Whether you're lacing up your first pair of slippers or preparing for company auditions, finding the right ballet school shapes every step of your dance journey. Highland, California—a community in San Bernardino County—offers several distinct training environments, each with its own philosophy, strengths, and ideal student profile. This guide moves beyond basic listings to help you identify where you'll thrive.
How to Use This Guide
Before diving into specific schools, consider what you need:
| Your Goal | What to Prioritize |
|---|---|
| Building foundation (ages 3–7) | Creative movement, performance opportunities without competitive pressure, nurturing faculty |
| Pre-professional training | Affiliated companies, college audition preparation, rigorous technique curriculum |
| Adult beginner or returning dancer | Flexible drop-in rates, beginner-friendly culture, evening and weekend classes |
| Cross-training for musical theater or contemporary careers | Versatility-focused ballet classes, modern and jazz integration |
Highland Ballet Academy
Founded: 1994 | Methodology: Vaganova-based | Annual Enrollment: 200+ students
Highland Ballet Academy stands as the area's most established classical institution. The eight-level curriculum progresses from creative movement through pre-professional training, with live piano accompaniment in every technique class—a rarity in community-based schools and invaluable for developing musicality.
Distinctive Features:
- Annual Nutcracker production at San Manuel Performing Arts Center with professional guest artists
- Pointe preparation begins at age 11, requiring physician clearance and two years of pre-pointe conditioning
- Alumni have secured positions with Sacramento Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, and university dance programs nationwide
- Adult open division with twice-weekly beginner classes and dedicated floor barre sessions
The faculty includes three former professional dancers with 40+ combined years of teaching experience. Director Elena Vasquez trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and emphasizes the Vaganova system's attention to épaulement and port de bras—details that distinguish technically proficient dancers from artistically compelling ones.
The Dance Studio
Primary Focus: Contemporary, jazz, musical theater | Ballet Offering: Cross-training emphasis
Despite its name, The Dance Studio is not a classical ballet destination—and that's precisely its value for certain dancers. This school serves performers building versatile careers in commercial dance, musical theater, and contemporary companies where ballet supports rather than defines their work.
Ballet Programming:
- Two weekly ballet classes: "Ballet for Contemporary Dancers" (intermediate) and "Musical Theater Ballet" (beginner-intermediate)
- Emphasis on functional alignment, quick directional changes, and stylistic adaptability rather than classical purity
- Integration with jazz and modern technique classes for seamless cross-training
Best For: Dancers aged 12+ with previous training who need ballet maintenance without the time commitment of a full classical program; performers preparing for BFA musical theater auditions where ballet is required but not primary.
The Ballet School of Highland
Model: Small-group, personalized training | Maximum Class Size: 12 students
Where larger institutions standardize curriculum, this intimate school customizes instruction. With just three studios and deliberately limited enrollment, faculty can address individual physical tendencies, injury histories, and learning styles.
Program Structure:
- Children's Division (ages 5–10): Story-based creative ballet transitioning to pre-ballet technique
- Student Division (ages 11–16): Split by technical level rather than age; slower advancement but deeper consolidation of fundamentals
- Adult Academy: Separate track with quarterly progress assessments and optional student showcases
Director Patricia Okonkwo holds certification in both Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), incorporating resistance band conditioning and physio-ball alignment work into standard classes. This evidence-based approach particularly benefits dancers with hypermobility, previous injuries, or late starts in training.
Considerations: Limited performance opportunities compared to larger schools; serious pre-professional students typically supplement with summer intensive auditions elsewhere.
Highland Dance Conservatory
Designation: Pre-professional training center | Affiliation: Regional youth company partnership
The Conservatory represents Highland's most intensive training option, designed for students pursuing dance at the collegiate or professional level. Admission requires placement class rather than open enrollment, with annual re-evaluation ensuring appropriate level placement.
Curriculum Highlights:
- Six-day training week including technique, pointe/variations, pas de deux (age 14+), modern, and choreography
- Master class series with current and former principal dancers from major American companies
- Dedicated college counseling: audition video preparation, program research, and application strategy
- Trainee program for post-high school dancers bridging to professional careers
Training Philosophy: Balanchine-influenced with strong neoclassical and contemporary ballet components. The facility includes sprung Marley floors, Pilates reformers, and a physical therapy room staffed
