The Auer Academy of Fort Wayne Ballet nurtures a passion for dance, providing safe, comprehensive training at all levels and ages, with personal attention from master instructors to instill skills for both the art of dance and life.
From the early stages of creative movement to pre-professional training for the serious dancer, the Auer Academy’s training builds dancers who grow into strong, confident, adults by instilling the values of discipline, respect, integrity, and an appreciation for and understanding of the arts.
Strength, agility, grace, and self-esteem are but a few of the benefits that come from tackling curricular ballet.
Whether a child is looking for an outlet for his or her energy or considering a career in dance, the structured, safe, and encouraging syllabus at the Auer Academy will provide a solid foundation for a lifetime of benefit.
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® Certified Schools are key partners in supporting ABT’s education and training initiatives across the country and around the world. ABT® Certified Schools are not only committed to teaching ABT’s National Training Curriculum (NTC) in their ballet training programs with faculty that is certified to teach the ABT® NTC, but they also present their students annually for ABT® Affiliate Examinations, along with hosting ABT Summer Intensive auditions, ABT® NTC Teacher Training Intensives, and other ABT events.
The Auer Academy is one of only ten schools nationwide designated as an AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® Certified School.
The Auer Academy is proud to include the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 9 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality training to dance students of all ages and skill levels.
The Auer Academy offers classes to children ages 3-18, beginning with creative movement classes and progressing to curricular classes in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and more.
The Pre-Professional program is designed for the serious student seeking additional training to prepare for a professional dance career.
Adult open classes in ballet and pilates designed for all levels.
We see dance as a lifelong journey! The Auer Academy offers classes for children ages 3 and up. We also offer classes all the way up through adulthood. In fact, the oldest student we have is in their 80s!
We have a specific dress code for each level. We believe dress codes are beneficial to our students for a few reasons. Dress codes are a great equalizer; they allow students to focus on their dancing and not worry about what they are wearing compared to the others. Dress codes also ensure that our students are dressed appropriately and safely (example: no dangling jewelry that could get caught on clothing or tear skin while dancing). We want our students to be able to focus on being the best dancers they can be and not have any other worries in the studio!
Girls’ hair must be put back into a ballet bun. Boys with long hair must have their hair pulled back, or in a bun if long enough. This helps us see their neck alignment while keeping their hair out of their eyes and allows them to dance unencumbered.
All uniform items can be purchased at the boutique located at the studios.
Come Dance With Me & Dance Around the World
Girls: pink tank Capezio leotard, pink seamless tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes
Boys: white shirt, black pants or shorts, white ankle socks, black leather full-sole ballet shoes
Primary A, Primary B, Primary C
Girls: lavender Capezio dress, pink seamless tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes
Boys: white shirt, black pants or shorts, white ankle socks, black leather full-sole ballet shoes
Ballet IA & Ballet IB
Girls: indigo Capezio leotard, pink seamless tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes
Boys: white shirt, black pants or shorts, white ankle socks, black leather full-sole ballet shoes
Ballet IIA & Ballet IIB
Girls: pink Capezio leotard, pink seamless tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes
Boys: white shirt, black tights, black leather full-sole ballet shoes
Ballet IIIA
Girls: light blue Capezio leotard, may wear skirt for pointe class (not pre-pointe), pink seamless tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes, pink alignment belt
Boys: white shirt, black tights, black leather full-sole ballet shoes
Ballet IIIB
Girls: light blue Capezio leotard, may wear skirt for pointe class, pink seamless tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes, pink alignment belt
Boys: white shirt, black tights, black leather full-sole ballet shoes
Ballet IV
Girls: ultraviolet Motionwear leotard, may wear skirt for pointe class, pink seamless tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes, black alignment belt
Boys: white shirt, black tights, black leather full-sole ballet shoes
Ballet V
Girls: raspberry Motionwear leotard, may wear skirt for pointe class, pink seamless tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes, black alignment belt
Boys: white shirt, black tights, black leather full-sole ballet shoes
Pre-Professional
Girls: blue Corsu leotard, may wear skirt for pointe class, pink seamless tights, pink ballet shoes, black alignment belt
Boys: white or black shirt, black tights, black ballet slippers
Alternative classes: Jazz, Modern, Character, Musical Theater
Girls: black Motionwear leotard, black Jazz pants, capris for Modern and Jazz, black Character skirt for Character, correct shoes for given style, pink tights for Character
When your child has an absence, we encourage them to take a makeup class. We understand that there are situations that may preclude attendance. We ask that you let us know in advance when you can. If you have to miss class, give us a call at 260.484.9646. We miss our students when they are gone and we hope to see them for makeup classes!
Ballet: Your child may take a class in the same level on a different day/time than their usual class or they may take class in a lower level.
Alternative classes: Your child may take class in a lower level in that style if there is one available. If there is not a lower level class available for that style, they may take a ballet class of their own level or lower.
Example: if your dancer is in Ballet IB and Tap I and misses tap class, since there is not a lower tap level, he or she may take Ballet IB on a day they do not regularly attend or a Ballet IA class.
