Ballet Classes
Ballet Classes Seattle & Shoreline: Our students are shown above executing a tendu a-la-seconde movement as they warm up for the evening's Greenwood-Phinney Art Walk performances.
Wayne Rutledge Photograph
About Our Ballet Class Schedules
Below you will find THREE different class options to choose from:
1. Live-Streamed Classes: Since classes are online, you have the convenience of plugging into any location's classes, no matter where you live! There is something for every age group every day of the week.
2. In-Studio Classes: All In-Studio dance classes have been suspended and will be live streamed starting Tuesday November 17 in compliance with current Washington State COVID-19 guidance.
3. Any Day Ballet: A fun, engaging beginning ballet course that you can learn from home On Demand.
Course Level Descriptions
NEW! Any Day Ballet-Learn Beginning Ballet From Home
Winter/Spring 2021 Schedules
February 8 - June 17, 2021
Live-Streamed Winter/Spring Class Schedule
In-Studio Class Schedule
Summer 2021 Schedules
June 28 - August 29, 2021
Live-Streamed Class Schedule
In-Studio Class Schedule
What do our Ballet Classes Include?
All of our Ballet classes include barre, center, stretching, adagio, and allegro work. We focus on clean execution and a physical and intellectual understanding of how and why each movement is executed. With our exclusive teaching methods, you will progress further, more quickly and safely. Whether you are experimenting to see where your interests lie or you're an aspiring dancer, you will love adult ballet classes in Seattle and Shoreline at American Dance Institute.
One of our favorite quotes is from Megan Burbank of the Seattle Times who wrote about her experience as a beginning ballet student at American Dance Institute:
"Learning ballet as an adult is a chance to return to our bodies, to be true beginners again. It's an escape from work stress, a departure from over-scheduled lives and a way to build confidence that you, too, can learn a new skill." Megan Burbank, Seattle Times Read more
Ballet Class Attire
Class attire available at Centerstage Dance Shop or online at Discount Dance Supply
A Note On Class Meeting Frequency
Adult Ballet in Shoreline & Seattle: We recommend taking class twice or more per week to facilitate progress. Mixing dance styles will also give you excellent cross-training, and you'll see results much faster. However, if time or budget restraints mean you can only commit to one class per week, we are happy to accommodate you.
Pointe Classes: Students must take at least two ballet technique classes per week in addition to a pointe class to be eligible for pointe. If you are interested in learning more about pointe classes please let us know.
Meet Our
Summer Ballet Teachers
In-studio
In 1991, 4 year old Amy boldly announced to her mother that she was ready to be a dancer. Her mother obliged and Amy has been dancing with American Dance Institute ever since progressing through our Creative Dance, Pre-Ballet, Children’s Ballet, Junior Ballet and Teen/Adult Ballet programs.
She participated in and taught dance classes while she attended the University of Portland, but she pursued her passion for language, majoring in English and German. She is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching.
She has always loved the welcoming atmosphere at ADI, and was thrilled to join the teaching staff at ADI in 2011. Amy teaches Parent/Toddler, Creative Dance, Pre-Ballet and Children’s Ballet.
Amy executing an attitude derriere position with the Pacific ocean as her backdrop.
Amy playing at the beach and showing off her attitude devant ballet position.
Amy executing a grand plie in the first position.
In-studio
Alyssa is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and she began her dance training there at the Academy of Dance Arts. She hold a BA in English from Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she minored Dance.
While at Hope, she studied under instructors associated with the Ailey School, Alonzo King LINES training program, the Joffrey Ballet, Lehrer Dance, Rennie Harris Puremovement, Nikolais/Louis, and Pilobolus.
She danced in several faculty and student-choreographed performances, and she choreographed several pieces that were performed on campus and within the community.
Alyssa is trained in the Cecchetti Ballet technique as well as in tap, jazz, modern, and pointe. She teaches creative movement classes within various Seattle schools and day care centers.
