top of page
C43803AD-B92F-46BC-B3C2-05BA1821E6FE.jpeg

Ballet Arts Studio

Mission Statement

AT BALLET ARTS STUDIO, we focus on individual artistry and technical excellence, within a disciplined, respectful environment, not only to create professional dancers, performers and artists, but also to transform young people into confident adults who are critical thinkers with curious, imaginative minds.  Our students gain the resources needed to fulfill their potential, lead meaningful lives, and realize dreams.

 

For sixty-three years, Ballet Arts Studio has been fulfilling that mission for children of all ages.  At Ballet Arts Studio, and the Dutchess Dance Company (our pre-professional dance company), we know that there is nothing that compares with conservatory-based dance training for teaching children and young adults the meaning, joy and fulfillment that comes from commitment and hard work– all in the context of the beautiful art form that is dance.  The value of our programs is measured each day, when the students see the results of that discipline, commitment and hard work in their own bodies and in their developing artistry.

 

Founded originally as "Ballets Arts Foundation, Inc.", Ballet Arts Studio utilizes a progressive, modern and "American" approach to Agrippina Vaganova's ballet curriculum and technique.  Over the years, our program has grown to include The Dutchess Dance Company, focusing on professional-level performance experiences as a means to artistic growth and development and a full length production of The Nutcracker, co-produced with Ballet Rockland.

 

Ballet Arts Studio and The Dutchess Dance Company center around a complete approach to learning, individual growth, and technical and artistic development.  The faculty at Ballet Arts Studio and The Dutchess Dance Company nurture positive attitudes and attributes in students so that they can fully develop their personal and creative potential.  Welcome to Ballet Arts Studio and The Dutchess Dance Company, where children of all ages experience personal and artistic transformation.

 

Sincerely,
Katie Bissinger
Artistic Director

Mission Statement
Facility
Ballet-Arts-Studio--Studio-One_edited.jpg

Studio One at Ballet Arts Studio

The Ballet Arts Studio Facility

The BAS school facility includes a performance size main studio (Studio I), a lower level studio (Studio 2), in addition to a classroom, waiting areas, dressing rooms, and offices. Both studios have fully sprung floors.

Ballet Arts Studio and The Dutchess Dance Company are located in the thriving community of Beacon, New York.  In addition to shops, art galleries and an antiques district, Beacon is the home of Dia: Beacon Riggio Galleries, featuring one of the largest contemporary art collections in the world.

Classes

Classes at BAS

Take More Chances, Dance More Dances

Performances

Performances at BAS

The Nutcracker, co-produced with Ballet Rockland, Winter Tidings and the Holiday Showing of the Curriculum are the studio's formal and informal December performances celebrating the holiday season. Dancers in classes from Lower School II Ballet and up are invited to audition and participate in The Nutcracker, Preparation for Ballet, Lower School I Ballet and Dutchess Dance Company participate in Winter Tidings and all dancers will be featured in the Holiday Showing of the Curriculum.

   

Our Spring Concert is the culmination of our dancers' training and work over the school year. For many years, we have been performing at Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, which provides high production value and the dancers the thrill of performing at a professional venue with all the glamour of a beautiful historic theater.       

   

Studio performances at Ballet Arts Studio provide an intimate atmosphere in which dancers can experience performance in a more informal setting.

     

The Dutchess Dance Company performs during our Spring Concert, and at other venues and community events throughout the year.

Student Achievements

After Ballet Arts Studio

Many Ballet Arts Students go on to achieve in advanced education and professional practice, including placements at the institutions and companies listed below, and many more.

American Ballet Theater    Dayton Ballet Company    Les Grands Ballet Canadiens    Pennsylvania Ballet Company    North Carolina Dance Theater    42nd Street on Broadway    Joffrey Ballet    Smuin Contemporary Ballet    Pacific Northwest Ballet    The State Street Ballet    Kansas City Ballet

2024_12_BalletArts_179.JPG

The 2023-2024 Dutchess Dance Company     Photo by Flynn Larsen 

Advanced Education

The School of American Ballet

The Ellison Ballet
Ballet Academy East
The American Ballet Theater School
American Ballet Theater Summer Programs
Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet
SLK Ballet New York City
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
The Juilliard School
The Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet
The Miami City Ballet School
The Ailey School ^
Houston Ballet School

Ballet Met
The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory
Kaatsbaan International Dance Center
The Miami City Ballet Summer Program

The San Francisco Ballet Summer Program

The Boston Ballet School Apprentice Program

The Rock School [Pennsylvania Ballet]
The Berlin State Opera Ballet School
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Summer Programs
The New York State Summer Schools of the 

   Arts, Ballet, Modern and Theater Divisions
Walnut Hill School for the Arts
The State Street Ballet Colleges
Barat Conservatory
Barnard College *
Boston College
Brandeis University

Brown University*
College of Saint Rose
Columbia University
Connecticut College

Duke University *

Goucher College

Hamilton College

Ithaca College (Doctoral Program)

Mary Mount Manhattan College *^

Mercyhurst College
University of Maryland ^
University of Michigan
University of Massachusetts
University of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University *
Point Park College ^
NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Sarah Lawrence College
Smith College
SUNY Binghamton, Buffalo, Geneseo, 

   New Paltz, Purchase ^
University of the Arts ^
Vanderbilt University *
Vassar College *
Wake Forest College

*  BAS alumnus who also achieved the distinction of high school valedictorian
^ BAS alumnus receiving an advanced education scholarship

bottom of page