In a quiet corner of western Ohio, about 40 miles northwest of Dayton, Hollansburg has cultivated an unexpectedly robust ballet training environment. Despite its small-town footprint, the city draws young dancers from across Darke and Preble counties—and beyond—who are looking for everything from rigorous pre-professional instruction to accessible, multi-discipline training. Whether your goal is a company contract or a strong technical foundation for college auditions, Hollansburg's three main institutions each serve a distinct niche.
At a Glance: Which School Fits Your Goals?
| School | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Hollansburg City Ballet School | Students seeking strong classical foundations with local performance experience | Annual Nutcracker and spring full-length productions |
| Ohio Ballet Academy | Aspiring professionals on a pre-professional track | Cecchetti-method certification and summer intensive partnerships |
| Hollansburg City Dance Center | Recreational dancers or those wanting cross-training in multiple styles | Broad curriculum (ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary) under one roof |
Hollansburg City Ballet School: Classical Training With Stage Experience
Founded in 1987, Hollansburg City Ballet School is the city's longest-running ballet institution. It operates out of three sprung-floor studios in a converted historic building near the town center. The school serves roughly 150 students annually, ranging from age four to adult, with classes divided into both recreational and intensive tracks.
What sets the school apart is its performance calendar. Students audition each fall for a full-length Nutcracker that regularly casts dancers from neighboring Greenville and Eaton. In the spring, the school mounts a second full production—recent repertory includes Coppélia and an original choreography showcase. These opportunities give students stage experience that can be difficult to find outside Dayton or Cincinnati.
The faculty includes artistic director Margaret Chen, who danced with Louisville Ballet for eight seasons before relocating to Ohio, and several instructors who hold certifications from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). Class sizes in the intensive track are capped at sixteen students, with pointe and variations classes running smaller. Tuition is tiered by weekly class hours, and the school offers a limited number of merit scholarships for students entering its upper-level program.
Ohio Ballet Academy: Pre-Professional Discipline in a Rural Setting
Ohio Ballet Academy, established in 2003, functions as the most selective program in the Hollansburg area. It is one of only a handful of schools in western Ohio to offer comprehensive Cecchetti-method training, with several faculty members holding professional teaching certifications from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD).
The academy runs a structured pre-professional track for students ages ten through eighteen. Acceptance is by audition, and participants commit to a minimum of fifteen class hours per week during the academic year. The curriculum emphasizes classical ballet technique, supplemented by character dance, modern, and body conditioning. Upper-level students also receive repertoire coaching and participate in mock auditions.
Director James Okonkwo, a former dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem and BalletMet, built the academy's summer intensive program in partnership with regional companies, bringing in guest faculty from Cincinnati Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Alumni have gone on to trainee and second-company positions with BalletMet, Louisville Ballet, and Midwest regional companies. The academy does not operate its own performance company, but students regularly compete in Youth America Grand Prix regionals and present an annual spring demonstration in Dayton.
Class sizes here run notably small—pre-professional ballet technique classes are typically capped at twelve—and tuition reflects the intensive schedule. Financial aid is available on a need-and-merit basis.
Hollansburg City Dance Center: Multi-Style Training for the Versatile Dancer
For students who want strong ballet fundamentals without a single-discipline focus, Hollansburg City Dance Center offers the most flexible programming in the city. Founded in 1995, the center enrolls over 200 students in classes spanning ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, musical theater, and hip-hop.
Ballet remains the center's largest program, with leveled classes beginning at age five and advancing through pre-pointe and pointe work. However, the environment is deliberately less competitive than the dedicated ballet academies. Many students train in two or three styles simultaneously, and the center encourages cross-training for strength and versatility rather than early specialization.
The center holds two annual recitals at a nearby high school auditorium, along with a holiday showcase and occasional community performances at local festivals. Faculty members have backgrounds in both concert dance and commercial industry work; several currently perform with regional companies or touring productions based out of Dayton and Indianapolis.
This is generally the most accessible option for families looking for lower time commitments and broader exposure. Drop-in adult ballet classes are also available, a rarity in this part of rural Ohio.