Testimonials
Emily H. Seattle
We just finished our parent and toddler class with Miss Alyssa. As a former early educator with a little one who is on the tender/sensitive side, I believe we couldn't have had a better experience and teacher. It was a creative, casual environment where our daughter could watch the other children and adults until she was comfortable participating. Additionally, our daughter went from observing most of the time to doing all the movements and songs at home and participating in the entire class. As parents, it was truly rewarding watching our daughter gain confidence and enthusiasm in expressing herself through dance in front of others.
Miss Alyssa is warm, personable, and knows how to involve and engage the toddlers with their different personalities. She keeps things moving along, with enough predictability for the toddlers to anticipate the next part of the class. I had other friends do the parent and toddler class, and when they hear about our class experience, they say they wish they had Miss Alyssa too! I can't say enough positive things about her, especially if you have a slow-to-warm little one as we do.
This was a wonderful experience for our whole family. Our daughter gained so much confidence and excitement for creative movement through this experience. Thanks, ADI and Miss Alyssa! We hope to be back
"Very patient Instructor and teaches at a nice pace. ""Consistently Awesome 5 stars" Trisha Creaven
"Consistently Awesome 5 stars " Annalisa Steinnes
"Consistently Awesome 5 stars " Brenna Steinnes
"Consistently Awesome 5 stars " Erica Crane
'Consistently Awesome - 5 stars' Anonymous
In-studio & Livestream
Originally from Fort Collins, CO, Margaret holds a BFA in Dance and a Minor in Women & Gender Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has been a member of Louder than Words Dancetheatre in Denver, CO and most recently with Keshet Dance Company in Albuquerque, NM.
Margaret has directed the pre-professional programs at Mountain Dance in Fort Collins, where she also grew up dancing. At Keshet Dance Company, her teaching experience was diverse and included teaching Adaptive dance, working with dancers with disabilities.
Margaret is a dance and teaching artist with an affinity for improvisation, and a desire to explore the infinite ways her body moves. As a teacher, she takes pride in guiding others’ discoveries of their dancing bodies, and wants everyone to feel empowered to take up space in the world.
Margaret is new to Seattle and incredibly excited to get involved with the dance community and to be joining the staff at ADI.
ADI instructor Margaret Behm with students Sara, Jessica, Carly, Sophia and Ann at our first Junior/Teen Intermediate Jazz class at our new Magnolia studio. Great work tonight girls. So happy to have you in our ADI family.
Dakota Crist
In-studio & Livestream
Dakota Crist had her early training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Modern Dance at Diane’s Dance Works in Helena, Montana, then went on to study at Creative Arts Center in Helena, Ballet Montana Academy and Sacramento Ballet.
She holds a BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts. Dakota is currently a company member of The Three Yells dance company and she has been teaching since 2009.
She joined American Dance Institute in January of 2018.
Lydia Relle
In-studio
Lydia started her training by the age of 5 at various small studios around the Seattle area. At the age of 14, Lydia moved to Philadelphia for formal training at The Rock School for Dance Education. She returned to Seattle two years later to complete her training with the Pacific Northwest Ballet School.
Now retired from performing, Lydia enjoys passing on her knowledge of ballet to the next generation of beginner and advanced students.
Victoria Gutierrez
In-studio
Victoria has performed for various dance companies such as International Ballet Theater, Evergreen City Ballet, ARC Dance, City Opera Ballet, Olympic Ballet Theater and Katy Hagelin Dance Project.
As a choreographer she has collaborated with the Seattle International Dance Festival, Katy Hagelin Dance Project, Bohemia, Drybones Artist Collective and Le Faux.
Victoria truly enjoys teaching and has been doing it since 2009 for numerous schools in Seattle.
In-studio
Maia grew up in Seattle and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre with a minor in dance from Northwestern University and a Masters degree in Dance Pedagogy from the University of the Arts in Helsinki.
While at Northwest, Maia trained with and danced for various Chicago-based dance artists.
While in Finland, Maia taught courses at the University of the Arts and Espoo Dance Institute and completed a thesis based on leading a collaborative learning and performance creation process with students from a vocational program in contemporary dance, as well as performing with other artists there.
In Seattle, Maia has also taught for Seattle Children's Theatre.
Maia says her goal as a teacher is to always be open to and work genuinely with each students' situation and experience while spreading the joy of exploring our movement possibilities.
