Mendocino Ballet School

A Comprehensive Ballet Education

At Mendocino Ballet, we refer to our Pre-Professional Division as a Ballet School because students participate in a carefully structured course of study rather than individual recreational classes. Dancers commit to multiple classes each week, allowing technical skills, artistry, strength, and confidence to develop progressively over time.

Designed for dedicated students ages 8 and older, the Ballet School provides comprehensive classical ballet training while fostering discipline, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for the art form.

Why a Year-Round Program?

Classical ballet is built through consistency. Our Ballet School operates as a year-round program, allowing students to progress through a thoughtfully planned curriculum that builds week by week and year by year.

Students are expected to participate fully in classes, rehearsals, and performances throughout the school year. Summer training is an important part of that progression, helping dancers maintain strength and technique while preparing for advancement into the next level.

Student Placement

Rather than advancing solely by age, students are placed according to their technical development, strength, physical readiness, maturity, and teacher evaluation. Most dancers spend one to two years in each level, allowing them to build a strong technical foundation before progressing.

Placement classes are available for new students interested in joining the Ballet School, and current students are evaluated annually to determine appropriate placement for the upcoming school year.

Our Pre-Professional Division provides a carefully structured classical ballet education based on the principles of the Vaganova Method. Students progress through six levels by teacher placement, building technical excellence, artistry, strength, and confidence in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Level 1: is the beginning of our Ballet School for students who are ready to begin formal classical ballet training. Dancers develop the foundations of proper ballet technique through barre and center work while building coordination, musicality, posture, and strength. Classes meet twice each week and placement is by teacher evaluation.

Level 2: builds upon the strong foundation established in Level 1. Students continue refining alignment, turnout, coordination, and core strength while expanding their ballet vocabulary and introducing increasingly complex combinations. Emphasis is placed on developing consistency, control, and confidence in movement.

Level 3: As students progress into Level 3, they begin developing greater technical precision and artistry. Ballet vocabulary continues to expand while dancers strengthen their feet, ankles, and core in preparation for future pointe work. Demi-pointe shoes may be introduced based on teacher evaluation, and students begin exploring the artistry of épaulement through coordinated use of the head, arms, and upper body.

Level 4: marks an exciting milestone as eligible dancers begin introductory pointe training. Students continue strengthening their technique while developing greater artistry, musicality, and expressive performance quality. Ballet becomes not only a discipline of technical excellence but also an art form through which students learn to communicate with confidence and grace..

Level 5 & 6- Corps and Company Class: The advanced division of our Ballet School prepares dedicated dancers for increasingly challenging classical repertoire and pre-professional training. Students refine advanced pointe technique, artistry, stamina, and performance skills while learning the discipline and collaboration required of corps de ballet and soloist work. Placement is by invitation and teacher evaluation.

Dress Code

Students in the Pre-Professional Division are expected to wear the required class attire appropriate for their level. A consistent dress code promotes professionalism, allows instructors to properly assess alignment and technique, and helps create a focused learning environment.

Performance Opportunities

Students in every level have opportunities to develop confidence through performance. Monthly observation classes invite families into the studio to celebrate student growth while allowing dancers to practice performing in a supportive environment. Throughout the year, students also perform in productions that encourage artistry, teamwork, and stage experience.

Enrichment Workshops

Throughout the year, Mendocino Ballet offers special workshops in jazz, contemporary, modern, dance theatre, and other styles, allowing students to broaden their training while complementing their classical ballet education.

Our Training Philosophy

Mendocino Ballet's Pre-Professional Division is rooted in the principles of the Vaganova Method, a comprehensive approach to classical ballet education that emphasizes proper technical progression, artistry, musicality, strength, and healthy physical development. Students advance through a carefully structured curriculum, building a strong technical foundation before introducing increasingly complex movements and repertoire.

Our approach also incorporates current knowledge of dance science, biomechanics, and injury prevention to help dancers develop strength, alignment, and body awareness in a healthy and sustainable way. This balanced approach supports technical excellence while encouraging longevity throughout a dancer's training.

Above all, we believe ballet education should nurture the whole dancer. Alongside discipline and technical precision, we encourage creativity, collaboration, confidence, and artistic expression, helping each student reach their individual potential in a positive and supportive environment.

FALL 2026 CLASS SCHEDULE COMING SOON

Questions? Call us at 707-463-2290 or email us at office@mendocinoballet.org.