At Toledo Ballet, there is something for everyone. Whether you are a parent looking to enroll your budding ballerina in her first ever class, or someone in your family has got serious dance moves, Toledo Ballet has you covered. If you're not sure where to start, browse the different types of classes below. If you have additional questions, we suggest reaching out for a placement review. Toledo Ballet faculty will assess your dancer's ability and interests and ensure that he/she is placed in an appropriate class. If you're an adult looking to pick back up lessons from your youth, or you're interested in trying ballet for the first time, our adult class is a judgement-free zone! Join us today!
Review the class descriptions below to learn about all the offerings at Toledo Ballet. Once you've familiarized yourself with these descriptions, visit the Classes by Level page to request a placement evaluation and register for classes.
Pre-Pointe & Beginning Pointe
Beginner/Intermediate & Advanced
Pas de Deux
Classical ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as pointe work, turnout of the legs, and high extensions), its flowing, precise movements, and its ethereal qualities. It is based on formalized movements and positions of the arms, legs, and body designed to enable the dancer to move with the greatest possible agility, control, speed, lightness and grace. There is also a focus on narrative and story telling achieved through dramatic visuals and complex choreography.
Referencing and applying ballet and modern principles, Contemporary Dance will explore the process of moving in and out of the floor with efficiency. Dancers will learn to move with momentum and the “head and tail connection” while also building upper body and core strength. Dancers will also learn to develop their own style beyond the ballet vocabulary with improvisation exercises.
It is the dream of every ballerina is to go on pointe and it is a very methodical process! Care must be given to developing muscles to prevent injury. Students will gain an awareness of these muscles and proper alignment in Pre-Pointe class, which is done without pointe shoes. After one to two years, the students will progress to Beginning Pointe. Every body develops at different times and Toledo Ballet is proud to offer individualized attention to ensure the safety of all dancers.
Pre-Pointe is for ballet students who are not yet on pointe to further develop and strengthen the muscles necessary to go "en pointe". Pre-pointe classes offer an atmosphere for proper assessment of readiness skills and structural alignment necessary before pointe class be taken safely. Please note: 2 ballet technique classes per week are required to take Pre-Pointe.
Beginning Pointe is designed to build and strengthen the overall pointe work of a student. Focus will be placed on proper alignment, conditioning, and technique. Students will utilize previously learned ballet technique while working in pointe shoes.
Please note: 3 ballet technique classes per week are required to take Beginner Pointe.
In order to enroll in any pointe class, students must enroll in the appropriate technique class immediately preceding the pointe class. This ensures that the student is properly warmed up for pointe work.
Pointe work continues in levels 4 and above with the proper foundation.
Boys Ballet is a beginner/intermediate level class open to all boys ages 7+ interested in dance and movement. Exercises in this class will help develop flexibility and strength.
Advanced Boys Ballet. This class focuses on the male aspects of ballet to develop a good understanding of ballet technique. Boys will work on their endurance, balance, and coordination. As they progress from basic to more complex steps, boys will further develop their strength, flexibility and musicality. As well as providing a great style of exercise, this class will help boys enhance their performance skills. This class is open to boys Level 5+.
Pre-School Enrichment is a 6-week-long session designed specifically for pre-school aged students. Each 6-week session is driven by a theme (i.e., shapes, feelings, animals, etc.) to help facilitate creative movement and basic technique. The class includes a pre-primary ballet class, story time and a craft.
Attire: comfortable clothing that allows movement, ballet slippers, socks or bare feet.
Tap - Rhythmic movements wearing tap shoes, using your feet to hit the floor, inspired by percussion influences and syncopation. Tap technique and choreography focus primarily on rhythm tap style, but also elements of Broadway tap.
Jazz - High powered and sharp movements to upbeat music. Stretching, technique and choreography are aimed at mastering jazz body alignment, leaps, jumps, extensions, turns and performance.
Students will learn how to listen, accompany, and find his or her own Voice. Stage presence and harmony will be studied and practiced, while encouraging young performers to sing in a group atmosphere. Emphasis is on proper technique, using vocalization to develop the muscles used in singing.
Review the class descriptions below to learn about all the offerings at Toledo Ballet. Once you've familiarized yourself with these descriptions, visit the Classes by Level page to request a placement evaluation and register for classes.
