The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy, the official school of Ballet West, is one of America’s premier source of classical ballet and performing arts training. Ballet West Academy is dedicated to developing and inspiring the whole child, both as an accomplished artist and a healthy individual, professionally and recreationally.

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Beginning & Elementary

The Beginning Division is for our youngest dancers ages 3 to 9. Classes are offered by age and are carefully developed in accordance with a child’s physical and cognitive abilities. Classes are designed to encourage students to explore the elements of dance with a focus towards ballet in a fun and nurturing environment while setting the stage for future training.

SALT LAKE CITY
PARK CITY
UTAH COUNTY

Student Division

Ballet Levels 1 through 8 are designed for students ages 9 and up. Placement in these levels for new students requires an audition. End of season advancements are considered on an individual basis and determined by class observation and exam classes. Students in this division can expect to spend more than one year in each level. Students perform in the Ballet West Academy Winter, Spring, and Contemporary Showcases. Students in this division are also expected to participate in Ballet West Academy’s summer Accelerated Ballet Workshop and/or a Ballet West summer intensive or other approved ballet intensive program.

SALT LAKE CITY
PARK CITY
UTAH COUNTY

Professional Training

Ballet West Academy’s Professional Training Division is designed for serious ballet students, 14 years old and up. The PTD program is comprised of three female and two male levels and is designed to carry students through their high school years. The Professional Training Division is by audition or invitation only and each dancer commits to a contracted year of study with the program. PTD students are considered for a Trainee position.

PTD
TRAINEE

Summer Intensives

The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy Summer Intensive is recognized as one of the top programs in the nation, attracting the highest caliber of dancers. Under the supervision of Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute and Academy Director Evelyn Cisneros-Legate, dancers are provided the opportunity to learn from principal faculty, guest artists, choreographers, and ballet masters from throughout the world. The BWA Summer Intensive focuses on developing well-rounded dancers through exposure to a wide variety of disciplines with an emphasis on classical ballet technique and key elements.

OUR INTENSIVES
AUDITIONS
SUMMER CAMPS

Adult Classes & Seminars

Each class is carefully cultivated by one of our world-class instructors or Ballet West company dancers. All adult ballet and tap classes are open to the public ages 13 years and older.

Regardless of prior experience, if you are brand new to ballet we recommend our Starter Series. Call 801-869-6912 for more information.

We offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced ballet classes at all of our locations.

WEEKLY CLASSES
MASTER CLASSES
SEMINARS

Artistic Leadership, Staff, and Faculty

  • Adam Sklute

    ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST

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  • Evelyn Cisneros-Legate

    DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST ACADEMY

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  • Sarah Taylor

    DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS, BALLET WEST ACADEMY

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  • Katherine Lawrence

    PRINCIPAL, BALLET CENTRE & TROLLEY CORNERS CAMPUSES

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  • Allison DeBona

    PRINCIPAL, PEGGY BERGMANN PARK CITY CAMPUS

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  • Heather Thackeray

    PRINCIPAL, UTAH COUNTY CAMPUS

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  • Catherine Batcheller

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND ARTISTIC ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

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  • Courtney Hellebuyck

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND STUDENT REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

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  • Stacey Mahan

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM

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  • Bridget Payne

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND COSTUME COORDINATOR


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  • Jeff Rogers

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND DIRECTOR OF ACADEMY MEN’S PROGRAM

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  • Kristina Windom

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY & TRAINEE MANAGER


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  • Eunice Kim Stafford

    ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL, TROLLEY CORNERS CAMPUS AND STUDENT LIFE MANAGER

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  • Michael Waldrop

    FULL-TIME FACULTY & CONTEMPORARY PROGRAM MANAGER

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  • Joshua Trader

    FULL-TIME FACULTY AND DANCE ADVANCE COORDINATOR


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  • Calvin Kitten

    ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
    DIRECTOR OF BALLET WEST II

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  • Bruce Caldwell

    ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
    REHEARSAL DIRECTOR/COMPANY ARCHIVIST, BALLET WEST

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  • Jane Victorine Wood

    ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
    PRINCIPAL REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST

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  • Pamela Robinson-Harris

    ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
    REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST

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  • Michele Gifford

    ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP
    ASSISTANT REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST

