The Yuma Ballet Academy in Yuma, Arizona, is the official school of the Ballet Yuma, one of the best pre-professional ballet companies in the Country. The Academy concentrates on ballet and doesn’t have tap, acro, hip-hop, jazz or lyrical dance. They limit themselves to ballet classes because 
the Academy believes that a strong foundation in ballet is important. When their students have studied for several years, but no earlier than 4th grade, they add a modern class to their schedule. They also have an Early Childhood Dance Program for young children 3-6 years of age that provides a solid foundation in movement, music and creativity while fostering a love of dance.
Yuma Ballet does not do the typical dance school recital but does offer an end of the year showing of class work in a theatre setting. They provide simple tutus, skirts and headpieces to make this day special. For their students that are interested in a more comprehensive performance experience, they offer opportunities with their pre-professional company, Ballet Yuma. Children five years and up with at least one year of dance experience can be cast in their annual full-length Nutcracker. Once a dancer has reached the upper levels at the Academy, they can become a part of Ballet Yuma. They have three companies: Workshop Dancers for intermediate children 10-13, an Intermediate Company for older students ages 12-15 and the pre-professional company for the highest level student ages 13-20.
The sole Regional Dance America member from Arizona, Ballet Yuma emerged from its rural desert community 20 years ago to distinguish itself within the pre-professional dance community. Jon Cristofori and Kathleen Sinclair, the Company’s Artistic Directors from its inception to the present, have ensured Ballet Yuma’s ongoing dedication to technical and artistic excellence. Graduates have gone on to dance professionally with highly respected companies across the country and beyond, including City Ballet of San Diego, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Nouveau Colorado, Ballet Idaho, Louisville Ballet, Ballet San Jose, Atlanta Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Les Grands Ballet de Canadiens de Montreal, Sacramento Ballet, Trey McIntyre Project, Company C, Ballet Memphis, Houston Ballet, Texas Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet II and Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo.
In addition to its commitment to the singular art of ballet and contemporary dance, Ballet Yuma’s focus on artistic growth involves providing professionally produced performance experience to its young artists. High value is placed on interaction with a wide range of guest artists and professionals, resulting in the offering of master classes that are led by highly regarded guest instructors and exposure to original works commissioned from award-winning choreographers.
Kathleen believes the positive influence of the arts increases proportionally with the number of lives it touches. To this end Ballet Yuma presented special performances for thousands of local students during its 2013-2014 Season. When possible, guest performers are presented, broadening the experience of local audiences and dancers alike.
Ballet Yuma, through performance experience, Company training, and development from the earliest stages at its official school, Yuma Ballet Academy, provides a learning experience which extends a positive influence far beyond the dance floor. From Early Childhood Development classes to upper level training, from ballet to contemporary, students build personal discipline leading to a practiced professionalism in both preparation and performance. As evidenced by the numerous Ballet Yuma dancers who have been accepted to train with or have become members of professional companies, students are availed the opportunity to grow to the point that they are prepared to step into the professional world. Ballet Yuma has been awarded Honor Company status with RDA as much for the education is students receive as for their acknowledged excellence in performance.
Kathleen’s proudest moments as a teacher are when a dancer “graduates” from the Academy after years of effort, dedication and hard work. Not very many students make it all the way through high school and the ones that do persevere hold a special place in her heart.
The biggest mistakes she sees a dancer make when performing is not a technical dance mistake. She feels too many dancers do not take the time to learn proper stage make-up which results in either a garish look when makeup is done incorrectly or a washed out appearance when makeup is applied too lightly. It is important to take the time to learn stage makeup application from a pro and adjust their makeup according to the performance venue.
Kathleen believes that a well fitted pair of pointe shoes and a leotard that flatters their body type is a “must have” for every ballet dancer.
She has two goals for this year. The first is to choreograph along with her husband a new story ballet
for Spring 2015 and the second is to complete the addition of a private office and on-site storage for costumes/sets for Ballet Yuma at the Academy studio site.
Yuma Ballet Academy was started by Kathleen Sinclair and her husband, Jon Cristofori in the Fall of 1993. Kathleen says she once had someone tell her that she could never have a successful studio offering just ballet and not doing a yearly recital. She took on the challenge and never looked back. The resumes of both Jon and Kathleen detail their extensive training at prestigious schools and their many awards for both dance and choreography.
Kathleen believes their studio is one of the best in the nation because as are both financially and artistically successful!
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Yuma Ballet Academy or Ballet Yuma Company.
To learn more about Yuma Ballet Academy or Ballet Yuma go to their website at www.balletyuma.org or contact them at 928-314-4762 or email them at academyyba@roadrunner.com.
