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CLASSICAL BALLET AND DANCE ACADEMY IN HURST, TEXAS – BEGINNER TO PRE-PROFESSIONAL CLASSICAL BALLET TRAINING

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Where Young Dancers Grow and Shine

From Beginner to Sugar Plum Fairy

Taylor's inspiring journey with us.

Started Age 4
Age 16 Became principal dancer at Almayeva Ballet Student Performance Company
Today Harvard University freshman
WATCH TAYLOR'S STORY

About Our Artistic Director, Marina Almayeva

Ever since Marina Almayeva opened the Marina Almayeva School Of Classical Ballet twelve years ago it has established itself as the school that provides top-level classical ballet education to students of all ages. Marina Almayeva has won the Outstanding Teacher Award, Youth America Grand Prix 2008, Spartanburg, SC, and the Outstanding Teacher Award, Youth America Grand Prix 2009, Irving, TX.  Her students and company have won many awards in competition. 

Which Program is Right for Your Child?

Our Classes

Professional ballet training programs designed for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced dancers.

Classical Ballet Class
All Levels

Classical Ballet

Foundation of all dance forms

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🩰 Classical Ballet

Comprehensive ballet training using the renowned Russian Vaganova method. Develop technique, artistry, and performance skills suitable for all ages and levels.

Vaganova Method All Age Groups Year-End Performance
Stretching & Conditioning
Essential Training

Conditioning

Build strength & flexibility

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💪 Stretching & Conditioning

Specialized training to improve flexibility, build strength, and prevent injuries. Essential complementary training for all serious dancers.

Flexibility Strength Building Injury Prevention
Ballet Pointe Class
Advanced

Pointe Work

Advanced technique training

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🌟 Ballet Pointe

Advanced pointe work for experienced ballet students. Focuses on proper alignment, strength development, and artistic expression on pointe.

Advanced Technique Strength Development Artistic Expression
Modern Dance Class
Contemporary

Modern Dance

Contemporary movement & expression

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💃 Modern Dance

Explore contemporary movement, floor work, and improvisation. Complements classical training with modern techniques and creative expression.

Contemporary Floor Work Improvisation

Why Parents Choose Almayeva Ballet Academy

Not just the top-level ballet and dance training. We help develop young people with grace, culture, discipline and confidence.

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Builds Confidence & Self-Esteem

Watch your child stand taller — on stage and in life. Our curriculum nurtures inner strength through movement and achievement.

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Improves Posture & Coordination

Ballet develops body awareness, balance, and grace that benefits children in every physical activity they pursue.

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Encourages Discipline & Focus

Structured classes teach children the value of commitment, practice, and perseverance — skills that last a lifetime.

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Safe & Structured Environment

Small class sizes and certified instructors ensure every child receives individual attention in a secure, supportive setting.

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Professional Ballet Curriculum

Our program follows internationally recognized methods, adapted for young learners to build a strong technical foundation.

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Join Our Community

Become part of a nurturing ballet family where every child's potential is celebrated and developed with care.

The Art of Movement

Where discipline meets grace, and dreams take flight

Classical Technique

Classical Technique

Master the Vaganova method with world-class instructors

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Performance

Stage Excellence

Theatrical productions that showcase artistic growth

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LIVE ACADEMY

Almayeva Ballet Academy

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Awards

Award Winning

Consistent top honors at international competitions

Our achievements →
Community

Community

Building confidence in a supportive family environment

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"Every dancer starts with a dream. We provide the stage."
— Almayeva Ballet Academy

Staff

MEET WITH OUR TEAM

Learn From The Best

Our experienced and award-winning faculty

Marina Almayeva - Artistic Director

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Learn more about Marina's journey and teaching philosophy

About Marina

Marina Almayeva

Artistic Director & Founder

Outstanding Teacher Award, YAGP 2008
Outstanding Teacher Award, YAGP 2009
12+ Years Directing Ballet School

Ever since Marina Almayeva opened the Marina Almayeva School Of Classical Ballet twelve years ago it has established itself as the school that provides top-level classical ballet education to students of all ages.

Her students and company have won many awards in competition, including recent successes at YAGP in Dallas.

Instagram Feed - Almayeva Ballet Academy

Behind the Curtain

Step into our world of grace and discipline. Follow @almayeva_ballet for studio moments, student performances, ballet tips, and inspiration from our dance family.

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👯 200+
Students
🏆 50+
Awards
📅 12
Years
100%
Passion
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Class in Session
Student Showcase
Pointe Practice
Performance Day
Backstage
Recital Prep

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School News & Events

12
AUG

In-Person Registration Day

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Join us at the school to register for fall classes, meet instructors, and tour our facilities.

Registration
14
AUG

Fall Classes Begin

All Day

Start of our fall semester. All regular classes commence according to schedule.

Academic
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Student Achievement

Recent Success

Congratulations to Ava and Taylor on their beautiful performance at YAGP in Dallas! They received very high scores and were invited to perform at the YAGP finals!

Achievement
15
SEP

Parent Observation Week

All Week

Parents are invited to observe classes to see their children's progress firsthand.

