The Ballet Academy Of Pittsburgh Offers Exceptional Experiences In Pittsburgh Ballet

By Lela Perkins


The Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh is one studio that offers Pittsburgh Ballet experiences of exceptional quality. There are many wonderful studios in the city, but this one has a special affinity for teaching youngsters how to dance. The founders have spent formative years in the area, and share their love of dance with their young students regularly.

The Pipers, a married team raising their own children, have lived and worked locally for years. Lindsay grew up in South Hills and Steven was a Pittsburgh Ballet Theater company member. They have created a dynamic and diverse faculty devoted to proper dance education. With all instructors firmly committed to teaching foundational dance technique, the students who attend are watched over carefully and provided extensive, yet sequential, activities.

The faculty works with three basic divisions. Children, Intermediate and Advanced divisions are further divided into graduated learning levels. The children may begin at age 3 and take age-appropriate classes until age 8. There are four levels for children divided into two-year age groups. This allows for gradual and sequential training and immersion in the classical vocabulary of dance.

The youngest children are certain to be offered the basics of this classic dance art. With technique presented appropriately and developmentally, room is available for plenty of special activities. As each student develops there are optional performances available. Enjoyment in class and the chance to share what has been learned is part of the fun.

Summer is a busy time of year. There are many camps offered that allow students the chance to try something new. Young campers can learn dances, try on costumes, present stories in class and make thematic crafts. Older dancers can enroll in technique classes such as repertoire, en pointe, or pas de deux. There are skill levels required for advanced classes, but something for every age and ability is available.

Each Winter, the holiday season brings the annual, and quite popular, Nutcracker performances. Students numbering one hundred plus choose to take part. There are rehearsal fees required of those who do. Attendance is mandatory for performances, but costumes owned by the studio are provided. Fees collected help to defray costs such as theater rent, scenery and all sorts of things that help to make programs such as this run smoothly.

In Spring, students present selections from the classical repertoire and often new works choreographed by faculty members. The Celebration performance showcases the best of each participant. Many have passed their annual studio examinations are are eagerly looking forward to studying at a higher level in the fall. April and part of May are devoted to these engaging performances.

Pittsburgh Ballet is a thriving art, as many studios work to provide top quality training for students young to old. The Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh demonstrates a high level of classical experiences for youth. For families looking for traditional training, examinations and engaging performances, this is one studio to try.




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