Pre-Professional Program

Students invited into the Pre-Professional Program at The Louisville Ballet School aspire to a high standard of excellence and professionalism. The goal is to inspire a passion for dance and encourage students to realize their individual potential through the attention offered by world class faculty. Students’ dance education in this program includes men’s and women’s technique class, pointe work, variations, pas de deux and repertoire, performance opportunities with the Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble, as well as the opportunity to train and perform in complementary dance disciplines. Expectations in technique and artistry are clearly communicated to students and regular assessments guide each student’s progress through the ten-year program. The Pre-Professional Program is for students who exhibit the technical, emotional and mental readiness along with a serious interest in, and a commitment to, a career in classical ballet and is by invitation only. Classes are held at the Downtown Studios and **St. Matthews Studios.  

Please note: participation in Spring Dance Festival and Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble is required by all Pre-Professional students. Click here for a summary of yearly expenses to be expected within The Louisville Ballet School’s Pre-Professional Program.


Class schedule information for the 2023 – 2024 School Year is now available.
Click here to register!

New students wishing to register for the 2023-2024 are asked to attend a placement class for level placement.


Junior Program

Level One

$955 per semester ($238.75 per month with 4 Monthly Payments)
Additional Fees include:
Spring Dance Festival Fee: $175 (Fall only)
LBYE Annual Membership Dues: $295 (Fall only)
Regional Dance America Southeast Festival Fall & Spring Deposits: Estimated at $325 for Fall and $150 for Spring (Optional)

Level One students are expected to attend ballet class a total of three times a week and the ladies will participate in a separate pointe class. Level One students will also learn and perform classical ballet repertoire as members of the Junior Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble. Level One students will attend Junior Modern and Body Conditioning to fulfill their elective requirements. These electives are included in Pre-Professional tuition fees. Students wishing to enroll in any additional electives will receive a 25% discount.

Day Time Class Instructor
Monday** 6:30 – 8:00 pm Technique Tawnee Thompson
  8:00 – 8:30 pm Pointe Tawnee Thompson
Tuesday** 4:30 – 6:00 pm Technique Tawnee Thompson
Wednesday** 4:30 – 5:30 pm Junior Modern (Modern 3) Lauren Frederick
Thursday** 4:30 – 6:00 pm Technique Tawnee Thompson
  6:00 – 6:30 pm  Pointe Tawnee Thompson
  6:45 – 8:15 pm Junior LBYE Rehearsal Tawnee Thompson
Saturday 9:00 – 9:55 am Body Conditioning Brienne Wiltsie Keehner
  10:30 am – 12:00 pm Junior/Apprentice LBYE Warm- Up Class Brienne Wiltsie Keehner

**St. Matthews Studios

Musical Theater Jazz/Tap 2 Add-On

Weekly Elective Class $206.25 per semester (includes 25% Complementary Program discount)

Pre-Professional 1 students wishing to continue their jazz and tap skills are invited to enroll in a weekly Musical Theater Jazz/Tap 2 class on Wednesday evenings at the St. Matthews Studios.

Day Time Instructor Location
Wednesday 5:30 – 6:30 pm Molly Kays St. Matthews

Capacity of 14 students.


Level Two

$975 per semester ($243.75 per month with 4 Monthly Payments)
Additional Fees include:
Spring Dance Festival Fee: $175 (Fall only)
LBYE Annual Membership Dues: $295 (Fall only)
Regional Dance America Southeast Festival Fall & Spring Deposits: Estimated at $325 for Fall and $150 for Spring (Optional)

Level Two students continue to build on the technique developed in Level One and the ladies will continue their pointe work. Level Two students will also learn and perform classical ballet variations and repertoire as members of the Apprentice Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble. Level Two students will attend Apprentice Modern and Body Conditioning to fulfill their elective requirements. These electives are included in Pre-Professional tuition fees. Students wishing to enroll in any additional electives will receive a 25% discount.

Day Time Class Instructor
Monday 6:15 – 7:45 pm Technique Ashley Thursby Kern
  7:45 – 8:30 pm Pointe Ashley Thursby Kern
Wednesday** 5:30 – 6:30 pm Apprentice Modern (Modern 4) Lauren Frederick
  6:30 – 8:00 pm Technique Lexa Daniels
  8:00 – 8:30 pm Pointe Lexa Daniels
Friday 6:00 – 7:30 pm Technique Daniels/Thursby
  7:30 – 8:45 pm Apprentice LBYE Rehearsal Daniels/Thursby
Saturday 9:00 – 9:55 am Body Conditioning Brienne Wiltsie Keehner
  10:30 am – 12:00 pm Junior/Apprentice LBYE Warm- Up Class Brienne Wiltsie Keehner

**St. Matthews Studios

Musical Theater Jazz/Tap 3 Add-On

Weekly Elective Class $206.25 per semester (includes 25% Complementary Program discount)

Pre-Professional 2 students wishing to continue their jazz and tap skills are invited to enroll in a weekly Musical Theater Jazz/Tap 3 class on Wednesday afternoons at the St. Matthews Studios.

