Dance for Youth

Verb Ballets Center for Dance Youth Divsion provides dance classes for ages 4-14! 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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Class Updates

  • Enrollment is open for fall semester.
  • Classes will be both in studio and virtual classes except for pre-pointe.
Fall Session: September 14, 2021 – December 9, 2021

Looking for adult classes?

Verb Ballets offers dance classes for adults too!

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Fall Semester

Fall classes will run from September- December 2021 .

Enrollment is now open for Fall Semester! In-studio class sizes are limited to 12 students in-studio and masks are required. 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

$175 or divided evenly into 3 payments

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

Thursdays, 4:15-5:15pm
$225 or divided evenly into 3 payments

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. Kia and Ms. Kenya

Tuesdays, 4:15-5:30pm
Thursdays, 4:15-5:30pm
$450 or divided evenly into 3 payments

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. Please note Ballet II/III meets twice a week.

Pre Pointe

Ms. Kia

Tuesdays,  5:30-6:00pm
$105 or divided evenly into 3 payments

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 pointework. Pointe shoes are allowed ONLY if given permission to purchase them by the instructor.

Jazz (Ages 8-14)

Ms. Kenya

Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm
$225 or divided evenly into 3 payments

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.

PreProfessional Ballet (ages 14+)

Ms. Ashley

Mondays, 4:15-5:15pm
$225 or divided evenly into 3 payments

Ballet IV/V is a special class just for our oldest youth dancers. It is an opportunity for them to hone their technique in a smaller class setting where they will receive sharper individual attention, allowing their dancing to bloom and grow faster – with dancers’ relativity around their own age group. The goal is to bridge the training gap between student and audition-ready preprofessional.This class is offered as a supplement to other dance training for the most advanced youth dancers, ages 14+.

Payment Plans Available

  • Instead of paying the full tuition amount at the beginning of the semester, Verb Ballets does offer a payment plan of three equal installments over the course of the semester.
  • A valid credit card saved on file is required to set up a payment plan.
  • Scheduled automatic payments (charged to the credit card on file) will be made on the day you sign up, then on October 4th, and on November 1st, 2021. Receipts for each payment will be sent to the email you provide upon registration.
  • To set up a payment plan, please call our front desk at 216-397-3757, option 1, or email school@verbballets.org and we will be happy to help!

Studio Policies

  • Tuition will not be prorated to accommodate for missed classes for any reason, and no make-up classes will be issued in the event your student misses a class.
  • Verb Ballets will allow each class ONE snow day/cancellation per semester.
  • If class is cancelled by Verb Ballets or the instructor for any reason (beyond the one allowed snow day/cancellation mentioned above), a make-up class will be scheduled.

COVID-19 Safety Policies

  • This year, our youth classes will all be primarily IN-STUDIO.
  • Masks are required, and classes will be limited to 12 in-person students.
  • A Zoom link will be provided (upon request- see email below) to any student feeling ill, or who would feel safer participating virtually on any given day.
  • We WILL be accepting students who would like to participate fully online. Please email school@verbballets.org to request your Zoom link for the semester! Tuition will be prorated by 50% for those students who have indicated that they would like to be a Zoom-only student for the entire semester. Requests must be received prior to the first day of classes (September 13th, 2021) to be accepted as a Zoom-only student.

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 joined Verb Ballets as a trainee in 2019 and was promoted to intern in 2021.

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.

Kia Jimmy

Dancer and Teacher

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 twelve 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 fall session.

How long are the fall sessions?

Fall Session: September 14, 2021 – December 9, 2021

Are there payment plans available?

Verb Ballets does offer a payment plan of three equal installments over the course of the semester.  A valid credit card saved on file is required to set up a payment plan. Scheduled automatic payments (charged to the credit card on file) will be made on the day you sign up, then on October 4th, and on November 1st, 2021. Receipts for each payment will be sent to the email you provide upon registration.  To set up a payment plan, please call our front desk at 216-397-3757, option 1, or email school@verbballets.org and we will be happy to help!

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.

Can I make up a class?

Tuition will not be prorated to accommodate for missed classes for any reason, and no make-up classes will be issued in the event your student misses a class. Verb Ballets will allow each class ONE snow day/cancellation per semester. If class is cancelled by Verb Ballets or the instructor for any reason (beyond the one allowed snow day/cancellation mentioned above), a make-up class will be scheduled.

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!