Let’s move!
Refer to MINDBODY for the most up to date class schedule. To find our schedule of classes, just search for “Louisville Ballet”.
Please note that we have TWO studio locations! Studio assignments are listed under the room listing on the MINDBODY App.
**For our East Main Street classes, please double check the room assignment before driving to class in the event of a class transfer to the St. Matthews Studios**
Day | Class | Time | Studio Location | Instructor |
Mondays | Introductory Ballet 2 | 5:00 – 6:15 pm | St. Matthews | Tawnee Thompson~ |
Mondays | Beginning Ballet | 7:00 – 8:15 pm | St. Matthews | Nicholas Bentz* |
Tuesdays | Introductory Ballet 1 | 3:00 – 4:15 pm | St. Matthews | Tawnee Thompson~ |
Tuesdays | Intermediate Ballet | 7:00 – 8:15 pm | St. Matthews | Sheila Zeng |
Tuesdays | Pointe Strengthening | 8:15 – 8:45 pm | St. Matthews | Sheila Zeng |
Wednesdays | Intermediate Ballet | 10:00 – 11:30 am | St. Matthews | Joseph Nygren Cox~ |
Wednesdays | Jazz (All Levels) | 6:45 – 8:00 pm | St. Matthews | David X. Thurmond~ |
Thursdays | Advanced Ballet | 10:00 – 11:30 am | St. Matthews | Joseph Nygren Cox~ |
Thursdays | Gentle Ballet | 4:45 – 6:00 pm | St. Matthews | Sheila Zeng |
Thursdays | Tap (All Levels) | 6:45 – 8:15 pm | St. Matthews | Gail Benedict |
Fridays | Musical Theatre Jazz (All Levels) | 6:30 – 7:45 pm | St. Matthews | Daniel Scofield* |
Saturdays | Advanced Ballet | 9:00 am – 10:30 am | ** East Main Street ** | Phillip Velinov* |
Saturdays | Introductory Ballet 1 | 11:00 am – 12:15 pm | St. Matthews | Sheila Zeng |
Sundays | Int/Adv Contemporary Modern | 10:00 am – 11:15 am | ** East Main Street ** | Theresa Bautista |
Sundays | Beginning Modern | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm | ** East Main Street ** | Theresa Bautista |
Sundays | Introductory Ballet 2 | 12:30 – 1:45 pm | ** East Main Street ** | Ashley Thursby* |
Sundays | Rotating Somatic Practice | 2:00 – 3:00 pm | ** East Main Street ** | Rotating Instructor |
*Louisville Ballet Artist
^Louisville Ballet Artistic Staff
~Former Louisville Ballet Artist
Rotating Somatic Practices Schedule:
Scheduled transfers to St. Matthews Studios included:
The Louisville Ballet School
4121 Shelbyville Road, Suite 201
Louisville, KY 40207
We are located on the second floor.
Louisville Ballet
315 East Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Enter from the main entrance on Main Street.
0 – 6 months of training
Start Here! Intro 1 is designed for the absolute beginner. Clients with little to no ballet experience are expected to attend Intro 1 for approximately 16 weeks before moving to Intro 2.
6 months – 1 year of training
Intro 2 is recommended for clients with less than one year of ballet training, retaining some basic understanding of dance vocabulary. Intro 2 is a great place for clients who may have taken a break from their ballet studies. Jump back in to refresh the brain and body!
1 – 3 years of training
Beginning is structured for clients who have an elementary understanding of the foundations of ballet. These concepts are incorporated into a full ballet class with exercises at the barre, in the center, and moving across the floor.
This level will focus on continuing to fine-tune the basic positions, posture and alignment, while introducing more advanced steps both at the barre and in the center. Exercises will focus on increasing speed and complexity, coordination of arm and leg movements, and increased strength in the lower body.
3 – 5 years of training
Intermediate is targeted towards dancers with technical proficiency and a thorough understanding of the vocabulary. Intermediate level classes will move at a much quicker pace, offering complex combinations both at the barre and in the center. At this level dancers should begin to explore and develop their artistry, musicality and épaulement.
5+ years of training
Advanced classes are intended for dancers with extensive training. Pre-professional and professional dancers welcome!
