Chittenden City, Vermont may be a small city, but its ballet training options have earned a reputation well beyond New England. For families considering serious dance training and recreational students alike, three local programs dominate the landscape—each with a distinct identity, training philosophy, and track record.
This guide breaks down what sets them apart, who each school serves best, and what questions to ask before enrollment.
What to Look for in a Ballet School
Before comparing programs, it helps to know which factors actually matter:
- Training methodology: Vaganova, Cecchetti, Balanchine, and Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) each produce different physical results and career pathways.
- Performance opportunities: Regular stage experience builds confidence and résumés.
- Faculty credentials: Look for former professional dancers with teaching certifications, not just performance credits.
- Injury prevention resources: On-site physical therapy or dedicated conditioning staff signals a serious program.
- Transparency in placement: Pre-professional schools should be able to name recent graduates and the companies or university programs they joined.
With that in mind, here is how Chittenden City's three main ballet schools compare.
1. The Vermont Ballet School
Founded: 1987
Methodology: Vaganova-based with Balanchine influences
Best for: Students seeking a classical foundation with a clear pre-professional track
The Vermont Ballet School operates the most established pre-professional program in Chittenden City. Director Margaret Chen, a former soloist with Pacific Northwest Ballet, shaped the school's current curriculum after joining in 2003. The upper division requires a minimum of five technique classes weekly, plus pointe, variations, and pas de deux for qualified students.
What distinguishes it: The school's annual partnership with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra for a full-length Nutcracker gives students professional-level orchestral accompaniment experience rare in cities this size. Its junior company, Vermont Ballet Theatre II, performs two additional rep programs per year.
Notable programs:
- Summer intensive (three weeks, guest faculty from major regional companies)
- Young Men's Scholarship Program (tuition-free technique classes for male-identifying dancers ages 8–18)
- Adult open division with progressive levels
Considerations: The pre-professional schedule is rigorous and may conflict with public school hours for older students. Several families opt for homeschooling or hybrid arrangements.
2. The Chittenden City Ballet Academy
Founded: 2001
Methodology: Cecchetti syllabus through Grade VIII, supplemented by contemporary and modern
Best for: Dancers who want strong classical technique with flexibility to explore multiple styles
The Chittenden City Ballet Academy takes a more eclectic approach than its older counterpart. Founder and artistic director Robert Okonkwo trained under the Cecchetti method in London before dancing with Rambert Dance Company, and that cross-disciplinary background shows in the curriculum. Students still hit their Vaganova-aligned fundamentals, but upper-level schedules include Graham-based modern, jazz, and improvisation.
What distinguishes it: The academy's emphasis on versatility has produced graduates who cross over successfully into contemporary companies and musical theater. Recent alumni have joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's apprentice program and enrolled at Juilliard's dance division.
Notable programs:
- Year-round youth company with original choreography commissions
- International exchange with a partner school in Lyon, France (biennial, ages 14+)
- Comprehensive audition coaching for college BFA programs and company apprentice positions
Considerations: The broader stylistic focus means pure classical ballet purists may find the contemporary load heavier than expected. Observe an upper-level class before committing if your priority is strictly classical training.
3. The Green Mountain Ballet School
Founded: 1994
Methodology: Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus through Vocational Grades
Best for: Young beginners through committed intermediates, and dancers who thrive in structured, examination-based progressions
The Green Mountain Ballet School serves the widest age range of the three programs and builds its training around the RAD examination system. Students progress through graded and vocational levels with clear benchmarks, which appeals to families who want measurable skill development.
What distinguishes it: The school maintains the lowest student-to-teacher ratio in Chittenden City (capped at 12 students per technique class) and offers the most extensive adaptive dance programming for students with disabilities. Director Elena Volkov, a former RAD examiner, has made accessibility a visible pillar of the school's mission.
Notable programs:
- RAD examinations held annually with visiting examiners from London headquarters
- Adaptive dance classes in partnership with the University of Vermont's therapeutic recreation department
- In-house Pilates and injury-prevention workshops for vocational-level students
Considerations: The RAD syllabus is excellent for building clean, safe technique, but the school's pre-professional pipeline is less robust than Vermont Ballet School
