With school-day presentations and open rehearsals, free community performances and family events, Ballet Arizona fosters an appreciation of ballet as a vital art form. These programs touch the lives of more than 35,000 Valley residents of all ages each year.

To support education and community programs with an annual or one-time contribution, please click here.

Class Act combines the talents and experience of Ballet Arizona's dancers with the ideas and energy of school-age children. Working with the after-school guidance of the dancers, the students create an all-new dance work from start to finish. The new ballets are given their world premieres, performed by those students for audiences in their own neighborhoods, during the Ballet Under the Stars free community performances in the fall.

A much-anticipated community favorite for ten years, Ballet Under The Stars spans two weeks with family-friendly performances presented free of charge in parks and public spaces all around the Valley. These performances are enjoyed by more than 10,000 children and adults each year -- many of whom experience dance and Ballet Arizona for the first time. Some Ballet Under the Stars performances include the student-performed premieres of works created in the Class Act program. Click here for information on the current season of Ballet Under the Stars.

On a Saturday before most Ballet Arizona performances, Artistic Director Ib Andersen opens the Ballet Arizona studios so visitors can observe him and his dancers at work. Due to local restrictions, seating is very limited, and admission is restricted to the first 40 observers to arrive. Reservations cannot be accepted. Click here for information on the current season of Open Studio Rehearsals.

Ballet 101 is a movement-based interactive workshop, centering on the creativity of the students involved. Designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience, and under the supervision of Ballet Arizona staff, the students develop sequences either to interpret emotion and mood through movement, or to create movement for movement’s sake.The key to 101’s success is its relevancy, both to the students and the district curriculum. An in-depth program of two 1-hour sessions, Ballet 101 is a flexible, comprehensive approach that complies with the Arizona Arts Education Standards for Dance. This structure allows the educator not only to justify the presentation, but also to document clearly the benefits of the workshop.

Ballet Arizona’s Student Matinees provide one-of-a-kind educational experiences for young people throughout the state. Each year, nearly 10,000 students enjoy these 60-minute programs that introduce the exciting world of dance and ballet. The performances are offered in Symphony Hall in the morning of a school day, and each concludes with a question-and-answer session with dancers. Entrée!, the official backstage guide to the Student Matinee series, is available on line so teachers can prepare their students to get the most out of the performance experience. Click here for information on the current season of Student Matinees.

Offered annually for seven years, Angel Nights invite clients from community service organizations and children and families from underserved schools to experience Ballet Arizona -- including The Nutcracker -- free of charge. The performances are called “Angel Nights” in honor of the angels who make them possible: ticket buyers, subscribers, and corporate and private donors whose financial gifts help defray the evening's expenses. Transportation is provided at no charge for groups that need it. Click here for information.

Beginning 45 minutes before every Ballet Arizona performance (excluding The Nutcracker), Artistic Director Ib Andersen invites patrons into the hall for informal remarks and questions, sharing his insights into the ballets that will be performed. Pre-Performance Chats are free to ticket holders.

Ballet Arizona offers students of all ages the opportunity to attend any performance at a discounted rate. Advanced tickets are offered at a 15-percent discount, and Student Rush tickets are available one hour before curtain at 50 percent off. Valid student ID is required to claim these discounts. This offer is subject to availability and change without notice. Click here for information.

For information on Ballet Arizona education and outreach programs, please contact
Paris Wilcox at 602-343-6517.