Note: This guide examines ballet institutions associated with Selfridge, a town of approximately 160 residents in Sioux County. While Selfridge itself is small, several programs operate in the broader region or maintain historical ties to the area. Readers should verify current locations and enrollment details directly with each institution.
If you are serious about ballet in North Dakota, your options are limited but surprisingly concentrated. Compared to neighboring states, pre-professional dance training here requires either travel or relocation. Selfridge and its surrounding communities have become an improbable focal point for regional ballet education, with four distinct programs serving everyone from preschool beginners to advanced students aiming for company auditions.
This guide breaks down what each program actually offers, who it serves, and how to choose among them.
Quick Comparison
| Institution | Best For | Program Intensity | Estimated Annual Tuition | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selfridge School of Ballet | Ages 10–18, classical technique focus | Pre-professional, 12–20 hrs/week | $3,500–$5,500 | Vaganova-method training with annual guest faculty from major U.S. companies |
| North Dakota Ballet Academy | Recreational students and late starters | Flexible, 2–15 hrs/week | $1,800–$4,200 | Largest age range (ages 3–adult); multiple performance tracks |
| Selfridge City Ballet Company | Advanced students pursuing company contracts | Professional track, 20+ hrs/week | $4,500–$6,500 | Summer intensive with rotating repertory; touring to Fargo and Bismarck |
| North Dakota Youth Ballet | Young children and merit-based scholarship students | Variable; community-focused | $1,200–$3,000 (significant aid available) | Non-profit mission; free outreach classes on nearby reservations |
Selfridge School of Ballet
History and Training Philosophy
Founded in 1972, the Selfridge School of Ballet is the oldest continuously operating ballet school in the region. It built its reputation on strict classical technique, specifically the Vaganova method, which emphasizes epaulement, port de bras, and gradual, physiologically sound advancement through the levels.
Curriculum and Daily Schedule
Students in the pre-professional division attend classes six days per week during the academic year. A typical Level 5 student (roughly ages 14–16) takes two hours of technique, pointe or men's class, variations, and character dance daily, supplemented by Pilates and music theory on Saturdays. Pointe work begins only after a readiness assessment, usually around age 11 or 12.
Faculty and Distinctions
Longtime artistic director Margaret Hovland trained at the School of American Ballet and danced with Pennsylvania Ballet before relocating to North Dakota in the 1980s. Under her leadership, the school has hosted annual guest residencies with dancers from American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet. Alumni have gone on to traineeships with Texas Ballet Theater, Milwaukee Ballet, and university BFA programs.
Performances
The school mounts a full-length Nutcracker every December at the Selfridge Community Theater, using rented sets and paid guest artists for principal roles. In spring, students perform a mixed repertory concert that often includes works by Balanchine (licensed through the Balanchine Trust), as well as original choreography by faculty.
North Dakota Ballet Academy
History and Training Philosophy
The North Dakota Ballet Academy opened in 1998 with a deliberate mission to serve students who might not survive—or want—the rigid pre-professional track. That does not mean standards are low; rather, the academy emphasizes versatility and student well-being alongside technique.
Curriculum and Daily Schedule
The academy operates on a tiered enrollment system. Recreational students attend once or twice weekly and participate in an end-of-year demonstration. The academy track increases to 8–12 hours weekly and includes jazz and modern alongside ballet. The pre-professional track, added in 2014, reaches 15 hours weekly and requires summer study.
Faculty and Distinctions
Co-directors James and Elena Bergh have CFAs from the University of North Dakota and maintain active performance careers with a Minneapolis-based contemporary ballet company. Their dual perspective means academy students are exposed to contemporary partnering and improvisation early, which can be an advantage for dancers targeting college dance programs rather than ballet companies.
Performances
All students perform in two annual productions at venues in Bismarck and Mandan. Pre-professional students may also audition for the academy's touring ensemble, which presents abbreviated story ballets at North Dakota elementary schools.
Selfridge City Ballet Company
Editor's note: Despite its name, the Selfridge City Ballet Company is not a professional company with a salaried roster. It is a tuition-based professional training program for advanced students, with limited apprentice contracts for post-secondary dancers.
