The School of American Ballet (SAB), founded in 1934 by George Balanchine, is widely considered the leading ballet school in the US and is the official school of New York City Ballet. Located at Lincoln Center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, SAB is renowned for the excellence of its classical ballet training as taught by the School’s acclaimed instructors, almost all of whom are current or former members of New York City Ballet. SAB offers training programs for children as young as 4 through age 18.

For 4, 5, and young 6 year olds, the School offers introductory ballet classes (Little Dancers) as part of the School’s SAB OPEN division. In weekly classes, children learn the fundamentals of ballet through a curriculum of movement and music in a fun, nurturing environment. Sessions are held each fall and winter and no auditions are necessary for the Little Dancers program. Enrollment begins in May for the fall session and in October for the winter session.

Beginning at age 6, children are invited to audition for SAB’s pre-professional year-round training program (Winter Term). Although no experience is necessary for children 10 and under, students must demonstrate a potential to succeed at the focused training which is aimed at preparing dancers for professional careers in ballet. If accepted, students take two or more classes a week, September through June. At roughly nine years of age, enrolled students are eligible to be cast in New York City Ballet productions that feature roles for children--most notably the beloved holiday classic George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. Auditions for 6-10 year olds take place each spring. There is a substantial need-based scholarship program for SAB's Winter Term. 

SAB also holds summer programs for students ages 10-18 with previous ballet training. (A one-week NY Junior Session for 10-12 year olds and a five-week Summer Course for 12-18 year olds). Summer program auditions are held each January at SAB and at 16 cities across the US. The School’s intermediate and advanced students are some of the most talented and promising young dancers from NYC and around the world, many of whom first attend one or more summer programs before being invited to enroll in the Winter Term and live in the School’s onsite residence hall.

Visit the website to learn more about training opportunities for children.