Fall classes for Academy students ages 18 months to 18 years will be held onsite for the 2021/22 school year. We can't wait to welcome you all back into the studio! Due to increasing numbers of new cases and hospitalizations, Austin has returned to Stage 5. For 14 years COME DANCE, our Annual FREE Day of Dance, has been our gift to the community.
Indoor and outdoor classes available. The health and safety of our patrons, artists, crew, and staff members remains our highest priority. View the updated Stage 5 Health and Safety Protocols for the Long Center. Bring the magic of the holiday season to life with Ballet Austin's 59th annual production of The Nutcracker by Stephen Mills.
Indoor and outdoor classes available. The health and safety of our patrons, artists, crew, and staff members remains our highest priority. View the updated Stage 5 Health and Safety Protocols for the Long Center. Bring the magic of the holiday season to life with Ballet Austin's 59th annual production of The Nutcracker by Stephen Mills.
Services
Ballet Austin welcomes audiences near and far to participate in its "classically innovative" vision for the democratization of dance. Established in 1956, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization has a rich history, featuring original, acclaimed productions and a commitment to creating access to programs.
In 2005 in his visit to Austin as part of LIGHT / THE HOLOCAUST & HUMANITY PROJECT, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel reminded Austin that "when there is suffering, don't sleep." He also declared that the opposite of love is not hate. We strive to identify where these forces are currently at work within our own institution and to move swiftly to adopt best practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and our community.
Ballet Austin II, established in 1999, serves as Ballet Austin's apprentice program and second company. Currently, 80 percent of Ballet Austin's main company positions are filled with Ballet Austin II graduates. Ballet Austin II dancers are selected through a nationwide audition process and make Austin their home to participate in this unique training opportunity.
Ballet Austin works to solicit and secure healthcare support in a variety of areas for maintaining the physical and mental well-being of its artists and employees. These efforts are led by a chief of medical services, a physical therapist who supervises the overall care of our artists, a dance medicine consultant, and a medical advisor.
Ballet Austin is proud of its facilities. The AustinVentures StudioTheater, Armstrong/Connelly Studio, City View Lounge and other spaces of our building are available for community use and rentals. Looking for a fun team building activity, creative experience for your downtown tour, organization or group of friends?
Reviews (22)
Alyssa Duran
Dec 03, 2020
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I just took my first class at ballet austin. The dance teachers are so incredibly nice and welcoming, and they give such positive feedback! the class also felt super safe, and i can tell they are taking all the safety/health precautions they need so that we can dance in a safe environment! I really love this place and i will definitely be back dancing here more!
Cj W.
Nov 05, 2019
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I sent both of my daughters to ballet austin to participate in the Creative Movement program. Joan Wolfe is an incredibly kind and thoughtful teacher. Joan is patient and fun and notices how your child learns best. She was understanding of my child's reluctance to participate and allowed her to join the group in her own way. My kids learned more than just dance, they learned about their bodies, and concepts of space and movement. I would highly recommend the creative movement program.
Aga Webb
Sep 28, 2019
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Whether you are an absolute beginner or want to brush up on technique, or you want to introduce your offspring to artistic form that will teach them expressive movement to last a lifetime, check out the drop-in and workshop schedule. The classes are encouraging, inclusive, as challenging as you want to make them. Staff and instructors are wonderful and, after ClassPassing my way through many of Austin’s dance schools, this feels like home.
Dana Malone
Feb 06, 2019
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Tia Marie Garaas
Jan 12, 2019
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I've been taking classes at Ballet Austin for the past four years, and it has become like a second home for me. The staff and instructors are friendly and professionals in their disciplines. I love that I can take a ballet class from a company member, do Pilates reformer, improve my fitness and even try something new as an adult without be intimidated (I took up tap dancing last year and love it!). It can be a drive from North Austin, but is always worth it and their convenient and inexpensive parking options are great for downtown. I love Ballet Austin!
Stephanie Albrecht
Jan 10, 2019
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Ballet Austin's Butler Center for Dance & Fitness is a great place to work out and dance and have fun! No other place in Austin has the variety of classes all in one building with such excellent instructors! From Pilates to Ballet, Hip Hop to Jazz, Full Body Workouts, Mat classes, Tap dance, West African and Bollywood, this place has it all!
Jamie Frey
Oct 25, 2018
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I LOVE the fitness classes at Ballet Austin!! I definitely recommend it for busy professionals trying to fit a work-out into their day. They have such a variety of options, and the instructors are top notch. I also really appreciate the smaller class sizes at Ballet Austin verses the huge ones at the large gym I used to attend. It really feels like a family there, and is place I look forward to going every week.
