Pre-professional training for dancers ages 8-18
School of Nashville Ballet faculty members carefully nurture each Academy student’s technical execution, artistic expression, and maturity. Through careful development and attention to the syllabus, our instructors implement a curriculum that is designed to produce dancers with both expressiveness and clear classical lines. This guidance enables students to develop their own artistry, while pure classical technique provides the vehicle for their artistic expression.
ENROLLMENT GUIDELINES
Academy Division assignment is based on a placement exam according to age, ability, and experience.
New Students
Students seeking admission into the Academy Division must audition for placement. Open auditions are held twice a year in the spring and fall. To inquire about a placement class outside of open auditions, please contact School of Nashville Ballet at 615-297-2966 x910 or school@nashvilleballet.com.
Current Students
School of Nashville Ballet’s Children’s Division is a natural feeder into the Academy Division. Students graduating from Pre-Ballet III in the Children’s Division are notified of their acceptance into Level 1 of the Academy by mid-April. Students currently enrolled in the Academy are notified of their level placement for the following year by mid-April as well.
2026-2027 School Year
August 17, 2026 - May 8, 2027
The Lower Academy (Levels 1-3) at School of Nashville Ballet serves as the foundation of our Academy Division, focusing on building strong technical basics, musicality, and discipline in a supportive environment. Students in these levels begin formal training in classical ballet, developing coordination, strength, and flexibility. Emphasis is placed on body alignment, foundational vocabulary, and classroom etiquette, all of which prepare dancers for the increasing demands of the upper levels.
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Students learn basic stance, physicality in turnout, essential vocabulary, and fundamental
Annual Tuition: $2,715 + $100 Registration Fee
Instructional Hours per Week: 3.5 hours
Payment Plan: 20% Down + Monthly Installments through AprilMeets 2 days per week.
Level 1A
Mondays from 4:30-6 p.m.
Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Level 1B
Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m. -
Students gain a more expansive ballet vocabulary and begin to master the fundamentals. Classes emphasize strength and flexibility, increased physicality, and more complex movement patterns.
Annual Tuition: $2,850 + $100 Registration Fee
Instructional Hours per Week: 6.5 hours
Payment Plan: 20% Down + Monthly Installments through AprilMeets 3 days per week.
Level 2A
Mondays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Fridays from 4:30-7 p.m.
Level 2B
Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Thursdays from 5:30-8 p.m.
Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. -
Students delve more deeply into complex movement patterns, learn more vocabulary, increase linking combinations (en chainments), across-the-floor movement, focus on strength and conditioning, and an added jazz class. Level 3 now starts Pre-Pointe and working on foot and ankle strength.
Annual Tuition: $4,500 + $100 Registration Fee
Instructional Hours per Week: 10 hours
Payment Plan: 20% Down + Monthly Installments through AprilMeets 4 days per week.
Mondays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Tuesdays from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Fridays from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
The Upper Academy (Levels 4-6) is designed for students who have mastered the fundamentals and are prepared for more rigorous training. These levels include advanced barre and center work, pointe and pre-pointe technique, variations, and partnering. Dancers refine their artistry, physical endurance, and stage presence while deepening their understanding of ballet as both a discipline and a performance art. The Upper Academy also provides increased performance opportunities, preparing students for professional careers or advanced collegiate-level training.
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Areas of focus include ballet technique, stretch and conditioning, corps de ballet class, character and pointe. Students solidify foundational vocabulary and increase awareness of presentation and artistic sensibility. Students focus on strengthening feet and ankles for more pointe work.
Annual Tuition: $4,645 + $100 Registration Fee
Instructional Hours per Week: 13.5 hours
Payment Plan: 20% Down + Monthly Installments through AprilMeets 5 days per week.
Mondays from 6-8:30 p.m.
Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Wednesdays from 4:30-8 p.m.
Fridays from 4:30-7 p.m.
Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. -
Classes include ballet technique, pointe, stretch and conditioning, variations, and contemporary. Students experience more pointe work in Level 5 and work toward mastery of all foundational vocabulary. Level 5 is offered as a two-year progression.
Annual Tuition: $4,775 + $100 Registration Fee
Instructional Hours per Week: 16 hours
Payment Plan: 20% Down + Monthly Installments through AprilMeets 6 days per week.
Mondays from 6-8:30 p.m.
