Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Ballet School in Canton, Ohio
Canton Ballet has dedicated six decades to mastering the art of dance education, offering unparalleled training for students from toddlers to adults. Our institution combines rigorous classical ballet instruction with character development, creating disciplined, driven individuals who succeed in diverse fields. Led by internationally recognized faculty like Director Jennifer Catazaro Hayward, we maintain partnerships with prestigious institutions such as the Canton Symphony Orchestra while providing accessible programs for all socioeconomic backgrounds. Our pre-professional company nurtures elite performers, while community outreach initiatives like school performances and in-house dance residencies ensure ballet remains inclusive.With alumni gracing Broadway, film, and global stages, we combine tradition with innovation through annual productions like The Nutcracker and groundbreaking original works. Operating from the Cultural Center for the Arts since 1978, we uphold a legacy of excellence through adaptive teaching methods and cutting-edge collaborations. Our graduates consistently achieve placement in top-tier companies including New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. By integrating wellness practices like yoga and strength conditioning into our curriculum, we prioritize holistic dancer development. This enduring commitment to artistic mastery and community enrichment solidifies our status as Northeast Ohio's premier ballet institution.
Services
Ballet Education
Pre-Professional Training
Community Outreach
Performing Arts
Summer Programs
Adult Classes
Youth Performances
Dance Workshops
Costume Design
Teacher Training
Details
- Year established: 1965
Highlights and features
- We offer 60 years of proven expertise in classical ballet instruction
- Our faculty includes international performers and award-winning educators
- We provide inclusive access through school outreach and community programs
- We integrate wellness and character development with technical training
- We maintain partnerships with professional orchestras and dance companies
Services
Ballet Education
Our comprehensive ballet curriculum develops technique from foundational to professional levels. Students receive personalized instruction in classical ballet principles while exploring complementary styles. The program emphasizes proper alignment, musicality, and artistic expression across 40 weekly classes for ages 2 to adult.
Pre-Professional Training
This elite program prepares dancers for professional careers through daily technique classes, partnering instruction, and performance opportunities. Students train with former principal dancers from New York City Ballet and Miami City Ballet while receiving career guidance from industry professionals with Broadway and international experience.
Community Outreach
We bring dance to local schools through annual Peter and the Wolf performances and educational workshops. Our in-school residencies introduce preschoolers to dance, while lecture-demonstrations teach students about ballet history and technique through interactive learning experiences.
Performing Arts
Three major productions annually engage audiences through storytelling and technical mastery. Our performances feature live orchestra collaborations, custom-designed costumes, and original choreography that showcases student progress and artistic innovation in productions ranging from classical to contemporary works.
Summer Programs
Our summer intensives offer specialized training with guest artists from major companies. Participants receive daily technique classes, variations instruction, and conditioning sessions while preparing for year-round performance opportunities and developing skills for competitive dance environments.
People
Jennifer Catazaro Hayward
Director
Award-winning director with 30+ years teaching experience, recipient of full scholarships at prestigious academies. Her students have joined companies like New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Leads faculty with international performance expertise.
Tommie Earl Jenkins
Alumni Ambassador
Global performer with experience in ballet, theater, film, and voiceover acting. Recognized for work on Broadway, West End, and TV series. Serves as inspirational figure demonstrating the school's career development success.
Zachary Catazaro
Master Teacher
Former New York City Ballet principal dancer with 15+ years professional experience. Teaches master classes while combining aviation expertise with dance science to enhance movement efficiency for advanced students.
Allison Campbell Brewer
Assistant Director
20-year company veteran with international competition awards. Oversees student development and teacher training. Brings expertise from prestigious summer intensives and professional performance experience in major regional ballet companies.
Julie Mizer-Grasse
Lower School Principal
Early childhood dance specialist with 25+ years preschool education experience. Developed curriculum for Canton City Schools. Focuses on age-appropriate movement education for young students through creative play and structured learning activities.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We specialize in classical ballet training while also offering jazz, tap, modern, and contemporary dance instruction.
Do you accept students of all skill levels?
Yes! We welcome beginners through pre-professional dancers, offering age-appropriate programs for toddlers to adults.
Are performances open to the public?
Our three major productions annually - Peter and the Wolf, The Nutcracker, and our Spring Performance - are publicly ticketed events.
What makes your school unique?
We combine technical excellence with character development, creating well-rounded artists through our holistic approach to dance education.
Can adults participate in classes?
Yes, we offer adult ballet classes and performance opportunities for recreational and returning dancers.
