Minnesota Ballet Academy

Minnesota Ballet Academy offers classes in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and pilates. Its offerings include Mommy & Me style ballet-inspired classes, Primary Division introductory ballet, Secondary Division formal classical ballet training, Upper Division pointe training, Pre-Professional Division training that includes jazz and modern dance, and adaptive ballet classes through ABLE SF and ABLE En Avant. Open Division classes are also offered in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and pilates.

Programs

• Primary Division — ages 3+ · Classes meet once a week · Introductory ballet; no previous dance training necessary; students must be potty trained.
• Secondary Division — ages 7+ · Ballet 1-3 classes meet two times/week; Ballet 4-5 classes meet three times/week · Formal classical ballet training; no previous ballet training required. Placement class required before registering new students in Ballet 4-5.
• Upper Division — ages 12+ · Classes meet three times/week · Training in pointe; previous ballet training required; placement class required before registering new students.
• Pre-Professional Division — ages 12+ · 4-6 times/week · Rigorous training for a professional dancer career; includes jazz and modern dance in addition to classical ballet; audition required before registering new students.
• Mommy & Me style ballet-inspired class — 6 months -3 years old · 5 week sessions · Bond, twirl, and take your first plié together. Parent/caretaker accompanies child.
• Open Division — ages 14 through adult · Two 15-week semesters during the school year; Fall/Winter Session (9/8-1/24) · Classes offered in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and pilates. No prior dance experience is necessary; all levels are welcome.
• ABLE SF — ages 5 through 18 · During the school year · Adaptive ballet class for students who require assistance in class or a more sensory friendly environment.
• ABLE En Avant — ages 8 through adult · During the school year · Adaptive ballet class for more experienced movers who require minimal physical assistance.

At a glance

• Ages: 0–18 years old
• General schedule: Fall and spring semesters are approximately 15 weeks long, with a winter break over the holidays. Two 15-week semesters during the school year. Summer programs are offered. ABLE classes are offered during the school year.

About the provider

Minnesota Ballet Academy has provided high-quality performances, pre-professional ballet training, and outreach programs for over 55 years, and the history section lists 1965 as the year the Duluth Civic Ballet was formed. The program is under the direction of nationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and arts educator Karl von Rabenau. Its mission is to inspire appreciation of the art of ballet through performance and education.

No prior dance experience is necessary for some classes. Primary Division students must be potty trained. A placement class is required before registering new students in Ballet 4-5. Upper Division students must have previous ballet training. Pre-Professional students must have previous ballet training and an audition is required before registering new students. Registration is open for some sessions.

Last updated November 3, 2026.