Goleta School of Ballet

Goleta School of Ballet offers classical ballet training that includes annual performances and seasonal programs. Students take part in productions such as The Nutcracker, The Nutcracker Tutu Suite, The Mixed Repertory Gala Program, and a full-length ballet classic, as well as Summer Workshop offerings, Dance Camp for Levels 2–6, and a Summer Intensive for the Pre-Professional Division.

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Fall classes beginning August 31, 2026, with breaks for Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, and Spring Break; annual performances in December, February, and May; summer programs including Dance Camp (June 21–July 2) and Summer Intensive (July 5–August 6)

The Goleta School of Ballet was founded in 1986 by Artistic Director Lisa Abshere and has grown considerably over the last 40 years. It is the home of Goleta Ballet Theatre and has been a staple in the Santa Barbara community since 1986. The school offers 16 levels of classical ballet instruction for students ages 3–18 and places emphasis on annual performances as part of the student experience.

The Goleta School of Ballet states that its mission is to offer a solid foundation in classical ballet and to teach, at all levels, an appreciation, interest, and genuine fondness for music and dance. The school’s fundamental goal is described as a genuine fondness for music and dance, and it states that ballet teaches discipline, coordination, commitment, creative expression, and accomplishment.

Last updated June 22, 2026.