Santa Barbara Festival Ballet

Santa Barbara Festival Ballet offers classes including Creative Movement, Primary Ballet, Ballet Levels 1–8, Boys Ballet, Contemporary, Conditioning, and Rehearsal, as well as Open Intermediate/Advanced Ballet, Beginning Teens/Adults Ballet, and Adult Ballet. The program also includes Summer Intensive Workshops such as the Mei-Ling Murray summer intensive and the Alaine Haubert summer intensive, along with performance opportunities in The Nutcracker and a Spring performance.

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer season runs June 29–August 17, with an 8-week Level 5/6 Ballet session; class options include weekday afternoon and evening classes and Saturday morning classes

Santa Barbara Festival Ballet states that its mission is to enrich the community through the art of dance by providing training and performance opportunities for dancers of all ages and creating a lifelong appreciation of the performing arts, with a focus on correct and age-appropriate ballet technique, artistry, musicality, and a supportive and nurturing environment. The organization has been training dancers and collaborating with the Santa Barbara Symphony at the Arlington Theatre for over 50 years and is the home of The Nutcracker at the Arlington. It is a 501(c)3 organization and offers scholarships to those in need, as well as a complimentary trial or assessment class that can be scheduled by email.

The leadership team includes Artistic Director Valerie Huston and Artistic Director Emerita Denise Rinaldi. Faculty credentials include advanced degrees and professional training, such as Denise Rinaldi’s Fellowship in Cecchetti USA and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, described as the highest teaching qualification awarded, and her roles as Chair of the Board of Directors and examiner for Cecchetti USA. Valerie Huston is a Senior Lecturer in dance at the University of California, Santa Barbara, holds a B.F.A. in ballet from the University of Utah, and has received a lifetime achievement award in dance from the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance. Other listed instructors hold degrees in dance or related fields from institutions including UC Santa Barbara, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, the University of California, Irvine, Butler University, and Hollins University.

Santa Barbara Festival Ballet describes its unique features as including world-class faculty offering superior training and an individualized approach, a focus on developing safe and correct technique, artistry and musicality, professional performance opportunities, small class sizes, and dedicated teachers. Students in Level 1 and above are invited to audition for The Nutcracker each year and to perform in a Spring performance. OPEN classes are described as being for teen and adult dancers seeking the exercise and enjoyment of a traditional ballet class, with modifications for varied skill levels and abilities.

The organization states that it works to integrate the art of dance and its culture into the local community of Santa Barbara and beyond through its Friends of Clara program and numerous community outreach programs throughout the year. Parent testimonials describe the studio as offering exceptional ballet training, a nurturing and supportive community, an intimate and encouraging setting, and a focus on timeless, classic ballet with structure and tradition, along with opportunities to perform and to participate in activities such as The Nutcracker and trips with the Ballet Alliance.

Last updated June 24, 2026.