Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Trusted Dance School in Sussex County
Founded in 1983, we have dedicated ourselves to providing exceptional dance education in a nurturing environment. Our studio prioritizes proper technique and artistic development over competition, fostering a love for dance in students of all ages and abilities. With over four decades of experience, our professional staff has cultivated dancers who have pursued careers in performance, education, and therapy. We offer comprehensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, and preschool classes, ensuring each student receives personalized attention. Our alumni have earned scholarships and professional opportunities with prestigious institutions and companies.We maintain a supportive atmosphere where creativity and self-expression thrive. Our faculty includes certified instructors with extensive performance and teaching experience. We provide flexible class options, including adult recreational classes, to accommodate diverse needs. Our commitment to quality extends to structured dress codes, clear policies, and seasonal recitals. As Sussex County's longest-running dance studio, we continue to uphold our mission of excellence in dance education.
Services
Ballet Classes
Tap Dance Instruction
Jazz Dance Training
Modern Dance Classes
Contemporary Dance
Preschool Dance Programs
Adult Dance Classes
Pointe Workshops
Summer Dance Intensives
Recital Preparation
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We have 43 years of experience cultivating professional dancers and educators
- Our focus remains on proper technique rather than competitive awards
- Faculty includes ABT-certified instructors with professional performance backgrounds
- We offer specialized programs for preschoolers through adult recreational dancers
- Our alumni have earned placements at prestigious institutions like The School of American Ballet
Services
Ballet Classes
Our ballet program follows the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus with instruction from certified teachers. Students develop proper technique through progressive training from beginner to advanced levels. Classes emphasize posture, precision, and artistic expression while preparing dancers for professional opportunities.
Preschool Dance Programs
Designed for ages 3-5, these classes introduce fundamental dance concepts through creative movement and musical play. Our curriculum combines singing, scarves, and basic ballet/tap elements in a non-competitive environment that nurtures coordination and self-confidence.
Adult Dance Classes
We offer ballet and tap classes specifically designed for adult learners. These sessions focus on technique development and physical fitness in a supportive atmosphere where experience level doesn't matter. Participants enjoy the benefits of dance without performance pressures.
Summer Dance Intensives
Our summer programs provide concentrated dance training for serious students. The intensives feature master classes with professional choreographers and guest instructors, offering technical refinement and performance preparation for dancers aged 6-18.
Contemporary Dance Classes
These classes blend ballet foundations with expressive movement vocabulary. Instructors focus on fluidity, floor work, and emotional storytelling while maintaining technical discipline. The curriculum prepares dancers for both competition and professional performance opportunities.
People
Suzanne Sarlitt
Founder
Established The Ballet Barre in 1983 and serves as a guest instructor. Registered Royal Academy of Dance teacher with extensive experience developing award-winning students who have earned placements at top institutions.
Heather Jakob
Owner and Director
ABT-certified instructor with a BA in Dance from DeSales University. Oversees curriculum development and choreography, focusing on progressive artistic growth. Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award and former Garden State Ballet performer.
Monika Aimova
Ballet & Pointe Instructor
Former professional soloist with Eastern European ballet companies. Trained in the Vaganova technique at the Conservatory of Prague. Brings over 1,000 professional performance experiences to her teaching methodology since rejoining the faculty in 2008.
Izabel Barzola
Tap & Jazz Instructor
National Honor Society of Dance Arts inductee with extensive training from Passaic County Technical Institute and American Youth Dance Theater. Currently pursuing a Physicians Assistant degree while teaching and choreographing at the studio.
Kimberly Jackson
Tap & Jazz Instructor
Magna Cum Laude graduate from Montclair State University with BFA in Dance. Award-winning choreographer with experience in musical theater and professional dance companies. Recipient of Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council honors.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We provide instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, pointe, and preschool dance classes.
Are adult dance classes available?
Yes, we offer recreational ballet and tap classes specifically designed for adult learners.
What are your preschool dance requirements?
Preschool classes require any color leotard with tights and appropriate footwear. No prior experience needed.
Do you have summer programs?
We offer summer dance camps for ages 3-8 and intensive training programs for older students.
What performance opportunities exist?
Students participate in annual June recitals with costume requirements and professional production values.
How do you handle missed classes?
We allow make-up classes in similar aged groups when notified in advance about absences.
