Ballet Arizona is growing, and I decided to take a class
The School of Ballet Arizona is excited to announce its expansion with the addition of a new satellite campus following the acquisition of Ballet Theatre of Phoenix, located near 7th Street and Bethany Home Road. This milestone acquisition continues The School of Ballet Arizona’s mission-driven growth in the Valley and will be the school’s second satellite campus, following its first satellite in 2025 at Child Crisis Arizona’s Child & Family Wellness Center in Mesa.
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Ballet Arizona grows with new North Central Phoenix campus
For the past ten years, Ballet Theatre of Phoenix, founded by Artistic Director Jennifer Cafarella Betts, has become an important part of the arts community in North Central Phoenix, offering programs for students of all ages, a strong adult open class community, and a home for multiple forms of dance instruction.
The acquisition will continue upon the legacy of instruction established by Cafarella Betts, while also offering additional instruction and performance opportunities for students ages 3-20 in Phoenix.
What families should know
Enrollment is now open at all three School of Ballet Arizona locations:
- Washington Campus
- Mesa Campus
- North Central Phoenix Campus
Adult open classes are available for ages 14 and older at each location.
“We are grateful to Jennifer for the trust she has placed in The School of Ballet Arizona and for the opportunity to honor the legacy she has built within Ballet Theatre of Phoenix community,” says James Payne, school director of The School of Ballet Arizona. “This expansion is a meaningful step in the continued growth of our School. By welcoming the students, families, and faculty of Ballet Theatre of Phoenix, we can build upon a strong foundation while extending The School of Ballet Arizona’s established curriculum, faculty expertise, and pathways for student development to a broader and more connected community.”
My experience in Ballet Arizona’s adult ballet class
Let me begin by confessing that I haven’t taken a ballet class since age five. Despite my lack of experience in adulthood, I can attest that Ballet Arizona is one of the best places to take a beginner’s ballet class. I’ve only been going to the new satellite location in Phoenix for a short time, but I can tell you that the instructors are extremely patient and able to modify the choreography for varying levels. If you are an adult looking to reignite your passion for ballet, or want to try it for the first time, I strongly recommend giving the beginner’s ballet class a (literal) whirl.
Ballet Theatre of Phoenix joins The School of Ballet Arizona
The new satellite campus will be integrated thoughtfully and gradually. Since the campus already has its own students, families, teachers, and traditions, The School of Ballet Arizona will honor the community that exists there while carefully introducing its standards, curriculum structure, and educational philosophy. The goal is to preserve what is meaningful to those families while creating a new path forward for their students.
“This is an exciting step in the continued development of The School of Ballet Arizona,” said Jami Kozemczak, executive director of Ballet Arizona. “We look forward to getting to know the community members and student families while expanding our ability to offer pre-professional ballet training and education to young dancers in central Phoenix and the adjacent cities.”
Why this expansion matters for Arizona dancers
The experience at The School of Ballet Arizona’s Washington campus will remain an equal focus. Classes, schedules, and the student pathway at the campus will continue as planned. However, over time, there will be thoughtful moments of connection across campuses through shared communication, faculty collaboration, events, and a unified school identity. There is already a buzz of excitement.
Enrollment is now open for students at the Washington, Mesa, and North Central campuses. Adult open classes are available at each location for ages 14+. Auditions for new students ages 8-20 will be held on August 8 at The School of Ballet Arizona’s Washington Campus.
To learn more about The School of Ballet Arizona and its new dance studio in Phoenix, as well as its programs and audition opportunities, visit balletaz.org/school.
