School of Ballet RI / Ballet Rhode Island

Ballet RI, also known as School of Ballet RI, is a professional ballet school offering rigorous, comprehensive dance education focused on process over perfection and artistry alongside technical precision. The school provides programs from age 3 through adult and professional levels, including specialized adaptive programs for dancers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and outreach programs for youth in underserved communities. Led by Artistic Executive Director Kathleen Breen Combes, the school aims to reimagine dance education, cultivate the next generation of professional dancers, and inspire lifelong appreciation of dance for all.

Ballet RI is located at 825 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906, in the heart of Providence's East Side. The facility is accessible by bicycle, transit, and car.

Ballet RI offers an Open and Children's Program for ages 3 and up, a professional-track Core Program for ages 8-22, a Professional Trainee Division, an Adult Program with flexible attendance, an Adaptive Dance Program for dancers with disabilities or movement challenges, summer programs including intensive training and workshops, private lessons, and community engagement and outreach programs.

The organization's services are open to children starting at age 3, youth through age 22, adults of all levels, dancers with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities or movement challenges, aging bodies, and those pursuing professional dance careers. Programs serve students in underserved communities through outreach initiatives.

Ballet RI caters to ages 3 through adult. Programs include classes for young children ages 3 and up, the Core Program for ages 8-22, and adult classes. Experience levels range from beginners to professional-track training and company trainees.

Yes. The Professional Trainee Division offers audition-based positions where trainees engage fully in the company schedule, work extensively in outreach, and receive many performance opportunities with the company. After two years, trainees may move on to become company members at Ballet RI or other professional companies. Many graduating Core Program students are accepted into high-level college dance programs, traineeships, or professional companies.

The Core Program provides a solid dance foundation with individualized progression through levels based on age, ability, strength, development, and commitment level assessed by faculty and principal. The Open and Children's Program emphasizes imaginative play and improvisation to develop coordination, spatial awareness, musicality, body awareness, balance, and creative expression. Education focuses on artistry alongside technical precision, taught by faculty with educational training, degrees in dance pedagogy, and significant performance experience.

Yes. Performance opportunities include an audition-based children's cast of The Nutcracker, Culmination, Next Generation Choreographic Project, Performance Ensemble, and regional and national competitions. The school offers performance opportunities through Ballet RI productions, and the largest studio transforms into a 95-seat Black Box Theatre.

Ballet RI can be contacted by phone at 401-353-1129, with Spanish language support at 401-409-2031, or by fax at 401-353-8853. The address is 825 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906. Box office phone hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00am to 2:00pm, and 2 hours prior to curtain on performance days.