The Russian Ballet School
Embrace the artistry of classical ballet through a transformative curriculum in the Russian method of Agrippina Vaganova. Learn under the guidance of distinguished faculty from the Bolshoi Ballet, Mariinsky Theatre, Kiev City Ballet, and the National Ballet of Canada. Located in Toronto, our ballet school offers thoughtfully structured classes that honour tradition, cultivate discipline, and awaken a lifelong appreciation for grace and artistic expression.
Now accepting registrations for children’s classes and adult ballet. Enroll today and take your first step into the world of classical dance.
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Our Faculty and Philisophy
Our mission is to illuminate the world of classical ballet through the rigorous and expressive Russian method of Agrippina Vaganova. We exist to cultivate the transformative power of ballet, to inspire discipline, and to awaken a deep artistic sensibility in every student.
As a ballet school based in Toronto, we are committed to expanding access to world-class classical dance education in Canada. In a country still developing its own performing arts traditions, we proudly carry forward the legacy of ballet as it has flourished across Europe and Russia for centuries. Our faculty includes former soloists and principal dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet, Mariinsky Theatre, Kiev City Ballet, and the National Ballet of Canada—each bringing decades of stage and teaching experience to our programs.
Through our children’s ballet courses and our extensive adult ballet and dance classes, we are shaping the next generation of dancers with precision, elegance, and artistry. We also believe in the joy of performance—for amateurs and professionals alike—and provide every student the opportunity to experience the stage.
Follow the link below to explore the foundations of the Vaganova method, read our faculty biographies, and learn what distinguishes our school within the landscape of classical ballet education.
Academic Year Courses
Our academic ballet courses run from September to June and offer a structured, 10-month curriculum in classical ballet for students ages 3 to 17. Designed to build technical strength, musicality, and artistry over time, these courses follow the Russian method of Agrippina Vaganova.
Children ages 5 to 17 enrolled in the academic ballet program participate in a culminating year-end performance each June, showcasing their development and dedication throughout the course. For toddlers ages 3–4, our pre-school ballet program introduces the foundations of movement, rhythm, and creative expression in a joyful, age-appropriate setting. Parents are invited to attend an open class on the final day of the course to observe their child’s progress.
Adults ages 18+ who are enrolled in our intermediate ballet classes may apply for our dedicated adult performance course—a rare opportunity and the first of its kind in Canada for amateur adult dancers. This 10-month course allows students to learn and perfect classical repertoire and perform on stage alongside ballet industry professionals in a formal three-act production.
All of our academic-year offerings emphasize long-term growth, refined technique, and a deep connection to the tradition of classical ballet.
Summer Courses
Our 8-week summer ballet courses, held from July through August, are designed to maintain and strengthen technique during the school break. These intensive summer classes offer students the opportunity to stay engaged with their training, refine their artistry, and continue progressing even while away from their regular academic schedules.
Whether you are preparing for the upcoming year or simply seeking to build confidence and discipline over the summer, our courses provide a focused, enriching environment to support every dancer’s growth.
Adult Ballet Program
Our Adult Ballet Program is the most extensive classical ballet offering of its kind in Canada. Created for adult students at all levels, this program supports personal growth, artistic development, and physical training through a uniquely structured, membership-based system.
Memberships are organized by core ballet level and grant unlimited access to a wide selection of supplemental classes open to all members. These include Neoclassical Ballet, Character Dance, Ballet Body, Ballet Workout, Ballet Gymnastics, Mat Pilates, Barre, and Rehabilitative Ballet. Together, these classes provide a comprehensive foundation for both technical refinement and physical strength.
Our Ballet Body class is inspired by the innovative work of Leah Sarago and reflects the growing influence of ballet-based strength training across the United States and Ukraine. Our Ballet Workout class is a contemporary interpretation of the iconic New York City Ballet Workout—revived and reimagined by our faculty to support adult dancers in building stamina, precision, and expressive movement.
Whether you are beginning your journey or returning after many years away, our adult ballet courses offer rigorous, inclusive training for dancers seeking discipline, artistry, and transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children’s ballet courses follow two annual terms: the academic year and the summer term.
The academic year begins the day after Labour Day (the first Monday of September) and continues through June 30. The summer term runs from July 2 (the day after Canada Day) through August 31. Start dates for summer courses may vary depending on the program, so it is best to check the specific course page for details and registration deadlines.
If registering after the course start date, please contact the office to arrange prorated tuition. Be sure to include your intended start date. The office can be reached by phone or text at 647-370-5889, or by email at info@therussianballet.com.
Adult dancers in intermediate or advanced ballet levels who are participating in the performance membership add-on follow the same academic calendar. This add-on includes rehearsals only and is separate from group class memberships.
Adult trial classes or memberships may be started at any time of the year. Advancement between dance levels is based on individual progress. Instructors will advise when a dancer is ready to move up, and the office can assist with membership upgrades.
For pre-school dancers (ages 3–4) and pre-primary dancers (ages 5–6), placement is strictly based on age. Dancers remain with the same age group for both years, as these courses are intentionally structured to match the developmental stage of that age range. Advancement is not permitted, as the next levels introduce material that is not suitable for their physical or emotional readiness.
Mid-year transfers are not permitted, even if a dancer has a birthday that would move them into the next age group partway through the year.