Mixed Level
Gentle ballet is meant for anyone who is wanting to focus on building strength and balance through ballet movement at a slower pace, focusing on elements of stability and confidence in their movement to help with daily life. This will be great for those working through injury, wanting to focus on balance and stability, and gentle stretching and mobility work. It is also a great way to get a second class per week for our Introductory Ballet 1 level dancers!
Pilates helps to connect your body through core stability. Strong abdominal, back, and pelvic muscles are essential for high impact activities such as dance, especially if you have hypermobility. Pilates Matwork strengthens the deepest muscular groups to prevent injuries. Uniform development of the mind and body can help to reduce stress while connecting you to your breath
The Gyrokinesis Method is a movement method that addresses the entire body, opening energy pathways, stimulating the nervous system, increasing range of motion and creating functional strength through rhythmic, flowing movement sequences.
A Vinyasa yoga practice that connects individual poses with the breath in a series of flowing sequences of movement.
Modern takes a pragmatic approach of training the body, with an emphasis in Kinesiology and how these movements could be applied to ballet or be its own vocabulary of choreographic tools. This class is a great starting point for any novice dance enthusiast, or a veteran of other dance styles.
Build endurance, strength, and coordination in a class that emphasizes your individual dance improvement and fitness. Develop new dance skills in a fast-paced, fun-filled class with the latest moves from the world of popular and theatrical dance. No prior experience necessary. Great for all levels!
Tap
This class is open to both new students wanting to learn fundamentals of tap and experienced tappers who wish to improve their musicality and enjoy the challenge of exploring diverse styles of American Tap Dance as utilized in today’s Broadway choreography. This class offers a 60 minute warm-up and instruction at the beginning/intermediate level followed by 30 minutes of advanced level instruction. All levels are welcome to stay for the duration with the option to exit after the 60 minute mark.
Pointe Strengthening
Pointe Strengthening class will begin with standing calf and hip exercises, progress through a ballet barre that focuses on strengthening the feet and ankles, and later in the semester will include some time spent in center practice. Clients without pointe shoes will rise to 3/4 pointe as a way to strengthen their demi pointe work for other classes. Clients who have been screened and approved for pointe work will wear their pointe shoes for class.
Feldenkrais
You move by an image of yourself that is constantly developing and changing in your brain.
Your thoughts, movement habits, sensations, and awareness create a constant feedback loop that changes your self-image and translates into your movement possibilities in each moment. This is called neuroplasticity. In Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® you dive through this somatic portal to learn about your body in movement and yourself. Each lesson in Awareness Through Movement is organized around the improvement of a different aspect of human movement. Through verbally guided attention, you are led through a sequence of mindful movements. You are most often lying down, sometimes sitting or standing. In these classes, you will explore yourself in movement, and your body in space, gravity and balance. You will learn how to navigate your rapport with the ground. You will discover your habits and how they limit your self-image and therefore your movement, and you will be surprised how new possibilities appear leaving old habits with less control over you and your movement. Excellent for dancers, athletes, and for everyone, to feel better in all your activities! Move better and feel better!
An Awareness Through Movement lesson is a meeting with yourself. The improvement comes not from the movement itself, but from how you listen to yourself and tend to yourself as you move. You may be pleasantly surprised as these improvements often spread to other aspects of your life!
Tai Chi
The class is appropriate for first timers, beginners at all levels, or more experienced practitioners. Exercises are suitable for participants of any fitness level or age. Emphasis will be on basic Tai Chi principles. Calming of the mind, stress reduction,
body strengthening, and increased flexibility. Exercise to improve balance, proprioception, fall prevention, and meta-aerobics.
A short sequence, the “Eight Combination Form”, will be taught. Do not worry about remembering it; the only thing you have to remember is to show up. Also, do remember our class motto: “No Pain, No Pain”. You will feel better after doing Tai Chi—energized and relaxed.
class packages
In an ongoing effort to provide our clients with more affordable, quality dance training and fitness classes, we have created class packages to fit a variety of needs. Packages may be applied towards any weekly class offering (unless otherwise noted). Advanced booking is required for all classes, at least 2 hours prior to the start of class. Clients are able to book and purchase a any of our class package options by visiting Mindbody Online or using the Mindbody App up to 14 days prior to any scheduled class. Cancellations may be made up to 2 hours before a class reservation.
