When 12-year-old Maya Chen landed her first clean pirouette at Reynoldsburg School of Ballet last spring, she joined a lineage of central Ohio dancers stretching back over three decades. In this Columbus suburb of 38,000 residents, three distinct training centers have shaped everyone from recreational preschoolers to dancers now performing with regional and national companies.
Unlike Columbus's larger dance ecosystem—where BalletMet Academy and Ohio State's Department of Dance dominate headlines—Reynoldsburg offers something different: accessible, community-rooted training without the downtown commute. For families in eastern Franklin County and western Licking County, these studios represent a practical entry point into classical ballet.
Reynoldsburg School of Ballet: Three Decades of Community Roots
Founded: 1994 | Location: Brice Road corridor | Enrollment: Approximately 200 students annually
The Reynoldsburg School of Ballet (RSB) operates as the area's longest-established training center. Founder and artistic director Margaret Whitmore, a former dancer with Cincinnati Ballet, built the school around the Vaganova method—a Russian training system emphasizing gradual technical development and artistic expression.
What distinguishes RSB is its multi-generational reach. Current enrollment includes children of former students, and the school's annual Nutcracker production at Reynoldsburg High School has become a December tradition for local families. The 2023 production involved 87 dancers ages 6 to 18, with principal roles performed by advanced students alongside guest professionals from Columbus.
Faculty credentials: Whitmore holds certification from the Vaganova Society of America. Three additional instructors are former professional dancers with regional companies, including one who performed with Dayton Ballet for eight seasons.
Training structure: Classes meet once weekly for recreational students (ages 3–8), twice weekly for intermediate levels (ages 9–12), and four to six times weekly for pre-professional track dancers (ages 13+). The pre-professional program requires summer intensive study, with RSB maintaining partnerships with Cincinnati Ballet and Joffrey Midwest.
Facility notes: 4,200 square feet across two studios with sprung floors and Marley surfacing. Live piano accompaniment for all technique classes above beginner level.
Ballet Academy of Central Ohio: Personalized Training at Scale
Founded: 2008 | Location: East Main Street | Enrollment: Capped at 85 students
Where RSB emphasizes performance tradition, the Ballet Academy of Central Ohio (BACO) has built its reputation on individualized attention. Founder Sarah Okonkwo, a Juilliard-trained dancer who performed with Dance Theatre of Harlem, limits enrollment to maintain a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio across all levels.
This intimacy manifests in customized progression pacing. Unlike programs with rigid age-based level assignments, BACO conducts placement assessments every six weeks, allowing students to advance by technical readiness rather than birthday. The approach particularly benefits late starters—dancers beginning at age 10 or 11 who might be relegated to beginner classes elsewhere.
Distinctive methodology: BACO combines Vaganova fundamentals with contemporary training, reflecting Okonkwo's professional background in neoclassical and modern repertoire. Students encounter Cunningham and Graham techniques from intermediate levels onward.
Performance pathway: Rather than annual full-length productions, BACO presents two studio showcases and one collaborative concert with Columbus contemporary companies. Advanced students may audition for regional youth ensembles, including Columbus Youth Ballet.
Notable outcome: Since 2015, BACO students have secured admission to summer programs at School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy. Two alumni currently dance with second-tier regional companies.
Reynoldsburg Youth Ballet: The Pre-Professional Pipeline
Founded: 2016 | Location: Shared facility with Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation | Enrollment: 45 dancers (by audition)
Reynoldsburg Youth Ballet (RYB) operates differently than traditional studios. Conceived as a pre-professional company rather than a school, it functions as a training ground for dancers committed to ballet as a primary extracurricular pursuit—or as a career goal.
Admission requires audition regardless of prior training location. Current members train at RSB, BACO, Columbus-area studios, and through private coaching. Company class meets Saturdays and two weeknights, with additional rehearsals during production periods.
Artistic leadership: Co-directors James Patterson and Elena Vostrikov bring complementary backgrounds. Patterson, a former soloist with Louisville Ballet, directs repertoire and men's technique. Vostrikov, trained at the Bolshoi Academy and formerly with National Ballet of Canada, leads women's technique and pointe instruction.
Repertoire and performance: RYB presents two full productions annually—typically a classical full-length ballet (2023: Giselle) and a mixed repertory program featuring contemporary commissions. The company has performed at the Ohio Dance Festival and maintains a touring program for senior centers and schools.
**
