BALLSTON SPA - Since its founding in 2020, Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet (SSYB) has reached new heights fi expanding its original space, teaching more than 100 students and supporting dancers to participate in prestigious advanced ballet performances and programs.
The ballet school opened its doors on Sept. 14, 2020, with only one studio and offering 50% of its classes online only. A year and a half later, the school has two studios, all classes are back in person, and more than 100 students are enrolled fi a true success story.
SSYB was embraced by local families that have supported its vision of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, committed to providing quality professional dance training in a collaborative environment to pre-professional students throughout the Saratoga area.
The community support allowed SSYB to stage a complete Nutcracker Ballet production within one year of starting its operations. Eighty-five dancers ages five to 18 years old, eight dancing parents, and three guest artists graced the stage of the Performing Arts Center University at Albany on Dec. 18 for a magical in-person event.
And the good news keeps coming. On Sunday, March 13, 13 young dancers from SSYB were selected to perform in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream‚ with the New York City Ballet at SPAC this summer. With the summer audition season still going, nine advanced level dancers from SSYB have already been accepted to prestigious ballet training institutions: Boston Ballet School; Kaastbaan Ballet Summer Intensive; Rock School of Dance Education; Joffrey Ballet School; Miami City Ballet; American Ballet Theatre; Bolshoi Ballet Academy, and the list goes on.
SSYB’s dance educators are now busy choreographing for a Spring Concert scheduled for Saturday, June 4 at Ballston Spa High School. The Spring Concert will include dancers as young as three years old. Joan K. Anderson and Cristiane Santos, School Founders and Artistic Directors, are also finalizing the details for three unique summer dance programs featuring a renowned guest faculty, and open to any interested dance students.
For more information regarding SSYB’s programs, visit saratogaspringsyouthballet.org or call 518-306-4037. SSYB is located at 418 Geyser Rd, Suites 5 & 6, Ballston Spa.
