For a village of just 665 residents, Hershey, Nebraska, punches above its weight in ballet training. Located about 20 miles west of North Platte in Lincoln County, this small community has cultivated a surprisingly robust dance scene—one that draws families from across the region who want serious instruction without the big-city commute. Whether you're raising a preschool sugar-plum fairy or a teenager aiming for a professional company contract, these four local studios offer structured programs, credentialed faculty, and genuine performance experience.
What to Know Before You Choose
Hershey's ballet schools vary widely in philosophy, intensity, and cost. Some emphasize the Vaganova method's fluid precision; others blend ballet with contemporary cross-training. Pre-professional tracks typically require multiple weekly classes and summer intensive participation, while recreational divisions accommodate busier schedules. Most studios cap class sizes and open registration for fall placement in late spring—so if you're considering a move or a new training home, May is the month to act.
Four Ballet Schools Worth Exploring
1. The Hershey Ballet Conservatory
The Hershey Ballet Conservatory anchors the local scene with a classical, syllabus-driven program. Founded in 2008, the school trains dancers ages three through adult and follows the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) graded examination system. Students progress through structured levels with annual assessments, giving families clear benchmarks for advancement.
The conservatory's artistic director, a former Houston Ballet demi-soloist, brings professional company experience to the studio floor. Alumni have gone on to trainee programs with regional companies in the Midwest, and the school regularly sends upper-level students to the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) semi-finals in Denver. The facility includes two sprung-floor studios with marley surfacing—rare for a market this size—and a small in-house costume shop that supports its annual spring showcase.
Best for: Dancers who thrive in structured, examination-based training and want a clear path toward pre-professional opportunities.
2. Nebraska Ballet Academy
If stage time is your priority, Nebraska Ballet Academy delivers. The school produces three full-length ballets annually, including a December Nutcracker at the North Platte Community Playhouse and a contemporary rep concert each March. Students as young as eight can audition for corps roles, and advanced dancers often perform soloist and principal material by age fifteen.
The academy's training model splits weekly coursework evenly between technique and performance preparation. Faculty include a Broadway veteran and a former Radio City Rockette, both of whom stress musicality and theatrical presence alongside turnout and alignment. The result is a dancer who reads well under stage lights—not just in the mirror.
Best for: Performers who want frequent, high-quality production experience and strong coaching in artistic expression.
3. Hershey City Ballet School
Despite its slightly misleading name, the Hershey City Ballet School operates out of a converted granary on the east edge of town and serves a tight-knit cohort of dedicated students. Its defining feature is exclusive instruction in the Vaganova method, the Russian technique prized for its épaulement, port de bras, and sustained adagio development.
The school's artistic director trained at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg before dancing with the Mikhailovsky Theatre, and he personally teaches all upper-level classes. Enrollment is intentionally limited—currently capped at forty students—and admission to the pre-professional division requires a placement class and faculty evaluation. Summer brings a three-week intensive with guest teachers from Saint Petersburg and Novosibirsk.
Best for: Serious students committed to Russian classical training and willing to adapt to a demanding, detail-oriented approach.
4. Academy of Dance and Performing Arts
Rounding out the local landscape is the Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, the most versatile option for dancers who want ballet as part of a broader education. The school offers Cecchetti-certified ballet instruction alongside jazz, contemporary, tap, and musical theater tracks. Many students take two or more styles, and the academy encourages "triple-threat" development for those interested in collegiate or commercial careers.
The ballet faculty hold Cecchetti USA teaching certificates, and the school hosts an annual workshop with a master teacher from the National Ballet of Canada. Seniors graduate with a polished reel of performance footage and headshots—a practical asset for college BFA auditions or regional theater submissions.
Best for: Dancers seeking flexibility, cross-training, and preparation for university dance programs or musical theater.
How to Get Started
Most studios in Hershey offer observation days and trial classes in late April and May. Because pre-professional tracks fill quickly—and because faculty placement matters more in small programs than in large metropolitan schools—plan to visit in person, speak with the artistic director, and watch a class at your prospective level before committing.
To learn more, contact each school directly for current schedules, tuition information, and summer intensive brochures. With the right fit,
