Ballet Arts Studio
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.
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-two 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
Facility
Our school facility includes a performance size main studio, a lower level studio and classroom, offices, waiting areas, and dressing rooms. 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 Reggio Galleries, featuring one of the largest contemporary art collections in the world.
Classes
Performances
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.
Professional Work
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
The 2023-2024 Dutchess Dance Company Photo by Flynn Larsen
Professional Schools
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