Children’s Ballet Classes in Austin | Ages 8–12 | Elementary Division
Ballet Austin Academy’s Elementary Division
Serious Ballet Training for Children Ages 8–12 in Austin
Ballet Austin Academy’s children’s ballet classes in Austin for ages 8–12 are offered through our Elementary Division — a rigorous, comprehensive program where formal classical ballet training begins, building discipline, technique, and artistry from the ground up.
The Elementary Division syllabus progresses at a rate that allows the student to learn exercises correctly and with full physicality. Repetition and slow careful work is emphasized, so students can learn discipline and control of their bodies.
Elementary Division students are required to attend all scheduled classes for their level. Students progress to the next level once they master the material and physical understanding of the syllabus in their current level of study. Students will receive a written progress report at the end of each School Year.
Level 1 and Level 2 of the Elementary Division are now offered at the Dell Jewish Community Center.
Are you a member of the Dell JCC? Ask about your 20% discount.
Ballet Austin Academy Benefits — What's Included?
There are many benefits to training at Ballet Austin Academy, for both the student and family.
- At the end of the year, Elementary Division students participate in the Academy Spring Presentation.
- Academy students at our Butler Center for Dance Education location train in the same state-of-the-art facilities as Ballet Austin’s professional dancers, providing the opportunity/access to view Company rehearsals of upcoming performances.
- Live accompaniment is an important aspect of a professional ballet training program. Beginning in the Elementary Division, we strive to expose our students to live accompaniment in class throughout the year.
- Academy students 9 years of age and older who are registered in Level 2 or 3 are given the opportunity to audition for the professional production of The Nutcracker.
- Level 1 students and their parents have the opportunity for an exclusive backstage tour of The Nutcracker during production week at The Long Center.
- 20% discount on all single tickets for Ballet Austin’s five annual productions at The Long Center, including The Nutcracker.
- Discounts for parents for Butler Center for Dance & Fitness classes and workshops.
- FREE or reduced-rate parking, on-site or nearby.
The Nutcracker: All students registered in the Elementary Division Level 2 or higher, and age 9 by October 1, 2026, are once again eligible to audition for Ballet Austin’s 64th annual production of The Nutcracker! Auditions for student performers will be held at Ballet Austin in September, 2026.
Ballet Classes in Austin for Ages 8–12 at Two Locations
Level 1
Classes run September 8, 2026 – May 30, 2027 at our downtown facility.
| Class | Days | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (A) | Monday & Wednesday | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | K. Rustagi |
| Level 1 (B) | Monday & Wednesday | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | D. Cortier |
| Level 1 (C) | Tuesday & Thursday | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | A. Capareda |
| Level 1 (D) | Thursday & Saturday | 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. & 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | A. Hamade |
Classes run September 8, 2026 – May 30, 2027 at the Dell Jewish Community Center.
| Class | Days | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Level 1 (A) | Tuesday & Thursday | 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. | TBD |
*This class is impacted by JCC holiday closures. Please refer to the JCC calendar for cancellation and make-up classes.
Level 2
Classes run September 8, 2026 – May 30, 2027 at our downtown facility.
| Class | Days | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 (A) | Monday & Wednesday | 4:15 – 5:30 p.m. | A. Capareda |
| Level 2 (B) | Monday & Wednesday | 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. | D. Cortier |
| Level 2 (C) | Tuesday & Thursday | 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. | A. Capareda |
New to Ballet Austin, age 8+, with prior ballet experience? Students interested in Levels 2 or 3 must first schedule a Placement Audition. Contact the Registrar at 512.501.8703 or email before submitting a registration form.
Classes run September 8, 2026 – May 30, 2027 at the Dell Jewish Community Center.
| Class | Days | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Level 2 (A) | Tuesday & Thursday | 5:45 – 7:00 p.m. | E. Lofton |
*This class is impacted by JCC holiday closures. Please refer to the JCC calendar for cancellation and make-up classes.
