Business Details
22 Years
experience
Premier Ballet Training & Youth Performances in Ventura
Founded in 2004, Oakley Ballet Center has been dedicated to nurturing excellence in ballet education and performance opportunities for young dancers in Ventura County. Our mission focuses on developing students' technical proficiency, artistic expression, and confidence through disciplined training and professional-level productions. We offer structured ballet instruction for all levels, from beginners to advanced students preparing for professional careers, while fostering creativity through choreographic workshops and mentorship programs. Our non-profit affiliate, Footworks Youth Ballet, provides students with hands-on experience in full-length classical ballets, including annual performances of The Nutcracker and a spring production. We emphasize community engagement through outreach initiatives that bring free performances to thousands of local students annually.Our faculty comprises experienced professionals committed to maintaining high artistic standards while making ballet accessible to diverse learners. Financial transparency and donor support enable us to bridge operational costs while maintaining affordable tuition rates. With over two decades of service, we continue expanding access to classical ballet through partnerships with local theaters, orchestras, and cultural organizations. Our comprehensive approach combines technical training, performance experience, and character development to prepare students for both artistic and personal success. Through consistent programming and community collaboration, we strive to preserve and promote classical ballet as a vital cultural asset in Ventura County.
Services
Ballet Training
Youth Performances
Choreography Workshops
Community Outreach
Summer Intensives
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We've trained dancers since 2004 with professional-level ballet instruction
- Our students perform in fully staged classical productions annually
- We offer choreographic development opportunities with industry professionals
- Our 501(c)(3) non-profit provides community outreach to 5,000+ students yearly
- We maintain partnerships with local theaters and orchestras for authentic experiences
Services
Ballet Training
We offer comprehensive ballet instruction for students aged 5 through adults, with eight progressive levels from beginning to pre-professional training. Our curriculum emphasizes technical precision, artistic expression, and performance readiness through weekly classes. Students receive personalized attention in small classes led by experienced instructors with professional dance backgrounds.
Youth Performances
Footworks Youth Ballet presents two full-length classical productions annually, featuring student dancers in all principal, soloist, and corps roles. Performances include professional sets, costumes, and orchestral accompaniment. Recent productions have featured Swan Lake, Copplia, and Snow White at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center.
Choreography Workshops
Our mentorship program nurtures emerging choreographers through workshops and staged presentations. Students work directly with professional dance artists to develop original works. Selected choreography receives full production support including lighting design and technical rehearsals at local theaters.
Community Outreach
We provide free performance access to 5,000+ local students annually through our outreach program. This initiative covers theater rental costs for school groups and community organizations. Donations help maintain this cultural resource while keeping ticket prices accessible for general audiences.
Summer Intensives
Our summer training programs offer concentrated ballet instruction with guest faculty from professional companies. Participants receive daily technique classes, pointe work, and character dance training. The session culminates in a showcase performance featuring classical and contemporary repertoire.
Questions
What performance opportunities are available for students?
Footworks Youth Ballet offers two annual productions: The Nutcracker in December and a spring ballet, with roles for all skill levels.
Are scholarships or financial assistance available?
While we don't offer formal scholarships, our outreach program provides free performance tickets to local students and we maintain affordable tuition rates.
What makes your ballet training program unique?
We combine technical mastery with performance experience, offering choreographic workshops and professional production elements like costumes and orchestral accompaniment.
How can I support your community outreach initiatives?
Donate through PayPal, mail checks to our Ventura address, or participate in partner programs with Ralphs, Amazon Smile, and GoodSearch.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Jennifer Gallo
Jan 12, 2019
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Oakley Ballet Center (Footworks Youth Ballet) is a wonderful studio! The teachers are professional and down to earth at the same time. They provide excellent classical ballet training! I have two daughters who have been attending since pre-school and early elementary school and I am so thankful they are in a positive, affirming, and caring environment. Thank you OBC team!!
Elizabeth Manninen
Dec 19, 2018
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We've been a part of the Oakley Ballet Center for about 10 years now and have nothing but good things to say. Having been heavily involved as a volunteer, I spend a fair amount of time at the studio and have never seen nor heard complaints of bullying. It's actually more like a second home and is very family friendly. I feel each student is cared for by the instructors, each other and the families that volunteer much of their time to help with the productions each season. I couldn't be happier and would gladly recommend this positive place for any child interested in classical ballet. Come see
Maya Holbrook
Dec 10, 2018
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Throughout the past 8 years that I have been dancing at Oakley Ballet Center I have been given countless opportunities to perform, teach, and learn. Beginning my dance training at age 10, I had some catching up to do with my fellow dancers. However, I was never bullied or made fun of for my late start. Instead, my peers motivated me to work harder each and everyday. The teachers also provided me with the helpful corrections I needed to progress to the next level. As I mentioned previously, Oakley Ballet Center gives its students opportunities to perform. Throughout my time at Oakley, I have been
Patricia Bonewitz
Aug 21, 2018
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My grandaughter,Jadyn been going to Oakley Ballet Center since she was 5, she now 13.
Oakley has taught her discipline, respect & confidence. They just not learn dance & technique they also learn the history of the ballet. All the girls are very supported of each other. They are very lucky to have Kirsten Oakley as there director of this school of Ballet. What a wonderful school to have in our Ventura Ca Community!!!
Oakley has taught her discipline, respect & confidence. They just not learn dance & technique they also learn the history of the ballet. All the girls are very supported of each other. They are very lucky to have Kirsten Oakley as there director of this school of Ballet. What a wonderful school to have in our Ventura Ca Community!!!
