About
Ballet Arts Studio offers classes in Classical Ballet, West African, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Theater Dance, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. The BAS school facility includes a performance-size main studio (Studio I) and a lower level studio (Studio 2), as well as a classroom, waiting areas, dressing rooms, and offices. Both studios have fully sprung floors.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
For sixty-four years, Ballet Arts Studio has been fulfilling its mission for children of all ages. The program is led by Artistic Director Katie Bissinger, and it is the proud home of The Dutchess Dance Company, which was founded in 1994 by Valerie Feit. The mission of Ballet Arts Studio focuses on individual artistry and technical excellence within a disciplined, respectful environment, with the goal of creating professional dancers, performers, and artists and transforming young people into confident adults who are critical thinkers with curious, imaginative minds, and helping students gain the resources needed to fulfill their potential, lead meaningful lives, and realize dreams.
Ballet Arts Studio utilizes a progressive, modern, and “American” approach to Agrippina Vaganova's ballet curriculum and technique. The program has grown to include The Dutchess Dance Company, which focuses on professional-level performance experiences as a means to artistic growth and development, and a full-length production of The Nutcracker. Ballet Arts Studio and The Dutchess Dance Company center around a complete approach to learning, individual growth, and technical and artistic development, and the faculty nurture positive attitudes and attributes in students so that they can fully develop their personal and creative potential. Children of all ages experience personal and artistic transformation at Ballet Arts Studio and The Dutchess Dance Company.
The Dutchess Dance Company is dedicated to providing a variety of educational and performance experiences to dancers. DDC member dancers work with professional choreographers and perform in various venues, and they also work and perform with community organizations. Performance portfolios developed by DDC members are often featured parts of college applications. The Dutchess Dance Company performs during the Spring Concert and at other venues and community events throughout the year.
The Nutcracker, Winter Tidings, and the Holiday Showing of the Curriculum are the studio's formal and informal December performances celebrating the holiday season. Dancers in classes from Lower School II Ballet and up are invited to audition and participate in The Nutcracker. Preparation for Ballet, Lower School I Ballet, and Dutchess Dance Company participate in Winter Tidings, and all dancers are featured in the Holiday Showing of the Curriculum. The Spring Concert is the culmination of the dancers' training and work over the school year, and for 23 years Ballet Arts Studio has been performing this Spring Concert at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie. Performing at the Bardavon Opera House provides high production value and gives the dancers the thrill of performing at a professional venue with all the glamour of a beautiful historic theater. Studio performances at Ballet Arts Studio and the annual Winter Tidings performance at the VFW Hall provide an intimate atmosphere in which dancers can experience performance in a more informal setting.
Ballet Arts Studio and The Dutchess Dance Company are located in the thriving community of Beacon, New York, which includes shops, art galleries, an antiques district, and Dia: Beacon Riggio Galleries featuring one of the largest contemporary art collections in the world.
Last updated February 5, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
For sixty-four years, Ballet Arts Studio has been fulfilling its mission for children of all ages. The program is led by Artistic Director Katie Bissinger, and it is the proud home of The Dutchess Dance Company, which was founded in 1994 by Valerie Feit. The mission of Ballet Arts Studio focuses on individual artistry and technical excellence within a disciplined, respectful environment, with the goal of creating professional dancers, performers, and artists and transforming young people into confident adults who are critical thinkers with curious, imaginative minds, and helping students gain the resources needed to fulfill their potential, lead meaningful lives, and realize dreams.
Ballet Arts Studio utilizes a progressive, modern, and “American” approach to Agrippina Vaganova's ballet curriculum and technique. The program has grown to include The Dutchess Dance Company, which focuses on professional-level performance experiences as a means to artistic growth and development, and a full-length production of The Nutcracker. Ballet Arts Studio and The Dutchess Dance Company center around a complete approach to learning, individual growth, and technical and artistic development, and the faculty nurture positive attitudes and attributes in students so that they can fully develop their personal and creative potential. Children of all ages experience personal and artistic transformation at Ballet Arts Studio and The Dutchess Dance Company.
The Dutchess Dance Company is dedicated to providing a variety of educational and performance experiences to dancers. DDC member dancers work with professional choreographers and perform in various venues, and they also work and perform with community organizations. Performance portfolios developed by DDC members are often featured parts of college applications. The Dutchess Dance Company performs during the Spring Concert and at other venues and community events throughout the year.
The Nutcracker, Winter Tidings, and the Holiday Showing of the Curriculum are the studio's formal and informal December performances celebrating the holiday season. Dancers in classes from Lower School II Ballet and up are invited to audition and participate in The Nutcracker. Preparation for Ballet, Lower School I Ballet, and Dutchess Dance Company participate in Winter Tidings, and all dancers are featured in the Holiday Showing of the Curriculum. The Spring Concert is the culmination of the dancers' training and work over the school year, and for 23 years Ballet Arts Studio has been performing this Spring Concert at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie. Performing at the Bardavon Opera House provides high production value and gives the dancers the thrill of performing at a professional venue with all the glamour of a beautiful historic theater. Studio performances at Ballet Arts Studio and the annual Winter Tidings performance at the VFW Hall provide an intimate atmosphere in which dancers can experience performance in a more informal setting.
Ballet Arts Studio and The Dutchess Dance Company are located in the thriving community of Beacon, New York, which includes shops, art galleries, an antiques district, and Dia: Beacon Riggio Galleries featuring one of the largest contemporary art collections in the world.
Last updated February 5, 2026.
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