The New Ballet School (NBS) in San Jose, California, is an American Ballet Theatre Certified School, and provides expert ballet training with a focus on dancer’s health. Additionally, child development classes are available for toddlers of the pre-professionals and drop-in adults featuring live music in the classroom. Providing unparalleled training for serious pre-professional ballet students, The New Ballet School is proud to feature the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum.
In the opinion of Dalia Rawson, the Executive Director, what separates their dance studio from other dance studios is their focus on training the “whole dancer.” Keeping in mind each student’s physical, emotional, and psychological health equips their students for success in whatever career path they choose and sets NBS apart from other rigorous classical ballet training programs.
Training at the New Ballet School focuses on developmentally appropriate instruction and dancer health for each student. Their certified teaching staff has many years experience bringing high quality artistic training to students ranging from 18 months to 22 years old. The majority of their staff has danced professionally and understands firsthand the elements required for an artist’s development.
Dalia’s proudest moment coaching is when they see their students succeed, both with placements in professional companies and with successes in rigorous academic programs at elite universities. When alumni tell them that they have helped them develop tools to succeed in life, there is nothing that makes them prouder.
In Dalia’s opinion, the biggest mistake she sees dancers make is being closed minded to a new approach or to new ideas. Being closed minded in this way limits a dancer. It is important to go into each class ready to think about things in a new way.
According to Dalia, this year they we will be premiering The San Jose Nutcracker, a new production that celebrates the history and heritage of their hometown. Her goal is to create a new holiday tradition for their students, their families and their community.
Dalia started her studio because there was a need in San Jose for a professional ballet school featuring the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum that focused on dancer health and child development. They have a wonderful team of teachers, staff, and Studio Company Dancers, and Dalia is excited to see what the future holds.
The New Ballet School Studio Company provides dancers interested in a professional career the opportunity to further develop their technique and artistry through a full day program of classes, rehearsals and performances. Their Studio Company performs throughout the Bay Area and includes talented artists ages 17 to 22.
They have four divisions at NBS – Pre-Primary, Primary, Junior Pre-Professional (JPP) and Senior Pre-Professional (SPP). Students enjoy classes in large, well equipped studios accompanied by live piano and have several performance opportunities during the year.
The Pre-Primary Division provides a fun introduction to movement fundamentals and ballet for students 18 months to five years old. The classes provided by professional faculty who encourage the success of each student. Professional teachers and live music in the classroom provide the Bay Area’s most inspiring dance program for young movers. Their Dance With Me classes for students ages 18 months to 2.5 years old include caregiver participation. Their Creative Movement classes for students 2.5 to 4 years old provide an energetic introduction to ballet basics. Pre-Primary Classes for students ages 4 to 5 years old provide a developmentally appropriate and fun introduction to the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum.
The Primary Division is an open-enrollment program that offers one class a week featuring professional ballet training in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Levels Primary A, B and C. All classes are developmentally appropriate for students ages 5 to 10 years old and promote discipline, creativity, and physical self-esteem while encouraging each dancer to reach their highest potential.
Classes in the Junior Pre-Professional Division for students 8 years old and above provide professional training featuring the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, Levels 1A-3B. Classes focus on building a solid foundation in ballet technique with an emphasis on proper placement and safe progressions of movement, while remaining sensitive to the developmental needs of younger dancers. Students enjoy classes in large, well equipped studios accompanied by live piano and have several performance opportunities during the year.
Classes in the Senior Pre-Professional Division feature expert training in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Levels 4A-6. Intended for students who strive for the level of excellence required to pursue a career in professional ballet, (whether or not that is a student’s ultimate career path), classes in the Senior Pre-Professional Division provide focused study in an elite atmosphere dedicated to the success of each student.
The majority of their Ballet Faculty, have decades of experience as professional ballet dancers and as ballet instructors, and all of their Ballet Faculty are Certified to teach the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. They have successfully placed students in professional ballet companies including Houston Ballet II, San Francisco Ballet, Semperoper Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet Trainee Program, Ballet San Jose, Silicon Valley Ballet, and The Royal New Zealand Ballet. Additionally, recent students of the Ballet Faculty are currently attending Princeton University, Harvard University, Cornel University, Columbia University, UC Irvine and UC Berkeley among other elite academic institutions.
The Senior Pre-Professional Division Faculty offers an elite training experience that maintains a strong focus on dancer health and child development for serious Bay Area ballet students. Dedication to promoting strong self-esteem, a positive body image, and the ability to focus on the process of developing technique and artistry over a period of years allows students to develop a quality of thought and action that leads to success no matter what their chosen career path.
If you would like more information about The New Ballet School, visit their website at www.newballetschool.org, call them at 408-352-5616 or email them at school@newballetschool.org. You can also “Like” them on Facebook and connect with them on Instagram.
Anyone who has danced at The New Ballet School, with Dalia Rawson or with any of the other instructors at NBS, is invited to comment on our blog.
. . . the biggest mistake she sees dancers make is being closed minded to a new approach or to new ideas.
