Ballet Bilbao Ana Mª Aurrecoechea

Ballet Bilbao Ana Mª Aurrecoechea is a dance studio in Abando, Bilbao, offering classical ballet, contemporary dance, modern dance, pilates and ballet fitness. The studio teaches children from age 3–4 upwards, teenagers and adults, with classes structured by level and age group.

The studio's children's programme includes pre-primary ballet (ages 3–4), primary ballet and graded levels, plus modern dance for children and young people on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Ballet for children develops flexibility, coordination, rhythm and posture; the studio notes that ballet strengthens the core, corrects poor posture, aids development of the nervous system and builds confidence and discipline.

For adults, the studio runs ballet classes Monday to Friday evenings (20:00–22:00) and Friday mornings (10:00–12:00), with levels ranging from beginner to intermediate. Classes require no prior training; the first class is free and without commitment. Adult ballet improves cardiovascular fitness, core strength, posture and muscle tone, and can burn up to 800 kcal per hour. The studio also offers contemporary dance (described as total freedom in movement with proper core engagement, taught by Isabel Robles and Saioa Ibáñez) and gymnasia de mantenimiento – ballet fitness, combining flexibility work, abdominal and lower-body strengthening, and cardiopulmonary exercise on Mondays and Wednesdays (09:30–10:30).

The studio runs an annual end-of-year festival (most recently a two-part show with an adaptation of the ballet Esmeralda and a cinema festival with film soundtracks), summer artistic camps for children aged 3–11 and 7–11, and intensive dance courses in contemporary, classical and jazz. Students compete in regional and national championships including Dantzatu, Vive tu Sueño, and Dance World Cup; recent results include second-place finishes at Dantzatu 2022 and selections for the Dance World Cup final in Offenburg.

The studio offers three rooms for hire, each equipped with ballet barrels, mirrors and sound equipment. It also supplies mobile ballet barres (available in lengths of 3 m, 3.5 m or joined to 6.5 m) and offers personal training adapted to individual fitness goals and needs.

On your first visit to a ballet or adult class, expect a welcoming environment with mirrors, barres and sound equipment. Children's classes focus on building fundamentals of movement, posture and rhythm; adult beginner and intermediate ballet classes are accessible to anyone with no prior experience, and your first class is free.

Classes are taught by Saioa Ibáñez (also known as Saioa Ibáñez Romero), who leads ballet and contemporary dance instruction. Contemporary dance classes are also taught by Isabel Robles. The studio runs summer intensive courses taught by Iris Nuñez in contemporary, classical and jazz for ages 12–17.

Adult ballet classes are designed for all levels including complete beginners, with no prior training required; the first class is free.