Lily Pipkin
Oct 06, 2018
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The classes at Ballet Austin are just the best! I can get a great Pilates-based Barre workout on the days that I want it or a classic ballet class, or even Zumba. I love taking class from Selena Offenberg (her Ballet Barre & More class is my absolute favorite! Only 1 hour during my lunch break and it has a live pianist!) and Alex Miller (she plays the best music!!). It feels great to be able to dance and work out in beautiful studios, with great teachers and with a wonderful community of people!
Rachel Rosen
Sep 20, 2018
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I have been taking classes at Ballet Austin's Butler Center for over two years now, and I absolutely love it here!! My very favorite class is Cardiofunk with Ramsay Wall. It's a great workout, and it's so much fun you don't even realize how hard you're working. Ramsay's energy is amazing--she always gives 100% during each and every class. The choreography is pretty simple, and most of the music is Hip-Hop. Trying a new dance class can be intimidating, but Ramsay truly does not care if you follow her steps--as long as you're having fun!!
Ellyse L.
Dec 25, 2017
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Went with my family to see the Nutcracker ballet at the Long Center in Austin. The first half was amazing, great performance. Then there was a situation with a young girl in seats behind us vomitting...and everything went downhill after that. Literally. During intermission we went out to the lobby and the folks from the Long Center were supposed to clean up. We came back to out seats and the smell of vomitus still fresh in the air. Low and behold, it had run down right in front pf our seats and they hadn't cleaned. We immediately asked for them to come back and finish cleaning and all we got
Emily S.
Apr 18, 2016
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This review is for the adult drop-in classes. I absolutely love Ballet Austin and what they have to offer. I have taken a lot of classes and enjoyed all of them. The teachers aren't scary and the people are nice. It's a very welcoming atmosphere!
I docked off one star for two reasons:
1. Parking is a headache if you come during the evening. During the day time, you can get your parking validated at the City Hall parking garage, but after 5pm, it can be difficult to find something free, especially with all the construction.
2. It's my opinion that the classes are way over-priced
I docked off one star for two reasons:
1. Parking is a headache if you come during the evening. During the day time, you can get your parking validated at the City Hall parking garage, but after 5pm, it can be difficult to find something free, especially with all the construction.
2. It's my opinion that the classes are way over-priced
Bonnie D.
Apr 14, 2016
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I love Ballet Austin! I have tried a range of their drop-in classes, and all have been great. Good workouts, super fun. My all-time favorite is Cardio Hip Hop with Lauren. I also really like Tara, Jenny, and Alex's classes.
I knocked off a star because of parking - they have a great deal where you can park in a nearby lot and get it validated which is awesome...before I realized that, I was getting there 30 minutes early to hopefully park in their lot and sometimes paying for parking which is a waste when the classes are already pricey. Once I learned about the City Hall lot, that solved
I knocked off a star because of parking - they have a great deal where you can park in a nearby lot and get it validated which is awesome...before I realized that, I was getting there 30 minutes early to hopefully park in their lot and sometimes paying for parking which is a waste when the classes are already pricey. Once I learned about the City Hall lot, that solved
Jessica S.
Feb 11, 2016
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For the kids (preschoolers) holiday events only:
We did the Valentine's Day Family Story & Music in Motion today. It was okay. I guess I was expecting more ballet since it is a ballet studio.
The instructor was good. She brought a lot of props: a ball for the kids to introduce themselves; colorful scarves, sacks, and mats to make an obstacle course; a book to tell a story; and duck figurines to sing 5 little ducks. She also had all the proper music. I guess I just thought I'd here a song from a ballet musical. I heard the Nutcracker class had more dancing.
We started off
We did the Valentine's Day Family Story & Music in Motion today. It was okay. I guess I was expecting more ballet since it is a ballet studio.
The instructor was good. She brought a lot of props: a ball for the kids to introduce themselves; colorful scarves, sacks, and mats to make an obstacle course; a book to tell a story; and duck figurines to sing 5 little ducks. She also had all the proper music. I guess I just thought I'd here a song from a ballet musical. I heard the Nutcracker class had more dancing.
We started off
Brittney C.
Oct 09, 2015
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I came here with a friend because she was taking a hip hop class on Sunday and it was the only time we could get together. She told me that they offer dance classes and that the first one was free. It was great because since I was in town visiting, I didn't have to pay to take an amazing class.
The sign up process was kind of tedious. After waiting in line to check in, I had to go on a computer to sign up and then I could be checked in. That made me miss the first 5 minutes of class. All in all, everyone was really nice. The class was great. It was challenging but not overwhelming for every
The sign up process was kind of tedious. After waiting in line to check in, I had to go on a computer to sign up and then I could be checked in. That made me miss the first 5 minutes of class. All in all, everyone was really nice. The class was great. It was challenging but not overwhelming for every
Ruby H.
