Young Children’s Division (Ages 15 months to 5 years)
Ballet Austin offers Young Children’s Dance Classes in Austin designed to inspire creativity, build confidence, and nurture a lifelong love of movement.
Our curriculum introduces children ages 15 months to 5 years to the joy of dance through stories, music, and imaginative games.
About Our Young Children’s Dance Classes in Austin
Our Young Children’s Division provides a warm and welcoming introduction to dance through imaginative stories, music, and games, combined with developmentally focused movement experiences.
Our instructors use their deep knowledge of early childhood development and the philosophy of adult/child interaction to shape a carefully crafted curriculum.
Classes are narrative in nature, leading students through movement stories and ballet-based activities that appeal to both girls and boys. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to enhance physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development through collaborative, playful learning.
Young Children’s Dance Classes in Austin are available at two convenient locations. The curriculum, faculty, and dress code are identical at both.
Are you a member of Dell Jewish Community Center? Ask about your 20% discount.
BALLET AUSTIN ACADEMY BENEFITS
Training at the Ballet Austin Academy offers many benefits for both the student and family:
- Receive The Sunday Jeté, a monthly newsletter to keep you up to date
- Tickets to Ballet Austin performances at The Long Center, including The Nutcracker, are offered at a 20-percent discount.
- Discounts to Butler Center for Dance & Fitness classes and workshops for parents.
- FREE BeWell Talks specifically designed for Academy parents and students.
- FREE or reduced-rate parking, on site or nearby.
Young Children’s Ballet Classes Available at Two Locations
Ballet Austin Academy
501 W. 3rd St | Austin, TX | 78701
Ballet Austin Academy @ the J
7300 Hart Ln | Austin, TX | 78731
Class Descriptions & Schedules
Dance with Me (Ages 15 months – 2 years)
Dance with Me is open to children (accompanied by an adult) who are 15 months to 2 years old by September 1, 2025.
Dance With Me is a wonderful bonding and explorative experience for young dancers and their parents or caregiver. In this sensory-rich movement experience, dancers engage with stories, dance games, rhythm, and songs while learning how their bodies can move through space.
YCD classes will be held from September 2, 2025 – May 24, 2026. Classes will take place at our downtown facility.
Wednesday
Dance With Me (1A)
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
LB Flett
Thursday
Dance With Me (1B)
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
V. Alcantar
Saturday
Dance With Me (1C)
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
V. Alcantar
Sunday
Dance With Me (1D)
10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
TBD
Ballet Austin Academy @ the J classes will be held from September 2, 2025 – May 24, 2026. Classes will take place at the Dell Jewish Community Center.
Wednesday
Dance With Me (1A)
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
TBD
Sunday
Dance With Me (1B)
10:15 – 11:00 a.m.
TBD
Next Steps (Age 2)
Next Steps is open to children (accompanied by an adult) who are 2 years old by September 1, 2025.
Next Steps is the perfect transition for young children who are becoming more independent. From the comfort of their parents or caregivers arms, students continue to learn in a sensory-rich movement experience with stories, dance games, rhythm and songs. As the year progresses, students are guided towards more independence as they step away from the comfort of their caregiver. By the end of the year, we hope these dancers are ready to take on Creative Dance with confidence!
YCD classes will be held from September 2, 2025 – May 24, 2026. Classes will take place at our downtown facility.
Wednesday
Next Steps 2 yrs (2A)
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
LB Flett
Thursday
Next Steps 2 yrs (2B)
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
V. Alcantar
Saturday
Next Steps 2 yrs (2C)
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
V. Alcantar
Sunday
Next Steps 2 yrs (2D)
11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
TBD
Ballet Austin Academy @ the J classes will be held from September 2, 2025 – May 24, 2026. Classes will take place at the Dell Jewish Community Center.
Wednesday
Next Steps 2 (2A)
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
TBD
Saturday
Next Steps 2 yrs (2B)
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
TBD
Sunday
Next Steps 2 yrs (2C)
11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
TBD
Creative Dance (Ages 3 & 4)
Creative Dance 3 and 4 is open to children who have turned 3 or 4, respectively, by September 1, 2025.