Day Time Instructor Location
Wednesday 4:30 – 5:30 pm Molly Kays St. Matthews

Capacity of 14 students.


Level Three

$995 per semester ($248.75 per month with 4 Monthly Payments)
Additional Fees include:
Spring Dance Festival Fee: $175 (Fall only)
LBYE Annual Membership Dues: $295 (Fall only)
Regional Dance America Southeast Festival Fall & Spring Deposits: Estimated at $325 for Fall and $150 for Spring (Optional)

Level Three students continue to build on the technique developed in Level Two, adding Body Conditioning into their weekly class schedule, and will also learn and perform classical ballet variations, repertoire, and pas de deux as members of the Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble. Level Three students will attend Ensemble Modern and Body Conditioning to fulfill their elective requirements. These electives are included in Pre-Professional Level tuition fees. Students wishing to enroll in any additional electives will receive a 25% discount.

Level Four

$995 per semester ($248.75 per month with 4 Monthly Payments)
Additional Fees include:
Spring Dance Festival Fee: $175 (Fall only)
LBYE Annual Membership Dues: $295 (Fall only)
Regional Dance America Southeast Festival Fall & Spring Deposits: Estimated at $325 for Fall and $150 for Spring (Optional)

Level Four is the consolidating year of training before students move to a more rigorous training program and schedule. Level Four students will continue variations, repertoire, and pas de deux as members of the Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble. Level Four students will attend Ensemble Modern and Body Conditioning to fulfill their elective requirements. These electives are included in Pre-Professional Level tuition fees. Students wishing to enroll in any additional electives will receive a 25% discount.

Day Time Class Instructor
Monday 6:00 – 7:30 pm Technique Brienne Wiltsie Keehner
  7:30 – 8:30 pm Pointe Brienne Wiltsie Keehner
Tuesday 6:00 – 7:30 pm Technique Brienne Wiltsie Keehner
Wednesday 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Ensemble Modern
Theresa Bautista
  6:00 – 7:30 pm Technique Brienne Wiltsie Keehner
  7:30 – 8:30 pm Pointe Brienne Wiltsie Keehner
  7:30 – 8:15 pm Men’s Class Phillip Velinov
Thursday 6:00 – 7:30 pm Technique Daniel Scofield
Saturday 9:00 – 9:55 am Body Conditioning Brienne Wiltsie Keehner
  10:00 – 11:30 am Ensemble Warm-Up Class Rotating Instructor

 


Senior Program

Level Five

$1015 per semester ($253.75 per month with 4 Monthly Payments)
Additional Fees include:
Spring Dance Festival Fee: $175 (Fall only)
LBYE Annual Membership Dues: $295 (Fall only)
Regional Dance America Southeast Festival Fall & Spring Deposits: Estimated at $325 for Fall and $150 for Spring (Optional)

Level Five students move into a more rigorous and demanding training program and schedule, as indicated by the six classical ballet classes per week. Level Five students will also continue variations, repertoire, and pas de deux as Senior members of the Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble. Level Five students will attend Modern 4 and Body Conditioning to fulfill their elective requirements. These electives are included in Pre-Professional Level tuition fees. Students wishing to enroll in any additional electives will receive a 25% discount.

Level Six

$1015 per semester ($253.75 per month with 4 Monthly Payments)
Additional Fees include:
Spring Dance Festival Fee: $175 (Fall only)
LBYE Annual Membership Dues: $295 (Fall only)
Regional Dance America Southeast Festival Fall & Spring Deposits: Estimated at $325 for Fall and $150 for Spring (Optional)

Level Six students continue to consolidate their training in preparation for moving into the Louisville Ballet Trainee experience that is comprised of Levels 7 & 8. Level Six students will also continue variations, repertoire, and pas de deux as Senior members of the Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble. Level Six students will attend Modern 4 and Body Conditioning to fulfill their elective requirements. These electives are included in Pre-Professional Level tuition fees. Students wishing to enroll in any additional electives will receive a 25% discount.

Day Time Class Instructor
Monday 4:00 – 6:15 pm Technique Christy Corbitt Krieger
Tuesday 4:30 – 6:00 pm Technique Mark Krieger
Wednesday 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Ensemble Modern
Theresa Bautista
  6:00 – 7:30 pm Technique Mark Krieger
  7:30 – 8:15 pm Men’s Class Phillip Velinov
Thursday 5:30 – 7:30 pm Technique Christy Corbitt Krieger
Friday 4:00 – 5:30 pm Technique Christy Corbitt Krieger
Saturday 9:00 – 9:55 am Body Conditioning Brienne Wiltsie Keehner
  10:00 – 11:30 am Ensemble Warm-Up Class Rotating Instructor

 


Dress Code

The student dress code maintains the tradition and aesthetic of classical ballet and allows instructors to see the full lines of the students’ bodies. As such, all students must wear the required uniform colors and styles.  View the Uniform Page for more detailed uniform requirements for each level. Required styles and colors are reasonably priced and are available for purchase through The Louisville Ballet School.