↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier →

BALLET ETUDES

GILBERT, AZ · EIN 860597233 · Form 990 · FY2021 · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.balletetudes.net
revenue
$696K
expenses
$673K
net assets
$223K
employees
0
program ratio
99%
mission · from form 990

TEACH AND PROMOTE BALLET TO CHILDREN/YOUTH BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND PERFORM BALLET. PERFORMANCES ALLOW VIEWERS TO LEARN AND APPRECIATE THE ART OF BALLET.

profile · synthesized from sources

Ballet Etudes is a nonprofit dance organization based in Arizona that provides ballet training and performance opportunities for students of all ages. Founded in 1986, it aims to cultivate excellence in dance education and has successfully prepared many dancers for prestigious schools and professional careers in ballet.

named programs · 2 · from sources

what they call their work

BE School of Dance
Offers ballet classes for students of all ages, focusing on technique and performance.
Nutcracker Production
Annual performance of The Nutcracker, providing students with stage experience and performance opportunities.
activities · 5 groups

what they do

  • Pre-Professional Dance Training 9 activities
    • Adult Ballet Classes
      Provides hour-and-a-half long ballet classes specifically for adults.
    • Adult Ballet Classes
      Offers adult ballet classes that are an hour and a half long.
    • Boys Ballet Classes
      Offers Boys Ballet classes for ages 7-12 that focus on developing posture and skills through basic technique, strength, coordination, and athleticism.
    • Community and adult dance classes
      Offers a range of dance classes for students of all ages and levels, including Adult Ballet classes (1.5 hours long) and Boys Ballet classes for ages 7–12 focused on posture, strength, coordination, and foundational technique.
    • Dance Classes for All Ages and Levels
      Offers a variety of dance classes for students of all ages and levels, including Adult Ballet classes and Boys Ballet classes for ages 7-12 focusing on technique, strength, coordination, and athleticism.
    • Performance Opportunities for Dancers
      Provides company members and registered students with opportunities to perform in two full-length ballets each season (including The Nutcracker and a Spring production), other performing opportunities, and an annual End-of-Year Showcase. This includes classical ballets and contemporary pieces.
    • Pre-professional Ballet Training
      Offers pre-professional level classes in classical ballet, pointe, tap, contemporary, modern, and jazz, including structured technique progression, training in additional styles, and performance experience. This training is provided through a Summer Intensive program and regular classes for various age and skill levels.
    • Pre-professional Ballet Training and Performance
      Offers pre-professional level classes in classical ballet, pointe, tap, contemporary, modern, and jazz, including structured technique progression, training in additional styles, and performance experience. Provides opportunities for company members aged 10-18 to perform in two full-length ballets each season (including The Nutcracker and a Spring production) and other performing opportunities.
    • Pre-professional ballet training program
      Offers structured pre-professional ballet training for students aged 10–18, including multiple weekly classes in classical ballet, pointe, variations, conditioning, and additional styles such as modern, jazz, and tap. Training includes technical progression and performance experience, with guest instruction from professionals affiliated with New York City Ballet, Ballet Arizona, and Boston Ballet.
  • Annual Storybook Ballet Productions 7 activities
    • Annual Nutcracker Production
      Produces and performs an annual production of The Nutcracker, featuring colorful costumes and Tchaikovsky's original score, at venues such as the Chandler Center for the Arts and Mesa Arts Center. This includes performing Act 2 for school children as part of the Chandler Center for the Arts' "Theater Kids" field trip series and hosting "Nutcracker Sweet Tea" events.
    • Annual Nutcracker Production
      Produces and performs an annual production of The Nutcracker, which includes colorful costumes and Tchaikovsky's original score, at venues such as the Chandler Center for the Arts and Mesa Arts Center. This production is open to company members and students aged 7-18 through auditions.
    • Annual production of The Nutcracker
      Produces and performs an annual full-scale production of The Nutcracker, including performances at the Chandler Center for the Arts and Mesa Arts Center. The 2025 production marks the 39th annual edition, featuring Tchaikovsky’s original score and colorful costumes.
    • Educational Outreach
      Offers Q&A sessions with dancers for students following performances of The Nutcracker.
    • Educational Outreach Performances
      Performs Act 2 of The Nutcracker for school children as part of the Chandler Center for the Arts' "Theater Kids" field trip series, including a Q&A session with dancers following the performance.
    • School and community outreach performances
      Performs Act 2 of The Nutcracker for school children as part of the Chandler Center for the Arts’ “Theater Kids” field trip series and provides post-performance Q&A sessions with dancers to engage student audiences.
    • The Nutcracker Production and Performances
      Produces and performs an annual full-length production of The Nutcracker, including performances at venues like the Chandler Center for the Arts and Mesa Arts Center. The organization also performs excerpts for school children as part of educational field trip series and hosts "Nutcracker Sweet Tea" events.
  • Ballet Company and Nutcracker Auditions 3 activities
    • Auditions for Company and Productions
      Holds open auditions for its Company for ages 10-18 and for The Nutcracker for ages 7-18. This includes technique auditions for intermediate and advanced level dancers, with pointe auditions required for advanced female dancers.
    • Auditions for Dance Programs
      Conducts open auditions for its Company for dancers aged 10-18, for The Nutcracker for ages 7-18, and holds technique and pointe auditions for intermediate and advanced level dancers.
    • Open auditions for company and productions
      Conducts open auditions for its pre-professional Company for dancers aged 10–18 and for The Nutcracker cast for dancers aged 7–18, including technique and pointe evaluations for advanced levels.
  • On-Site Merchandise & Gift Certificate Pickup 1 activity
    • Merchandise sales
      Accepts merchandise orders through in-person submission at the studio front desk or via email.
  • Uncategorized 12 activities
    • Annual End-of-Year Showcase
      Hosts an annual End-of-Year Showcase for Ballet Etudes Academy students, featuring performances across various dance genres by students of all levels.
    • Collaborative Performances with Orchestras
      Performs with The Phoenix Symphony and The Chandler Symphony Orchestra during concerts, such as a performance of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and an all-American composers concert.
    • Collaborative Performances with Orchestras
      Performs with The Phoenix Symphony and The Chandler Symphony Orchestra during concerts, including specific performances like Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and an all-American composers concert.
    • Collaborative Performances with Orchestras
      Performs with The Phoenix Symphony and The Chandler Symphony Orchestra during concerts, including performances of classical and American composers' works.
    • Collaborative performances with orchestras
      Performs with professional orchestras including The Phoenix Symphony and The Chandler Symphony Orchestra in concerts featuring works such as Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and all-American composer programs.
    • End-of-Year Showcase
      Hosts an annual End-of-Year Showcase for Ballet Etudes Academy students, featuring performances across various dance genres by students of all levels, and provides performance opportunities for registered students in this Showcase.
    • End-of-year student showcase
      Hosts an annual End-of-Year Showcase for Ballet Etudes Academy students of all levels, featuring performances across various dance genres and providing performance opportunities for registered students.
    • Nutcracker Sweet Tea Events
      Hosts "Nutcracker Sweet Tea" events where attendees can meet characters, enjoy a luncheon, listen to story time, and watch Ballet Etudes dancers perform Nutcracker excerpts.
    • Nutcracker-themed community events
      Hosts “Nutcracker Sweet Tea” events that include character meet-and-greets, luncheons, story time, and live excerpts from The Nutcracker performed by Ballet Etudes dancers.
    • Summer Intensive Program
      Operates a Summer Intensive program for dedicated dancers to strengthen technique, versatility, and performance quality in a pre-professional environment, including training with guest teachers from organizations like New York City Ballet and Boston Ballet.
    • Summer Intensive Program
      Operates a Summer Intensive program designed for dedicated dancers to strengthen technique, versatility, and performance quality in a pre-professional environment, with training provided by guest teachers from prestigious organizations.
    • Summer Intensive program
      Operates a Summer Intensive program designed for dedicated dancers to strengthen technique, versatility, and performance quality in a pre-professional environment.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$696K
Contributions & grants$55K8%
Program service revenue$629K90%
Investment income$260%
Other revenue$13K
expenses
Total expenses$673K
Program expenses99%
Admin / overhead1%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$954
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$223K
Cash$188K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$223K
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +85.0%
relationships · 14

