Business Details
21 Years
experience
Premier Dance Education in Vermont
Vermont Ballet Theater School, the largest ballet school in Vermont, has been nurturing young dancers since 2005. Our institution provides pre-professional dance training and performance experiences in a supportive environment, guided by instructors with extensive professional backgrounds from renowned companies like American Ballet Theater and New York City Ballet. We offer structured programs across two locations in Essex and Shelburne, catering to students aged 3 to 18 through Children's, Primary, and Pre-Professional Ballet Divisions. Our faculty includes internationally recognized artists such as Alexander Nagiba, a former soloist with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and Kirsten Nagiba, who brings decades of performance experience from Boston Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. The school's commitment to excellence is demonstrated through its annual full-length productions like Vermont's Own Nutcracker, which has become a cherished holiday tradition.Alumni of our program have successfully joined prestigious companies including American Ballet Theater and Boston Ballet. We maintain rigorous technical standards while fostering artistic expression, requiring multiple weekly classes for advanced students to build strength and precision. Our facilities feature state-of-the-art studios with sprung floors and professional sound systems, ensuring optimal training conditions. The school's community engagement extends beyond technical training through volunteer opportunities and costume creation workshops. With over 15 years of experience producing large-scale performances at venues like The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, we provide students with valuable stage experience and professional production standards.
Services
Ballet Classes
Jazz Classes
Summer Intensives
Performance Training
Youth Programs
Adult Ballet
Pointe Technique
Contemporary Jazz
Lyrical Jazz
Hip-Hop Dance
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer pre-professional training with instructors from top companies like American Ballet Theater
- Our students perform in Vermont's Own Nutcracker at The Flynn Center annually since 2005
- We maintain rigorous technical standards with multiple weekly classes for advanced students
- Our state-of-the-art facilities include 7000 sq ft studios with sprung floors and professional lighting
- We've placed alumni in prestigious companies including Boston Ballet and Dutch National Ballet
Services
Ballet Training
Our ballet training program develops technical proficiency through progressive levels from introductory classes to pre-professional instruction. Students receive comprehensive training in proper body placement, French terminology, and musicality while building strength for advanced techniques like demi-pointe and en pointe work. The curriculum emphasizes artistic expression alongside technical mastery, preparing dancers for professional careers or advanced study opportunities.
Jazz Classes
Jazz classes focus on fundamental techniques including turns, leaps, and rhythmic patterns while developing performance skills through choreography. Students learn various jazz styles from lyrical to contemporary fusion, with requirements for weekly class attendance to maintain technical proficiency. The program emphasizes musicality and stage presence for both recreational and competitive dancers.
Summer Intensive
This five-week summer program offers immersive training in ballet, pointe, variations, and contemporary techniques with professional faculty. Designed for serious students aged 8-21, it includes specialized instruction in Pilates, mime, and dance seminars. The intensive provides 180 hours of study and serves as a pathway for potential company membership while offering scholarship opportunities for qualified participants.
Performance Opportunities
Students gain professional stage experience through annual productions like Vermont's Own Nutcracker and the Celebration of Dance. The program includes audition preparation, role coaching, and technical rehearsals with professional production values. Advanced students receive priority casting and masterclass opportunities with visiting dance companies.
Youth Dance Programs
Our youth programs introduce children aged 3-6 to dance through creative movement and musical games without prior experience requirements. The curriculum develops foundational skills through imaginative play while maintaining technical standards. Classes focus on motor skill development, musical awareness, and basic ballet concepts in a nurturing environment.
People
Alexander Nagiba
Director
A former soloist with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Alexander trained at the Bolshoi and Kirov Opera Houses. He brings 30+ years of teaching experience and has received Pittsburgh Magazine's Excellence in Arts Award. His instruction emphasizes classical technique and professional standards.
Kirsten Nagiba
Associate Artistic Director
With performance experience from Boston Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Kirsten offers 20+ years of professional expertise. She focuses on developing dancers' artistry and technical proficiency while maintaining high educational standards at the school.
Michele Fodero
Instructor
A Royal Academy of Dance Associate, Michele trained with Boston Ballet and performed with Hartford Ballet. She combines RAD curriculum expertise with practical experience to develop students' physical and artistic abilities in classical dance forms.
Drew Neary
Instructor
Former principal dancer with Charlotte Ballet, Drew brings international performance experience from companies like Royal Danish Ballet. He teaches ballet technique while combining his expertise as a licensed real estate agent and Pilates instructor.
Sarah Glick
Instructor
A graduate of Kirov Academy of Ballet, Sarah performed with Boston Ballet II and Sarasota Ballet. She has taught at Joy of Dance Center and brings contemporary ballet expertise to her instruction at VBTS since 2011.
Questions
Do your classes run in sessions or full year?
All classes operate September through June with monthly payments for most divisions and 10-class cards for fitness programs.
How do I determine the appropriate class level for my child?
Classes are age-based for Children's and Primary divisions. Contact staff for Pre-Professional placement assessments.
What performance opportunities are available?
Annual Nutcracker auditions and Celebration of Dance productions provide performance experience for qualified students.
Is there a dress code for classes?
Ballet students wear specific uniforms with hair in buns. Jazz attire requirements vary by class level.
What are the benefits of joining VBT company?
Company members receive masterclasses, performance instruction, scholarship consideration, and a 15% discount at The Dance Shop.
How can families get involved?
Volunteer opportunities include costume creation, boutique sales, and rehearsal monitoring during productions.
Reviews (1)
Nancy W.
May 10, 2011
Report
I have a daughter who has cerebral palsy and is 10 years old. She desperately wanted to take ballet lessons. I saw an ad in the news paper for the Vermont Ballet theater. The ad had a beautiful picture and said in large letters"Ballet lessons for everyone" I cut out the add and called them on the phone. I explained about my daughter and told them how she would like to take ballet lessons. The person who answered the phone told me that they had no lessons for her kind of person. I told her that their ad was misleading because they didn't have ballet lessons for everyone and the
