Finding the right ballet school can transform a curious beginner into a confident performer—or help a dedicated student reach professional heights. In San Jose and the surrounding Silicon Valley communities, families have access to exceptional training institutions, each with distinct philosophies, methods, and opportunities.
This guide examines five established ballet schools serving the San Jose area, with specific details on training approaches, facilities, and what sets each apart. Whether you're seeking a nurturing introduction for a preschooler or pre-professional preparation for a serious teen, these programs offer rigorous, age-appropriate instruction.
1. New Ballet School
Founded: 2008 | Artistic Director: Dalia Rawson
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen neighborhood)
New Ballet School emerged from the closure of Silicon Valley Ballet (formerly Ballet San Jose) in 2016, with Dalia Rawson—former dancer and education director of the professional company—establishing a new home for serious classical training in San Jose's Willow Glen district.
Training Approach: The school follows the Vaganova method, emphasizing musicality, coordination, and expressive port de bras from the earliest levels. Unlike programs that rush students into pointe work, New Ballet adheres to conservative progression standards, typically introducing pointe at age 11–12 after thorough preparation.
Programs:
- Creative Movement (ages 3–5)
- Pre-ballet and beginning levels (ages 6–8)
- Pre-professional division (ages 9–18, by audition)
- Adult open classes (beginner through advanced)
Facility: Four studios with sprung Harlequin floors, 20-foot ceilings, and natural light. The school shares performance space with the Hammer Theatre Center in downtown San Jose for annual showcases.
Distinctive Features: Strong connections to professional companies through master classes with San Francisco Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and visiting artists. Pre-professional students participate in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) regional competition.
Tuition Range: $180–$550/month depending on level and class load; merit and need-based scholarships available for pre-professional division.
2. Los Gatos Ballet School
Founded: 1982 | Artistic Director: Marcie Ryken
Location: Los Gatos (10 miles southwest of downtown San Jose)
Operating from a historic downtown building, Los Gatos Ballet School has trained generations of Silicon Valley dancers with a Balanchine-influenced aesthetic that values speed, musical precision, and athleticism.
Training Approach: The curriculum blends Balanchine-style neoclassical training with solid classical foundations. Director Marcie Ryken, a former dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet and San Francisco Opera Ballet, emphasizes performance readiness and clean technique.
Programs:
- Early childhood division (ages 3–7)
- Student division (ages 8–13, leveled)
- Pre-professional division (ages 11–18, by audition)
- Summer intensive (three weeks, guest faculty from major companies)
- Dedicated boys' program with scholarship support
Facility: 8,000-square-foot facility with four studios featuring sprung Marley floors, conditioning room, and student lounge.
Performance Opportunities: Full-length Nutcracker at the Montalvo Arts Center (Saratoga); spring repertory concert; community outreach performances at senior centers and schools. Pre-professional students frequently place in YAGP finals and gain acceptance to prestigious summer programs.
Notable Alumni: Graduates have attended San Francisco Ballet School, Houston Ballet II, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and university dance programs at USC, NYU, and Indiana University.
Tuition Range: $200–$600/month; boys' scholarships cover 50–100% of tuition for committed students.
3. West Valley Ballet School
Founded: 1995 | Directors: Olga and Victor Kremnev
Location: Cupertino (8 miles northwest of San Jose)
Founded by former Bolshoi Ballet dancers Olga and Victor Kremnev, West Valley Ballet School brings Russian classical training traditions to Silicon Valley with an emphasis on technical precision and artistic development.
Training Approach: Pure Vaganova methodology with systematic progression through eight levels. The Kremnevs personally oversee all pre-professional classes, maintaining the detailed corrections and individualized attention characteristic of Russian training.
Programs:
- Children's division (ages 4–8)
- Preparatory division (ages 9–12)
- Pre-professional division (ages 12–18, by audition only)
- Adult ballet (absolute beginner through advanced)
- Private coaching for competitions and auditions
Facility: Three studios with Russian-style barres, sprung floors, and full-length mirrors. Smaller class sizes (maximum 12 students in pre-professional levels) ensure individualized instruction.
Distinctive Features: Exceptional success rate for students entering major company schools
