Business Details
South Jersey Ballet: Excellence in Dance Education & Performance
South Jersey Ballet provides high-quality classical ballet instruction in a nurturing environment designed to foster personal growth and technical excellence. Our curriculum integrates ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and contemporary movement, delivered by a team of experienced instructors dedicated to student well-being. Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, individualized attention, and extensive performance opportunities, including annual productions of "The Nutcracker" and a spring recital.We prepare dancers for prestigious pre-professional programs and cultivate poise, confidence, and character through disciplined training. Our commitment to safety and hygiene ensures a healthy space for learning, with sanitized facilities and temperature checks for all participants.
Services
Ballet Classes
Jazz Instruction
Modern Dance Training
Pointe Workshops
Performance Programs
Summer Intensives
Adult Classes
Private Lessons
Competition Prep
Community Outreach
Highlights and features
- We offer individualized attention in a nurturing environment for ages 3-18.
- Our students gain access to prestigious pre-professional programs nationwide.
- Performance opportunities include two annual full-length ballets and community events.
- State-of-the-art studios feature specialized flooring to enhance technique and prevent injury.
- Instructors include former professional dancers with decades of teaching experience.
Services
Ballet Classes
Our ballet program develops technical precision and artistry through structured classes for ages 3+. Students progress from foundational techniques to advanced pointe work and partnering. With small class sizes and expert instructors, we cultivate discipline, grace, and performance readiness while prioritizing injury prevention through specialized flooring systems.
Performance Programs
Students participate in two annual productions including "The Nutcracker" and a spring ballet. The resident South Jersey Ballet Theatre provides professional-level performance opportunities, with roles in classical and contemporary works. These experiences build stagecraft skills, confidence, and career readiness for aspiring dancers through community and theater engagements.
Modern Dance
Modern dance classes emphasize creative expression and technical versatility. Students explore contemporary movement techniques alongside traditional ballet training. Our curriculum integrates modern jazz, contemporary, and experimental styles to develop well-rounded dancers capable of adapting to diverse choreographic demands in both classical and modern repertoires.
Summer Intensives
Summer programs offer immersive training with master classes and workshops led by industry professionals. These sessions focus on technical refinement, repertoire development, and performance preparation. Participants receive personalized feedback to accelerate progress while building connections within the professional dance community through guest artist collaborations.
Private Lessons
Personalized instruction addresses individual technical challenges and performance goals. Sessions focus on pointe work, variation mastery, and audition preparation with tailored feedback from experienced instructors. Private lessons complement group classes by providing dedicated time for skill refinement and accelerated progression in specific dance disciplines.
People
Andrea Duffin Conway
Director
Former Washington Ballet company member with decades of teaching experience at Swarthmore College and Pennsylvania Ballet School. Trained at Berkshire Ballet and Boston Ballet.
Amanda Valentino
Instructor
Professional dancer with Houston Ballet II and Cincinnati Ballet. Trained at Ellison Ballet and South Jersey Ballet School. Specializes in Vaganova technique and classical repertoire.
Eva Szabo
Instructor
Hungarian National Ballet Institute graduate with international teaching certification. Faculty member at Rock School for Dance Education and University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
Caitlin McElroy
Instructor
Trained at Harid Conservatory and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. Performed with Atlantic City Ballet in principal roles including Arabian in "The Nutcracker" and Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Ashley McMichael
Instructor
Rock School for Dance Education alumna with teaching experience at American Ballet Theatre and Boston Ballet summer programs. Holds elementary education certification and specializes in early childhood dance development.
Questions
What age groups do you accept for dance classes?
We offer programs for children as young as 3 through professional-level trainees, with structured progression through five technical levels.
Do you offer performance opportunities for students?
Yes! Students perform in two annual productions: "The Nutcracker" and a spring ballet, plus community outreach events and recitals.
What dance styles are included in your curriculum?
Our program covers classical ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance techniques for comprehensive artistic development.
Are there audition requirements for enrollment?
No formal auditions required. Placement is based on technical assessment during trial classes to ensure appropriate level placement.
Do you prepare students for professional dance careers?
Yes, our graduates regularly enter top pre-professional programs like ABT, Boston Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet through our career-focused training.
What safety measures are in place during classes?
We maintain strict hygiene protocols including temperature checks, regular sanitization of equipment, and specialized flooring to prevent injuries.
