Pre-Ballet tuition is due in full ($240 – $325 per term) before the student begins classes.
An Artful, Movement-Oriented Foundation
Our Pre-Ballet sessions and our Creative Movement sessions are for students between the ages of 3 to 5 years old. These classes run for 10 to 15 weeks during the annual session, meeting once a week for 45 minutes. Our ballet classes for kids in Portland build a strong foundation in dance for their future growth and development.
Class Registration
To register* for a Creative Movement or Pre-Ballet class:
- FIRST – Enroll and pay for your preferred class. Enroll your child based on their age at the start of each term. Students 3 years old must be of age prior to beginning classes. See below for enrollment links.
- SECOND – Complete the registration form and handbook acknowledgement by clicking the “2025–2026 Annual Session Registration Form” link in your enrollment confirmation email.
*Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet students must be potty-trained and able to attend class independently of their parent or caregiver.
Please read Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet class expectations here.
2025-2026 School Year
Fall Term: September 2 – December 13, 2025
Ages 3–5 | 14 weeks | 45 minutes per class | $304
Ages 3, 4 & 5 – Creative Movement
Choose one or more: Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday
- TUESDAY: 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
- FRIDAY: 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
- SATURDAY: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
- SATURDAY: 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Register for Creative Movement
Ages 4 & 5 – Pre-Ballet
- SATURDAY: 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
- SATURDAY: 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Performances for Younger Students
Petit Dancer Performances
Designed for Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and Primary students. Held twice annually at the BodyVox Dance Center. 2025–2026 session dates: December 7 and May 31. A positive and encouraging introduction to performing on stage. This wonderful opportunity is available for students enrolled in the fall, winter, and spring terms. These performances are strongly encouraged, though optional.
Winter Term: January 5 – March 21, 2026
Ages 3–5 | 11 weeks | 45 minutes per class | $241
Ages 3, 4 & 5 – Creative Movement
Choose one or more: Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday
- TUESDAY: 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
- FRIDAY: 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
- SATURDAY: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
- SATURDAY: 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Register for Creative Movement
Ages 4 & 5 – Pre-Ballet
- SATURDAY: 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
- SATURDAY: 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Spring Term: March 30 – June 6, 2026
Ages 3–5 | 10 weeks | 45 minutes per class | $220
Ages 3, 4 & 5 – Creative Movement
Choose one or more: Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday
- TUESDAY: 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
- FRIDAY: 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
- SATURDAY: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
- SATURDAY: 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Register for Creative Movement
Ages 4 & 5 – Pre-Ballet
- SATURDAY: 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
- SATURDAY: 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Performances for Younger Students
Petit Dancer Performances
Designed for Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and Primary students. Held twice annually at the BodyVox Dance Center. 2025–2026 session dates: December 7 and May 31. A positive and encouraging introduction to performing on stage. This wonderful opportunity is available for students enrolled in the fall, winter, and spring terms. These performances are strongly encouraged, though optional.
More About Our Classes for Younger Students
Creative Movement (3-5 years) is a playful introduction to ballet fundamentals through storytelling and imagery. This class encourages self-expression and confidence while teaching basic ballet etiquette and French terminology. With flexible dress code options, it’s perfect for children who thrive in a creative and supportive environment.
Pre-Ballet (4-5 years) This engaging class introduces young dancers to the joy and structure of classical ballet in a nurturing and imaginative environment. Designed for children who are ready for more routine and focus, Pre-Ballet 4–5 blends creative movement with foundational ballet technique. Students will explore musicality, rhythm, spatial awareness, and basic ballet terminology through age-appropriate exercises and games. The class introduces elements of traditional ballet structure—such as warm-up, center work, and simple jumps—while encouraging self-expression through storytelling, pantomime, and improvisation. With a consistent dress code and a focus on ballet class traditions, this level helps build confidence, coordination, and a love for dance, preparing students for the transition to more formal training in the Primary level.
If you are interested in joining a session that is in progress please email schoolofobt@obt.org to register!
Skill-Centered, Experiential Learning
For decades, OBT School has been a place where young dancers have discovered their potential, built lasting friendships, and found joy in the discipline and beauty of ballet. Thank you to our students, families, and supporters—you are at the heart of everything we do.
Our curriculum reflects a shared vision: to shape dancers who are not only technically strong but also versatile, thoughtful, and artistically curious. Our students are rising to the challenge, and their growth shines through in every class and performance.
At OBT, we remain rooted in classical tradition while embracing the ever-evolving world of dance. We strive to nurture each dancer’s individuality, building confidence, focus, and resilience—skills that serve them on stage and beyond. Above all, we are committed to fostering a community where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Parking – Please park along Bancroft or another nearby street.
- Arrival – Please plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before class, though no earlier than 10 minutes, and accompany your student into the lobby to be received by an OBT staff member. Students will be supervised by a staff member. Please prioritize your child arriving early so they have adequate time to prepare for class, both physically and mentall, and get the most out of the day’s instruction.
- To support a focused learning environment and safety, we ask that all Pre-Ballet, Creative Movement, and Primary parents and guardians either drop their student at the front door or remain in the lobby. Parents are not allowed in the studios unless it is observation week.
- Preparation for Class – Upon arrival, please report to the front door. Students should arrive already dressed in the OBT School dress code, with street clothes on top. Students will prepare for class and leave their belongings in the lobby. OBT School’s dressing rooms are off-limits to Pre-Ballet, Creative Movement, and Primary students.
- Late Arrivals – Pre-Ballet, Creative Movement, and Primary students will be assembled and led by the teacher or student assistant from the lobby to class at the appropriate time. Any late arrivals should report to the OBT School staff.
- During Class – Families can enjoy the local shops, eateries, and waterfront. Families are permitted to enter the building and remain in the lobby, but not observe class until observation week.
- After Class – At the conclusion of class, the teacher will return students to the main lobby. After preparing to leave, Pre-Ballet, Creative Movement, and Primary students will leave the building via the front door when their parent or guardian is present. Please be present and available to pick up your child at the end of the scheduled class time.
Family members are invited into our studios for the first day of our annual session during Fall family orientation. They will have the opportunity to meet the staff, faculty, and pianists and hear the necessary information for the year ahead.
Our Pre-Ballet, Creative Movement, and Ballet classes for kids in Portland will have a soft-start orientation on the first day of the term to encourage parents and families to familiarize themselves with our teachers, policies, and facilities. Family observation is permitted during designated periods throughout the school year. During these periods, each level will be assigned specific days and times for observation.
To accommodate observation during this period, class schedules and times may change, and some classes may be combined. Due to space constraints, the number of guests per student for family observation periods at OBT School is limited.
Guests are asked to utilize street parking as the parking lot is for employees only. We ask that you arrive prior to the start of the class or wait to enter until instructed by staff. Photography, videography, and recording of any kind during class are prohibited, and mobile phones must be switched off. Please remember you are attending a live class, and be respectful of both your students’ and their classmates’ learning.
OBT School is dedicated to providing a healthy, nurturing, and safe environment within ballet classes for kids in Portland. From the state-of-the-art sprung floors in our studios to injury prevention workshops, we are continually working to find ways to support our students’ health and well-being. We strongly believe that a healthy student in mind and body makes for a successful student, and we are committed to this goal.
Become a Student
Photo Credits:
Katarina Svetlova with OBT School Students | Photos by Jingzi Zhao
Video Credits:
OBT School students, Katarina Svetlova, Dani Rowe, and Kate Robbins | Video by Matthew Tomac