Community

Before & After: Ballet Training Results

See the transformation that dedication and professional ballet training can achieve. 

What Parents Are Saying

Almayeva Ballet Academy place picture
5.0
Based on 23 reviews
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Carlin Tesoro profile picture
Carlin Tesoro
02:09 23 Dec 25
My daughter has been attending Almayeva Ballet Academy for the past year and a half, and we absolutely love it. The studio is small and intimate, which makes it feel almost like private instruction. The individual attention has made such a difference and really impacted her confidence and skill in a positive way.

On a practical note, tuition and fees are comparable to other studios in the DFW area. The academy produces two full productions (Nutcracker and a Spring Production). While these do require a reasonable amount of volunteer involvement, it’s very much in line with what we’ve experienced at other studios for large-scale productions. We also love that the focus is ballet only, which gives us confidence that our daughter’s training will be consistent, intentional, and safe as she continues to grow.
Maryna Montano profile picture
Maryna Montano
01:13 23 Dec 25
Thank you so much for everything you do for our children !
Sarah McGee profile picture
Sarah McGee
18:50 05 Oct 25
My child has been a student at Almayeva Ballet Academy for three years, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. After experiencing many studios due to relocations, this one truly stands out. The small class sizes mean every student gets personal attention, and the focus on proper technique is exceptional.

Ms. Marina is incredibly dedicated — she not only teaches every ballet and conditioning class for students age eight and up herself but also builds a wonderful sense of community among the dancers. There are amazing opportunities to perform, from participating in the dance company or The Nutcracker to taking part in a full ballet production for the spring recital.

This studio is truly a hidden gem — passionate about developing strong and confident dancers through instruction and performance experiences that are unmatched.
Kim F profile picture
Kim F
07:52 22 Sep 25
We absolutely love this ballet school! My daughter has been dancing here for the past 3 years, and it has been such a beautiful journey to watch her grow and improve here.

Ms. Marina (and all the teachers) are incredibly skilled, knowledgeable, patient, and encouraging. My daughter loves her classes so much that she’s now enrolled every day & looks forward to every class. The friendships she has built here are such a gift too. I especially love that the students get to be a part of full-length ballet productions (instead of just a 3-minute recital song), and that they get plenty of invaluable stage experience.

What makes this school truly unique is their commitment to the Vaganova method (one of the most rigorous & elite). It results in stunning dancers who are an absolute joy to watch on stage.

We are so grateful to have found this school, and to Ms. Marina for her care and dedication to all of her students. Highly recommend!!
Alissa Southworth profile picture
Alissa Southworth
11:08 02 Sep 25
This school has an incredible classical ballet program. We have lived all over the country and tried so many ballet academies and this one is far and away the best. Their emphasis on technique and form, strength and discipline sets it apart. After 4 years of Ms. Marina‘s training, my girls have grown passionate about ballet and dedicated to continuing to improve. Their ballet skills have far surpassed those of their peers in other studios we once attended. I highly recommend this school.
Griselda Sanchez-Lara profile picture
Griselda Sanchez-Lara
16:46 21 Jul 24
My daughter has been part of Almayeva Ballet Academy for 4 years. During this time she has had the opportunity to participate at the Nutcracker, Spring recitals, local and international competitions and every time showing improvement on veganova technic, and also made lots of friends! Thank you to all the teachers! Amazing job!

Ballet School Gallery: See Our Dancers in Action

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our ballet academy

What age groups do you accept?

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We accept students from ages 3 through adult. Our programs include:

  • Creative Movement (ages 3-4): Introduction to music and movement
  • Pre-Ballet (ages 5-6): Basic ballet foundations
  • Levels 1-8 (ages 7-18): Progressive classical ballet training
  • Adult Ballet (18+): Beginner to advanced levels

Do I need to purchase dancewear before the first class?

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For your first trial class, comfortable athletic wear is acceptable. However, students are expected to wear proper ballet attire by their second class:

  • Girls: Leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes
  • Boys: White t-shirt, black shorts/tights, black or white ballet shoes
  • Hair: Must be secured in a bun for all classes

We sell uniform packages at our front desk for your convenience.

How do I register for classes?

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Registration is easy! You can:

  • Online: Complete our registration form and pay securely
  • In-person: Visit our front desk during business hours
  • Phone: Call us at (555) 123-4567 to register over the phone

A non-refundable registration fee applies for new students.

What is your class cancellation policy?

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We require 24-hour notice for class cancellations. Students may make up missed classes within the same semester in a comparable level class. Make-up classes cannot be carried over to the next semester.

When can my child start pointe work?

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Pointe work requires both physical readiness and proper training. Students are typically ready after:

  • Minimum 3-4 years of consistent ballet training
  • Age 11 or older (with director approval)
  • Sufficient ankle and core strength
  • Teacher recommendation and assessment

We do not rush pointe work – safety is our priority.

Do you offer trial classes?

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Yes! We offer one complimentary trial class for all new students. This allows you to experience our teaching style and studio environment before committing. Please contact us to schedule your trial class.