Tuesdays from 5-8:30 p.m.
Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m.
Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Fridays from 4:30-7 p.m.
Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. -
Curriculum emphasizes ballet technique, pointe, stretch and conditioning, variations, corps de ballet selections, and contemporary. Students develop turning sequences and allegro, bigger movement and bravura, complex movement patterns, and skills in dynamics. Major areas of focus are developing artistry, strength-building, stamina, speed, and dynamics. After completing at least two years of Level 6, students have the skills to advance into a professional program, such as Nashville Ballet’s Professional Division.
Annual Tuition: $5,300 + $100 Registration Fee
Instructional Hours per Week: 17.5 hours
Payment Plan: 20% Down + Monthly Installments through AprilMeets 6 days per week.
Mondays from 6-8:30 p.m.
Tuesdays from 6-8:30 p.m.
Wednesdays from 6-8:30 p.m.
Thursdays from 4-8 p.m.
Fridays from 4:30-7 p.m.
Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Daytime Academy Program - NEW!
The Daytime Academy Program is designed for students who are homeschooled, enrolled in online academic programs, or have flexible school schedules. Offered during afternoon hours, this program provides a focused training environment for dancers seeking a more consistent and immersive approach to their development within the Academy Division.
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Students in our Daytime Academy Program train in a structured daytime setting with an emphasis on technical progression, strength, and artistry. This schedule supports the integration of academic studies with increased training opportunities, allowing for a balanced and disciplined approach to both. Consistent attendance, focus, and full participation are essential. Enrollment is by placement and intended for students who demonstrate a serious commitment to their training.
Annual Tuition: $4,775 + $100 Registration Fee
Instructional Hours per Week: 15.5 hours
Payment Plan: 20% Down + Monthly Installments through AprilMeets 6 days per week.
Monday
Conditioning 12:30-1 p.m.
Technique 1-2:30 p.m.
Modern/Contemporary 2:30-3:30 p.m.Tuesday
Conditioning 1-1:30 p.m.
Technique 1:30-3 p.m.
Pointe 3-3:30 p.m.Wednesday
Technique 1:15-2:45 p.m.
Pre-Pointe/Pointe 2:45-3:30 p.m.Thursday
Jazz 1-1:45 p.m.
Technique 2-3:30 p.m.Friday
Conditioning 12:30-1 p.m.
Technique 1-2:30 p.m.
Pre-Pointe/Pointe 2:30-3:30 p.m.Saturday
Conditioning 10:30-11 a.m.
Technique 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Character/Repertoire 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Pre-Professional Level
The Pre-Professional Level, the highest level of the Academy Division, is offered during morning hours and is ideal for students who are home-schooled or enrolled in online academic programs. This schedule allows dancers to integrate their academic studies with focused, high-level ballet training during the day, supporting both their educational and artistic development in a balanced and immersive environment.
Education Outside the Studio
LAUREL SPRINGS SCHOOL (K–12)
School of Nashville Ballet is excited to announce our new partnership with Laurel Springs School, a fully accredited, private online school for students K-12. Founded in 1991, Laurel Springs School offers challenging and flexible programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. With college prep academics, they have a 91% college acceptance rate. Laurel Springs School graduates enter the most selective colleges and universities of their choice in the U.S. and throughout the world. Click here to view a sample of Laurel Springs School college acceptance list.
Online schools such as Laurel Springs School offer pre-professional dancers who are still in high school the flexibility they need to achieve academic success without sacrificing hours spent training for a career in dance. We have chosen to partner with Laurel Springs School because they allow students and their families to set their own graduation goal, and will work with you to ensure you meet each deadline while being mindful of your requirements as an aspiring professional dancer. To learn more about Laurel Springs School, visit their website or contact us at school@nashvilleballet.com. Brochures and additional information is available upon request.
To enroll in Laurel Springs School, please contact Laurel Springs School directly at 484-653-3445. Make sure to mention that you are a student at School of Nashville Ballet!
Enrollment and Tuition Policy
School of Nashville Ballet reserves the right to cancel classes due to lack of enrollment. Cancelled classes will be prorated and refunded. Enrollment is for the entire semester. There is no proration for scheduling conflicts. Classes are not transferable to other students.
Questions?
For additional assistance, please contact School of Nashville Ballet at 615-297-2966 x910 or school@nashvilleballet.com.