Jill Landrith School of Dance

The Jill Landrith School of Dance is a boutique dance school in Wichita founded by Jill Landrith, who has been teaching since 1978. The school's philosophy centres on dance training as a path to physical improvement, self-esteem, and discipline—qualities that extend far beyond the dance studio. The faculty believes that a solid foundation in ballet is essential; ballet is the main emphasis at the school, though other dance forms are also offered.

Jill Landrith is the school's owner and teaches Ballet, Pas de Deux, and Kinesiology. Her professional background is substantial: she was a soloist with the Aachen Ballet in West Germany and a member of Ballet Met of Columbus, Ohio. She is currently on faculty at Wichita State University's Dance Department, lecturing in Dance History, and serves as Artistic Director of Metropolitan Ballet, Inc. She previously held the role of Artistic Director of Metropolitan Ballet of Wichita (now known as Ballet Wichita) for twenty years and was Associate Artistic Director for five years. Her training includes extensive work with David Howard, Maggie Black, Rebecca Wright and Francoise Martinet in New York City, and Bill Martin-Viscount in Texas. She began her own dance studies with her mother, June Landrith.

The school's track record speaks to the quality of its training. Students have gone on to perform professionally with companies including Momix, Central West Ballet, California Ballet Company, Tulsa Ballet Theater, Atlanta Ballet, Austin Ballet, Ballet Magnificat!, Roxey Ballet, and Janice Garrett and Dancers. The school is equally proud of graduates who have pursued careers outside dance—as doctors, journalists, graphic designers, and teachers—applying the discipline and self-confidence gained through dance training.

Jill has also created an innovative introduction to dance and the arts programme for Unified School District 265 in Goddard, Kansas, which she directed for nine years. She has been a guest teacher for the Washington Ballet School, The Springfield Ballet, and schools in New Jersey, Florida, and throughout Kansas. The school's approach emphasises proper technique over routine learning, devoting more time to training than performing. An annual recital is held for students.

Classes are offered September through May, with additional summer sessions in June, July, and August. The school teaches ballet as its foundation, alongside other dance forms, with an emphasis on building proper technique and discipline.

Jill Landrith, the owner and a former professional dancer with the Aachen Ballet in West Germany and Ballet Met of Columbus, Ohio, teaches Ballet, Pas de Deux, and Kinesiology. Faculty also includes Kylee Tucker Benefiel (Lyrical) and Kelsie Martin-Smith (Tap, Jazz, Ballet Tap Combination).