
Denver Ballet Theatre Academy is a premiere, pre-professional classical ballet academy and multi-discipline dance school, offering students and dancers of all ages the finest dance training with the most professional faculty in a state of the art studio. Along with this we also offer a Preballet program with classes for children as young as 18 months.
Our ballet program follows the internationally renowned Vaganova training syllabus - a progressive and graded training system that has produced some of the best dancers in the world. This program also includes Character Dance, a stylized representation of a traditional folk, or national dance, mostly from eastern European countries, and are an integral part of most major full-length classical performances. DBT Academy students also have the opportunity to train in other dance disciplines including Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary. Every professional company around the world have incorporated Contemporary works into their repertoire, this is why it is so important to be familiar with this type of movement.
End of year evaluations for Level 3 and up allow each student the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the technical material they have studied over the past year, and for the faculty to determine the areas that need more work.
We also offer one-on-one, individual coaching for those auditioning for summer or college dance programs, professional company apprentice positions and dancers wishing to compete in the annual YAGP and Denver Ballet Guild.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with the education, knowledge, training and technique to succeed in the studio and on the stage!
Qualities unique to DBT Academy:
Our ballet program follows the internationally renowned Vaganova training syllabus - a progressive and graded training system that has produced some of the best dancers in the world. This program also includes Character Dance, a stylized representation of a traditional folk, or national dance, mostly from eastern European countries, and are an integral part of most major full-length classical performances. DBT Academy students also have the opportunity to train in other dance disciplines including Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary. Every professional company around the world have incorporated Contemporary works into their repertoire, this is why it is so important to be familiar with this type of movement.
End of year evaluations for Level 3 and up allow each student the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the technical material they have studied over the past year, and for the faculty to determine the areas that need more work.
We also offer one-on-one, individual coaching for those auditioning for summer or college dance programs, professional company apprentice positions and dancers wishing to compete in the annual YAGP and Denver Ballet Guild.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with the education, knowledge, training and technique to succeed in the studio and on the stage!
Qualities unique to DBT Academy:
- YAGP 1st Place winner in Junior Classical Variation, 2nd Place winner Pas de Deux, Top 12 in Senior, Junior & Pre-Competitive Categories, invitations to NYC Finals, plus numerous scholarship offers including Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Pittsburg Ballet, Ellison Ballet, Harid Conservatory and the Bolshoi Ballet.
- Denver Ballet Guild 3rd Place Winner, and Special Award for Artistry grantee.
- Our students have been accepted to University Dance programs at University of Arizona, Butler University and Mercyhurst University
- DBT Academy alumi accepted to the Dutch National Ballet Junior Company, BalletWest II, and Colorado Ballet
- Students have multiple opportunities to perform as DBT presents three large-scale productions annually, which include The Nutcracker, another selection from the classical repertoire in the spring, and an end of year Showcase performance.
- Dance History. This class delves into the historical and cultural aspects of the art.Students learn about the development of the art form from the times of Louis XIV through the contemporary era and view video performances of all the major ballets by the best companies and choreographers in the world. This class is a must for all aspiring dancers who truly want to enjoy the world of ballet.
- Four Week Summer Intensive Program with international guest faculty. Classes include ballet technique, pointe and variations, character dance, pas de deux, jazz, contemporary, flamenco, stretch/strength, nutrition and injury prevention, pointe shoe workshop, acting for dancers and stage make-up/hair.
Mission
At Denver Ballet Theatre Academy (DBTA) our mission is to provide a center of dance excellence in the Denver Metro area, nurturing and training dancers of all ages, and offering superb, professional level performances.
Where and how to train is an important decision, and careful thought must be given to choosing the right school for you or your child. DBT Academy is one of the very few in this region who can take a student from beginning levels and develop them to the highest levels of the dancer's abilities, from early child to adult, with many rising to the level of professional.
Our vision is:
Where and how to train is an important decision, and careful thought must be given to choosing the right school for you or your child. DBT Academy is one of the very few in this region who can take a student from beginning levels and develop them to the highest levels of the dancer's abilities, from early child to adult, with many rising to the level of professional.
Our vision is:
- To offer rigorous ballet training for aspiring professionals in a nurturing environment
- To provide quality dance instruction for children and adults at all levels
- Create a learning atmosphere based on mutual support and respect
- Build community and inspire public appreciation of dance as an art form through performance, education and outreach
The Vaganova Method

Denver Ballet Theatre Academy’s ballet program follows the internationally renowned Vaganova training syllabus - a progressive and graded training system that has produced some of the best dancers in the world.
This method is a ballet technique and training system devised by the Russian dancer and pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova (1879–1951). It was derived from the teachings of the Premier Maitre de Ballet Marius Petipa, throughout the late 19th century. It was Agrippa Vaganova who perfected and cultivated this form of teaching classical ballet and turned it into a viable syllabus. The method fuses elements of traditional French style from the romantic era with the athleticism and virtuosity of Italian Cecchetti technique.The training system is designed to involve the whole body in every movement, with equal attention paid to the upper body, legs and feet. Vaganova believed that this approach increases consciousness of the body, thus creating a harmony of movement and greater expressive range.
This method is a ballet technique and training system devised by the Russian dancer and pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova (1879–1951). It was derived from the teachings of the Premier Maitre de Ballet Marius Petipa, throughout the late 19th century. It was Agrippa Vaganova who perfected and cultivated this form of teaching classical ballet and turned it into a viable syllabus. The method fuses elements of traditional French style from the romantic era with the athleticism and virtuosity of Italian Cecchetti technique.The training system is designed to involve the whole body in every movement, with equal attention paid to the upper body, legs and feet. Vaganova believed that this approach increases consciousness of the body, thus creating a harmony of movement and greater expressive range.