Iowa Ballet Academy

Hello, fellow Iowans! We are thrilled to introduce you to a cornerstone of artistic development in our community: Iowa Ballet Academy (IBA), located in Urbandale. For nearly a decade, and even tracing its roots back to Central Iowa Dance School established in 1992, IBA has been a beacon for dance enthusiasts across the Des Moines metropolitan area and beyond, providing exceptional classical ballet training and much more. It's a place where young ones take their first graceful steps, where serious students hone their craft for potential professional careers, and where everyone in between finds a nurturing environment to grow. We understand that local businesses that invest in the development of our youth and enrich our cultural landscape are invaluable, and Iowa Ballet Academy truly embodies this spirit, offering a blend of rigorous technical instruction and essential life lessons. Whether you're a parent seeking a foundation in dance for your child or a dedicated student aiming for the highest levels of performance, IBA is a celebrated institution within the Iowa dance community.

Iowa Ballet Academy is strategically situated at 3890 NW Urbandale Dr, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA. This location makes it highly accessible for families residing in Urbandale, as well as those in neighboring communities such as Des Moines, Clive, Waukee, and Johnston. Positioned conveniently off NW Urbandale Drive, just north of Douglas, the studio is easy to locate and reach, minimizing travel time for busy schedules. Its presence in Urbandale reinforces its commitment to serving the local Iowa population, providing a centralized and convenient hub for dance education. Ample parking facilities are typically available, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for students and parents during drop-off and pick-up times. This accessible location allows Iowa Ballet Academy to welcome students from across central Iowa, fostering a broad and diverse community of dancers.

Iowa Ballet Academy offers a meticulously structured curriculum designed to cater to dancers at every stage of their journey, from foundational movement to pre-professional excellence. Their comprehensive range of services includes:

• Children’s Division Classes: Tailored for young dancers just beginning their exploration of movement and rhythm, these classes provide a gentle and encouraging introduction to ballet fundamentals, fostering a love for dance from an early age. This includes Preballet for ages 4-5 and Kindercombo for ages 4-6.

• Open Division Classes: Designed for students who desire to learn dance with a more flexible schedule, or for those who wish to supplement their training in specific areas. These classes cover a variety of styles and levels. This also includes classes for adults.

• Pre-Professional Division: This rigorous, technique-based program is for serious students aspiring to a career in dance, those wishing to dance competitively, or those seeking to maximize their potential. Students are placed by ability and commit to an extensive curriculum. Levels include Pre-Professional Level 1 (ages 6+ beginning dancers) through Pre-Professional Level 5 (most advanced, preparing for professional careers).

• Diverse Dance Styles: Within its divisions, IBA offers instruction in classical ballet, pointe work, variations, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, lyrical, Pilates for dancers, and acrobatics, ensuring a well-rounded and versatile dance education.

• Competition Team: For students seeking competitive opportunities, IBA offers a competition team that participates in various events, including prestigious competitions like Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), providing invaluable performance experience.

• Performance Opportunities with Yaro Dance Company: Ami Yaro, the owner, also founded the Yaro Dance Company, a youth ballet company that provides students with numerous opportunities to perform on stage in professional-level productions, such as The Nutcracker and Dracula, often alongside Iowa Dance Theatre.

• Summer Intensives and Workshops: The academy frequently hosts summer programs and specialized workshops with guest teachers, offering intensive training and exposure to diverse dance methodologies.

Iowa Ballet Academy distinguishes itself with several key features and highlights that make it a premier choice for dance education in Iowa:

• Highly Qualified and Patient Instructors: Every dance instructor at IBA is described as "highly qualified, professional, and very patient," often holding college degrees in dance or certifications from Dance Masters of America. This ensures top-tier instruction and a nurturing learning environment.

• Comprehensive Technical Foundation: The academy is known for providing a strong technical foundation in ballet, preparing students for advanced studies and potential professional careers. Its pre-professional division is particularly noted for its rigorous training.

• Emphasis on Life Lessons: Beyond dance technique, students at IBA learn invaluable life lessons, including "confidence, determination, perseverance, and commitment." They also learn the importance of teamwork and building positive relationships.

• Safe and Supportive Environment: IBA is the first studio in central Iowa to achieve certification with the Youth Protection Association For Dance (YPAD™), demonstrating its unwavering commitment to the safety and health of its students. This dedication creates a truly safe space for learning and growth.

• Inspiring Performance Opportunities: Through its affiliation with Yaro Dance Company and collaborations with Iowa Dance Theatre, students gain significant stage experience, performing in major productions, which is a rare and enriching opportunity for young dancers.

• Strong Sense of Community: Students at IBA often form "life-long friends," highlighting the strong community and supportive atmosphere fostered by the academy. This collaborative spirit enhances the overall dance experience.

• Accessible to All Levels: With divisions ranging from Children's to Pre-Professional and Open classes, IBA caters to a wide spectrum of ages and commitment levels, making quality dance education available to many.

For those in Urbandale and the wider Des Moines area interested in connecting with Iowa Ballet Academy, here is their contact information:

Address: 3890 NW Urbandale Dr, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA

Phone: (515) 334-5510

Mobile Phone: +1 515-334-5510

For locals throughout Iowa, especially those in the Des Moines metro, Iowa Ballet Academy stands as an exemplary institution for dance education. Its decades-long commitment to high-quality training, coupled with a profound dedication to student well-being and personal growth, makes it an ideal choice for any aspiring dancer. As one long-term parent happily states, "My daughter has been taking lessons and classes for nearly a decade from the school. Iowa Ballet Academy offers Children’s Division Classes for young ones just getting started; Open Division Classes for students wanting to learn how to dance but need a flexible schedule and a Pre-Professional Division for the more serious students who desire a technical foundation and more rigorous training." The reviewer further praises, "Each dance instructor at IBA is highly qualified, professional and very patient. Not only are the instructors and the class offerings wonderful, there are many types of opportunities at Iowa Ballet Academy... My daughter also spent many years performing on stage for Yaro Dance Company... Students learn not only how to dance at Iowa Ballet Academy, but also learn lessons in confidence, determination, perseverance, and commitment. Most importantly, my daughter has learned how to be on a team, get along with others and has been fortunate to meet life-long friends through Iowa Ballet Academy." Another local dance studio owner even adds, "Miss Ami does a phenomenal job. Her dancers are top notch at technique. Staff is very well educated and provides a safe space for students." These testimonials collectively paint a clear picture of why Iowa Ballet Academy is perfectly suited for locals: it's a nurturing environment where world-class dance instruction meets invaluable life skills development, fostering confident, disciplined, and well-rounded individuals who thrive both on and off the stage, right here in our Iowa community.

Iowa Ballet Academy

3890 NW Urbandale Dr, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA