Full Season Packages Now Available
Classes range from creative ballet to advanced and pre-professional training. Our level-based curriculums are designed to advance technique in a wide range of dance styles and grow each student’s confidence on and off the stage. Classes are available year-round.
If you have any questions, contact us at FWSchool@TexasBallet.org.
These classes introduce young dancers to movement and musicality in a happy and supportive environment. Students ages 3-7 will learn the fundamentals of dance and make a few new friends too!
Creative Ballet 3 & 4
Classes for ages 3 and 4 meet once a week.
Pre-primary & primary level
Students ages 5-7 may take one or two classes per week.
Dance should include every student in an accessible and inspiring way. That’s why we’ve partnered with Cook Children’s to bring ballet to young dancers with Down syndrome or others with a diagnosis similar to, but not restricted to, Down syndrome.
Students become more familiar with the foundations of ballet during these leveled classes. Classes take on a more formal approach to classical ballet. Students in select levels become eligible to audition for supporting student roles in the company’s annual production of The Nutcracker.
Level 1
Students ages 7 and 8 may take one or two classes per week.
Levels 2 & 3
Students are placed into levels 2 and 3 by teacher recommendation and take two classes per week.
These fun classes offer students a way to broaden their skills in diverse dance techniques and do not require enrollment in a ballet level.
In these intermediate classes, students are introduced to a more rigorous level of study, incorporating training elements and influences from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) curriculum. Classes continue to build on strength and coordination in modern and jazz dance. Pre-pointe work begins in Level 6 and continues with beginning pointe work in Level 6B.
Flexible Track available for those unable to attend all classes each week.
Our most intensive levels build upon the curriculum learned in Levels 4-6. Classes meet five to six days per week, emphasizing posture, placement, style, quality, artistic expression, strength, technique and musicality.
Flexible Track available for those unable to attend all classes each week.
Along with regular leveled classes, Texas Ballet Theater School offers an additional boys-only class, recommended for students ages 7-I4. This class helps provide important focused training and introduces young men to the specific strengths required for male ballet dancers.
These classes combine the highest quality instruction with fun summer themes for an engaging experience. Classes range from ballet basics to advanced level training.
Students ages 8 and older are required to attend a placement class for placement into the appropriate class level. Placement is based on age, technique, physique, personal strength and maturity.
A native Houstonian, Tim O’Keefe was awarded a scholarship to Houston Ballet Academy in 1981, joined the company one year later, was promoted to Soloist in 1985, and was named Principal Dancer in 1995.
In 1997, Houston Ballet Artistic Director Ben Stevenson created the title role of Dracula for Tim. He has choreographed works for Houston Ballet’s Cullen Contemporary Series and for Houston Ballet Academy, as well as Love Thing, Ragtime Dance, and Violin Concerto in D for Texas Ballet Theater. Tim joined Texas Ballet Theater in 2002 and was named Acting Artistic Director in 2022. He was named Artistic Director in 2023.
World-renowned choreographer Ben Stevenson, O.B.E. served as the Artistic Director for Texas Ballet Theater from 2003-2022, and was named Artistic Director Laureate in 2022. His extraordinary skill and tireless effort have elevated Texas Ballet Theater to international acclaim. A true visionary, Ben’s contributions to the company inspire every performance.
Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Kathryn Warakomsky-Li began studying ballet at the age of 14 in Springfield, Virginia with Oleg Tupine. She graduated from the State University of New York at Purchase with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. She was invited to join the Ballet de Santiago under the direction of Ivan Nagy where she rose to the status of principal dancer. In 1989 Ms. Warakomsky-Li joined Houston Ballet and became the Principal dancer. With over 20 years of performance experience, Warakomsky-Li has held lead roles in nearly all the major classical ballets including Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Cleopatra, Etudes and Coppelia.
She also danced in numerous works by famed contemporary choreographers like Ben Stevenson, George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián , Kenneth MacMillan, John Cranko, Ronald Hynd, James Kudelka and Christopher Bruce among others. Ms. Warakomsky-Li has toured extensively around the world dancing throughout North and South America, Asia and Europe. Upon retiring from the stage in 2001, Ms. Warakomsky-Li was invited to teach at the Houston Ballet Ben Stevenson Academy where she staged and rehearsed many pieces for the upper school.
Ms. Warakomsky-Li has been teaching for Texas Ballet Theater School in Fort Worth since 2003 where she has taught all levels of the school. She is an American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training in Primary through Level 7 of the ABT National Training Curriculum®. She has also traveled to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia to view the Bolshoi and the Vaganova Schools and to participate in their training programs. Ms. Warakomsky-Li was named Principal of Texas Ballet Theater School – Fort Worth in January 2007 and in 2016 was promoted to Associate Director. She also heads the Studio Training Company and has managed the Summer Intensive since its inception in 2007.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Leticia Oliveira began her comprehensive training at the age of 7 at the School of Teatro Municipal of Rio de Janeiro. Beginning her professional career at a young age of 16, she danced with Teatro Municipal of Rio de Janeiro, as well as the Joffrey Ballet and Houston Ballet, where she was a Principal Dancer. In 2007 she joined Texas Ballet Theater where she performed for 10 wonderful seasons. Ms. Oliveira has appeared in various international galas around the world, including Gala des Etoiles in Canada, Festival International de Danza in Cuba and the World Ballet Festival in Japan. She was also a “25 to Watch’’ in Dance Magazine in 2006.
