Mobile Ballet

Mobile Ballet is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organisation founded in 1987, serving as the region's premier classical ballet school and performing company. Based at two locations—the main Mobile studio at 4351 Downtowner Loop N and the Eastern Shore studio at 26150 Equity Drive in Daphne—the organisation teaches over 300 students annually, from age 3 to adult.

The school offers a full range of classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, and conditioning. Students progress through several divisions: Primary (ages 3–5) with creative movement and imaginative play; Recreational and Performance divisions with age-appropriate technique; a Homeschool Division for daytime study; the Academy for pre-professional and collegiate-track dancers with small class sizes and advanced curriculum; and Adult classes at all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced. All students have access to performance opportunities including The Nutcracker, end-of-year Showcase, and Mobile Ballet Company productions at the Mobile Civic Center stage.

The faculty is led by Artistic & School Director Katia Garza, a principal dancer trained in Mexico who performed with Ballet de Monterrey. Ballet Master Israel Rodriguez, also trained at Cuba's Vocational Art School and a former principal dancer with Ballet de Monterrey, leads advanced training. Associate Director of the Eastern Shore studio is Kimberley Sears, trained at The Royal Ballet School in England. The school employs a seasoned faculty of professional instructors and esteemed guest instructors from around the country.

Mobile Ballet's students have been admitted to top programmes including the School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theater of Harlem, and Juilliard School, and have been selected to summer intensives with American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet. Several alumni have gone on to professional careers at prestigious companies nationwide and internationally.

Beyond classes, Mobile Ballet presents three major productions annually, performed by school students and the auditioned Mobile Ballet Company alongside guest artists. The Discover Dance Program offers fully-staged performances for K–12 students through greatly discounted tickets, reaching several thousand students each year. The Relevé Project provides donor-supported tuition assistance and scholarships for students of all ages and levels. Educational outreach programmes partner with local schools and organisations, and the Share the Dance initiative has distributed over 10,000 complimentary tickets to area nonprofits.

Classes are structured by age and skill level, with placement determined by technical ability. Instructors are experienced and encouraging. The school offers both performance-focused and recreational tracks, giving you flexibility in commitment level. You can start at age 3 in creative movement or join adult classes at any point in your life.

Artistic & School Director Katia Garza is a former principal dancer with Ballet de Monterrey. Ballet Master Israel Rodriguez began training at Cuba's Vocational Art School and performed as a soloist with Ballet de Camaguey before becoming principal dancer with Ballet de Monterrey. Kimberley Sears, Associate Director of the Eastern Shore studio, trained at The Royal Ballet School in England. Sydney Adams leads the Adult Ballet programme. The school also hosts esteemed guest instructors from around the country.

The school welcomes beginners of all ages through Primary classes for ages 3–5, Recreational divisions, Adult Beginning Ballet, and Teen/Adult Beginning Ballet; no prior experience required for summer camps.