Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center

Reviews

• ML

  Meghan Lin

  Apr 14, 2026
  5.0
  Ballare is kind of a trek for us, compared to the dance studio down the street from our house, but our dancer has some minor mobility issues and her PT said to find a dance studio that really focuses on quality technique rather than flash. Ballare delivers this in spades - really great teachers, solid curriculum, body-inclusive and gender-inclusive culture. My dancer has been there 5 years (I think?) with 3 teachers, and I've also taken a few adult beginner classes when they coincide with her lessons. We've never had a bad experience yet, and I'm consistently impressed with their end of year shows (also former dancer here). You should know that Ballare has a set curriculum for the youth classes (adult classes are drop-in) - the kids don't pick and choose between tap, ballet, or jazz, Ballare tells you what class your kid is eligible for based on either age (younger kids) or ability (older kids audition), and you choose between the scheduling options for that assigned program. Preschoolers do creative movement, which is what it sounds like and introduces dance concepts like left/ right, up/down, fast / slow, etc. Early elementary kids do 1 hour per week, half tap and half ballet. My tween is up to 90 minutes per week, still half tap/ half ballet, and her skills have noticeably improved from one year to the next. If you really want the dance team competition circuit experience, this might not be the studio for you, but if you want a safe, positive place to explore artistry, highly recommend.
• KB

  Katie Bjerning

  Mar 20, 2026
  5.0
  I recently had the absolute pleasure of attending a performance of "Isabella Saves the World" by Ballare Teatro, and I was thoroughly impressed! This original ballet was created by the school, and it showcased some incredibly creative elements. The choreography was beautiful, the costumes were STUNNING, and the projection design for the backgrounds added such a cool visual dynamic to the show. The dancers truly brought everything to life with their talent and energy. It's refreshing to see such a high-quality performance coming from a local dance studio. You can really see all the hard work that everyone put into this production. Highly recommend checking out this studio!
• CL

  Colleen Lindstrom

  Mar 5, 2026
  5.0
  Our daughter has been part of the dance program at Ballare Teatro for over 13 years, and it has been such a positive and formative experience for her. The teachers are professional educators, dancers, and performers who are well trained, knowledgeable, and invested in their students’ growth, both as dancers and as people. One of the things I appreciate most is the thoughtful structure and pedagogy of the program. My daughter has been trained in a way that truly prepares her for the future—her plans are to dance in college and to continue beyond. The instruction is serious and high-quality while still being encouraging and supportive. The studio also offers opportunities built into the program, including performances and audition workshops that help students gain real-world experience and confidence. Additionally, the Repertory program for the higher levels allows dancers to work with well known choreographers in multiple dance styles and perform in a professional atmosphere. While these opportunities are unique and come with high expectations, the environment remains non-competitive, inclusive, and encouraging, which creates a healthy and joyful place for kids to grow. As a discerning parent with a degree in dance, myself, I can honestly say this studio has been an incredible foundation for my daughter’s dance journey. We’re so grateful to be part of this community.
• KM

  Katie Murray

  Feb 23, 2026
  5.0
  Our family has been part of the Ballare community for over a decade now. We have had dancers from fundamental classes to adult and at every level we have been so impressed with the caliber of dance education. In addition to the phenomenal teachers, Ballare truly is a healthy community space for our kids and me. The atmosphere is positive and inclusive. As a therapist, it was extremely important to me that any participation in dance be body positive and focused on healthy movement, strength, and wellbeing rather than any particular size or dance aesthetic. In 10+ years, I have never once had pause that Ballare is not the place for us. Our eldest has made some of her closest friends within these studios and additionally has been mentored by adults we have grown to love and respect in our time here. We have watched them demonstrate tremendous care for our community during COVID, finding ways to keep kids dancing while also keeping them safe. We have watched them support kids transitioning into the fullness of themselves with loving acceptance. As dancers age, we have been impressed by the way in which constructive feedback is given, helping them develop to their fullest with compassionate honesty, which in our experience of youth sports is not always something that happens as well as it does here. As an adult without a dance background, these classes have been empowering, good for my body, soul, and spirit, allowing me space to try new challenges without shame. Ballare is truly a special spot in the Longfellow community.
• RL

  Rachel Lewis

  Jun 17, 2016
  1.0
  My daughter danced at this studio for 2 years. I paid the fees on time, volunteered every time parent volunteers were requested, signed her up for extra classes when recommended, and never complained about anything. Then the studio changed the time of her only available summer session from evening hours to business hours with less than 2 week's notice. When I advised the owner of the studio, Ann Williams, that I was not pleased, the dollar value of the vacation time I was losing to keep the opportunity that her studio had promised to my child, available to my child, and suggested a possible way to avoid this type of situation next summer, she permanently banned my 9 year old purely blameless child from the class and the studio.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center