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Dance with us

Richardson School

Explore classes and professional ballet development with Texas Ballet Theater's Richardson dance classes. Enrollment is now open for the 2024-2025 school year. Scroll below for the schedule, tuition information, and more.

The Embodiment of Artistry

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.

Programs and Curriculum

Early Learners

These classes introduce young dancers to movement and musicality in a happy and supportive environment. Students aged 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 to 7 may take one or two classes per week.

Adaptive Dance

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.

For more information about this program, please contact Alexis Leffel, Educational Programs Manager at alexis@texasballet.org.

Levels 1, 2, 3

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.

Jazz, Tap, Modern

These fun classes offer students a way to broaden their skills in diverse dance techniques and do not require enrollment in a ballet level.

Levels 4, 5, 6

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.

Level 7 and Advanced 1, 2, 3

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.

Men's Classes

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.

Summer Programs

These classes combine the highest quality instruction with fun summer themes for an engaging experience. Classes range from ballet basics to advanced level training.

Registration & Schedule

Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is now open online. Class sizes are limited, so early registration is encouraged. Classes for the 2024-2025 school year begin Monday, August 12.

2024-2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS >
2024-2025 LOWER SCHOOL CLASS SCHEDULE >
2024-2025 UPPER SCHOOL CLASS SCHEDULE >

UNIFORM GUIDE >
TUITION & FEES >

New Students Welcome

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.

Meet the Staff

Mishic Marie Liberatore
Advanced and Professional Training Division Instructor

Mishic Marie Liberatore

Tim O’Keefe
Artistic Director

Tim O’Keefe

Ben Stevenson, O.B.E.
Artistic Director Laureate

Ben Stevenson, O.B.E.

Lyndette Galen
Dallas School Principal

Lyndette Galen

Yvonne Leffel
Administrative Director of Schools

Yvonne Leffel

Advanced and Professional Training Division Instructor

Mishic Marie Liberatore

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.


Artistic Director

Tim O’Keefe

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.


Artistic Director Laureate

Ben Stevenson, O.B.E.

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.

 

His Story


Dallas School Principal

Lyndette Galen

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

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.


JESSICA ANDERSON
GINA BAKER
KEVYN BUTLER
AFNAN DAHDULI
ALEX DAVISON
ANNA DONOVAN
LAILAH DUKE
LEXIE FINER
LYNDETTE GALEN
ABBY GLUCKMAN
LAUREN HIBBARD
ALEXIS LEFFEL
MISHIC LIBERATORE
LAURA PEARSON
REBECCA SIGMUND
PEYTON WARD
TERRY WOLTER

Student Scholarship Fund

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

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.

Payment Options & Discounts

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.

MONTHLY 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.

SEMESTER PAYMENTS

Due in two equal payments on August 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024. Includes 3% discount.

FAMILY 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.

Payment Policies & Fees

REGISTRATION FEES

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 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.

PERFORMANCE AND COSTUME FEES

The annual Spring Performance Fee is $85 for an individual student or $140 for a family, due October 14, 2024.

Each performance costume requires a $50 deposit, due November 11, 2024. Remaining costume balances will be due February 1, 2025.

LATE FEES

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.

WITHDRAWALS

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.

NO REFUND POLICY

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.

Ballerina Birthday Party

A Party En Pointe

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.