Annual Session: Ages 7 - 22

OBT School’s Primary Level - Age 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 2026/27 school year begins in the studio on August 31, 2026.

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

Students must be 7 years old by August 31, 2026.

OBT School is in it’s third 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: $979 (36 Weeks)

Students may enroll in more than one section to accelerate their training.

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 2026/27 school year begins in the studio on August 31, 2026.

Rolling admission | Contact us to schedule a placement class

Students are required to be 8 years old by August 31, 2026.

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

Students 8-22 years old and 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.

Auditions

Welcome to the OBT School Annual Session Auditions.
We are delighted to invite you to audition for our distinguished Annual Session. Our faculty looks forward to observing your artistry, technical skill, and dedication to ballet, and to guiding each student toward their highest potential.

Who is required to audition?

• Students who were not enrolled in the 2025-2026 Annual Session or 2026 Junior Intensive or Senior Intensive programs
• Currently enrolled OBT School students are not required to audition. Please contact schoolofobt@obt.org for registration information.

Audition Overview

• Pre-registration is encouraged – walk-ups may be accommodated if space allows. Early registration is strongly encouraged to secure a spot as our auditions reach capacity
• Fee – $10
• Audition class sizes are limited to ensure quality instruction and attention to each dancer.
• Scholarships: Merit-based scholarships are considered for all; financial-need scholarships are available for accepted students.

Register for Auditions

 In-Person Audition Dates & Check-in:

• August 2
  • Ages 8-11
    • Registration & Check-in – 9:45 a.m.
    • Audition – 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
  • Ages 12-22
    • Registration & Check-in – 10:30 a.m.
    • Audition – 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Check-in: 15–30 minutes before class
• Format:
  • Barre and center on flat, unless instructed to wear pointe shoes by the instructor
  • Some dancers will be asked to remove their pointe shoes after a few combinations; others may be asked to continue on pointe for center work.
  • Pointe work is not required to attend our auditions and enroll in the Annual Session

What to Bring:

• Water bottle
• Pointe shoes if dancer has begun pointe
• No photos are required

Attire:

• Female Identifying dancers: Solid-color traditional leotard (no embellishments, lace, or mesh), full-length skin-tone or pink tights with matching ballet slippers, pointe shoes if appropriate. Tights should be worn under the leotard and in shoes. No skirts.
• Male Identifying dancers: Solid-color t-shirt or leotard, full-length black or gray tights, ballet slippers (with or without matching socks).
• Hair secured in a neat bun or safely secured off the face
• Only stud earrings; no other jewelry
• Positive attitude, readiness to work hard and your unique artistry!

Age Requirements:

• Ages 8–22
• Student may be asked to present proof of age, such as birth certificate or state ID

Registration Notes

• No exchanges or refunds.
• If an audition is cancelled or a registered student is unable to attend, a video audition may be submitted free of charge. Please contact OBT School with this request.
• Spaces are limited – register early!
• OBT reserves the right to update policies as needed.
• Students must follow studio guidelines and maintain professional behavior.

Audition Results

Results will be emailed within two weeks of the conclusion of the audition. Students may receive:

• Acceptance notifications – congratulations, you are invited to join the program
• Wait list notifications – you are on the wait list; we will contact you if a spot becomes available
• Placement suggestions – if a student is not accepted this year, we encourage continued training and future audition opportunities
• All students will be evaluated for the OBT School level which best supports their continued dance training and progress. For some students this means they may be placed in a level which is different from their previous dance school. Level designation is determined by audition adjudicators and will be communicated in acceptance notices.

Questions?
Email: schoolofobt@obt.org

Non-Discrimination Policy
OBT School welcomes all dancers and does not discriminate based on sex, race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

Aug. 5 Virtual Info. Session

OBT School will hold a live virtual informational session on Wednesday, August 5 from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity for prospective students and families to meet school staff and have your questions answered. Information will be shared on OBT’s curriculum, performance opportunities, class schedules and more. Register through our school database or click this link to join the meeting.

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 August 31, 2026. 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 August 26, 2026. To participate in the 2027 Annual School Performance production, students must be enrolled in the School’s Professional program by January 4, 2027. Students enrolled in the Demi program by January 4, 2027 may be invited to participate in the 2027 Annual School Performance at the School Director’s discretion.*

Dress Code

OBT School has put in place a comprehensive and supportive dress code for our students. The dress code allows for students to take their daily classes in dance wear allowing them to execute every dance step to their fullest ability while maintaining a studio environment free from distraction. Click here to view the dress code details.

Helpful Resources