Jun 24, 2015
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I've got nothing but good things to say about Ballet Austin, their classes & workshops, their instructors and their staff. But I must put a little plug in for the instructor I've had for a while now: Sara Paul. She is so knowledgeable and patient! I'm very grateful to have a place like Ballet Austin in my life!
Also have been to several Ballet Austin performances and they were quite lovely!
Also have been to several Ballet Austin performances and they were quite lovely!
Tiffany C.
Feb 14, 2015
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Miss Wolf is a spectacular Ballet teacher!
My 4 year daughter Brooke enjoys her class so much! Miss Wolf is so creative with her use of scarves and glitter flash lights! She has a true gift with children. She is professional and extremely poised. I highly recommend this class. Miss Wolf honors each of the tiny dancers individual spirit.
Miss wolf is an excellent teacher!
My 4 year daughter Brooke enjoys her class so much! Miss Wolf is so creative with her use of scarves and glitter flash lights! She has a true gift with children. She is professional and extremely poised. I highly recommend this class. Miss Wolf honors each of the tiny dancers individual spirit.
Miss wolf is an excellent teacher!
Lisa B.
Dec 09, 2014
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Elizabeth K.
Nov 06, 2014
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I have been to three performances: Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker, and all were disappointing. The dancers appear to have technique, but the dancing and the choreography are uninspiring and uninspired.
Giselle was by far the worst, because they "dumbed down" the choreography, and I know the ballet well enough to see what they did. The funniest (also saddest) moment was when the Willis' veils were pulled off and the audience started laughing. Giselle is not supposed to be a comedy.
The Nutcracker put me to sleep, and I don't know why there was so much excitement
Giselle was by far the worst, because they "dumbed down" the choreography, and I know the ballet well enough to see what they did. The funniest (also saddest) moment was when the Willis' veils were pulled off and the audience started laughing. Giselle is not supposed to be a comedy.
The Nutcracker put me to sleep, and I don't know why there was so much excitement
Kathie J.
Sep 30, 2014
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This review is for the company and the Long Center specifically, NOT the academy/drop in classes.
My boyfriend and I went to the Saturday night performance of Agon and The Firebird. I've been to ballets in San Francisco and Philadelphia and was looking forward to seeing what Austin had to offer.
Our disappointment began at the ticket center. I ordered online and decided to pick my tickets up at will call instead of paying to have them mailed. When I arrived at will call there was a huge line... okay, no problem, I'll wait. When I finally got to the front of the line I was told that
My boyfriend and I went to the Saturday night performance of Agon and The Firebird. I've been to ballets in San Francisco and Philadelphia and was looking forward to seeing what Austin had to offer.
Our disappointment began at the ticket center. I ordered online and decided to pick my tickets up at will call instead of paying to have them mailed. When I arrived at will call there was a huge line... okay, no problem, I'll wait. When I finally got to the front of the line I was told that
Teresa T.
Apr 22, 2014
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Update to my earlier review. I am enjoying the beg. ballet class by Ms. Strickland - she is a wonderful class instructor, yet don't expect her to actually teach. I like it that way. As for other ballet instructors they talk too much and don't do more than 30 seconds of exercise, grrrr.
I tried the contemporary dance classes (these are not modern, absolutely no technique is in them). They are alright, but the attitude/ego of one young instructor in particular was grating. Horrible, no instruction, just roll around on the floor recital school / competition school stuff that makes
I tried the contemporary dance classes (these are not modern, absolutely no technique is in them). They are alright, but the attitude/ego of one young instructor in particular was grating. Horrible, no instruction, just roll around on the floor recital school / competition school stuff that makes
Jen T.
Feb 28, 2014
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We got tickets I watch Hanzel and Gretel and it was quite exciting to sit and watch a ballet, I just didn't care for this particular story. I like Hanzel and Gretel I just think it was presented more for younger children. My six year old niece thought it was a bit silly. We are going to catch another ballet just one with more mature content. The Austin Ballet was a great place to experience and I would definitely go back.
Viva C.
Jan 16, 2014
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Purely rating this from a drop-in ballet class standpoint. Great experience and absolutely fantastic facility. I am so impressed and proud that Austin has the Butler Community School.
The incredible variety of drop-in classes offered here are absolutely stellar. The pricing (the larger the package, the cheaper the class) can't be beat and the quality of instruction available to the public is phenomenal. Of the many cities that I've lived in and lived around, Ballet Austin's community school is treasure.
The adorable young lady manning the check-in desk was warm and welcoming
The incredible variety of drop-in classes offered here are absolutely stellar. The pricing (the larger the package, the cheaper the class) can't be beat and the quality of instruction available to the public is phenomenal. Of the many cities that I've lived in and lived around, Ballet Austin's community school is treasure.
The adorable young lady manning the check-in desk was warm and welcoming