Parents of students enrolled in The Louisville Ballet School for a Fall or Spring semester will be sent a promo code at the beginning of the semester to use in the Mindbody Online Store to redeem class packages at a special discounted rate. (Please note: promo codes cannot be used with the Mindbody App.)
Discounts are not available in the Mindbody Online Store. To redeem any of our discount rates, please enter the most up to date billing information in your Mindbody Online account (use a web browser, not the app) and contact the School Registrar by emailing school@louisvilleballet.org with your purchase and class booking requests with at least 72 hours notice. Cancellations may be made up to 2 hours before a class begins, using Mindbody Online or the Mindbody App.
*with valid identification
**Ages 60+
In general, class participants should wear fitted athletic or dance attire for any mind. body. balance. class. Gentlemen should wear dance belts or athletic supporters at all times.
BALLET Ballet shoes are required for all levels. Canvas, leather, full sole, or split sole of any color are welcome. Jazz shoes are also acceptable.
MODERN We recommend being barefoot for modern classes. Socks may be worn as long as they have not been exposed to fabric softener as fabric softener can cause slick spots on studio floors. We also ask that modern participants please refrain from using lotion prior to class as modern incorporates floor work and can spread slick spots on the studio floors.
SOMATIC OFFERINGS Bare feet are best for Pilates, Yoga, Gyrokinesis, and Integrated Movement classes.
TAP Non-heeled, full sole, tap shoes are recommended over split sole or tap shoes with a high heel. We recommend wearing thin cotton socks with tap shoes.
MUSICAL THEATER JAZZ Jazz shoes are preferred. Character shoes are welcome for certain Musical Theater styles! We recommend bringing both types of shoes if you have them already.
JAZZ Jazz shoes or dance sneakers are preferred.
Clients in the mind. body. balance. program with an active class package are entitled to a ticket discount for Louisville Ballet’s main stage productions. Clients may redeem 25% off single tickets, limited to one ticket per main stage production. All discount tickets must be redeemed by calling (502) 583-2623 to reach the Louisville Ballet Box Office, prior to the week of the performance. Certain restrictions may apply and late redemption will not be permitted.
2025 Information Coming Soon!
The Louisville Ballet School’s Spring Dance Festival
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Brown Theatre
Things to know:
Rehearsal Schedule:
Production Week Schedule:
Registration:
All fees are non-refundable. No deductions or refunds will be made for absence or withdrawal, voluntary or involuntary, unless for medical reasons with documentation from your doctor.
2025 Info Coming Soon!
Louisville Ballet Studios
315 East Main Street
We are thrilled to launch our sixth annual Adult Intensive as a way to enhance your work within the mind. body. balance. program and offer up more performance opportunities to showcase your growth as creatives!
The Adult Intensive is open to ages 18+ and will suit the beginner-advanced dancer. Participants will have the option to choose a Half Day or Full Day program option. Daily classes include Ballet Technique, Pointe Strengthening, Jump Strengthening, Modern, Jazz, Feldenkrais, Yoga and Variations that will be part of an in-studio showcase for Full Program participants.
Reserve your spot with a $50 registration deposit and register through April 1. Late registration available starting April 2. Late registration will remain open as space remains.
Final payments are due May 15, 2024.
All fees are non-refundable. No deductions or refunds will be made for absence or withdrawal, voluntary or involuntary, unless for medical reasons with documentation from your doctor.
Register via the Enrollments tab on Mindbody Online.
Need Financial Assistance? Click here to review our Scholarship Application. (Closes March 31, 2024)
Facebook Page: Mind Body Balance- Louisville
Facebook Group: Client Connection
Instagram: @mindbodybalancelou
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2024-2025 Client Handbook
Ashley Thursby
mind. body. balance. Program Manager
athursby@louisvilleballet.org
Tara Gardner Perry
Registration & Enrollment Manager
tgardner@louisvilleballet.org
502-583-3150 x 245