SJDT Ballet Academy
Explore our structured and comprehensive ballet training, designed for every stage of a dancer’s journey. As dancers progress through our level system, they receive a gradual increase in dance training that is both age appropriate and individualized.


Pre-Ballet B
Ages 5-6 | 60min | 1 class/week
Pre-Ballet B continues building a strong foundation by introducing the basic structure of a ballet class while maintaining creativity and imagination appropriate for young children.
Tuition
or 4 installments of
(Spring $410 | 5 installments of $82)
- Saturday 9:45-10:45
- Saturday 11:45-12:45

Level 1
Ages 6-8 | 60min | 2 classes/week*
Level 1 marks the beginning of formal ballet training. Students begin learning the fundamental principles of classical ballet through carefully structured exercises that develop proper posture, coordination, musicality, flexibility, and body awareness.
*2 Classes Required
Tuition
or 10 installments of
payment
- Tuesdays and Friday 5:00-6:00pm
- Wednesday 5:00-6:00pm and Saturday 9:00-10:00am

Level 2
Ages 7-10 | 1.25hr | 2 classes/week*
Level 2 builds upon the foundation established in Level 1 as students develop greater strength, balance, coordination, and technical understanding.
*2 Classes Required
Tuition
or 10 installments of
payment
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays 6:00-7:15pm
- Wednesday and Fridays 6:00-7:15pm

Level 3
Ages 8-12 | 4.5HR | 3 classes/week
Level 3 introduces students to more complex technical work while strengthening classical ballet fundamentals. Dancers continue refining placement, coordination, flexibility, and musicality while developing greater control, precision, and artistry.
Tuition
or 10 installments of
payment
- Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays 4:30-6:00

Level 4
3 Days/week | 5HR of instruction
Level 4 continues refining classical technique while encouraging greater artistic expression and confidence. Students work toward improved balance, coordination, strength, and movement quality through increasingly challenging combinations while reinforcing healthy technical habits.
*Placement Classes Required
Tuition
or 10 installments of
payment
- Mondays and Fridays 6:00-7:30
- Tuesdays 6:00-8:00

Level 5
4 days/week | 7.25HR of instruction
Level 5 continues refining classical technique while developing increased strength, endurance, precision, and artistic maturity. At the discretion of the faculty, dancers will be approved for pointe shoes once proper alignment, placement, strength, focus, and maturity are consistent throughout their classwork.
*Placement Classes Required
Tuition
or 10 installments of
payment
- Mondays 5:00-6:45
- Wednesdays, Thursdays 5:00-7:00
- Saturdays 10-11:30
Level 6
5 days/week | 10.5HR of instruction
Level 6 represents the transition into advanced ballet training, emphasizing technical excellence, artistry, and personal responsibility. Students continue refining advanced ballet vocabulary, pointe work, performance quality, and musical interpretation while developing confidence and independence as young artists.
*Placement class requiredTuition
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 4:30-7:00
- Wednesdays 5:00-7:00
- Saturdays 10:00-11:00
Level 7
6 days/week | 12.5HR of instruction
Level 7 represents the highest level of training within SJDT Academy. Students continue refining their technical abilities while developing artistry, professionalism, and individual expression. Advanced repertoire, pointe work, conditioning, and performance experiences prepare dancers for collegiate dance programs, pre-professional training, or lifelong participation in the performing arts.
*Placement class requiredTuition (Spring 2026)
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 4:30-7:00
- Wednesdays 5:00-7:00
- Friday 4:30-6:30
- Saturdays 10:00-11:00
Welcome to San Jose Dance Theatre Ballet Academy!
We believe every child deserves exceptional ballet training in a positive, supportive, and inspiring environment. Our structured curriculum, from Pre-Ballet through Pre-Professional levels, helps students develop strong technique, artistry, confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of dance.
Our experienced faculty place special emphasis on healthy body alignment, musicality, creativity, and the individual growth of every dancer. Whether your child is taking their very first ballet class or preparing for advanced training, we are committed to helping each student reach their fullest potential.
We look forward to welcoming your family to the SJDT community.
Scholarships & Tuition Assistance
Investing in the Next Generation of Artists
At San Jose Dance Theatre, we believe every child with a passion for dance should have the opportunity to train, grow, and perform; regardless of financial circumstances. Through the generosity of our donors and supporters, SJDT offers several scholarship and tuition assistance programs designed to make high-quality ballet education more accessible to talented young dancers throughout our community.
Scholarships are available to current and prospective students enrolled in the SJDT Academy.
Tuition Assistance Program
SJDT’s Tuition Assistance Program helps families who need financial support to participate in our academy training programs.
Awards are based on demonstrated financial need, available funding, and student commitment. Assistance may be awarded for Fall, Spring, and select Summer programs.
Highlights:
- Available to full-time SJDT Academy students
- Awards are reviewed each semester
- Tuition assistance applies to academy tuition only
- Recipients serve as ambassadors for SJDT
- Volunteer participation is required
- Students must maintain strong attendance, effort, and professionalism
Support a Scholarship
Scholarships are funded through the generosity of donors who believe in the transformative power of dance.
A gift to SJDT’s Scholarship Fund helps ensure that talented young dancers have access to exceptional training, performance opportunities, and artistic mentorship regardless of financial circumstances.
Together, we can make dance accessible for every child who dreams of stepping into the studio.
SJDT is committed to building a dance community that reflects the rich cultural diversity of Santa Clara County.
The Diversity Scholarship Program provides tuition support to students from historically underrepresented communities in classical ballet. Our goal is to create greater access to dance education while fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all young artists.
Program Goals:
- Increase access to ballet training
- Support students from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Expand representation within the arts
- Strengthen connections between SJDT and the communities we serve
Merit Scholarships are awarded by the Artistic Director to dancers who demonstrate exceptional talent, dedication, artistry, and potential for advanced training or a professional career in dance.
Recipients are recognized as leaders within the academy and ambassadors for San Jose Dance Theatre.
Merit Scholarship recipients may:
- Receive tuition support based on artistic merit
- Be featured in SJDT productions and special events
- Represent SJDT at performances, outreach events, and VIP engagements
- Serve as role models for younger dancers
SJDT Studio Company and The Ballet Alliance
In Spring of 2024, SJDT was accepted into the prestigious Ballet Alliance. This national organization of pre-professional ballet schools offers membership companies master classes, scholarship opportunities, performances at professional venues, mentoring, and networking with nationally recognized ballet professionals.
Our Studio Company is comprised of our most advanced students in the Academy and is an invitation-only group of dancers interested in more performance opportunities and artistic development. We will be traveling to participate in the annual Ballet Alliance Festival. Please consider supporting these young artists by donating through the link below. Your contributions will help ease the cost of travel expenses to the Festival.
Donate to our Academy Scholarship fund!
At San Jose Dance Theatre, we believe that every child deserves the chance to dance—regardless of their financial circumstances.Your gift to San Jose Dance Theatre helps ensure eligible dancers are given the opportunity to train at our academy.
