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. Classes are offered over 13 weeks 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 are current or former dancers with New York City Ballet, 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.
See below for more details and age eligibility requirements for the 2024 Fall Session. And 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 2024 Fall Session. Children who turn 6 after September 1 are eligible to enroll. To enroll in the 2024 Fall Session, students must have been born between 9/2/2018 and 9/10/2020.
2024 Fall Session
Classes for Little Dancers are co-ed and divided by age. During the Fall Session, students will meet each week for a 45-minute class beginning the week of September 7. 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 |
September 10, 17, 24 *NO CLASS November 26 |
||
| Wednesdays at 4:45 – 5:30 PM |
September 11, 18, 25 *NO CLASS November 27 |
|
|
| Thursdays at 4:15 – 5:00 PM |
September 12, 19, 26 *NO CLASS October 3 and November 28 |
|
|
| Saturdays at 10:30 – 11:15 AM* |
September 7, 14, 21, 28 *NO CLASS October 12 and November 30 |
|
For Students born between 9/15/2019 and 9/10/2020
| Tuesdays at 4:00 – 4:45 PM |
September 10, 17, 24 *NO CLASS November 26 |
|
|
Wednesdays at 4:00 – 4:45 PM |
September 11, 18, 25 *NO CLASS November 27 |
|
2024 Fall 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 August 1.) Refunds will not be provided for children who withdraw prior to or during the program. Financial aid is not available for this program.
2025 Winter Session
The 2025 Winter Session of Little Dancers will begin the week of January 21 and run through mid-May. Enrollment for the 2025 Winter Session will begin in November. Students must have been born between 9/2/2018 and 1/21/2021 in order to enroll in this session. Join our mailing list to be notified when more information and enrollment is available for the 2025 Winter Session.