Maia taught here at the American Dance Institute from 2016-2018 before leaving to pursue her Master's degree. We are so happy to have her back in the fold.
Ainsleigh Orwin
In-studio
Currently finishing up her last year at UW, she has expanded her love for dance by exploring improvisation and choreography.
Ainsleigh has performed in 3 UW Dance Concerts and recently choreographed, filmed, and edited a dance film for the 2021 Dance Majors Concert.
She has taught summer classes and camps in her hometown and with Metropolis Dance in the Seattle area. Ainsleigh graduates this June from the University of Washington with two degrees - one in Dance and one in Biology.
Aside from dancing and teaching, Ainsleigh loves to go on hikes and nature walks, travel (pre- COVID), sing, and play with her roommate’s puppy!
Gabe Maddox
In-studio
She studied in Northern Utah with Sandra Emile of Cache Valley Civic Ballet. In college, studying Modern Dance at Weber State University and then made her way to the University of Utah, department of Modern Dance.
Gabe has been teaching dance to kids and adults in private studios for the past ten years. Her greatest purpose is to kindle a respect and passion for art, performance, and self love through the journey of kinesthetic awareness.
Gabe Maddox has recently joined the American Dance Institute teaching staff.
Our State Of The Art Live Streaming Technology.
The Quality Online Class Room Experience - At Home
Dennis Landmesser
We asked Dennis Landmesser, how he liked his live streamed class today with instructor Dakota Crist.
The class today with Dakota was more than I could have hoped to expect. I don't know what to rave about more, the quality of the production or the excellence to the class. Dakota thought to ask at the start of class if there were any injuries which was especially meaningful to me today because I have a sore knee. Her instructions were clear and complete and made perfect sense. The corrections were thoughtful and meaningful. Dakota is golden and to be highly valued.
Since March, I've suffered through six months of ZOOM frustrations. ADI has excelled in solving that misery. I could have been watching a high definition BlueRay with Dolby sound.
Thanks for asking,
Dennis Landmesser
A short video filmed from the viewing of our Shoreline studio of a new beginning ballet class in their 2nd week of classes. Looking good!
Intermediate ballet dancers, adults and juniors performing together for the Greenwood-Phinney ArtWalk audience in May 2018.
What If I Don't Have A Ballet Body?
This is a very common question and the notion that every dancer should have or maintain a "ballet body" is wrong. Your body is perfect!
We at American Dance Institute is truly accepting of all body types. We are a serious school, dedicated to excellence, and we want everyone to experience the great joy that comes from dance. Take a free trial class and see for yourself. Feel the welcoming vibe that radiates from our staff, teachers, and wonderful students.
FREE GUIDE: 10 Questions Every Beginning Dancer Asks
"ballet classes for adults... wonderful"
Denise S. Wrote in a Google Review: "American Dance Institute has wonderful ballet classes for adults. I danced here off and on for several years and every class I took was excellent. The staff is super friendly and professional but approachable. I started out a beginner and felt welcome from day one. I was out of shape, believe me, but still felt loved and accepted by all. I moved out of the neighborhood to a new job in a new town and I miss ADI. Come to San Francisco!"
Students engaged in barre exercises during Adult Ballet dance Classes at American Dance Institute.
What does an excellent ballet school look like?
What does an excellent ballet school look like?
Making corrections is what great dance teachers do in class. Here ADI Founder, Director Elizabeth Chayer corrects an adult beginning Ballet student in Ballet Studio #2.
- It has non-competitive ballet classes where everyone competes with themselves and not fellow students. No competition makes for friendly teachers and classmates so you will always feel welcome and accepted.
- A ballet class where the teacher understands that the pace of the class has to be good for you and knows how to balance that pace for everyone.
- Ballet studios have 'sprung' floors that 'give' to protect knees, ankels, and feet. Sprung dance floors protect you from injuries.
- The ballet school has accommodating school policies, like a 100% money back guarantee if you don't like your class for any reason, if your health, schedule, or life changes unexpectedly.
- Expert dance teachers who know how to give you personalized attention and gentle corrections so you can learn faster and progress further.
Ballet Dancers from the 2018 Annual Dance Recital. Performing is optional for every student.
