Business Details
30 Years
experience
Traverse City's Premier Dance Education Center
Founded in 1996 by Thomas Morrell, Ballet Etc. has been dedicated to providing comprehensive dance education in the Grand Traverse region. Our studio emphasizes a competition-free philosophy, focusing on technical mastery, artistry, and performance skills for dancers of all ages and abilities. We believe strong ballet training forms the foundation for all dance styles and encourage students to explore ballet while offering diverse class options. Our annual spring performance showcases students' progress through simple, cost-effective productions that highlight their technical and artistic growth. We prioritize accessibility by eliminating expensive costumes, entrance fees, and travel costs, ensuring dance education remains inclusive.Our values center on building self-esteem, discipline, and body awareness within a supportive environment. As the home of Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre (NMBT), we provide professional performance opportunities for young dancers aged 9-18, including local and international engagements. Our faculty includes award-winning instructors with extensive professional experience, many of whom have performed nationally and internationally. We offer flexible programming, including summer intensives, masterclasses, and community outreach initiatives. Our commitment to quality instruction and student well-being has made us a trusted institution in Northern Michigan for over 25 years.
Services
Ballet Classes
Summer Dance Camps
Performance Intensives
Masterclasses
Youth Ballet Company
Adult Dance Workshops
Aerial Dance Training
Contemporary Technique
Nutcracker Preparation
Dance Fitness
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of experience in dance education with award-winning instructors
- Our competition-free philosophy focuses on artistic growth over commercialization
- We provide affordable access with no hidden costs for costumes or travel
- Our faculty includes professional dancers with national/international performance backgrounds
- We combine technical training with character development in a supportive environment
What people say
Tremendous instruction
Sense of family
Caring attention
Professional instructors
Joy of dance
Services
Ballet Classes
Our ballet classes develop technical proficiency and artistic expression for ages 3 to adult. Students progress through structured levels with individualized attention. Classes emphasize proper alignment, musicality, and performance skills while maintaining a non-competitive environment that prioritizes artistic growth over commercialization.
Summer Intensives
Summer programs offer specialized training with guest artists and performance opportunities. Participants engage in masterclasses, choreography workshops, and public performances. These immersive experiences cater to different age groups and skill levels, featuring instruction from professional dancers and choreographers during June-August sessions.
Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre
NMBT provides pre-professional performance experience for ages 9-18. Members rehearse and perform full-length ballets locally and internationally. The program includes audition-based enrollment, professional choreography, and production experience while maintaining educational focus and artistic development.
Adult Dance Workshops
Recreational dance classes cater to adult learners of all experience levels. Sessions focus on fitness, artistic expression, and social engagement without performance pressure. Offerings include beginner ballet, contemporary movement, and seasonal specialty workshops in a welcoming environment.
Aerial Dance Training
Specialized aerial instruction introduces fabric and hoop techniques for ages 12+. Workshops teach foundational skills, safety practices, and choreography elements. The program combines dance with acrobatic movement in a creative format that builds strength and artistic expression.
People
Thomas Morrell
Director, Owner & Instructor
Founder with MFA in Dance from University of Michigan. Professional dancer with Harbinger Dance Company and Memphis Concert Ballet. Recipient of 1998 Michigan Dance Teacher of the Year award. Teaching experience spans 30+ years across multiple institutions.
Marleigh Bucenell
Studio Manager
Traverse City native with BFA in Dance from Mercyhurst University. Former Birmingham Ballet director's assistant and Repertory Company member. Certified in dance pedagogy with experience teaching ages 3-18 and choreographing for youth productions.
Justin Koertgen
Instructor
Former Dayton Ballet principal dancer with 12 seasons of professional experience. Notable roles include Romeo and Dracula. Certified instructor with teaching experience at multiple conservatories and universities across the United States.
Ari L. Mokdad
Instructor
Award-winning choreographer with MA in Dance from Wayne State University. Recipient of Rona Jaffe Foundation Fellowship and Michigan Council for Arts Grant. Currently pursuing MFA at Warren Wilson College while teaching contemporary dance techniques.
Carey Jennette
Instructor
Circus arts specialist with Arise Circus Arts. Certified aerial instructor specializing in fabric and hoop techniques. Provides professional development workshops for performing artists while teaching specialized aerial dance classes at Ballet Etc.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach besides ballet?
We offer instruction in contemporary, jazz, aerial dance, and Irish dance, while maintaining ballet as foundational training.
Are there performance opportunities for recreational students?
All students participate in our annual spring performance showcasing technical progress through non-competitive, cost-effective productions.
What age groups do your programs serve?
Our classes cater to ages 3 through adult, with specialized programs for preschoolers, youth companies, and adult recreational dancers.
Do you offer summer dance programs?
Yes, we provide summer intensives, masterclasses, and themed dance camps from June through August for various age groups and skill levels.
How do you support dancer development without competitions?
We focus on technical mastery, artistic growth, and performance experience through in-studio evaluations, masterclasses, and public performances.
What makes your faculty unique?
Our instructors include former professional dancers with national/international experience, award-winning educators, and specialists in diverse dance disciplines.