Arizona Youth Ballet

We are a non-profit 501(c)3 program that provides pre-professional performance opportunities through strong technical training and a nurturing environment for dancers of all ages. Through dedicated, highly regarded faculty, outstanding supporters and amazing dancers, we strive to be the premier youth dance company in the Southwest.

The organization was born from a desire to form an organization that could take young aspiring dancers from the dance studio to a professional company. A need was identified by this group for a pre-professional opportunity that mirrored a true professional ballet company in order to prepare the next generation of classical ballet dancers. The young dancers that were taking dance classes were unaware of the requirements to take their love of the craft to a professional stage and environment. Arizona Youth Ballet was created to give them a safe place to experience the highs and lows involved in preparing for a stage production, as well as the demands of auditioning and rehearsing for desired roles, as well as the disappointment of not receiving those assignments. Arizona Youth Ballet does this in a safe and nurturing environment. Part of this experience includes regular, scheduled classes and rehearsals that are dictated by technique level and training.

Although other pre-professional companies existed, the founding group saw a need for a company where the focus was less on sheer technical ability, and more on a well-rounded skill set. They also wanted this to be a safer place for dancers to learn, where bullying was prohibited and dancers of a wide variety of personal, physical, and technical variations would be given the keys to success.

Arizona Youth Ballet's artistic staff is comprised of professional dancers, both retired and active, who bring a level of experience that includes all sides of the industry. Our artistic staff have all been teaching for a minimum of 20 years each, in addition to their professional careers. This lends to insights and contacts from all sides of the profession, from training to a professional career.

Arizona Youth Ballet provides a weekly technique class each Saturday, with our Artistic Staff, who are classically trained in ballet as well as other dance styles and have extensive experience on the stage and in the classroom. Dancers are required to attend multiple weekly technique classes, at the studio of their choice, the number of which is determined by their company placement.

For dancers pursuing a professional career, our staff provides guidance in audition techniques, introductions, industry insight, and career motivation. Those who are Company members for the love of the craft learn discipline, time management, and responsibility in a competitive industry, as well as skills that can be used for success in future, non-dance, endeavors. Providing a diverse artistic staff ensures we provide our dancers with a well-rounded technical education.

AZYB has recently embarked upon an extended education program, as a service to our community, that includes technique classes taught by guest professional teachers in a variety of genres, as well as classes in areas such as nutrition, stage make-up, resume writing, and audition skills.

We hold open auditions for the company every August. Auditions for our production of The Nutcracker are open to the community. Students from around the Valley chose to perform The Nutcracker with us, without the obligations that accompany annual company membership. This gives community dancers an opportunity to participate in a classical ballet, while receiving expert instruction and guidance from our professional Artistic Staff. We hold mid-year company auditions after The Nutcracker season, when many Nutcracker dancers choose to join our company.

Our biannual full-length performances are open to the community, and are advertised across the valley. Additionally, we engage in community outreach programs to foster an appreciation of classical ballet, at local libraries, bookstores, and schools.

Testimonials

"The training that I received from Christina Hampton is not only vital for a healthy and injury-preventive career, but also for a successful and intelligent one. Her technical base has provided a solid foundation that I'm able to utilize in all forms of dance and has helped separate and highlight my strengths as a dancer and an artist. Her knowledge of proper alignment, correct muscle development, and artistic coordination is imperative for a professional career and has proved to be invaluable and relevant for years to come. The performing and rehearsing opportunities that she provides, through Arizona Youth Ballet, have taught me many skills and tools necessary to survive in this profession. I wouldn't be where I am today or have the opportunities of tomorrow, without all of the beautiful work that has been generously shared and carefully taught from Christina Hampton...