Her 23 years of performance experience include principal roles in ballets by Ben Stevenson, George Balanchine, Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, John Cranko, Antony Tudor, Jiří Kylián, Robert Joffrey, Gerald Arpino, William Forsythe, Christopher Wheeldon, Fleming Flindt, James Kudelka, Val Caniparoli, among others. Ms. Oliveira has been a teacher with the Texas Ballet Theater School since 2009. In 2017, following her retirement from professional dance, she was appointed Principal of the Texas Ballet Theater Fort Worth School. She is a Progressing Ballet Technique Certified Teacher and a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Certified Teacher.
Administrative Director of Schools Yvonne Leffel has a long history with Texas Ballet Theater leading up to her current role. As Administrative Director she oversees programs, operations, and activities for both Texas Ballet Theater School campuses. She joined TBT in 2012 as Texas Ballet Theater School’s Dallas Campus administrator where she managed daily operations. Prior to becoming Administrative Director of Schools, Yvonne was an integral part of the TBTS transition team for the opening of TBT’s new Dallas campus location.
Her previous roles in restaurant management and as a small business owner provide unique insight to her current position. Both of Yvonne’s daughters trained in classical ballet and are TBTS alumnae.
Texas Ballet Theater School trains the next generation of dancers and arts patrons. Our Scholarship Fund helps keep the program growing by offering tuition subsidy and scholarships for students in need.
Tuition is based on the class level in which the student is enrolled. Tuition and registration fees are non-refundable. Students are responsible for tuition for the entire year. Full tuition is due for students who choose not to participate in the Spring Performances. Students with outstanding account balances are not eligible for re-enrollment until outstanding payments are paid.
Students who enroll after the beginning of the regular year may receive a prorated tuition rate. There are no credits for classes missed and no make-up classes offered. Reimbursements are not given for classes missed for vacations or school functions. Students are obligated for a full semesters tuition even if they withdraw before the end of the session.
Tuition credits may be applied to the following semester in the event students withdraw from classes due to a prolonged illness or injury verified by a doctor’s written confirmation. Texas Ballet Theater School must be informed in writing if a student decides to discontinue classes.
Payments may be made by check, credit card (preferably through the online Parent Portal), or automatic credit card charges. Cash is not accepted for tuition payments.
Due on the first weekday of each month, August 1, 2023, through May 1, 2024. The annual tuition is divided into 10 equal payments, so no discount is given for partial months.
Due in two equal payments on August 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024. Includes 3% discount.
Additional children in the same family will receive a 10% discount. For discount purposes, the student with the greatest class schedule is considered the “first student”. The family discount does not apply to drop-in or special classes and cannot be combined with any other discount, including annual payment or semester payment.
A $45 (by June 30) or $70 (July 1 and after) registration fee is due for each student at the time of enrollment. This fee is non-refundable and must be received to hold a student’s spot in class. This fee will be charged to the credit card on file when registration is processed.
Studio Training Company students: A non-refundable $150 registration fee and $500 tuition deposit is processed upon acceptance and registration into the program to hold a student’s spot in class.
Lower School, Creative Ballet-Level 4: $160 includes one costume and participation fee. $85 is due on October 14, 2024 and remaining balance is due February 1, 2025.
Level 4 and Up: $160-$180 includes one costume rental and participation fee. $85 is due on October 14, 2023 and remaining balance is due February 1, 2025.
Students that require additional costumes will pay up to an additional $65-85 per costume if needed.
All payments are due on the first weekday of each month. Accounts that have not been paid by the 7th of the month will incur a $10 late fee. Tuition payments not received by the 15th of the month will be automatically charged to your card on file, along with the late fee.
In the event that a student withdraws during the year, the parent/guardian is responsible for all payments until written notification is submitted. Past payments are still due and will not be refunded or prorated. If a student must withdraw due to prolonged illness or injury, paid tuition may be credited to a future enrollment if proper medical documentation is provided. Parent/Guardian is also responsible for any costume balances on costumes that were purchased for the student.
Texas Ballet Theater School will not refund tuition payments or registration fees for any reason. Refunds will not be given for missed or cancelled classes.
Kids all ages love our Ballerina Birthday Parties. The package includes: 45 minutes in the dance studio with a real ballerina, a brief dance lesson and, of course, a pair of commemorative pointe shoes. Guests will be treated to a ballet-themed storybook reading, a dance lesson and photo opportunities with a TBT ballerina.
