Outreach

The Ballet Conservatory is a nonprofit ballet academy and performance company. A significant component of our mission is to ensure that dance education opportunities are accessible to as many interested children as possible regardless of economic background. Thanks to the generous support of individuals, corporations and foundations, the Ballet Conservatory educates thousands of youth each year.

Discover Dance, an outreach program of the Ballet Conservatory, furthers our mission to educate and inspire underserved children in San Antonio. The program’s three-tier structure provides children of various economic backgrounds the opportunity to see, experience and train as a dancer.

School Day Performances

Makes classical ballet accessible to disadvantaged children through multiple opportunities to see a live ballet performance at no cost. Over 3,500 children with limited access to the performing arts attend a Ballet Conservatory production annually.

Ballet Classes at SA Youth

Children in grades 1-5 are given the opportunity to attend ballet classes at the SA Youth Poplar location once or twice a week at no charge. Since 2017, we have collaborated with SA Youth to provide ballet education to students from underserved communities. This school year program culminates with an end-of-year theatre performance in front of a large audience.

Scholarships

The Ballet Conservatory offers two scholarship programs to help children make their dreams come true. This program provides full or partial tuition assistance to children who take class at the Ballet Conservatory studios.

School Day Performances

Ignite your students’ imagination and enhance their learning through live dance performances. The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas invites students and educators to free performances introducing school aged children to the art of classical ballet.

These shows are tailored for young people and allow them to experience the beauty, power and uplifting impact of a high quality ballet performance complete with costuming, props and scenery in a traditional theater setting.

• UPCOMING SCHOOL DAY PERFORMANCE
  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  Friday, October 28, 2022 | 10 AM
  McAllister Theatre | 1300 San Pedro Ave
  Recommended age: 8-18

To schedule your school field trip, contact info@balletconservatory.org.

Ballet Classes at Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children

The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas has partnered with Sunshine Cottage to offer ballet training in the community.

The Ballet Conservatory provides complimentary ballet instruction to interested students to enhance their arts education and to directly experience the uplifting benefits of ballet. Students receive ballet class twice a week, ballet attire (leotard, tights, ballet shoes), and an opportunity to perform in a theatre in front of a large audience wearing a beautiful costume.

Asia Ciaravino comments on the importance of arts education and partnering with BCSTX.

“Art is transformative. When you witness the performing arts for the first time it has the potential to change the course of your life. Forever. What we know as educators and artists is that children who are involved in arts perform better in school, have a higher rate of graduation, communicate better, work well on a team, and become more empathetic. All of these characteristics build better people. That’s what our mission is at SA Youth. When The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas approached us about providing ballet classes, there was no hesitation. Almost a year later, our students are dancing. It transcends “extracurricular” and jumps into the necessary category for our kids. Arts are survival. Dance is catharsis. Ballet is discipline. 

We are so grateful to be working with the Ballet Conservatory of South Texas. Our students are shining because you believed they could.“

– Asia Ciaravino, SA Youth President & CEO 

Scholarships

The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas offers two scholarship programs to help students make their dreams come true. These programs are funded through annual donor support and Ballet Conservatory fundraising events.

Young Artists Scholarship

The Young Artists Scholarship is a need-based scholarship program for students enrolled at the Ballet Conservatory during the school year. The Ballet Conservatory is committed to ensuring all interested dancers can get the best training and economic circumstances should not undermine a serious young dancer’s dreams.

The Ballet Conservatory generally awards over $30,000 annually in tuition assistance. The scholarship funds offered will cover a portion of the cost of tuition for the performance season.

Boys Scholarship

In 2013, the Ballet Conservatory launched the Boy’s Scholarship Program to encourage male participation in the art of ballet and increase accessibility in the greater San Antonio area. All boys ages 3-18 can participate in this scholarship program and take classes at the Ballet Conservatory studios. This program is designed to enhance athletic skills, flexibility, and strength while instilling a love of dance.

Young male dancers will have the advantage of

• Regular ballet classes, including weekly stretch class and modern (for advanced level dancers)
• Opportunities to perform
• Partnering training and coaching (as appropriate)
• Boys-only classes for ballet students in Ballet I and up

Application Process

The Ballet Conservatory’s Board has appointed a Scholarship Committee that oversees our competitive scholarship process to ensure that decisions are made in the most fair, ethical and expedient manner. A complete application, including tax returns and other requested documents, must be submitted no later than Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Applications submitted after this date may be considered if funds remain.

Applications and financial information remain confidential. For more information about either scholarship program, please contact the Ballet Conservatory office at 210.820.3400 or email Marie Sanchez at marie@balletconservatory.org.