Students dream bigger alongside teaching artists who are patient and passionate about sharing how they experience the world through dance.
Bringing Ballet To Schools
Program Overview
Oregon Ballet Theatre cherishes the opportunity to share the art form of dance in meaningful ways. Our teaching artists work with educators across the state to bring dance into their classrooms via residencies and our Learn About Ballet (L.A.B.) program. Working with students of all ages, grade levels, cultural backgrounds, and abilities, we’re eager to share our knowledge—and our passion—through practicing basic dance vocabulary and helping students build coordination, musicality, self-confidence, and athleticism.
Dance For Every Body
Learn About Ballet (L.A.B.)
The OBTLAB program provides early exposure to the arts for students in Title 1 schools.
Supported by grants, schools receive up to 8 sessions for up to 10 classrooms. The first sessions in the fall focus on movement skills and dance vocabulary. Students then apply these foundational skills in the spring through choreography and creative exploration. LAB offers:
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- A creative movement residency with an OBT teaching artist
- 8-10 sessions for up to 3 grade bands
- Dance curriculum that supports classroom learning
- Field trips to OBT Student Performance Series
- Field trip to OBT Studios to see dancers training, costumes in the making, and other behind-the-scenes elements
- Transportation support
Inquire for current availability.
Dance Matters
As part of our mission to increase access to dance, we are so proud to partner with amazing organizations who serve historically underserved populations. With the support of donors and grant funding, we are able to offer dance classes at low or no cost. A wonderful example of one of OBT’s Dance Matters partnerships is with Albina Head Start.
Oregon Ballet Theatre has introduced classrooms of excited and inquisitive preschool students from Albina Head Start to the world of dance for the past 35 years. This partnership has provided and will continue to provide an invaluable bridge between a diverse group of students and the art form of ballet. Through dance sessions in their classrooms, field trips to the OBT studios, and no-cost tickets to George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, OBT and AHS have been committed to inspiring a love of movement within students for decades.
Get Started With Our School Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can’t find your answer?
Contact us.
Absolutely. Your teaching artist will take your preferences into account when designing dance workshops that suit your classroom’s physical, emotional, and academic needs.
We encourage all interested teachers and school administration to contact us.
Prices start at $60/session for Title 1 schools. Otherwise, rates are $75/session , but may vary depending on factors including how many instructors your class needs, the number of sessions you’d like to book in advance, and how long your class typically runs.
Yes! Our teaching artists are available to come to your school, camp, or organization and provide dance workshops to enrich your program.
Yes! Our teaching artists work with a large variety of groups to help increase flexibility and reduce injury. Learning ballet technique can help your athlete build foot and ankle strength, build flexibility in joints, and even fall more gracefully.
Photo Credits:
Sarah Ward-Brown with Portland students | Photo by Kelsey Hennessy; Portland students | Photos by Kelsey Hennessy, Skye Richter, and Tom Cook
