who value the integrity of both the art form and the students. RBC fosters such an encouraging, healthy, respectful, empowering environment that teaches dancers to excel artistically, musically, and in everyday life. I spent some of the best times of my life dancing at Rye Ballet Conservatory (RBC) - from elementary school through high school. It's one thing to teach undeniably solid technique (once described as "killer training" by faculty member Christopher Anderson at BBS when I decided to start taking class again as an adult
Bobbi Cavicchio
Sep 01, 2019
Report
The Arts Community in Rye and surrounding communities are so fortunate to have an exceptional ballet facility like Rye Ballet Conservatory! RBC instructors are all classically trained and through their love of ballet they inspire students of all ages to appreciate the art and beauty of movement while providing a nurturing environment.
Richard Klein
Aug 25, 2019
Report
The Rye Ballet has so much character and charm. From their recently added dance studio in the chapel with gorgeous stain glass windows to the teachers, the energy and love for dance is contagious. The second you walk into the chapel studio or talk with any of the teachers and you'll find it hard not to fall in love with ballet. Congrats with everything you've done with the program and wish you continued success!