New to Ballet Austin, age 8+, with prior ballet experience? Students interested in Levels 2 or 3 must first schedule a Placement Audition. Contact the Registrar at 512.501.8703 or email before submitting a registration form.
Level 3 — Downtown Only
Classes run September 8, 2026 – May 30, 2027 at our downtown facility.
Level 3 (A)
| Day | Class Type | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Technique | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | A. Capareda |
| Wednesday | Technique | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | A. Capareda |
| Friday | Extended Technique | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | M. Brown |
Level 3 (B)
| Day | Class Type | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Technique | 5:15 – 7:15 p.m. | K. Rustagi |
| Thursday | Technique | 5:15 – 6:45 p.m. | K. Rustagi |
| Saturday | Extended Technique | 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. | K. Rustagi |
New to Ballet Austin, age 8+, with prior ballet experience? Students interested in Levels 2 or 3 must first schedule a Placement Audition. Contact the Registrar at 512.501.8703 or email before submitting a registration form.
Greg Easley Bryant Boys’ Scholarship
Classes run September 8, 2026 – May 30, 2027 at our downtown facility.
| Class | Day | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys’ Scholarship | Monday | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | I. Bethany |
No previous dance experience is required to join the Greg Easley Bryant Boys’ Scholarship Class. The student’s first four classes are considered the probationary period and will be used to assess the student’s ability to focus and work in a collaborative environment. The student should also demonstrate appropriate social, cognitive, and physical development. Boys age 8–12, upon successful completion of the probationary period, receive a full tuition scholarship ($1,165 value), and may enroll at any time. Although it is recommended that this class be taken in conjunction with a corresponding Elementary Division Ballet Technique Class, it is not required.
Ballet Austin is humbled to have the name of this class honor an individual who made a positive impact on the ballet community in Austin. To learn more about how you can help ensure that future generations of young, male dancers have the support and encouragement to pursue their dreams of a professional dance career, click here.
Meet Your Instructors
Ian Bethany
Instructor
Maddie Brown
Company Dancer and Instructor
Alexa Capareda
Ballet Master-Ballet Austin TWO and Butler Fellows and Resident Instructor
Danielle Cortier
Instructor
Alayna Hamade
Ballet Austin TWO Dancer and Instructor
Katelyn Rustagi
Academy Programs Manager and Resident Instructor
Elementary Division Placement & Registration for New and Returning Students
Siobhan O’Donnell,
Academy Registrar
FOR CURRENT ACADEMY STUDENTS
Students should enroll based upon their 2025/26 end of year evaluation. Former Pre-Ballet 7 students, who are 8 years of age by June 1, 2026, may enroll in Level 1.
FOR NEW STUDENTS
Previous Ballet Experience, Ages 8+
Students 8 years of age and older, with previous ballet experience, who are new to Ballet Austin, are required to attend a Placement Audition on June 6, 2026 or on August 15, 2026 or submit a Digital Audition to determine their acceptance and level placement.
No Previous Ballet Experience, Ages 8–10
Students 8 years of age to 10 years of age, as of September 1, 2026, with no previous dance experience, are automatically placed in Level 1.
FOR CURRENT DELL JCC MEMBERS
Members of the Dell Jewish Community Center receive a 20% discount on all Ballet Austin classes offered at the Dell JCC. Being a Dell JCC member is not required to enroll.
- IF you are currently an active Member of the Dell Jewish Community Center, please follow these steps to have the JCC Member ID added to your Ballet Austin MINDBODY account:
- Create a Ballet Austin MINDBODY account (online scheduling system) – Create a Ballet Austin MINDBODY account
- Please email the Registrar your full name to be verified and receive the JCC membership ID on your Ballet Austin MINDBODY account
- Once you are verified as a current JCC member, and the JCC Membership ID is added to your Ballet Austin MINDBODY account, the 20% discount applies automatically when enrolling.
Ballet Austin Academy Downtown
September 8, 2026 – May 30, 2027
Ballet Austin Academy @ the J
September 8, 2026 – May 30, 2027. Level 1 and Level 2 only.