Dancers ages 7, and those turning 8 during the academic year, are placed in the Primary group. Dancers ages 8 to 9 are placed in the Junior group. New students between the ages of 7 and 9 are placed by age unless they have previous dance experience at another school, in which case placement may be based on ability. Existing students in this age group are only eligible for placement by ability after completing a full academic year in one of these programs. Dancers remain in the same group for both years unless they exhibit exceptional technique or are taking at least two or more hours of additional private training per week.
Starting at age 10, placement becomes skill-based. Level 1 is for dancers ages 10 to 11, Level 2 for ages 12 to 14, and Level 3 for ages 15 to 17. These levels are structured to match both technical development and training history. New students ages 15 to 17 who are beginning ballet may be placed in Level 2 to support foundational learning in a setting appropriate to their experience.
Adult dancers are placed by skill level only and progress at their own pace, as every dancer’s body, background, and training history is different. Classes run year-round, allowing adults to move forward without the pressure of term-based schedules or fixed course dates unless they are enrolled in a performance membership add-on to perform on stage in our annual showcase in June.
Students ages 5 and up who are enrolled in academic year courses participate in the annual showcase held in June. Adult dancers in intermediate or advanced ballet levels who have enrolled in the performance membership add-on also perform in the showcase.
Pre-school dancers (ages 3–4) and adult dancers with group class memberships do not participate in the performance. We warmly welcome all dancers and their families to attend the event and celebrate the performers, as there will be no classes scheduled on the day of the show.Students aged 7 and up may be eligible to perform in the showcase. Students between the ages of 3-6 do not perform in showcases.
We strongly recommend that students wishing to perform enroll by the start of October to secure priority assignment for roles in the showcase. The enrolment cut-off date for students to be considered eligible to perform in the show is January 1st.
There are no showcase placements during the summer term.
Tuition for academic year and summer courses for children, or the academic year performance add-on for adults, may be paid through automated monthly installments for those unable to pay the full amount up front. This is a payment structure only and does not reduce the total tuition owed. Enrolment is a full-term commitment until the course completion.
At this time, monthly installment options are not available for intensives, summer camps, or one-time events, as these are short-term offerings with limited capacity.
Adult memberships do not require financing, as they are subscription-based with no commitment period. The performance add-on is billed separately and carries its own full-term commitment.
Dancers participating in the annual showcase are required to pay a performance fee of $300 and a costume fee of $200. These fees are billed at the start of the academic year in September, or with the first month’s course installment if registering later in the season.
The performance fee contributes to the many production costs involved in presenting a professional-level performance in a 650-seat theatre. This includes rental of the venue, technical crew, lighting and sound design, backstage coordination, additional staff, insurance, and administrative planning. The showcase brings together students and industry professionals on the same stage to deliver an inspiring and professionally-run performance experience.
The costume fee covers one custom-tailored costume for the dancer’s group performance, which may be kept at the end of the term. Dancers performing in additional pieces, such as solos or extra group dances, will be contacted individually and informed of how many additional costumes are required and the corresponding fees. Costume rentals may be available for $50 each and may incur additional alteration fees depending on fit. As dancers grow and change throughout the season, further tailoring may be required closer to the performance to ensure proper fit, which may involve additional charges. Any additional costume fees will be billed in March alongside the regular course installment.
Showcase tickets go on sale in late winter, and an announcement will be sent by email once they become available. All tickets are reserved seating with tiered pricing. Performers will receive early access to a pre-sale window, followed by general public ticket sales.
Our school observes the following holidays each year:
Labour Day
Canadian Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Day
Family Day
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
Victoria Day
School's Dress Rehearsal on stage (for performers only)
School's Annual Showcase (for performers only)
Canada Day
Civic Holiday
The dates for Dress Rehearsal and Show vary each year. These dates are announced directly to performers. For non-performers, any closures related to these events will appear on the calendar.
We recommend checking the calendar on our website or in the mobile app to view the most current schedule. All holiday closures will be listed there. The calendar displays class schedules up to three months in advance.
Ballet is a harmonious blend of art form and sport, requiring diligent and consistent training over time to cultivate technique, expressiveness, musicality, and muscle tone. As a commitment to reaching program objectives, students enrolled in programs with a specific term end date are encouraged to dedicate themselves to their program through to the term's end.
Financial commitment is as crucial as your physical dedication to the program. Please be aware that non-attendance does not qualify you for refunds or adjustments to program costs. This includes situations such as conflicting extracurriculars, vacations, moving homes, holidays outside of school closure or student absences. Financial adjustments such as refunds or store credit are only provided in the case of medical impairment or an act of God. Kindly refer to our terms of service for a more detailed understanding of our refund policy.
For students enrolled in programs involving private training with a specific term end date, please note that you are committing to your time slot for the duration of your program term. This is important for effectively managing studio and instructor schedules. Even if you discontinue your classes, you are still financially responsible for them.
We understand and celebrate the uniqueness of every dancer, acknowledging that each individual develops at their own pace. Therefore, while we strive to assist every student in achieving their goals, we cannot guarantee specific outcomes such as dancing en pointe or performing a certain number of dances in the showcase. This is particularly true for dancers who have experienced previous muscle or bone injuries or are above the age of 18. However, please know we are an inclusive community, striving to support all dancers in their journey to learn and embrace the art of ballet, irrespective of their physical condition.
We understand the sensitivity of these topics, and our aim is to provide clarity and transparency to support your ballet journey. We appreciate your understanding and commitment to this beautiful art form.
