Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh

Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh has been training classical ballet dancers since 2006 under the artistic direction of Lindsay and Steven Piper. Both directors trained extensively — Steven studied at the Washington School of Ballet, Maryland Youth Ballet, and Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington D.C., and danced professionally with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and Nashville Ballet. Lindsay grew up in the South Hills, trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, School of American Ballet, and Kirov Academy, and danced professionally with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater under Patricia Wilde. Together they have taught ballet for the past 25 years and founded BAP with a focus on unique performance opportunities and classical training at all levels.

The school serves children ages 18 months and up, from beginner through pre-professional. The Children's Division (ages 18 months–8 years) includes Mommy & Me Ballet, then progression through Children's Ballet 1–4, with once-a-week classes designed to teach fundamentals of classical ballet vocabulary. The Student Division and Pre-Professional Division serve older students. All class divisions benefit from small class sizes and a caring environment; participation in performances is optional, rehearsals happen on weekends, and all costumes are provided by the academy at no extra cost.

The studio holds two major annual performance series: The Nutcracker in December and a Spring Gala in April/May at the Thomas Jefferson High School Theater in Jefferson Hills. Through permissions granted by The George Balanchine Trust and Jerome Robbins Trust, BAP students perform ballets including Serenade, Concerto Barocco, Jewels, Divertimento No. 15, Coppelia excerpts, A Midsummer Night's Dream excerpts, and Circus Polka. The school also performs works by choreographers including Choo San Goh, Kenneth McMillan, Peter Martin, and Christopher Wheeldon.

BAP students have consistently achieved recognition: they have been accepted to prestigious summer programs on scholarships to School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theater, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and others. Students have placed highly at the Youth American Grand Prix, including the 2015 Junior Grand Prix Winner for the Pittsburgh regional. Former students now dance professionally with New York City Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Nashville Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, St. Louis Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and other major companies. Others attend pre-professional training at School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Colburn Academy, or pursue ballet at universities including Indiana University of Bloomington, Butler University, Point Park University, and Mercyhurst University.

Garielle Whittle, repetiteur for The George Balanchine Trust, The Jerome Robbins Trust, and Christopher Wheeldon, has staged ballets at BAP and notes: "The Academy is exceptionally organized and professional. Students have been taught the specific etiquette, discipline and respect crucial for a serious ballet student, in an environment that is nurturing and caring." The location on Library Road in Castle Shannon is minutes from Baldwin/Whitehall, Bethel Park, McMurray, Mt. Lebanon, Pleasant Hills/West Jefferson Hills, and Upper St. Clair, and is directly adjacent to the St. Anne's Trolley station for public transit access.

Summer offerings include My First Ballerina camps (ages 18 months–3), Fairytale camps (ages 3–5), American Girl and Barbie camps (ages 5–7), and tiered intensives for Junior (ages 6–10), Intermediate (ages 8–11), and Advanced students (ages 11+). Junior Intensive classes run Monday, Wednesday, Friday for two-week sessions. Intermediate Intensive features daily ballet technique (1–2:15pm) plus Contemporary, Musical Theater, or other styles (2:30–3:30pm), with options for one to four weeks. Advanced Intensive includes daily ballet technique, Pointe/Pre-pointe/Variations/Pas de deux, and Contemporary/Jazz/Pilates, with the four-week option including a performance.

Drop in for a free trial ballet class during the Fall Open House (ages 3–7), or contact the studio to observe or attend a regular class. Classes are structured, age-appropriate, and taught by highly skilled instructors in a nurturing environment designed to help each child have a positive learning experience.

Artistic directors Lindsay and Steven Piper lead the faculty. Both are classically trained professionals with 25 years of teaching experience each. Steven studied under Nicolai Morozov at the Kirov Academy and Mansur Kamaletdinov (former Acting Artistic Director of the Bolshoi Ballet). Lindsay trained at School of American Ballet and Kirov Academy. Both danced professionally with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and use an enthusiastic approach to motivate students and create a nurturing, excellence-focused learning environment. Faculty members are highly skilled and experienced in classical ballet technique.

Classes are available for ages 18 months and up with beginner levels; the Children's Division is specifically designed as an introduction to classical ballet, and a free trial class is offered during the Fall Open House.