named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Spring Concert
Yearly performance event featuring original and classical choreography performed by students across all divisions.
Summer Programs
Seasonal training programs for ages 4–19, including themed camps, intermediate intensives, and pre-professional intensives with guest instructors and specialized dance disciplines.
The Nutcracker
Annual performance production in which students from Pre-Ballet through advanced levels participate, showcasing classical ballet repertoire.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Ballet and Dance Education Programs 4 activities
- Beginner summer dance program for young childrenOffers a summer dance program for children ages 4–7 with no prior experience, combining daily ballet lessons with crafts, stories, and themed activities to introduce young learners to dance in an engaging environment.
- Pre-professional ballet training programOffers an intensive pre-professional ballet program for dancers ages 12 and up, including daily training in ballet technique, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, acting for dancers, gyrokinesis, pilates, and seminars. The program is structured by skill level and supports technical and artistic development.
- Summer dance intensive programsHosts multi-week summer intensive programs for youth dancers, including a three-week session (July 27–31, August 3–8, August 10–14) operating Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Programs include four daily classes in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, dance history, vocabulary, and injury prevention, taught by faculty and guest instructors. Separate tracks are offered for ages 9–12 with prior experience and for ages 12+ at the pre-professional level.
- Youth dance instruction across multiple stylesProvides comprehensive dance instruction in ballet, modern, jazz, and related forms for children and youth of various ages and skill levels, including regular classes and curriculum-based training for the 2026/27 school year. Programs emphasize performance, positive reinforcement, and personal development such as self-confidence and maturity.
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Annual Ballet Performances with Community Engagement 1 activity
- Annual student performancesProduces and organizes annual performances including The Nutcracker and the Spring Concert to showcase student talent and dedication. These events feature dancers from Pre-Ballet through Ballet 2 levels and are central to the organization’s performance-based training approach.
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Admissions Outreach and Enrollment Support 1 activity
- Open house and enrollment eventsHosts open house events to allow families to tour studios, meet instructors, and register for classes, supporting community engagement and student enrollment for upcoming academic terms.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$344K
Contributions & grants$6K2%
Program service revenue$305K89%
Investment income$2K1%
Other revenue$31K
expenses
Total expenses$312K
Program expenses63%
Admin / overhead37%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$183K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$238K
Cash$215K
Investments$0
Liabilities$6K
Net assets$232K
Liquid reserves8.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +18.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiane Santos | Chairwoman | 40 | $60K |
| Joan K Anderson | Vice Chair | 40 | $60K |
| Jason Bedell | Treasurer | 2 | $2K |
board members · 4
- Anthony Bonacio — Director
- Erika Sellar Ryan — Director
- Jessica Batten — Director
- Katherine Breitenbach — Director
relationships · 6
Who they work with
- National Museum of Dance's School of the Arts Partner — Co-founders Joan Kilgore Anderson and Cristiane Santos served as Co-Directors, and faculty member Leanne Sweet taught for 12 years at this institution.
- SSYB faculty Partner — Faculty members teach classes in the summer intensive program alongside guest artists
- SSYB faculty Partner — Teaches classes during the summer intensive program
- Skidmore College Partner — Faculty members have served on the dance faculty and as lecturers at Skidmore College.
- Susan Blackburn Partner — Photographer providing site photography for the organization.
- Union College Partner — Faculty member Joan Kilgore Anderson has served on the dance faculty at Union College.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Holistic Dance Educationmethodology: holistic_dance_educationBy integrating technique, theory, and wellness education, the organization develops well-rounded dancers because addressing physical, intellectual, and emotional dimensions supports sustainable artistic growth and injury prevention.
- Performance-Based Learningmethodology: performance_based_learningBy engaging students in annual stage productions, the organization cultivates technical skill, artistic expression, and public confidence because performing in front of an audience reinforces learning through real-world application and motivates sustained engagement.
- Progressive, Age-Appropriate Arts Trainingmethodology: progressive-arts-trainingBy delivering a structured, developmentally sequenced curriculum across dance disciplines, the organization builds technical proficiency, confidence, and artistry over time because skill acquisition is scaffolded to match students' cognitive and physical growth stages.