Annual Session: Ages 6 - 22

OBT School’s Primary Level - Ages 6 - 7

OBT School’s Primary ballet classes are part of our Annual Session, a 36-week school year. OBT School is the official training ground of Oregon Ballet Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Students receive exemplary training from our world-class faculty, emphasizing pure classical technique and providing the necessary skills for young dancers to launch a professional career and their love of dance.

Our 2025/26 school year begins in the studio on September 2, 2025.

Rolling Admission | No audition required for the Primary ballet level.

Students must be 6 years old by September 2, 2025.

OBT School is in it’s second year of our curriculum implementation. Students are introduced to the most fundamental elements of ballet. You can learn more about the school year and curriculum here.

Tuition/Price per Primary section: $1,004 (36 Weeks)

Students may enroll in more than one section to accelerate their training. Click/tap here to enroll.

• Monday | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
• Thursday | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

OBT School’s Preparatory Division - Ages 8 - 22

OBT School’s Preparatory Division ballet classes make up our Annual Session, a 36-week school year. OBT School is the official training ground of Oregon Ballet Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Students receive exemplary training from our world-class faculty, emphasizing pure classical technique and providing the necessary skills for young dancers to launch a professional career and their love of dance.

Our 2025/26 school year begins in the studio on September 2, 2025.

Rolling Admission | No audition required

Students must be 8 years old by September 2, 2025.

OBT School is in it’s second year of our curriculum implementation. Students are introduced to the most fundamental elements of ballet. Students can now choose between two programs: Demi and Professional. You can learn more about the school year and curriculum here.

Demi

Our Demi Program students have a less demanding schedule and financial commitment to better support a student who loves to study ballet and is also pursuing other interests. These students will have an in-studio demonstration during the spring term and will be assessed by the school director for advancement. Advancement for this program may take more time due to less attendance and curriculum participation. There is much to be gained by participating in this program, such as discipline, work ethic, body awareness, self-confidence, personal growth, mental strength, and establishing a solid classical ballet foundation to aid in the continuation of ballet studies or other forms of dance. Students may transfer into the professional program if their priorities change.

Performance participation with OBT’s professional company and OBT School is by invitation only and not guaranteed with this program.

Professional

Our Professional Program is designed to complement our improved curriculum with the ideal number of training hours, with each class thoughtfully planned to best support the students’ progress and advancement. This program is best suited for students that wish to prioritize ballet training in their schedule. The Professional Program students will be invited to participate in our Annual School Performance and may audition for professional company performance opportunities like George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. They will also participate in our end of the year curriculum demonstrations, for Levels 3 – 6, both Professional and Demi, to receive feedback and better assess advancement by a panel of supportive OBT and guest instructors.

Registering for Classes

Primary Ballet students can register online. All other students new to OBT School can inquire about registration by contacting OBT School. Please include your child’s name, age, years of ballet/dance training, years on pointe, and current dance school.

Admissions

For ages 8 – 22

Rolling admission throughout the year. Prospective students, age 8 and above, are required to attend an audition or take a placement class to determine acceptance and level. Students must be 8 years old by September 2, 2025. Level placement is based on the student’s skill and strength.

Throughout the year, students receive exclusive opportunities to observe and train alongside OBT’s professional company members and may be selected to perform with OBT’s professional company in full-length productions at the Keller Auditorium and Newmark Theater. Only OBT School students are eligible to be considered for roles in these productions, including OBT’s annual production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®.

*Please note that in order to audition for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® students must be enrolled in OBT School’s Professional program by September 5, 2025. To participate in the 2026 Annual School Performance production, students must be enrolled in the School’s Professional program by January 5, 2026. Students enrolled in the Demi program by January 5, 2026 may be invited to participate in the 2026 Annual School Performance at the School Director’s discretion.*

Audition Seminar

November 2: Audition Seminar

Ages 11–14 | 90 minutes | $125

Ages 15–22 | 90 minutes | $125

10:00 AM–11:30 AM

Register for Audition Seminar

Seminar Includes:

• Practice Audition Class (1.5 hours): Experience a realistic audition environment.

