Ballet Petit

Ballet Petit offers Beginning Ballet 1-4, Transition Intermediate, Intermediate 1-3, Junior Company, workshops in Modern Dance and Contemporary Ballet, Master Classes with visiting Master Teachers, the Oakland Ballet Company Summer Dance Intensive, and an Annual Spring Concert. Suggested age guidelines for Beginning Ballet are ages 4-6 for Beginning 1, 6-9 for Beginning 2, 8-10 for Beginning 3, and 9-14 for Beginning 4. Transition Intermediate requires a minimum of two classes per week, and Intermediate 1-3 requires a minimum of three classes per week.

Programs

• Beginning Ballet 1-4 — Suggested age guidelines: Beginning 1 ages 4-6; Beginning 2 ages 6-9; Beginning 3 ages 8-10; Beginning 4 ages 9-14 · Weekly classes
• Transition Intermediate — Required minimum of two classes per week
• Intermediate 1-3 — Required minimum of three classes per week
• Junior Company — Apply each Fall; minimum of three days per week of consistent attendance
• Oakland Ballet Company Summer Dance Intensive — Hosted annually at Ballet Petit for 2 weeks each July
• Workshops in Modern Dance, Contemporary Ballet, and other related dance forms — Offered throughout the year
• Master Classes with visiting Master Teachers — May be offered as opportunities arise
• Annual Spring Concert — Annual

At a glance

• Ages: 4–18 years old

About the provider

Peggy Peabody is identified as the Artistic Director and founder. The program’s history begins in 1977 at Happy Time Nursery School in Fremont, first appeared in Newark in 1983, and moved into its permanent home in February 2013. The mission statement says, "Children should experience the wonder of dance." Ballet Petit has hosted the Oakland Ballet Company’s Summer Dance Intensive since 2013, and its annual Nutcracker includes multiple generations of returning alumni performing together.

Suggested age guidelines are only a guide and may vary based on attendance, focus, progress, and physical development. Dancers are promoted in half steps through the levels. Pointe classes do not satisfy the two-class requirement. Dancers should not wear pointe shoes before being invited to study pointe. Junior Company applicants must be in any Intermediate Level and Pointe 2 and commit to at least three days per week of consistent attendance.

What families say

“It's an environment where everybody supports each other and you can really get involved in the studio. I was able to do things like help out with choreography and make costumes, which taught me a lot of leadership skills that I didn't expect to gain at a dance studio.” — Junior Company Member

“Ballet Petit is amazing. Miss Peggy not only teaches our kids discipline and dedication, but also makes a point of including the family in the journey. Ballet Petit is not only dance school, it's a family of dancers and parents.” — Ballet Petit Dad

“As soon as I met Miss Peggy, I knew we wanted to be here. Miss Peggy is so easy to talk to and it is obvious she cares about each dancer and family. We immediately felt at home. I've told many people about how special Ballet Petit is because it's not everyday you find a place like this.” — Ballet Petit Mom

Last updated September 4, 2026.