Building on the fundamentals introduced in Dance With Me and Next Steps, Creative Dance is designed to gently introduce students to a structured and safe classroom environment while instilling the physical and emotional confidence to explore and create. Classes are narrative in nature as dancers are led through a series of movement stories and ballet-based activities that appeal to all. Over the course of each year, activities become more challenging as dancers gain confidence in their coordination and skills.
YCD classes will be held from September 2, 2025 – May 24, 2026. Classes will take place at our downtown facility.
Monday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3A)
3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
V. Alcantar
Tuesday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3B)
3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
LB Flett
Wednesday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3C)
4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
LB Flett
Saturday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3D)
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
M. Ramirez
Saturday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3E)
9:45 – 10:30 a.m.
M. Ramirez
Saturday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3F)
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
V. Alcantar
Sunday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3G)
10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
M. Ramirez
Sunday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3H)
12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
TBD
Monday
Creative Dance 4 yrs (4A)
4:30 – 5:15 p.m.
V. Alcantar
Wednesday
Creative Dance 4 yrs (4B)
4:45 – 5:30 p.m.
LB Flett
Thursday
Creative Dance 4 yrs (4C)
4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
LB Flett
Saturday
Creative Dance 4 yrs (4D)
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
M. Ramirez
Sunday
Creative Dance 4 yrs (4E)
111:00 – 11:45 a.m.
M. Ramirez
Ballet Austin Academy @ the J classes will be held from September 2, 2025 – May 24, 2026. Classes will take place at the Dell Jewish Community Center.
Monday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3A)
3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
A. Spell
Tuesday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3B)
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.
E. Lofton
Thursday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3C)
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
TBD
Thursday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3D)
3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
E. Lofton
Saturday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3E)
10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
G. Carrasco
Sunday
Creative Dance 3 yrs (3F)
12:00 – 12:45 a.m.
TBD
Monday
Creative Dance 4 yrs (4A)
3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
A. Spell
Wednesday
Creative Dance 4 yrs (4B)
3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
A. Spell
Thursday
Creative Dance 4 yrs (4C)
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
TBD
Saturday
Creative Dance 4 yrs (4D)
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
G. Carrasco
Sunday
Creative Dance 4 yrs (4E)
12:45 – 1:30 p.m.
TBD
Creative Ballet (Age 5)
Creative Ballet is open to children who have turned 5 by September 1, 2025.
The perfect balance of ballet basics and creative dance. Creative Ballet students develop their technique, gain body awareness, and refine basic skills while continuing to have imaginative and creative dance experiences. Students are taking a more active role in their own learning, acquiring the tools to collaborate, choreograph and exchange ideas with their peers. Our goal is for students to advance through Creative Ballet ready to step into Pre-Ballet.
YCD classes will be held from September 2, 2025 – May 24, 2026. Classes will take place at our downtown facility.
Tuesday
Creative Ballet 5 yrs (5A)
4:30 – 5:15 p.m.
LB Flett
Thursday
Creative Ballet 5 yrs (5B)
4:45 – 5:30 p.m.
LB Flett
Saturday
Creative Ballet 5 yrs (5C)
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
M. Ramirez
Sunday
Creative Ballet 5 yrs (5D)
12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
M. Ramirez
Ballet Austin Academy @ the J classes will be held from September 2, 2025 – May 24, 2026. Classes will take place at the Dell Jewish Community Center.
Monday
Creative Ballet 5 yrs (5A)
4:30 – 5:15 p.m.
A. Spell
Wednesday
Creative Ballet 5 yrs (5B)
4:15 – 5:00 p.m.
A. Spell
Saturday
Creative Ballet 5 yrs (5C)
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
E. Lofton
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Laura Beth “LB” Flett
Young Children’s Program Manager and Resident Instructor
Venese Alcantar
Instructor
Emily Lofton
Instructor
Siobhan O’Donnell, Academy Registrar
Enrollment for Young Children’s Dance Classes Austin
Students should be enrolled based on their age on September 1, 2025. Young Children’s Division classes meet once a week for 45 minutes in duration.
If you have questions or need help registering, contact our Academy Registrar at 512.501.8703 or via email.
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.
