Now accepting applications for our Fall Semester, beginning September 2026.

the ballet des moines academy

ABOUT THE ACADEMY

The Ballet Des Moines Academy, launching Fall 2026, will offer classical ballet technique-focused classes to dancers ages 6-18. All classes will follow a syllabus and include assessments by BDM Academy leadership each year. Depending on age and skill level, classes may be once or more times per week and may include pre-pointe, pointe work, contemporary, and repertoire. All classes will be offered pending interest and availability, and additional classes will be considered for programming in future years as the Academy expands.

Dancers may consider the BDM Academy as their primary home for dance training, or may supplement attendance at their current dance studios with our classes. While regular attendance is a requirement for enrollment, we do not require students to train exclusively with us.

Interested dancers will need to attend a placement class at BDM studios before the term begins.* Indication of interest in certain classes does not guarantee placement in said classes.

*There are three options for level placing:

  • If your dancer is attending BDM's Summer Intensive, additional placement class is not required

  • Your dancer may attend BDM's Nutcracker Audition on August 23

  • You may send a video audition to academy@balletdesmoines.org consisting of classical ballet barre, as well as center work, including adagio, pirouettes, petit allegro, grande allegro, and pointe work reflecting dancers current skillset.

INTEREST FORM 
What to Expect

The purpose of the BDM Academy is to offer the Central Iowa region access to professional classical ballet training, using a structured syllabus that nurtures the artistry, technique, and discipline inherent to the ballet industry. The vision of the Academy is to ensure that professional training opportunities exist for young Iowans

❋ Technical Excellence

Students at every level will benefit from a codified technical curriculum informed by the most rigorous international training systems, including Joffrey Ballet School, Royal Academy of Dance, and Vaganova Method. 

❋ Professionalism

Academy faculty members are experienced professionals from the ballet industry, including BDM company members and artistic staff, all with extensive knowledge of dancers physical health and wellbeing. 

❋ Clear Goal Setting

Formal assessments by Academy leadership will help students and their families track progress and set appropriate goals.

❋ Performance Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to audition for professional BDM productions like The Nutcracker and Cinderella, giving them professional stage experience and exposure to company dancers. 

❋ Community Accessibility

Needs-based full and partial scholarships are available. Please contact erin@balletdesmoines.org for more information on financial assistance.

❋ Cross-Disciplinary Learning

Parents are invited to watch class 1-2 times per year. “Watching Week” will be followed by opportunities for families and students to discuss their progress 1:1 with teachers and Academy leaders.

DANCER SKILL-LEVEL/AGE AND SYLLABUS

Mandatory Classes

Ages

Optional Classes

Mandatory Classes

Core Exercises

Syllabus

Level

Key Skills

Ages

Ages: 6-7
Ages are an approximation. Students will be placed in an appropriate level based on a mix of age and ability.

Foundational

1 ballet class
(60 mins)

Optional Classes

N/A

Syllabus

Students in Level 1 will focus on developing basic physical skills including posture, coordination, creative movement, and spatial awareness. 

Key Skills

Upon completion, Level 1 students will demonstrate correct alignment while standing, basic use of turnout, and weight transfer. Students should also demonstrate an understanding of rhythmic phrasing and basic ballet terminology.

Core Exercises

  • Barre: Warm-up, pliés, battement tendus, and relevés.
  • Center: Simple port de bras, walking on the demi-pointe, and small jumps (sautés).
  • Free Movement: Basic runs, skips, and imaginative sequences.

Elementary

Ages

Ages: 7-9

Mandatory Classes

1 ballet class
(60-75 mins)

Optional Classes

Contemporary

Syllabus

Students in Level 2 will transition to one-handed barre work and increased technical complexity. 

Key Skills

Upon completion, Level 2 students will demonstrate precise footwork, control, and developing artistry. Students will also establish basic coordination of head and arms (épaulement), sustained balance, and introductory pirouettes.