Classical Ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as pointe work, turnout of the legs, and high extensions), its flowing, precise movements, and its ethereal qualities. It is based on formalized movements and positions of the arms, legs, and body designed to enable the dancer to move with the greatest possible agility, control, speed, lightness and grace. There is also a focus on narrative and story telling achieved through dramatic visuals and complex choreography.
Referencing and applying ballet and modern principles, Contemporary Dance will explore the process of moving in and out of the floor with efficiency. Dancers will learn to move with momentum and the “head and tail connection” while also building upper body and core strength. Dancers will also learn to develop their own style beyond the ballet vocabulary with improvisation exercises.
It is the dream of every ballerina is to go on pointe and it is a very methodical process! Care must be given to developing muscles to prevent injury. Students will gain an awareness of these muscles and proper alignment in Pre-Pointe class, which is done without pointe shoes. After one to two years, the students will progress to Beginning Pointe. Every body develops at different times and Toledo Ballet is proud to offer individualized attention to ensure the safety of all dancers.
Pre-Pointe is for ballet students who are not yet on pointe to further develop and strengthen the muscles necessary to go "en pointe". Pre-pointe classes offer an atmosphere for proper assessment of readiness skills and structural alignment necessary before pointe class be taken safely. Please note: 2 ballet technique classes per week are required to take Pre-Pointe.
Beginning Pointe is designed to build and strengthen the overall pointe work of a student. Focus will be placed on proper alignment, conditioning, and technique. Students will utilize previously learned ballet technique while working in pointe shoes.
Please note: 3 ballet technique classes per week are required to take Beginner Pointe.
In order to enroll in any pointe class, students must enroll in the appropriate technique class immediately preceding the pointe class. This ensures that the student is properly warmed up for pointe work.
Pointe work continues in Levels 4 and above with the proper foundation.
Boys Ballet is a beginner/intermediate level class open to all boys ages 7+ interested in dance and movement. Exercises in this class will help develop flexibility and strength.
Advanced Boys Ballet. This class focuses on the male aspects of ballet to develop a good understanding of ballet technique. Boys will work on their endurance, balance, and coordination. As they progress from basic to more complex steps, boys will further develop their strength, flexibility and musicality. As well as providing a great style of exercise, this class will help boys enhance their performance skills. This class is open to boys Level 5+.
Pas de Deux class is for the advanced dancer, Level 5+. Partnering is the study of pas de deux (“step of two”), in which two dancers (typically one male and one female) dance together. Students begin by learning the basic foundations of partnering: lifts, pirouettes, and supported positions, and then progress to learning full portions of classical pas de deuxs. Students must be registered for all classes required for their Level, one of which must take place directly before Pas de Deux.
Stretch and Strengthening works muscles that are underused in dance classes and release the muscles which may be tight from overuse. This type of training will help one to gain strength, stamina, increase flexibility, and prevent potential injuries.
Pre-School Enrichment is a 6-week-long session designed specifically for pre-school aged students. Each 6-week session is driven by a theme (i.e., shapes, feelings, animals, etc.) to help facilitate creative movement and basic technique. The class includes a pre-primary ballet class, story time and a craft.
Attire: comfortable clothing that allows movement, ballet slippers, socks or bare feet.
Tap - Rhythmic movements wearing tap shoes, using your feet to hit the floor, inspired by percussion influences and syncopation. Tap technique and choreography focus primarily on rhythm tap style, but also elements of Broadway tap.
Jazz - High powered and sharp movements to upbeat music. Stretching, technique and choreography are aimed at mastering jazz body alignment, leaps, jumps, extensions, turns and performance.
Students will learn how to listen, accompany, and find his or her own Voice. Stage presence and harmony will be studied and practiced, while encouraging young performers to sing in a group atmosphere. Emphasis is on proper technique, using vocalization to develop the muscles used in singing.
Toledo Ballet Adaptive Dance offers differently-abled individuals specialized adaptive dance instruction. Neurodivergent learning styles, such as Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder, can experience the sheer joy of dance and music. Learn More
Whether you're looking to refresh your ballet experience from your youth or interested in trying ballet for the first time, Toledo Ballet's Adult & Teen classes have you covered. New or beginning students should enroll in the beginning/intermediate class and continue to the advanced class with advice from your teacher.