Agapé Dance Academy

Agape Dance Academy offers ballet training for ages 2-19. The Petite Program introduces young students to ballet technique, classroom etiquette, coordination, and performing through imaginative movement and age-appropriate exercises. The Graded Program is a pre-professional ballet training program focused on technical skill, artistry, and discipline. It also offers Adult Classes in the evenings and a Community Ballet Class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00-11:30am.

Programs

• Petite Program — Ages 2-6 · Introduces young students to the basics of ballet technique, classroom etiquette, coordination, and performing through imaginative movement and age-appropriate exercises.
• Graded Program — Ages 7-19 · Pre-professional ballet training program designed to develop technical skill, artistry, and discipline.
• Adult Classes — Adults · Evenings · Adult ballet classes in a friendly environment.
• Community Ballet Class — Adults · Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10:00-11:30am · Morning community ballet class.
• Studio Company — Students in Agape’s Graded Program · Additional rehearsal and performance opportunities through Santa Cruz Dance Theater’s Studio Company.
• Petite Elite — Students in the Petite Program and students beginning Level 1 of Agape’s Graded Program · Invitation-only level with additional training and performance opportunities.
• Conservatory — Beginning around age 10 · Designed for dedicated dancers ready for additional performance experience and deeper commitment to training.
• Company — Beginning around age 12 · Highest level of student performance training with advanced training and performance opportunities.

At a glance

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• General schedule: Each year, students have the opportunity to participate in two full-scale ballet productions with Santa Cruz Dance Theater. Every December, Agape students perform in The Nutcracker. Their second annual ballet production takes place in the spring.

About the provider

Agape Dance Academy is led by Dir. Conrad Useldinger. The program says it is the only school in Santa Cruz County focused exclusively on classical ballet training. Students are evaluated annually to assess progress and determine placement for the following year. Each year, students can participate in two full-scale ballet productions with Santa Cruz Dance Theater, including The Nutcracker in December and a second annual ballet production in the spring. Studio Company students can rehearse, perform, and attend the RDA Pacific Festival each year.

Students are evaluated annually to assess progress and determine appropriate placement for the following year. Need to drop a class or transfer to a new one: email [email protected].

What families say

“Agape Dance Academy played an incredible role in forming my confidence, self-esteem, physical health, and character over the six years I was actively involved.” — Landon B.

“A very inclusive and supportive studio. The teaching is excellent and the performances are so well done from the choreography to set design to costume.” — Robyn C.

“I’ve seen four Agape shows and they were all wonderful. Swan Lake and Appalachian Spring brought me to tears. The dancers are so well trained and clearly love their instructors a lot.” — Leslie S.

Last updated October 11, 2026.