At Saint Joseph Ballet, dance moves low-income youth to thrive and develop a sense of accomplishment.  Youth once considered ‘at-risk’ learn to manage risk, through:

• Year-round dance classes in modern and ballet
• In depth, original collaborations with recognized professional choreographers
• Performing opportunities, working alongside talented designers in producing work of high theatrical value
• Workshops and specific projects designed to teach the art of choreography, improvisation, and other dance genres
• Residencies of professional modern dance companies

The comprehensive dance program helps teach youth:

• To feel ownership over their physical bodies
• Encourage new paths of thought
• Have an embodied sense of community
• Retain their ability to access the pleasure of healthy play
• Be able to keep a ready and adaptable mind set
• Reap the benefits of sound physical exercise
• Develop a sense of compositional aesthetics
• Feel safe to explore and express themselves
• Receive high quality dance training
• True physical education by learning how the body works and gaining a better mind/body connection through this knowledge
• Discover their own artistic instincts
• Take risks
• To access the soul through the artistic experience 

The Dance Program serves 400 registered students, ages 9 to 19.  Fifteen levels of proficiency in 28 ballet and 20 modern classes are offered each week.  20 classes are accompanied by live musicians.

Auditions are held each Fall.  Although no prior dance training is needed we are eager to welcome those students with a desire to dance and succeed academically.   In 2005, 94 students were accepted out of 172 auditioning youth. 

Outreach  DanceFree Weeks – energetic dance and self-esteem workshops that go out to 20 - 25 schools in low-income neighborhoods in 4 school districts.  Saint Joseph Ballet’s cool, young professional instructors taught more than 2500 students in 2005.      

Residencies Limon Dance Company in 2003, sponsored by the Surdna Foundation, Inc. of New York.  Streb dancers in 2001, Ballet Tech Company in 1999, sponsored by the Irvine Barclay Theatre.  In intensive weeks of technique and rep classes, students dance beside professional performers.  Students are motivated to excel.  Residencies are an absorbing education in arts and life that lasts – see Alumni Update on Omar Olivas.     

Artistic Staff  Bios of Artistic Directors, faculty, musicians, choreographers, and designers that offer high quality art-making opportunities and mentoring relationships to youth.