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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%
filing since
2019
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 · 25

what they do

direct service · 24
  • Adult Ballet Classes Pre-Professional Ballet Training
    Offers adult ballet classes that are an hour and a half long.
  • Annual End-of-Year Showcase Annual Student Dance Showcase & Festival Participation
    Hosts an annual End-of-Year Showcase for Ballet Etudes Academy students, featuring performances across various dance genres by students of all levels.
  • Annual Nutcracker Production Nutcracker Production & Performance
    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 Nutcracker Production Nutcracker Production & Performance
    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 production of The Nutcracker Nutcracker Production & Performance
    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.
  • Auditions for Company and Productions Ballet Company & Performance Auditions
    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.
  • Boys Ballet Classes Pre-Professional Ballet Training
    Offers Boys Ballet classes for ages 7-12 that focus on developing posture and skills through basic technique, strength, coordination, and athleticism.
  • Collaborative Performances with Orchestras Choral and Orchestral Concert Performances
    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 Choral and Orchestral Concert Performances
    Performs with The Phoenix Symphony and The Chandler Symphony Orchestra during concerts, including performances of classical and American composers' works.
  • Collaborative performances with orchestras Choral and Orchestral Concert Performances
    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.
  • Community and adult dance classes Pre-Professional Ballet Training
    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 Pre-Professional Ballet Training
    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.
  • Educational Outreach Performances Nutcracker Production & Performance
    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.
  • End-of-year student showcase Annual Student Dance Showcase & Festival Participation
    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.
  • Merchandise sales Branded Apparel and Merchandise Sales
    Accepts merchandise orders through in-person submission at the studio front desk or via email.
  • 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.
  • Open auditions for company and productions Ballet Company & Performance Auditions
    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.
  • Pre-professional Ballet Training and Performance 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. 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 Pre-Professional Ballet Training
    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.
  • School and community outreach performances Nutcracker Production & Performance
    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.
  • Summer Intensive Program Pre-Professional Ballet Training
    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 Pre-Professional Ballet Training
    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 Pre-Professional Ballet Training
    Operates a Summer Intensive program designed for dedicated dancers to strengthen technique, versatility, and performance quality in a pre-professional environment.
other · 1
  • End-of-Year Showcase Annual Student Dance Showcase & Festival Participation
    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.
strategies · 15

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.

  • Anatomy-First and Technique-Focused Training for Injury Prevention anatomy-first training unique to this org
    The organization employs an anatomy-first and technique-focused training approach to prioritize injury prevention, support long-term development, and build sustainable strength in dancers.
  • Discipline Development through Dance Training discipline through dance unique to this org
    The organization uses ballet training as a mechanism to teach discipline, including focus, attention to detail, respect, consistency, commitment, goal setting, and perseverance.
  • Discipline and Life Skills Development Through Dance discipline through dance unique to this org
    The organization uses ballet training as a vehicle to teach discipline, including focus, attention to detail, respect, consistency, commitment, goal setting, and perseverance, which are valuable life skills.
  • Discipline and Life Skills Development Through Dance discipline through dance unique to this org
    The organization uses ballet training as a vehicle to teach discipline, including focus, attention to detail, respect, consistency, commitment, goal setting, and perseverance, alongside developing a love for movement and confidence.
  • Non-Competitive, Pre-Professional Training for Artistic Development non-competitive training unique to this org
    The organization provides performing opportunities and training in a non-competitive setting, focusing on technical mastery, artistic nuance, and preparation for professional-grade productions and careers, allowing dancers to refine technique and gain experience without the pressure of competitions.
  • Non-Competitive, Pre-Professional Training for Artistic Development non-competitive training unique to this org
    The organization provides performing opportunities and training in a non-competitive setting, focusing on technical mastery, artistic nuance, and preparation for professional-grade productions, allowing dancers to refine technique and gain experience without the pressure of competitions.
  • Non-Competitive, Professional Production Training competition-free training unique to this org
    The organization focuses on technical mastery, artistic nuance, and preparation for professional-grade productions by removing the pressure of dance competitions, providing performing opportunities in a non-competitive setting, and training dancers in the realities of theater and stagecraft.
  • Personalized Instruction through Limited Enrollment personalized instruction unique to this org
    The organization limits enrollment to provide personalized attention to dancers in a professional and encouraging setting, fostering individual growth and development.
  • Pre-Professional and Career-Oriented Training pre-professional training unique to this org
    The organization provides an immersive, pre-professional environment with renowned guest faculty and designs classes to develop technique, strength, and artistry, preparing dancers for professional careers and acceptance into prestigious schools and companies.
  • Skill Assessment and Placement for Appropriate Learning skill_assessment unique to this org
    The organization uses placement classes to assess new students' skill levels and determine the appropriate class registration, ensuring students are placed in suitable learning environments.
  • Skill Assessment and Structured Curriculum for Appropriate Placement and Progression skill_assessment unique to this org
    The organization uses placement classes to assess new students' skill levels and determine appropriate class registration, and employs a structured curriculum with clear levels and progression, including age-appropriate content for early ballet, to ensure effective learning and development.
  • Structured Curriculum with Skill Assessment for Appropriate Placement structured curriculum unique to this org
    The organization utilizes a structured curriculum with clear levels and progression, employing placement classes to assess new students' skill levels and ensure appropriate class registration and development.
  • Structured and Age-Appropriate Curriculum structured curriculum unique to this org
    The organization emphasizes a structured curriculum with clear levels and progression, offering age-appropriate classes that focus on basic coordination, musicality, classroom structure, creative movement, and developing a love for movement and confidence in early ballet students.
  • Supportive and Nurturing Learning Environment supportive_learning_environment unique to this org
    The organization cultivates an encouraging, professional, and growth-focused studio environment, providing personalized attention and supportive instruction to help students reach their full potential and develop proper technique.
  • Supportive and Nurturing Learning Environment supportive_learning_environment unique to this org
    The organization provides a supportive, nurturing, and encouraging learning environment to help students reach their full potential, cultivate a growth-focused atmosphere, and prioritize proper technique development.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

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%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

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.