who they work with

  • American Ballet Theatre Partner — Students have studied at American Ballet Theatre in New York City after receiving National Training Program Scholarships.
  • Arts in Mesa Partner — Sharon Meko was honored by Arts in Mesa when she was named "Artist of the Year.”
  • Ballet Arizona Partner — Provides guest faculty (Sarah Diniz) for the summer intensive program.
  • Boston Ballet Partner — Provides guest faculty (Alexandria Heath) for the summer intensive program.
  • Chandler Center for the Arts Partner — Partnered for a special performance of The Nutcracker as part of their Theater Kids field trip series.
  • Chandler Center for the Arts Partner — Partners for a special Act 2 performance of The Nutcracker as part of the Center’s Theater Kids field trip series.
  • Chandler Center for the Arts Partner — Venue for The Nutcracker performances
  • Mesa Arts Center Partner — Venue for The Nutcracker performances
  • Mesa Chamber for Commerce Partner — Sharon Meko was honored by the Mesa Chamber for Commerce.
  • New York City Ballet Partner — Provides guest faculty (Ashley Hod) for the summer intensive program.
  • Pacific Northwest Ballet Partner — Students have been accepted into the Professional Division of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s school.
  • The Chandler Symphony Orchestra Partner — Ballet Etudes joins as performers during concerts.
  • The Phoenix Symphony Partner — Ballet Etudes joins as performers during concerts.
  • Walnut Hill School for the Arts Partner — Director of Dance, Michael Owen, provided an endorsement for the quality of training at Ballet Etudes.