Little Dancers Classes for 4-5 Year Olds

The School of American Ballet — the preeminent ballet school in the U.S. and the official school of New York City Ballet — is pleased to offer beginner ballet classes for 4, 5, and young 6 year olds. SAB’s Little Dancers program introduces students to the art of ballet through a curriculum of music and movement especially crafted for young learners. Taught by current and former New York City Ballet dancers, classes are offered in 14-week sessions each fall and winter. Little Dancers is a part of the School’s SAB OPEN division which does not require auditions for admission. Enrollment is first-come, first-served.

Enrolled students participate in a 45-minute class each week in SAB’s beautiful glass studios at our Lincoln Center headquarters. Led by members of SAB’s faculty who have been trained in a special curriculum for young learners, classes focus on teaching the fundamentals of dance, developing spatial awareness, and introducing elementary ballet steps. Live music accompanies each class, allowing students to better understand the relationship between music and dance and helping them develop a sense of musicality.

Enrollment is now open for the 2025 Winter Session. Watch the video below for an inside look at the program with faculty member Meagan Mann.

Admission

Auditions are not required for the Little Dancers program and children do not need previous ballet training. Students must meet the age requirements detailed below in order to enroll. Enrollment is first come, first served. Tuition must be paid in full before the start of the session to secure a student’s space in the program.

Age Criteria

Little Dancers is for 4, 5 and young 6 year olds. Children must be no younger than 4 as of the first day of class and no older than 5 as of September 1 to enroll in the 2025 Winter Session. Children who turn 6 after September 1 are eligible to enroll. To enroll in the 2025 Winter Session, students must have been born between 9/2/2018 and 1/21/2021.

2025 Winter Session

Classes for Little Dancers are co-ed and divided by age. During the Winter Session, students will meet each week for a 45-minute class beginning the week of January 21. One parent/caregiver will be allowed to accompany their dancer to SAB’s 5th floor and are allowed to remain outside of the studio for the duration of the class. During the final week, two guests will be invited into the studio to observe the final class of the session for an Observation Day.

DRESS CODE: Female identifying students must wear lavender leotards in any style, and pink or flesh tone tights and ballet shoes. Male identifying students must wear a white T-shirt, black tights, white ankle socks and white or black ballet slippers. All children with long hair should wear it pulled back in either a ponytail or bun.

For Students born between 9/2/2018 and 9/14/2019

 

Tuesdays at 4:45 – 5:30 PM January 21, 28
February 4, 11, 18, 25
March 4, 11, 25
April 1, 8, 22, 29
May 6

*NO CLASS March 18, April 15

Wednesdays at 4:45 – 5:30 PM
January 22
February 5, 12, 19, 26
March 5, 12, 26
April 2, 9, 23, 30
May 7, 14

*NO CLASS January 29, March 19, April 16

Thursdays at 4:15 5:00 PM January 23, 30
February 6, 13, 20, 27
March 6, 13, 27
April 3, 10, 24
May 1, 8

*NO CLASS March 20, April 17

Saturdays at 10:30 11:15 AM* January 25
February 1, 8, 22
March 1, 8, 15, 29
April 5, 12, 26
May 3, 10, 17

*NO CLASS February 15, March 22, April 19

CLASS FULL

Our Saturday class is now full, all other sections remain available. Please join our waiting list for the 2025 Winter Session to be notified if an opening in the Saturday class becomes available.

Enroll Now

For Students born between 9/15/2019 and 1/21/21

 

Tuesdays at 4:00 – 4:45 PM*

January 21, 28
February 4, 11, 18, 25
March 4, 11, 25
April 1, 8, 22, 29
May 6

*NO CLASS March 18, April 15


Wednesdays at 4:00 – 4:45 PM

January 22
February 5, 12, 19, 26
March 5, 12, 26
April 2, 9, 23, 30
May 7, 14

*NO CLASS January 29, March 19, April 16

Enroll now

2025 Winter Session Tuition

Tuition: $1800
Registration Fee: $50

Tuition must be paid in full upon enrollment. A two-installment plan is available with a $200 surcharge. ($1,100 due upon enrollment; $900 due by December 15.) Refunds will not be provided for children who withdraw prior to or during the program. Financial aid is not available for this program.

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Is your child too young for the upcoming session of Little Dancers?  Join our mailing list to receive updates and be notified of future sessions!

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