Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Joffrey Ballet School: Nurturing Individual Artistry in Dance
Founded in 1953 by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, our institution remains committed to deconstructing dance to help artists perfect their technique and express passion naturally. We cultivate individual artistry through diverse programs for ages 2-25, including children's ballet, pre-professional training, and summer intensives across the U.S. and internationally. Our faculty includes industry leaders who deliver classical and contemporary training, while our Joffrey Concert Group provides performance experience for emerging professionals.Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, we maintain rigorous standards through partnerships like BalletRED and Ballet Championships of America. Our workshops and open classes emphasize creativity and technical mastery, serving dancers from beginners to advanced levels.
Services
Children's Ballet
Youth Ballet
Trainee Program
Summer Intensives
Open Classes
Workshops
JoffreyRED Program
Concert Group
Details
- Year established: 1953
Highlights and features
- We offer 70+ years of dance education expertise with founders' legacy
- Our faculty includes industry-leading choreographers and directors
- We provide diverse training in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop
- Our graduates perform with top companies worldwide
- We maintain NASD-accredited curriculum standards
Associations and certifications
- National Association of Schools of Dance
Services
Children's Ballet
Our early childhood program introduces ages 2-7 to ballet fundamentals through creative movement. Classes develop musicality, coordination, and foundational technique while maintaining a fun, engaging environment that nurtures young dancers' natural curiosity and physical expression.
Trainee Program
This year-round program trains ages 13-25 in multiple disciplines including ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Students receive comprehensive instruction preparing for professional careers, with opportunities for dormitory living, artistic director mentorship, and merit-based scholarships through competitive auditions.
Summer Intensives
Our immersive summer programs operate June-September at domestic and international locations. Participants ages 8-25 train in ballet, contemporary, hip hop, and musical theater while experiencing cultural exchange and advanced technical development through specialized curricula.
Open Classes
Designed for ages 16+ and active adults, these walk-in classes offer ballet, jazz, contemporary, and Pilates/Stretch sessions. The program provides accessible training for recreational dancers and professionals seeking to maintain technical proficiency in a non-competitive environment.
JoffreyRED Program
This partnership with BalletRED offers ages 14-19 professional company experience while developing classical and contemporary skills. The Los Angeles-based program combines daily training with performance opportunities, creating a bridge between academic training and professional dance careers through industry-standard rehearsal practices.
People
Robert Joffrey
Founder
Visionary choreographer who established Joffrey Ballet School in 1953, pioneering dance education that emphasizes individual artistry and technical excellence through diverse movement styles.
Gerald Arpino
Co-Founder
Co-founder with Robert Joffrey, Arpino expanded the school's curriculum to include multiple dance disciplines while maintaining classical ballet foundations, shaping its unique educational philosophy.
Bradley Shelver
Artistic Director
Current leader of the Joffrey Concert Group, Shelver oversees the pre-professional performing ensemble that provides trainees with professional dancer experience through regular performances and touring programs.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We offer programs for children starting at age 2 through adult learners, with specialized curricula for different developmental stages.
Do you offer international programs?
Yes, we have summer intensives and workshops in Italy, Switzerland, and multiple U.S. locations including New York, California, and Texas.
How do auditions work?
In-person auditions include technique classes, facility tours, and evaluations by artistic directors for program placement and scholarship consideration.
Are there performance opportunities?
Our Joffrey Concert Group and summer intensives provide performance experiences, while trainees gain stage experience through regular showcases.
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, musical theater, and cirque arts instruction across our various programs.
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