• Individual Feedback Session (15 minutes): Receive personalized notes from OBT faculty.

• Performance Mindset Workshop (30 minutes): Build mental strength and focus under pressure.

• Audition Etiquette Discussion (15 minutes): Learn professional standards for success.

Schedule (subject to change):

10:00 AM–11:30 AM: Class

11:35 AM–12:35 PM: Audition Etiquette & Performance Mindset

12:35 PM–4:00 PM: Individual Feedback Sessions

Optional Add-On: Private Picture Pose Prep Session – November 2

Tuition: $100 | 45-minute private session | Limited availability

Work one-on-one with an OBT faculty coach to refine your headshot and dance poses for your audition portfolio.

Schedule (subject to change):

Sessions will take place between 12:30 PM–6:00 PM

Photography by Jingzi Zhao

Audition Seminar participants receive a special discounted rate for exclusive Spotlight Photo Sessions with award-winning dance photographer Jingzi Zhao.

Date: Sunday, November 2, beginning at 2:30 PM

Exclusive Rate: $350 (regularly $400)

Sessions are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

To book, visit jingziphotography.com/spotlight and mention OBT School Audition Workshop to receive the participant rate.

Private Variation Coaching – November 9 – Class: 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Private Sessions: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (1 hr. increments)

Tuition: $135 | 1-hour private session | Includes 1-hour warm-up class

Refine artistry, clarity, and stage presence through personalized coaching on your chosen variation with OBT faculty.

Video Content Coaching Session #1 – November 16 – Class: 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Private Sessions: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (2 hr. increments)

Tuition: $260 | 2-hour session | Includes 1-hour warm-up class

Prepare your choreography for video submission with focused coaching on performance quality, technique, and presence.

Video Content Filming Session #2 – November 23 – Class: 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Private Sessions: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (2 hr. increments)

Tuition: $260 | 2-hour session | Includes 1-hour warm-up class

Film your polished audition video under professional direction. Footage will be suitable for submission to schools and summer programs.

Need to Know: How to Prepare

1. Core Audition Seminar – November 2

• Arrive on time in your appropriate audition dance attire, shoes and hair.

• Bring a water bottle and any personal dance equipment (bands, resistance, etc.).

• Be prepared for a full-length class followed by individual feedback.

• Mindset & Etiquette Workshops: come ready to engage and take notes.

2. Private Picture Pose Prep Add-On

• Arrive with audition-specific poses prepared to practice. Dancer must research their desired school’s audition photo requirements.

• Bring a device (phone or tablet) so your instructor can take sample practice photos.

• Professional photos will not be taken, however practice images will be beneficial to bring to the dancers professional photo shoot.

3. Private Variation Coaching Add-On – November 9

• Prepare a fully learned and memorized variation that features your strengths.

• Bring a device if you’d like to record your run-through for feedback.

• Wear attire appropriate for both warm-up and private coaching. Optional practice tutu for pointe dancers.

4. Video Preparation & Filming Sessions Add-On – November 16 & 23

• Bring video requirements or audition instructions. Dancer must research their desired school’s audition video requirements.

• A device is needed for practice recordings or playback.

• For filming (Session 2), a support person is required to operate your camera or phone. Instructor will help with music and coaching.

• Wear attire that allows a clear view of lines and technique on camera.

5. General Tips for Success

• Come well-rested and nourished.

• Arrive early to check in and warm up. The studios will be open 20 minutes prior to the first class of the day.

• Be prepared to focus and engage fully in each session—this is your time to grow and shine!

• Listen carefully to your instructors and take notes during feedback.

• Bring snacks for potential wait times between one-on-one sessions.

• Bring quiet activities like books or homework to stay engaged during downtime.

Why Participate:

• Build confidence and composure for both live and video auditions

• Learn proven mental strategies for high-performance situations

• Receive individual feedback from OBT School faculty

• Develop audition-ready materials (photos, videos, and variation coaching)

Space is limited for all sessions. Early registration is strongly encouraged to ensure participation in this focused and high-impact series.

Helpful Resources

• Dress Code: Dress Code