About
Smuin Center for Dance Youth Programs offers a 10 week PreBallet class where children take a PreBallet class and practice basic ballet positioning. In this program, children are introduced to ballet terminology as part of their dance class activities.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
• Schedule: 10 week PreBallet class on Tuesdays from August 12 – December 16, 2025, 5:15–6:00 pm
The program requests that children wear a leotard, tights, and ballet slippers for all dance classes, and notes that tutus and skirts are also welcome. Boys are asked to wear black shorts or leggings, black or flesh toned ballet slippers with or without socks, and a white or black t-shirt. Ballet attire and shoes can be purchased at SF Dance Gear in Hayes Valley at 551 Hayes St.
The class is taught within the broader Smuin Center for Dance, which offers classes for children and adults throughout the summer. The program notes that children in this class learn coordination, musicality, collaboration, independence, basic ballet positioning, and ballet terminology.
Instructor Emma Andre is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in Oakland, California, who studied contemporary dance with an emphasis in ballet at The Boston Conservatory and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2021. After graduating, Emma worked in New York as a freelance performer and teacher, including teaching children in the New York Public School system, and since June 2023 has taught at Berkeley Ballet Theater, Boys and Girls Club of SF, TuTu School, and Smuin Ballet. Former Choreographer in Residence and Artistic Associate Amy Seiwert became Artistic Director with the start of Smuin’s 24/25 season, and Artistic Director Emerita Celia Fushille led Smuin Contemporary Ballet for 17 years starting in 2007. Smuin debuted in San Francisco in 1994 and established itself as a performing arts company of international acclaim.
Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s stated vision is to uplift the human spirit and shatter preconceptions of ballet through innovative artistry and exceptional quality. Its mission states that the company thrives on diverse views and dance styles to create art that is original, evocative, and entertaining, creates a platform for artists to flourish, embraces bold ideals and ideas to unleash the power of dance, and is committed to sharing its passion for dance through performances, classes, and community engagement. The organization notes that it is sponsored in part by SF Grants for the Arts, the General Fund Portion of the San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Last updated June 5, 2026.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
• Schedule: 10 week PreBallet class on Tuesdays from August 12 – December 16, 2025, 5:15–6:00 pm
The program requests that children wear a leotard, tights, and ballet slippers for all dance classes, and notes that tutus and skirts are also welcome. Boys are asked to wear black shorts or leggings, black or flesh toned ballet slippers with or without socks, and a white or black t-shirt. Ballet attire and shoes can be purchased at SF Dance Gear in Hayes Valley at 551 Hayes St.
The class is taught within the broader Smuin Center for Dance, which offers classes for children and adults throughout the summer. The program notes that children in this class learn coordination, musicality, collaboration, independence, basic ballet positioning, and ballet terminology.
Instructor Emma Andre is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in Oakland, California, who studied contemporary dance with an emphasis in ballet at The Boston Conservatory and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2021. After graduating, Emma worked in New York as a freelance performer and teacher, including teaching children in the New York Public School system, and since June 2023 has taught at Berkeley Ballet Theater, Boys and Girls Club of SF, TuTu School, and Smuin Ballet. Former Choreographer in Residence and Artistic Associate Amy Seiwert became Artistic Director with the start of Smuin’s 24/25 season, and Artistic Director Emerita Celia Fushille led Smuin Contemporary Ballet for 17 years starting in 2007. Smuin debuted in San Francisco in 1994 and established itself as a performing arts company of international acclaim.
Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s stated vision is to uplift the human spirit and shatter preconceptions of ballet through innovative artistry and exceptional quality. Its mission states that the company thrives on diverse views and dance styles to create art that is original, evocative, and entertaining, creates a platform for artists to flourish, embraces bold ideals and ideas to unleash the power of dance, and is committed to sharing its passion for dance through performances, classes, and community engagement. The organization notes that it is sponsored in part by SF Grants for the Arts, the General Fund Portion of the San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Last updated June 5, 2026.
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