Brae Crest School of Ballet

For residents of Rhode Island, whether you're a seasoned dancer, a parent seeking a foundational arts education for your child, or an adult rekindling a childhood dream, the Brae Crest School of Ballet in Lincoln offers a truly unique and enriching experience. As the official school of The State Ballet of Rhode Island, Brae Crest carries a distinguished legacy of classical ballet education, welcoming individuals of all ages and levels into a disciplined yet deeply supportive environment. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Brae Crest School of Ballet, highlighting what makes it such a cherished point of interest for locals in the Ocean State.

Established in 1958, Brae Crest School of Ballet has built a reputation for maintaining the highest standards in ballet education. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Herci Marsden, who co-founded The State Ballet of Rhode Island in 1960, the school has nurtured generations of dancers. Ms. Marsden, along with dedicated instructors like Miss Ana, are highly trained and disciplined teachers who "have a growing love for ballet and continue to share that love with each of their students everyday," as noted by appreciative alumni. This long-standing commitment to both technical excellence and fostering a genuine passion for the art form is what truly sets Brae Crest apart. Reviews consistently emphasize the welcoming atmosphere and the unwavering support teachers provide to all students, "both young and old," ensuring a positive and transformative experience for everyone who walks through their doors.

Brae Crest School of Ballet is conveniently located at 52 Sherman Ave, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA. This address places it in the town of Lincoln, a community nestled in northern Rhode Island, offering a blend of suburban tranquility and accessible amenities. For local residents, the studio's location on Sherman Avenue provides straightforward access, whether you're traveling from within Lincoln or from neighboring towns such as Cumberland, Smithfield, or even Providence. Lincoln's well-developed road networks make commuting to the school practical for families and individuals across the region, minimizing travel time and making it easier to integrate ballet training into busy schedules.

As an established institution with a long history, the location has likely been chosen for its accessibility and suitability for a dedicated dance studio. While specific parking details are not provided, dance schools in such suburban settings typically offer ample parking options for students and parents. The strategic placement of Brae Crest in Lincoln underscores its role as a regional hub for classical ballet, drawing students from various parts of Rhode Island and even beyond, all seeking the high-caliber instruction and nurturing environment it provides.

Brae Crest School of Ballet, as the official school of The State Ballet of Rhode Island, offers comprehensive year-round programs designed to cater to a wide range of ages and experience levels, from introductory classes for young children to pre-professional training. Based on available public data, their services include:

• Classical Ballet Technique: Core instruction in the fundamentals of classical ballet, emphasizing proper technique, posture, and alignment, often following a Russian or French syllabus.
• Pointe and Pre-Pointe Classes: Specialized training for eligible, advanced ballet students focusing on strengthening the feet and ankles for dancing en pointe.
• Character Dance: Classes that introduce theatrical folk dances and national dances, often incorporated into classical ballets, adding cultural richness to a dancer's repertoire.
• Pas de Deux: Training in partner work for more advanced students, focusing on lifts, balances, and coordinated movements.
• Ballet Variations: Opportunities for advanced students to learn and perform excerpts from classical ballet repertoire.
• Pre-Primary Classes (Ages 3-5): Half-hour classes designed for the youngest dancers, focusing on balance, coordination, stretching, memory, and following directions, often associating ballet steps with animals to make learning fun.
• Beginner Classes (Ages 5-11, Levels 1-3): One-hour classes that introduce students to Russian-style classical ballet, building strength, good posture, and self-esteem, incorporating barre work, adagio, allegro, and waltz.
• Intermediate Classes: Classes for students with a foundation in ballet, including pre-pointe, pointe, and ballet technique, with a greater focus on core strength and combinations from different ballets.
• Advanced and Pre-Professional/Professional Levels: Longer, more intensive classes for dedicated dancers serious about their training, focusing on performing steps to different music and tempos, and learning choreography from historic repertoire.
• Adult Ballet Classes: Catering to adult students of all levels, providing an opportunity to learn or continue ballet training for recreation, fitness, or artistic expression.
• Summer Programs: Including Summer Ballet Camp (ages 4-12, often requiring at least one year of ballet training) and Summer Day Intensives, which offer focused study, guest instructors, and repertoire learning.
• Audition Opportunities: As the official school of The State Ballet of Rhode Island, students have unique opportunities to audition for and perform with the professional company.

Brae Crest School of Ballet is distinguished by several key features and highlights that contribute to its strong reputation and make it an ideal choice for dance education in Rhode Island:

• Affiliation with The State Ballet of Rhode Island: This is a major highlight, as being the official school of a professional ballet company offers unparalleled opportunities for students, including potential performance experience with the company and learning from professional dancers and choreographers.
• Legacy of Excellence Since 1958: With over six decades of experience, Brae Crest has a proven track record of delivering high-quality classical ballet education, earning recognition as an "outstanding cultural asset."
• Highly Trained and Disciplined Teachers: Instructors like Ms. Marsden and Miss Ana are consistently praised for their expertise, dedication, and ability to instill a love for ballet while maintaining high standards of discipline.
• Welcoming and Supportive Environment: Despite its rigorous training, the school is described as "very welcoming" with "doors open to all," fostering a positive experience for students of all ages and abilities. Teachers are "supportive to all students."
• Comprehensive Curriculum for All Ages and Levels: From pre-primary to professional levels, and with dedicated adult classes, the school ensures that every student finds their place and receives appropriate instruction.
• Focus on Artistic Integrity and Pure Aesthetic Vision: The school balances technical excellence with an emphasis on the joy, beauty, and tradition of classical ballet, providing a holistic dance education.
• Ongoing Registration and Scholarship Opportunities: These features make ballet education more accessible to a wider range of families in the Rhode Island community.
• Historic Ballet Studio: The opportunity to "try one class first at our historic ballet studio" suggests a unique and inspiring learning environment.

For Rhode Island residents interested in classical ballet training at the Brae Crest School of Ballet, whether for themselves or their children, direct contact is the best way to obtain the most current and detailed information on class schedules, tuition, registration, and audition opportunities. You can reach them through the following contact details:

Address: 52 Sherman Ave, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA

Phone: (401) 334-2560

Mobile Phone: +1 401-334-2560

Additionally, their official website, often associated with The State Ballet of Rhode Island, is an excellent resource for detailed program descriptions, staff biographies, and news about performances and events.

In conclusion, for locals in Rhode Island, particularly those in and around Lincoln, the Brae Crest School of Ballet stands as an exceptional point of interest for classical ballet education. Its deep roots, stretching back to 1958, its direct affiliation with The State Ballet of Rhode Island, and the unwavering dedication of its highly trained and nurturing instructors make it a premier destination for aspiring and seasoned dancers alike. Whether you are seeking a structured and disciplined environment for serious ballet training, a welcoming space to introduce your child to the joy of movement, or an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of dancing, Brae Crest offers a supportive community where excellence, artistic integrity, and a profound love for ballet are cultivated every day. Its commitment to "ballet education with joy, support, and integrity" ensures that it remains a treasured cultural asset for generations of Rhode Islanders.

Brae Crest School of Ballet

52 Sherman Ave, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA