Academia de ballet de Littleton

Our aim is to create young dancers with pure classical technique as well as develop their artistry.  We recognize the importance of nurturing both their technical and emotional growth. The goal is to support our dancers’ personal development alongside their artistic progress, helping them build a strong foundation of life skills, emotional intelligence, and a sense of identity, while they grow as technicians.

We want our dancers to:

1. Foster a Growth Mindset

Encouraging a growth mindset is vital in helping young dancers develop resilience, perseverance, and self-confidence. Instead of focusing only on perfection or immediate results, emphasize the value of effort, learning from mistakes, and continuous improvement.

• Celebrate Progress: Praise not just the outcome but the process—acknowledge the hard work, the commitment, and the lessons learned along the way.

• Encourage Curiosity: Let dancers know that asking questions and seeking to improve is part of the learning journey.

• Understand That Competition Results Are Not Everything: Competitions play a significant role in gaining visibility in the dance world, offering opportunities for placements, recognition, and scholarships to ballet schools, trainee programs, and companies. While these achievements are valuable, they represent just a small part of a dancer’s overall development.

2. Build Emotional Intelligence

Dance is an emotional and expressive art form and encouraging young dancers to explore their emotions through movement helps them grow both as artists and as individuals. Emotional intelligence involves understanding and managing one’s emotions and recognizing and influencing the emotions of others.

• Empathy and Connection: Teach young dancers to understand their own feelings and how to express them through dance, while also learning to appreciate and connect with others.

• Mindfulness and Self-Regulation: Encourage practices such as deep breathing, visualization, or journaling to help dancers manage stress and navigate the emotional ups and downs that come with being a performer.

3. Build a Sense of Community

Dance is often taught in a group setting, which provides a valuable opportunity for young dancers to develop social skills and learn to work as part of a team. The dance studio can be a place where young people build lasting friendships and learn the importance of mutual respect, support, and collaboration.

• Positive Peer Interactions: Encourage teamwork and collaboration. Allow students to support one another, whether that means partnering up in class or sharing insights during rehearsal.

• Creating a Safe Space: Make the studio an inclusive environment where dancers feel comfortable being themselves without fear of judgment. This can lead to increased self-esteem and confidence.

4. Encourage Discipline and Work Ethic

The commitment to dance training is a valuable opportunity to instill discipline, time management, and a strong work ethic. These skills extend far beyond the dance studio and can positively affect all areas of a young person’s life.

• Setting Goals: Help young dancers set both short-term and long-term goals to stay focused and motivated.

• Time Management: Teach dancers how to balance their dance commitments with schoolwork, family time, and personal life. Encouraging them to prioritize responsibilities will build maturity and responsibility.

5. Emphasize the Importance of Self-Care

Dancers often push their bodies to physical limits, and teaching young dancers the importance of self-care—both mentally and physically—is crucial for their long-term health and well-being.

• Physical Care: Educate about the importance of rest, proper nutrition, hydration, and injury prevention.

• Mental Health: Promote an open dialogue about mental health. Make sure that dancers understand the importance of maintaining a healthy mindset and coping with the pressures of performance, competition, and perfectionism.

6. Nurture Creativity and Expression

While technical skills are essential, encouraging dancers to find their own creative voice is equally important. Dance is a form of personal expression, and fostering creativity in young dancers helps them find confidence in their individuality.

• Creative Exploration: Give dancers opportunities to choreograph or improvise, allowing them to explore different styles and approaches.

• Personal Connection to Dance: Encourage dancers to reflect on how they feel when they dance and how they can channel their emotions into their performances.

7. Teach Life Skills Beyond Dance

Dancing is a vehicle through which young people can learn skills that will serve them in all aspects of their lives. Here are a few additional life skills that can be developed through dance:

• Communication Skills: Working with a partner, a group, or a teacher builds communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal.

• Problem-Solving: Choreography and rehearsals often involve overcoming obstacles, whether it’s perfecting a movement or solving a creative problem.

• Confidence and Self-Expression: Dance can be an outlet for expressing oneself, which can improve a dancer's self-esteem and sense of identity.

8. Role of Mentorship and Positive Adult Figures

The relationship between a young dancer and their teacher can have a profound impact on their personal development. As a mentor, a dance teacher has the ability to guide not just the dancer’s technique but their character development as well.

• Be a Role Model: Lead by example—demonstrate the values you want to instill in your dancers, such as discipline, kindness, and a positive attitude.

• Foster Open Communication: Create an environment where dancers feel comfortable coming to you for advice, whether it's about their dance training or challenges in their personal lives.

9. Encourage a Balance Between Art and Life

While dance is an important part of a young dancer’s life, it’s essential to help them maintain a balance. Encouraging them to explore other interests and take time for relaxation helps prevent burnout and creates a more well-rounded individual.

• Holistic Development: Encourage dancers to explore other hobbies or academic interests outside of dance, which can provide a sense of balance and lead to a more fulfilling life.

• Support Family and Friend Relationships: Ensure that dancers don’t neglect their social lives or family connections. A strong support system is essential for emotional well-being.

By focusing on the growth of the whole person—emotionally, socially, and intellectually—dance training becomes much more than just learning steps or routines. It becomes an opportunity to shape resilient, creative, and confident individuals who will carry the lessons they’ve learned into all aspects of their lives.

 

Our Schedule and Tuition (2024-2025 Academic Year)

Dancers have the choice between doing 5 days or 3 days per week.

The program runs 2:30 to 4:15 pm and consists of ballet, pointe, contemporary, additional coaching for competitions, repertory, and workshops.  Pas de Deux is included for dancers in Level 2 and 3.

Next year we are adding more field trips as well.

Dancers also have the option to add 1:30 to 2:30 pm supplementary coaching as well

​

Levels 2 and 3 (5 days per week)

$385 per month 

10.25 hours per week

Includes ballet, pointe, contemporary, variations, repertory, and pas de deux as well as group coaching for competitions​

Option for Pilates Reformer and private coaching as well

 

Levels 2 and 3 (3 days per week)

$272 per month 

6.75 hours per week

Includes ballet, pointe, contemporary, variations, repertory, and pas de deux as well as group coaching for competitions​

Option for Pilates Reformer and private coaching as well

​

Levels 1 (5 days per week)

$297 per month 

8.75 hours per week

Includes ballet, pre-pointe, or pointe as well as group coaching for competitions​

Option for Pilates Reformer and private coaching as well

​

Levels 1 (3 days per week)

$224 per month 

5.25 hours per week

Includes ballet, pre-pointe, or pointe as well as group coaching for competitions​

Option for Pilates Reformer and private coaching as well

​

Option to add 1:30 to 2:30 PM Coaching as well

​

Our Current Faculty (2024-2025 Academic Year)

Slava Mesropov, Ballet and Coaching

Ali Jaramillo, Ballet and Coaching

Francisco Estevez, Ballet and Coaching (though NOT for Denver Ballet Guild YDC)

Dana Benton, Ballet and Coaching

Sarah Tallman, Contemporary

Sharon Wehner, Wellness

Bryce Lee, Pas de Deux

 

Our Results

Dancers in PTD have consistently placed in the following competitions:

• ADC/IBC

• YAGP

• Denver Ballet Guild Young Dancer’s Competition

• Universal Ballet Competition

And been invited to Finals for

• ADC/IBC

• YAGP

• Universal Ballet Competition

They have also received scholarships and acceptances to schools both nationally and internationally including full scholarships to Pacific Northwest Ballet School, School of American Ballet, Houston Ballet Academy, European School of Ballet, and more.

​