Core Exercises

  • Barre: Dégagé, rond de jambe à terre, développés, and grand battement in addition to Level 1 barre exercises.
  • Center: Adagio, preparation for turns, petite allegro (e.g., glissades, pas de chat)

Intermediate

Ages

Ages: 10-12

Mandatory Classes

1 ballet class
(90 mins)
 & 1 pre-pointe class (45 mins)

Optional Classes

Contemporary

Syllabus

Students in Level 3 will develop mastery of advanced classical technique, including complex allegro and extensive performance qualities. 

Key Skills

Upon completion, Level 3 students will demonstrate advanced strength and flexibility, confident pirouettes, strong adagio, and pre-pointe work.

Core Exercises

  • Barre: Level 2 barre exercises as well as fondus, fast frappés, petit battements, and grand rond de jambe en l’air.
  • Center: Level 2 center work as well as multiple pirouettes, one footed petite allegro steps, and grand allegro (e.g., grand jeté and sissone).
  • Pre-Pointe: Strength building exercises to allow dancers to build strong intrinsic muscles of the feet as well as lower leg muscle stamina. These exercises over time will help prepare dancers for pointe work.

Advanced

Ages

Ages: 13+

Mandatory Classes

2 ballet classes (90 mins each), 2 pointe classes (45 mins each)

Optional Classes

Contemporary

Syllabus

Students in level 4 will show mastery of advanced classical technique, including pointe work with emphasis on articulation of the feet, execution of classical variations, as well as skilled musicality and performance quality.

Key Skills

Upon completion, Level 4 students will show consistent execution of advanced exercises, strength and flexibility, confidence picking up choreography, fluid movement quality, and fluency in all ballet terminology.

Core Exercises

  • Barre: Level 3 barre work but with more complicated sequencing including advanced adagio and pirouettes at the barre.
  • Center: Level 3 center work as well as more complex petite allegro and classical variations.
  • Pointe: Focusing on proper placement and articulation of the feet in a pointe shoe. Center work consisting of advanced footwork also done at the barre as well as pirouettes and traveling turns.

INTERESTED in learning more?

Register your interest in the academy by clicking below.

BDM ACADEMY INTEREST

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Email academy@balletdesmoines.org.

  • There are 3 ways to be placed into a level for the BDM Academy (please note level 1 dancers will not need a formal placement class and can sign up as long as they meet the age estimate): 

    1. If your dancer is attending BDM’s Summer Intensive, additional placement class is not required

    2. Your dancer may attend BDM’s Nutcracker Audition on August 23, 2026

    3. You may send a video audition to erin@balletdesmoines.org consisting of a classical ballet barre, as well as center work, including adagio, pirouettes, petit allegro, grande allegro, and pointe work reflecting dancers current skillset.

  • Dancers must fully commit to BDM Academy classes. Should a dancer have to miss class, they must get approval ahead of time by Ballet Des Moines Staff.

  • The Academy school year will run from September 7- April 25. During this time, there will be holiday breaks that coincide with the DMPS school calendar, as well as BDM performance schedule. A more specific calendar will be sent out to registered students.

  • The BDM Academy will not register for or participate in competitions. If you would like to do competition, it must be with another studio or as an independent entry. If you wish to have an instructor at BDM Academy coach or choreograph on you for competition, that is a separate ask.

  • No, instead there will be a parent observation week prior to our exam class.

  • Participation in BDM Academy does not guarantee you a role in the Nutcracker. However, we strongly encourage all Academy dancers to audition for the Nutcracker.

  • All dancers will receive an annual exam where BDM Trainee and Youth Director Erin Arndorfer will observe class. She will provide written scoring and feedback on execution of different elements of ballet class. From here, the dancer and their parent(s) will have a meeting to go through this feedback and discuss how to improve, what to focus on, and how to continue advancing their technique and artistry.

  • Yes, the BDM Academy will have a required leotard that all dancers will need to purchase and wear for all academy classes.

  • The goal of the Academy is to provide dancers with well rounded training that is anchored with strong classical technique. As the Academy grows, we would love to have dancers that wish to have a career in dance feed into either the Ballet Des Moines Trainee Program/Company or another professional ballet company. However, being a student at the BDM Academy does not guarantee you being promoted into the BDM Trainee Program.