Excused absences include: Dancer has a fever, the flu, or other illness with a doctor’s note, hospitalization of a dancer, death of a family member, religious obligation, or mandatory school obligation.
Each level has a recommended minimum number of ballet classes that we encourage taking each week to ensure safe and comprehensive training as well as the ability to improve and progress to the next level. We understand every family situation is different. This is a recommended amount, not required. Please check the Classes and Enrollment page for more information about each level’s recommended classes.
Alternative classes are optional, except for Youth Company members and Pre-Professional students.
We believe that performing is an important part of your dancer’s growth. Performing is an exciting experience and we are proud to be able to offer our students many opportunities to be onstage!
For all Academy levels, there is an End of Year Showcase for the students to share what they have learned throughout the year.
Students ages 6 and up are able to participate in Fort Wayne Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Auditions are held in September. We always try to make sure that everyone who auditions is cast.
Additionally, students in levels IIB and up who are involved in the Youth Company perform in select Family Series productions, as well as additional Youth Company performances.
Pre-Professional students and Trainees perform in the Variations Showcase and Family Series productions. On occasion, some dancers will be chosen for spring/fall mainstage productions with Fort Wayne Ballet as the repertoire allows.
The Youth Company is an optional, scholarshipped program that provides performance experience for students in level IIB and above. The Youth Company performs in the Family Series productions as well as some additional outreach performances throughout the year. Participating in the Youth Company gives students the opportunity to regularly experience the process of rehearsing and performing, which is wonderful for building confidence, dance abilities, team work, and a sense of responsibility and dedication.
Youth Company dancers are required to take all dance classes offered for their level by Level V, both in ballet and alternative styles, in addition to attending Youth Company rehearsals, and the Youth Company Camp offered in the summer.
Auditions for the upcoming season are toward the end of the current school year, offered for students in IIA (who will be starting in IIB the following year) and up.
The Auer Academy of Fort Wayne Ballet is proud to include the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 7 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels. In fact, The Auer Academy is recognized as one of the few ABT® Certified Schools in the world.
All levels are taught by our ABT® Certified Teachers, who have successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive of the ABT® National Training Curriculum, which is certified by the National Department of Education.
It is the only comprehensive program for dance education that addresses a whole child through dance and mental and physical health and wellness approach. The benefits are of life long value.
It creates healthy bodies, regardless of the aspiration.
It creates dancers who are well trained and prepared for the professional field of dance.
There is an outside evaluation process for both student and teacher. This ensures the standards of dance are in line with dance worldwide.
Although not mandatory for the students, the teacher must present classes for an examination process. Certified examiners come from around the world to evaluate both the student and teacher’s work. In the process, the students are presented certificates of completion of each of the levels as they present and pass the levels. These outside examiners offer the student a glimpse of where they stand personally and in dance internationally. Exams help maintain the quality of the training program and assure you that your dancer is receiving the best possible training, while offering a learning opportunity for the faculty to continue to grow and develop.
Scholarships are available on a limited basis. For more information, please contact Academy Registrar Raleigh Sparrow at rsparrow@fortwayneballet.org or call 260.484.9646.
Auer Academy alumni have gone on to train and dance professionally with many recognized companies and schools, including:
Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet
Alvin Ailey Conservatory
American Ballet Theatre
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Repertory Ballet
Atlanta Ballet
Austin Ballet
Ball State University
Ballet Arizona
Ballet Austin
BalletMet
Ballet Theatre of Maryland
Ballet West
Boston Ballet
Burklyn Ballet Theatre
Butler Ballet
Cavalia
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet
Charlotte Ballet
Chattanooga Ballet
Chautauqua Dance Institute
Cincinnati Ballet
Cincinnati Conservatory of Ballet
Colorado Ballet
Columbus Dance Theatre
Dance Kaleidoscope
Eisenhower Dance Ensemble
Fort Wayne Ballet
Hollins University / The Forsythe Company
Houston Ballet
Hubbard Street
Indiana University
Interlochen Center for the Performing Arts
Jacob’s Pillow
Joffrey Ballet
Kaatsbaan International Dance Center
Kansas City Ballet
Les Grands Ballet Canadiens
Louisville Ballet
Loyola University
Mark Morris Dance Center
Milwaukee Ballet
Nashville Ballet
National Ballet of Canada
Netherlands Dance Theatre
New York University
North Carolina Dance Theatre
Northwest Florida Ballet
Nutmeg Conservatory
Ohio Ballet
Orlando Ballet
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Pennsylvania Ballet
Pensacola Ballet
Philadelphia Ballet
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Richmond Ballet
Roanoke Ballet Theatre
Roosevelt University
San Francisco Ballet
School of American Ballet
Southern Methodist University
St. Louis Ballet
Tallahassee Ballet
Texas Ballet Theater
The Rock School for Dance Education
The Rockettes
The Royal Ballet
The Yard
University of Iowa
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
University of Oklahoma
University of South Carolina Dance
University of Utah
Washington Ballet