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  • Jordan DeBona

    SENIOR MANAGER OF STUDENT LIFE AND SUMMER INTENSIVE COORDINATOR

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  • Jennifer Hildreth

    SENIOR ACADEMY OPERATIONS MANAGER


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  • Amanda Kindt

    RESIDENT ADVISOR & INSTRUCTOR IN PARK CITY

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  • Izzy Arrieta

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

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  • Silver Barkes

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE

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  • Liesel Blue

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

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  • Jamie Butler

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

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  • Claire Campbell

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

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  • Dantzel Cherry

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

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  • Emily Coello

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

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  • Natalie Desch

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE AND TROLLEY CORNERS

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  • Ivy Drumm

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

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  • Mariah Edmunds

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY AND TROLLEY CORNERS

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  • Isabella Flanigan

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

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  • Sammy Gomm

    UTAH COUNTY CAMPUS INSTRUCTOR AND ADMINISTRATOR

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  • Tyler Gum

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE AND ADULT CLASSES

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  • Hannah Higgs

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

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  • Stefany Jaurrieta

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

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  • Vera Kotova

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE

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  • Lindsey Larsen Laford

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

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  • Nicole Lawrence

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

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  • Michelle Lapioli

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

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  • Sasha Lowell

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

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  • Alesha Tuley Ramos

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

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  • Nanette Reimschussel Chertudi

    UTAH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, INSTRUCTOR AND ADULT PROGRAM COORDINATOR

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  • Ashleigh Richardson

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

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  • Autumn Ryskoski

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS, AND ADULT CLASSES

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  • Mary Ann Schaefer

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

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  • Heidi Slagle

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

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  • Connie Smith

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY AND TROLLEY CORNERS

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  • Kristen Stringham

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

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  • Scout Sutton

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

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  • Samantha Taggart

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY

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  • Jessica Harston Thompson

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE

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  • Rex Tilton

    INSTRUCTOR AT PARK CITY

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  • Barbara Valles

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS

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  • Elizabeth Weldon

    INSTRUCTOR AT TROLLEY CORNERS, BALLET CENTRE, AND ADULT CLASSES

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  • Kyohei Yoshida

    INSTRUCTOR AT UTAH COUNTY, BALLET CENTRE, TROLLEY CORNERS, AND ADULT CLASSES

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Upcoming Events

  • La Esmeralda

    November 11, 2025
    5:00pm & 7:30pm
    Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Salt Lake City, Utah

    The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy's Salt Lake City Campuses are proud to present Fleur d'Lys from La Esmerelda s is a crown jewel of classical ballet. Trainee artists will also present pieces by contemporary choreographers Emily Adams and Michael Waldrop. Performers from Current Contemporary Ensemble will present a premiere by Kannen Glanz.

    Recommended age is 5 and up, everyone requires a ticket in order to attend the performance including infants (not recommended).

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  • The Night Before Christmas

    November 22, 2025
    1:00pm and 5:30pm
    Covey Center for the Arts, Provo, Utah

    Embracing the magic of a beloved holiday tale, the students of Ballet West Academy Utah County Campus proudly present The Night Before Christmas, a captivating ballet that is sure to please audiences of all ages. Performance is approximately 90 minutes long with a 10 minute intermission.

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  • The Nutcracker

    December 5-27, 2025
    Capitol Theater, Salt Lake City, Utah

    Ballet West's historic Nutcracker production, first staged in 1944 by Ballet West’s founder Willam Christensen, is now designated as a Living Historic Landmark by the state of Utah - the first such designation for a ballet. Enjoy the magic of the season, as Ballet West Academy dancers take the stage with the Ballet West company.

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  • BWA Preview Day

    February 14-15, 2026
    Ballet West Academy, Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet Centre

    Ballet West Academy's Preview Day is a unique opportunity for students to audition early in the season for Ballet West Academy Professional Training Division placement. The audition class will also offer placement for our 2026 Summer Intensives. 

    This two-day event includes a pre-audition talk with esteemed Ballet West Academy Faculty, tours of our downtown Ballet Centre and Student Housing, observing current Professional Training Division classes, and two tickets to Ballet West's performance of Peter Pan. Ballet West Academy’s Preview Day is open to students ages 14-20.  No audition materials are required.

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“I am impressed by the level of our students and am committed to offering opportunities. In fact, 75% of the current company trained with Ballet West Academy. Under Evelyn Cisneros-Legate, I feel the level has increased further and I’m looking forward to the next chapter for these programs.”
— Ballet West Artistic Director, Adam Sklute