Dance for Youth

Verb Ballets Center for Dance Youth Divsion provides dance classes for ages 3-14! These programs aim to nurture a love of dance as an art form and healthy activity. Classes will help kids build a strong foundation for dance by improving coordination, strength, flexibility, musicality and good teamwork! Classes are available for a variety of different ability levels and age ranges.

Questions about placement please email Christina Lindhout Coordinator, Dance For Everyone & Dance For Youth Programs, at email.

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Register Now    Class Descriptions     Teachers    FAQ’s

Class Updates

  • Enrollment is open for month to month for all classes.
  • Classes will of both in studio and virtual classes except for pre-pointe.
Summer 2021 three week session dates:

Session 1: June 7- 24
Session 2: July 12-29

Looking for adult classes?

Verb Ballets offers dance classes for adults too!

Learn More

Summer Classes

Summer classes will run month to month for three weeks at a time in June and July.

Enrollment is now open for Summer Sessions BOTH in-studio and virtual for Ballet I-III! Please take note of which class format you choose at checkout. In-studio class sizes are limited to 8 students and masks are required. Register early to reserve your spot! Students are encouraged to sign up for more than one class! Registration is processed through Mindbody online.

Class Descriptions

PreBallet (Ages 3-5)

Ms. Andrea

Tuesdays, 4:15-5:00pm

In PreBallet young dancers will learn the basics of ballet technique, including ballet positions, vocabulary, and general class structure. Students will enjoy using imagery, music, games, and props to increase their posture, coordination, flexibility, and musicality.

Ballet  I (Ages 6-8)

Ms. Ashley and Ms. Kenya

Mondays, 4:15-5:15pm with Ms. Ashley

Thursdays, 4:15-5:15pm with Ms. Kenya

Ballet I is the beginning of classical ballet training. In this class dancers will learn proper ballet technique, follow a set class structure, learn basic ballet steps and vocabulary, and begin learning basic choreography. Ballet slippers are required.

Ballet II/III (Ages 8-14)

Ms. Kate

Tuesdays, 4:15-5:45pm
Thursdays, 4:15-5:45pm

For our intermediate/advanced youth dancers, Ballet II/III places special emphasis on strengthening classical ballet technique and on properly executing more complicated steps. Students will further expand their ballet vocabulary, increase their strength and flexibility, and gain confidence in themselves as dancers and performers. Ballet slippers are required, as well as at least 1 year of prior ballet training and instructor approval.

Pre Pointe

Ms. Kate

Thursdays,  5:45-6:15pm

For our most advanced ballet dancers, this class introduces students to pointe technique. Students will further expand their ballet vocabulary, increase their foot and ankle strength and flexibility, learn the intricacies of pointe technique, and gain confidence in themselves as dancers and performers. Ballet slippers or pointe shoes are required, as well as at least 3 years of prior ballet training AND instructor approval.

THIS CLASS IS BY INVITATION-ONLY to ensure the safety of our students when learning the mechanics of poinetwork. Pointe shoes are allowed ONLY if given permission to purchase them by the instructor.

Jazz (Ages 8-14)

Ms. Kenya

Wednesdays, 4:15-5:15pm

In Youth Jazz class, dancers will explore a whole new way of moving! Dancers will have the opportunity to learn basic jazz technique and vocabulary, all while enjoying a variety of music and movement styles. This class places special emphasis on learning musicality, dance combinations, and choreography. Jazz shoes or ballet slippers are required, as well as enrollment in a ballet class or at least 1 year of prior ballet training.

Meet the Teachers

Andrea McCormick

Teacher

Andrea is a Performing and Teaching Artist from Cleveland with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Studies, emphasizing in Dance and Applied Voice, from Wright State University. She teaches various dance, theater acting, and musical theater to all ages and abilities with theaters and companies around Northeast Ohio, including but not limited to Playhouse Square, Dancing Wheels, Cleveland Play House, and DANCECleveland. Under the stage name Andrea Belser, she also continuously works on and off stage as an actor, dancer, singer, choreographer, stage manager, and dresser.

Ashley Forché

Teacher

Originally from Pickerington, Ohio, Ashley received her dance training from BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio. She has trained with several other companies including Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Festival Ballet Providence, Orlando Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and BalletMet. In December 2019, Ashley graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in business from Belmont University. Professional experience includes traineeships with Nashville Ballet and Oklahoma City Ballet. Works she has performed include The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. Ashley is very excited and honored to be joining Verb Ballets as a trainee this season!

Kenya Woods

Teacher

Kenya Woods, a native of Cleveland, Ohio holds more than 20 years of experience in dance performance, choreography, teaching, and leadership. She holds a degree in Dance from Tennessee State University. Some of her dance education credits include Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Dance New Amsterdam, and North Coast Ballet Theater. Madame Darvash, Dr. Diane McIntyre and Lynn Simonson have influenced her teaching style as well. She has worked in nationally and internationally at regional dance companies, universities and school systems as an educator, performer, and choreographer. Kenya teaches dance to students of all ages and continues to lead programs that help cultivate technique, artistry, body awareness and empowerment and appreciation for dance.

Kate Webb

Dancer and Teacher

Kate Webb grew up in Richmond, Virginia where she danced both as a student and as a trainee with Richmond Ballet. She trained around the country at numerous intensive programs such as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Upon graduating from Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts, she attended Butler University on both dance and academic scholarships. While dancing with Butler Ballet, she performed in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. After fulfilling her degree in three years, she graduated cum laude in May of 2015 with a BS in Dance-Arts Administration and high departmental honors. Kate joined Verb Ballets in 2015 and has been featured in works such as Peter Pan and Aposiopesis.

Frequently asked questions

What saftey meaures are in place with COVID?

Verb Ballets has developed a Health and Safety Policy is to keep students, guests, dancers and staff of the Verb Ballets Center for Dance safe, healthy and to encourage confidence to return to our programs. All individuals including guests and teachers who enter will be required to wear masks at all times. Every student is also required to complete a contact tracing form prior to entering the studio. Click here to read all the safety measure in place at the studio.

How are classes offered?

Classes will be offered in-studio for small socially spaced groups of eight students. All students must wear a mask. Classes also will be offered via Zoom. Students will need an internet connection, camera enabled device and access to zoom.com.

Do I need to pre-register for class?

Yes, we ask that all students enroll for the month. Classes run month to month for fall session.

How long are the fall sessions?

Fall four week session dates:
Session 1: September 14th – October 8th
Session 2: October 12th- November 5th
Session 3: November 9th- December 10th *one week of no classes November 23rd-26th for Thanksgiving break

*last week of classes is week of December 7th

Is there a uniform?

Yes, for all level Ballet I and up we ask the girls wear a black leotard with tights and ballet slippers. Hair must be secured off the face and in a bun. Boys are asked to wear gym shorts and a white shirt and ballet slippers.

Where are you located?

In The Dealership at 3558 Lee Road in Shaker Heights.

Am I able to watch class?

In order to allow for social distancing we ask that parents drop students at the door and the teacher will walk them to class. The teacher will walk them to the door for pick up.

Do I need a water bottle?

YES! Having water on hand is encouraged during every class you take with us. Feel free to keep your water bottle next to you in the studio for a quick sip whenever you need it!

Still have a question? Shoot us an email and we’ll get back to you!