The School of Richmond Ballet is the official school of Richmond Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia, offering superior quality training in a warm, caring environment for students of all ages who aspire to professional careers or wish to enrich their lives through dance.
The School of Richmond Ballet is the official school of Richmond Ballet, identified as The State Ballet of Virginia. Located at 407 East Canal Street in Richmond, the school operates from a state-of-the-art facility and serves students ranging from age 4 through adults, including those pursuing professional careers and those dancing for personal enrichment. The school is directed by Tara Penick, with Judy Jacob serving as Professional Training Program Director.
The school offers divisions including Children’s Division (ages 4–7), Lower Division (ages 8–14), Middle Division (ages 11+), Upper Division (ages 14–18), Adult Division (age 15–adult), Trainee Program (ages 17+), and Studio Company (ages 19+). Students study ballet alongside character dance, modern, and theatre dance. Classes feature live musical accompaniment, and students train with faculty who include former professional dancers. Performance opportunities include the SRB Ensembles (ages 11–18) and auditions for Richmond Ballet company productions such as The Nutcracker. The school also offers a Summer Intensive (ages 12–21) with instruction from school faculty, company members, and guest artists.
The School of Richmond Ballet is the official school of Richmond Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia. It is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization that creates a warm, caring environment and cultivates an inclusive culture of support while offering superior quality training and fostering a love and joy of dance.
The School of Richmond Ballet is located at 407 East Canal Street, Richmond, VA 23219. The school operates in a state-of-the-art ballet facility described as one of the finest dance facilities on the East Coast. Free parking is available in the Richmond Ballet lot directly next to the building, with additional parking options available after 4pm in the O lot across from Canal Street and street parking.
The school offers ballet, character dance, modern, and theatre dance classes across multiple divisions including Studio Company, Trainee Program, Children’s Division, Lower Division, Middle Division, Upper Division, Adult Division, and SRB Ensembles. Additional programs include Summer Intensive, Summer Camps and Classes, and ballet-themed birthday parties. Classes feature live accompaniment and training with professional dancers and internationally known dance educators. Students can watch company rehearsals, be mentored by company dancers, and receive tickets to Richmond Ballet performances as part of their tuition.
Students of all ages can join the school, from those aspiring to professional ballet careers to those who want to enrich their lives through dance. The school welcomes children, teens, and adults. New students with previous training must be placed by faculty before enrollment, and placement classes can be scheduled by contacting the school.
The school caters to ages 4 through adult across its various programs. Children’s Division serves ages 4-7, Lower Division ages 8-14, Middle Division ages 11 and up, Upper Division ages 14-18, Adult Division ages 15 and up, Studio Company ages 19 and up, Trainee Program ages 17 and up, SRB Ensembles ages 11-18, Summer Intensive ages 12-21, and Summer Camps ages 4-13.
Yes, the school offers multiple opportunities for dancers including auditions for SRB Ensembles and Richmond Ballet company productions such as The Nutcracker. Students can watch professional company rehearsals and be mentored by company dancers. Upper Division and Middle Division students have performance opportunities with the SRB Ensemble and Richmond Ballet professional company productions. Middle Division students perform in the Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre in the School of Richmond Ballet Workshop. Summer Intensive alumni have gone on to join Richmond Ballet and other leading ballet companies worldwide.
The school emphasizes classical ballet technique with programs that incorporate barre and center work. Children’s Division students dance to live music and study elements of story ballets including costumes, scenic elements, and music. Middle Division provides in-depth study of classical technique with pointe work for girls and men’s work for boys. Upper Division emphasizes classical ballet technique combined with modern, character dance, and theatre dance. Adult Division classes teach classical ballet technique, ballet-based barre workouts, organic and expressive modern movement, and musical theatre dance fundamentals. Advancement is based on skill and accomplishment rather than age.
Yes, the school offers performances and audition opportunities. Students can audition to perform in Richmond Ballet company productions such as The Nutcracker. Middle Division students perform in the Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre in the School of Richmond Ballet Workshop. Upper Division students have performance opportunities with the SRB Ensemble and Richmond Ballet professional company productions.
The school can be contacted by phone at 804.344.0906 or by email at enrollment@richmondballet.com. For mid-year enrollment, contact enrollment@richmondballet.com or call 804.344.0906 x239. Additional contacts include Maren Topp, SRB Student and Family Administrator at 804.344.0906 x222 or mtopp@richmondballet.com, and Amanda Brook, SRB Administrative Manager at 804.344.0906 x239 or abrook@richmondballet.com.