Founded in 1974, Pacific Northwest Ballet School is recognized as one of the top three ballet training institutions in the United States. Under the direction of Peter Boal, the School offers a complete, professional curriculum to more than 1,000 students. The School’s Open Program attracts 600 teens and adults who wish to pursue recreational dance instruction in a supportive and encouraging setting.
Pacific Northwest Ballet School is divided into three divisions that are designed to challenge students with each year of study.
Children’s Division
The Children’s Division is divided into Pre-K for ages 2–4, Creative Movement for ages 5–6, Pre-Ballet for age 7, and Children’s Division Boy’s Class for boys ages 5–7. Students are introduced to music, movement and group interaction.
Student Division
The Student Division offers eight levels of instruction. Auditions are required for admission and placement is based on age, strength and physical development.
Professional Division
The School’s Professional Division offers advanced instruction for those students planning a professional dance career.
The School offers full and partial tuition scholarships to students who demonstrate artistic potential and financial need.
Each year, Pacific Northwest Ballet School holds an intensive, five-week Summer Course that attracts students from around the United States and beyond. Students are admitted by invitation only, based on the results of a national audition tour held in January and February. Other School activities include a Teachers’ Seminar, attracting ballet teachers from throughout North America and abroad.
Pacific Northwest Ballet DanceChance program offers students in Seattle Public School partner schools the opportunity to study classical ballet free of charge, dependent only on the students’ potential and interest in the program. PNB seeks to build a School and Company that reflects the diversity of our community by providing access and opportunity to talented students. Students are provided with full scholarship classes twice a week, dance attire, transportation and complimentary tickets to PNB Company performances.
With locations in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington, the School maintains a faculty of over 20 instructors, each with extensive performing backgrounds, and professional piano accompanists.