What makes Almayeva different from other ballet schools?

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Almayeva Ballet Academy stands out because:

  • Vaganova Method: We follow the prestigious Russian Vaganova curriculum
  • Award-Winning Faculty: Our teachers have won multiple YAGP Outstanding Teacher awards
  • Performance Opportunities: Full-scale annual productions
  • Small Class Sizes: Individual attention for every student
  • Nurturing Environment: We develop confidence and character, not just technique

Do parents need to stay during class?

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For students ages 3-6, parents are welcome to wait in our comfortable lobby with complimentary Wi-Fi. For students ages 7 and above, drop-off is encouraged to build independence. Parents are invited to observe during designated Observation Weeks each semester.

Contact Us

Start your child's ballet training right.

It is much easier to teach a child the right way from the very beginning than to fix thousands of bad habits, many of which are really not fixable… The earlier your child starts training at the right place with a professional coach, the better.

Give Your Child the Gift of Grace & Confidence

Almayeva Ballet School – Professional training for ages 3–12.

Jeanna Vance received her dance training at the Grand Rapids Ballet, Houston Ballet Academy, The American Academy of Dance, and Ballet Magnificat. For the first decade of her professional dance career she performed with many Houston based companies and had the privilege of being a founding member of Ad Deum Dance Co. under the direction of Randall Flinn. As a young artist, Jeanna was also welcomed into Interactive Theatre Company, where she fell in love with unruly audiences and the endless
possibilities that come by opening up the audience/performer relationship. Her love of story telling and a passion to share the Gospel through dance were fanned into flame during her 14 years of serving on faculty for Dance Revolution, a traveling dance convention that reaches thousands of students each year. In response to a growing desire to use dance as a tool to serve the “unseen” of society, in 2014 Jeanna founded Open Sky Arts Collective. Since it’s beginning, Open Sky has become a nation wide missional arts organization that fosters close knit artist communities who use dance to create inroads for people from all walks of life to experience the unstoppable love of God. Currently, Jeanna resides in the Dallas area, directing Open Sky Dallas, homeschooling her kids, dancing and dance-making, speaking, teaching, and dreaming of new ways to make dinner.

Marina Almayeva, the Founder and Artistic Director of Almayeva Ballet Academy

Marina Almayeva received her professional ballet education under Vaganova curriculum at some of the best state-sponsored schools of choreography in the former Soviet Union, such as colleges of choreography in Baku and Perm. Having competed her studies, she accepted the position of a Soloist at a well-known ballet company “Moskva” in Moscow where she danced for 6 years, touring extensively throughout Russia and Europe. In 1999 she joined “Ballet Arlington” in Arlington, TX and danced there for two seasons.  It is the combination of her superb training, professional experience of the dancer and ballet instructor, and her passion for the art has allowed Marina Almayeva to build a truly unique pre-professional classical ballet program in the heart of Texas. Her teaching method is based on the best features of famous Russian Vaganova curriculum combined with the new approach to athletic conditioning of the dancer’s body with the goal to achieve an extreme flexibility, strength, and stamina. Over the years between 2003 and 2024 students of Marina Almayeva have won numerous awards at the regional semi-finals of Youth America Grand Prix International Ballet Competition, both in solo and ensemble categories
including: 
 – 2 Hope Awards
 – 1 Youth Grand Prix
 – 1 Grand Prix
 – 16 First Place Awards 
 – 12 Second Place Awards 
 – 10 Third Place Awards 
Marina Almayeva is a recipient of two “Outstanding Teacher” nominations by YAGP competition – in Spartanburg, SC
2008 and in Dallas, TX 2009.

Shannon danced for several professional ballet companies including, Texas Ballet Theater (formerly Fort Worth Dallas Ballet), Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and South African Ballet Theater. Shannon worked with many world renowned choreographers and artistic staff including Bruce Marks of Boston Ballet, Bruce Simpson of Louisville
Ballet, Stanton Welch of Houston Ballet, and Ben Stevenson O.B.E., current Artistic Director of TBT. During Shannon’s professional career he has performed in many ballet’s including George Balanchine’s Four Temperaments, Serenade, and Slaughter on Tenth Avenue; Stanton Welch’s Fingerprints; and Ben Stevenson’s Peer
Gynt, Dracula , Cinderella, and Coppelia. After his tenure with TBT, Shannon joined the famed neo-classical modern ballet troupe, The Bruce Wood Dance Company and toured in various cities across America. Shannon is a principal guest artist and has several other credits which include the South African Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and Ballet Metropolitan
Classique.

Shannon has a passion for choreography and had the opportunity to create an original work on company members of TBT. He also choreographed a full length version of Snow White which premiered in 2005. He has also choreographed award winning works for members of Lakecities Ballet Theatre. Even with a blended family of 8, he still finds time to freelance. Shannon has been involved in dance for more than 20 years. This includes over 10 years of teaching experience and an education in dance from Texas Christian University. Shannon is looking forward to
his first year with Alamyeva School of Ballet.