When 16-year-old Emma Voss joined BalletMet's professional training program last fall, she became the third graduate from Urbandale School of Ballet to secure a coveted spot at a major regional company in five years. Her path from first plié at age six to pre-professional trainee offers a glimpse into what makes this Des Moines suburb unexpectedly fertile ground for dance education.
Urbandale's ballet landscape has matured considerably since the early 2000s, when families regularly drove to Des Moines or West Des Moines for serious instruction. Today, four distinct programs serve everyone from toddlers in tutus to adults seeking evening classes after work. This guide examines what each actually offers—beyond marketing language—to help you match your family's goals with the right environment.
What to Look For: A Quick Comparison Framework
| Factor | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Training philosophy | Is the school performance-focused or process-oriented? Does it emphasize one methodology (Vaganova, Cecchetti, RAD, Balanchine)? |
| Faculty continuity | How long have primary instructors been teaching there? High turnover suggests institutional instability. |
| Student trajectory | Where do intermediate and advanced students go? Ask for specific names and outcomes, not vague claims. |
| Time and financial commitment | Beyond tuition, factor in costume fees, summer intensive travel, and competition costs if applicable. |
| Culture fit | Does the environment support dancers who want pre-professional training and those who want recreational enjoyment? |
Urbandale School of Ballet
Quick Facts
- Founded: 2001
- Location: Northwest corridor near Douglas Avenue, 10 minutes from Merle Hay Mall
- Enrollment: ~180 students
- Tuition range: $1,200–$4,800 annually depending on level
- Notable alumni: Emma Voss (BalletMet), three dancers currently at University of Oklahoma's ballet program
The Program
Director Maria Chen, who performed with American Ballet Theatre's corps de ballet for eight years before retiring to Iowa with her husband, established this school with a clear mandate: rigorous Vaganova training for students who want it, without excluding those who don't. The distinction matters. Unlike programs that treat every child as a potential professional, Chen's faculty explicitly discusses trajectory with families at age 12, when pointe work begins.
The school's pre-professional track requires minimum four classes weekly starting at age 10, with students regularly advancing to summer intensives at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Boston Ballet. For recreational dancers, the "Enrichment Track" maintains technical standards while reducing time commitments.
What Parents Say
"We started at a different studio where my daughter was one of 25 in a class," recalls Jennifer Okonkwo, whose daughter trained at USB from ages 8 to 14. "At USB, even the beginning levels cap at 12 students. The teachers know every child's name and specific technical habits within a month."
Consider If: You want classical training with transparent pathways and documented college/conservatory placement success.
Reconsider If: Your child wants equal emphasis on contemporary, jazz, or musical theater dance styles.
The Ballet Studio
Quick Facts
- Founded: 2008
- Location: Near Living History Farms, accessible via I-35/80
- Enrollment: ~220 students across all programs
- Tuition range: $900–$3,600 annually
- Distinctive feature: Largest adult beginner program in the metro area
The Program
Where Urbandale School of Ballet narrows, The Ballet Studio deliberately expands. Founder Patricia Holt, a former Joffrey Ballet dancer, built her curriculum around a simple observation: most students, regardless of age, want to perform more than they want to compete or pursue professional careers.
The result is a production-heavy calendar—three full story ballets annually plus studio showcases—combined with multi-disciplinary training. Students take ballet alongside contemporary, jazz, and musical theater classes, with faculty encouraging cross-training rather than early specialization.
This philosophy particularly resonates with adult students. The studio's "Absolute Beginner Ballet" for ages 18–65 maintains waitlists; Holt added three sections in 2022 to meet demand. The atmosphere is deliberately non-intimidating: no required leotards, mirrored walls partially covered during certain classes, and instructors who demonstrate modifications without fanfare.
What Students Say
"I started at 42, convinced I was too old and too overweight," says Mark Stevenson, now in his sixth year at the studio. "Patricia's response was, 'Can you stand on one leg? Then we can work with you.' I'm performing in The Nutcracker this December. As a party parent, but still."
Consider If: You want performance experience, cross
