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 RichardsonSchool@TexasBallet.org.
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.
These classes introduce young dancers to the fundamentals of ballet in a happy and supportive environment. Students aged 3-6 will learn ballet vocabulary, build interest in dance, and make a few new friends too!
Creative Ballet & Tap
These classes for ages 3-6 meet once a week.
Pre-Primary/Primary Ballet & Tap
Students ages 5-7 may choose to attend these classes once or twice per week.
The core of our curriculum, ballet classes help students of all ages build strength and confidence. From ages 7-13, students learn from a curriculum which is based on the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) syllabus, progressing through levels 1-6 as their skills advance.
Students in select levels become eligible to audition for student roles in TBT’s annual production of The Nutcracker, where they will perform alongside the professional company.
Levels 1-4
For ages 7-11, these classes meet twice per week.
Levels 5-6
For ages 10-13, these classes meet three or four times per week. Pre-Pointe is added to the curriculum in these levels.
Our pre-professional classes build on the discipline and technique learned in Levels 1-6, and offer more rigor to serious dance students ages 13-18. Classes meet five to six days per week. Dancers are required to take ballet and modern, and are strongly encouraged to round out their dance education with additional classes in jazz, tap, Latin ballroom, variations, and more.
Enrollment in the pre-professional program is by audition or teacher placement only.
Pre-Advanced
Pre-Advanced students ages 12-14 take a minimum of five classes a week.
Advanced 1, 2, 3
Advanced students, usually ages 14-18, take a minimum of six classes a week.
Based at our Richardson School, the Professional Training Division offers advanced dancers ages 14-19 comprehensive, year-round dance training. With a mix of both daytime and evening classes, the PTD program is designed to help teenage students balance intense ballet training with academic and other pursuits.
Along with regular leveled classes, Texas Ballet Theater School offers an additional boys-only class, recommended for students ages 7-14. This class helps provide important focused training and introduces young men to the specific strengths required for male ballet dancers.
These fun classes offer students a way to broaden their skills in diverse dance techniques. We recommend that ballet students also enroll in these classes to supplement their ballet training, but for students in Levels 1-6, they are not required. These classes also do not require enrollment in a ballet level.
Our Open School program allows students who aren’t on a professional track to continue enjoying all that dance has to offer. Older beginners are placed in age-appropriate beginner classes, and advanced students who aren’t pursuing professional dance are still able to take classes at a level that’s right for them. Open School classes include ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, and boys classes.
If you have questions about your student’s placement and level, please contact school staff.
Dance should include every student in an accessible and inspiring way. That’s why we’ve partnered with Children’s Health to bring ballet to dancers ages 4-8 with Down syndrome or others with a diagnosis similar to, but not restricted to, Down syndrome.
Whether you’re a dance parent, a former dancer, or an absolute beginner at ballet, our adult classes offer a fun way to move and grow strong. Classes include ballet, modern, Pilates, and more.
These classes combine the highest quality instruction with fun summer themes for an engaging experience. Classes range from ballet basics to advanced level training.
A native of Ireland, Anna Donovan won a scholarship to train at the Royal Ballet School in England when she was ten years old. From there she joined the Elmhurst Ballet School. After performing in Kaiserslautern, Germany she joined the Irish National Ballet in 1973 and was rapidly promoted to Principal Dancer.
After 17 years with INB, she joined the staff of Ballet Dallas in 1991, serving as Principal Ballet Mistress/Repetiteur and instructor for the Dallas Conservatory of Ballet. She is included in The Who’s Who of Teachers in America 2000, 2001, and 2005. Anna joined the artistic staff at TBT as Principal Ballet Master in 2000.
Mishic Liberatore grew up traveling the world as a kid of a military family. Her training includes Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Nuremberg Opera House in Germany, and Royal Academy in London, England. She was a Senior Soloist with Cincinnati Ballet where she danced for nine seasons. She was featured in many roles, but her favorites were Balanchine’s La Sonnambula as the Sleepwalker, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Serenade as the Dark Angel, Twyla Tharp’s Bakers Dozen, and Chaconne, which was performed with Suzanne Farrell Company at the Kennedy Center. She has worked with many world-renowned choreographers, but her most favorite were Val Caniporolli as principle in Lamberena and The Bridge, Jormo Elo’s Plan to B and Darrell Moultrie. She danced many full-length ballets including Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, and Coppelia, but was best known for her portrayal of Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Marie in The Nutcracker and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. In 2004, she worked with the late Sir Fredrick Franklin during the re-staging of Massine’s Seventh Symphony, where she portrayed the Principal female in the three-movement ballet. In 2007, she was invited to re-stage Victoria Morgan’s Cinderella in Hawaii as well as dance the role of Fairy Godmother.
For one season, she enjoyed being the Rehearsal Director for Cincinnati Ballet, as well as teaching at the Otto M. Budig Academy of Cincinnati Ballet. She worked extensively with, and accredits her career to, Truman Finney, Maria Calegari and Bart Cook. Before joining Cincinnati Ballet, she danced with Fort Worth Dallas Ballet (now Texas Ballet Theater) for three years. In 2014, she enjoyed going to Kansas City Ballet to stage and rehearse Victoria Morgan’s Cinderella, returning to KCB in 2015 to help rehearse Devon Carney’s Giselle.
Mishic was certified as a Pilates Instructor in 2012 and loves teaching Pilates mat, equipment, and private lessons.
From 2013-2023, she and her husband founded and operated the Wichita Falls Youth Ballet. She worked as the Artistic Director of the Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre in Wichita Falls, TX.
She loves being a mom to her two daughters, Gabriella and Adaline, who inspire her every day to be a better person.
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.
Lyndette Galen received most of her dance training from her mother, Joyce Seaborne, in South Africa. After immigrating to the States in 1981, the two women established their own school in Dallas. In 2006, the school merged with Texas Ballet Theater, with Ms. Galen as principal.
Ms. Galen is a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance and has entered students in both the grades and vocational examinations with successful results. She has coached students for the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) regionals and finals in New York, and the Texas Ballet Theater School Ensemble has been in the Top 12 twice at the YAGP finals. Past students have received Broadway contracts or contracts with ballet or modern companies, dance scholarships to universities, and many have moved on to a career of teaching dance.
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 semester’s 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 online through the Parent Portal), or automatic credit card charges. Cash is not accepted for tuition payments.
Due on the first weekday of each month, August 1, 2025, through May 1, 2026. 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, 2025, and January 1, 2026. 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 15) or $70 (June 16 and after) registration fee is due for each student at the time of enrollment. This fee is non-refundable and must be received in order to hold your student’s place in class. This fee will be charged to your credit card upon registration.
Professional Training Division students: non-refundable $150 registration fee and $400 tuition deposit is processed upon acceptance and registration into the program to hold a student’s spot.
$88 for individual student or $140 family rate. Due Oct. 13, 2025
$55 deposit per spring performance costume needed. Due Nov. 10, 2025. Any costume balances will be due Feb. 1, 2026.
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 school year tuition payments until written notice is submitted. Written notice is required prior to the first of the month. 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.
Girls and boys of 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.
