Adult Open Division

Find the joy in ballet technique with inspiring, supportive instructors who encourage body wellness, musicality, and camaraderie with others. All are welcome. Class levels range from beginner to advanced professional for adults and teens, ages 16 and up.


All drop-in dancers, please consider taking this survey to help us understand your class frequency and preferences, thank you!

Register for Spring Fundamentals I & II!

Drop-in Classes

For beginners to advanced, depending on the class.

  • Weekly Schedule

    The Open Division schedule is subject to change. Please reference the website to check-in on teacher substitutions, studio changes, or cancellations. 


    Monday 

    9:30–11 a.m. in Studio 1

     Intermediate/Advanced Ballet with Helen Hatch

    Accompanied by Susan Hsu
       

     7:00–8:30 p.m. in Studio 1

     Intermediate Ballet with Justin Leaf  




    Wednesday 

    6:30–8 p.m. in Studio 3

    Beginner/Intermediate Ballet with Julia Sutton


    8–8:30 p.m. in Studio 1

    Pointe Class (minimum of 3 dancers required)
       

    Friday 
    9:30–11 a.m. in Studio 1

    Intermediate/Advanced Ballet with Kerry Parker

    Accompanied by Joe Strachan
       

    Saturday 
    9:30–11 a.m. in Studio 2 

    Intermediate Ballet with Justin Leaf  

    Accompanied by Pat Lyles
       

     Sunday 3/15 CANCELLED
    11–12:30 p.m. in Studio 1

    Intermediate Ballet with Sally Rousse

    Accompanied by Martha Brown  


    12:30–1 p.m. in Studio 1

    Pointe Class (minimum of 3 dancers required)
       


  • Registration Information

    Single classes and class cards can be purchased before class. We accept cash, check, or PayPal for single classes and class card purchases. Payment for class must be reconciled before class begins.


    Single 90-Minute Class $16

    30-Minute Pointe Class $6

    10-Class Card $120

    5-Class Card $65


    If you purchase a class card or individual class online via PayPal, please show your confirmation email to the monitor prior to class start. 


    The code to the elevator to reach the 6th floor is 6385, then press the green arrow on the keypad, and lastly, press the 6th floor button. Please email school@mndance.org if you have any questions. 


    Please complete the MDT Release Form linked below prior to taking open classes with MDT.

    MDT Release Form

  • Schedule Updates

    MDT follows Minneapolis Public Schools's cancellation policy, and we will post to our Instagram and Facebook stories as well as the MDT website if a class is cancelled or postponed. 

Class Prices

Ballet Fundamentals I & II

For beginners

  • Class Descriptions

    The Ballet Fundamentals program follows a session schedule, with regular sessions spanning 8 weeks, and mini sessions spanning 4 weeks.


    Ballet Fundamentals I 

    Learn the basics of ballet alongside other adults and teens, ages 16 and up. Fundamentals is a basic introduction to ballet and can be taken repeatedly until ready to progress to Fundamentals II or beginning level drop-in classes.


    Ballet Fundamentals II

    A continuation for those who participated in Fundamentals I looking to progress and expand beyond the basics of ballet.  




  • Current Schedule

    Winter Session


    Ballet Fundamentals I


    Tuesdays

    January 6–March 24, 2026

    7–8:30 p.m. in Studio 5B

    Tuition: $180

    Teacher: Benjamin Johnson


    Thursdays

    January 8–March 26, 2026

     7–8:30 p.m. in Studio 6A

    Tuition: $180

    Teacher: Deirdre Murnane


    Ballet Fundamentals II


    Wednesdays

    January 7–March 25, 2026

    7–8:30 p.m. in Studio 5B

    Tuition: $180

    Teacher: Deirdre Murnane

  • Future Sessions

    8 Week Sessions Include:

    Ballet Fundamentals I on Tuesdays 

    Ballet Fundamentals I on Thursdays 

    Ballet Fundamentals II on Wednesdays

    7–8:30 p.m. for each class


    4 Week Mini Sessions Include:

    Ballet Fundamentals I on Tuesdays or Thursdays

    7–8:30 p.m.


    __________________


    Spring Session

    8 weeks | $180

    April 7–May 28 


    Mini Summer Sessions

    4 weeks | $100 each

    June 9– June 30

    July 7–28

    August 4–25


    Early Fall

    8 weeks | $180

    September 1–October 22


    Late Fall

    8 weeks | $180

    October 27–December 17


    Mini Holiday Session

    4 weeks | $100

    December 22–January 7

  • Registration Information

    Ballet Fundamentals registration is held through ActiveWorks. Registration is typically open for 3–4 weeks prior to session start. Please email school@mndance.org with any questions. 


    A minimum of 7 registrants are required for each class. If for any reason you need to cancel your registration, you will receive a refund, less a $25 cancellation fee. Cancellation requests should be made in writing to school@mndance.org. 

  • Schedule Updates

    MDT follows Minneapolis Public Schools's cancellation policy. You will receive an email from school@mndance.org if your class is postponed or cancelled for any reason prior to class start, or please reference our Instagram or Facebook stories, as well as the MDT website for updates.

2025-2026 Weekly Class Schedule for Adult Division

Meet, Risikat

Risikat started dancing in her 20s, and she describes her journey from Ballet Fundamentals to Intermediate and Advanced drop-in classes.


Click the button below to hear her story.

Hear Risikat's story

FAQs

Got a question? We’re here to help.

  • I’ve never taken ballet before. Which class should I take?

    We recommend that you begin with our Ballet Fundamentals series, offering the basics of ballet vocabulary and technique, preparing you for Beginning Ballet. Ballet Fundamentals II is slightly more advanced than Fundamentals I and will provide another stepping stone to prepare you for Beginning Ballet drop-in classes.

  • I haven’t danced in several years, which class should I take?

    We recommend starting with Ballet Fundamentals and moving up to Beginning-Intermediate when you feel ready. Some students take a combination of these classes.

  • When do classes begin?

    Our adult classes are ongoing throughout the year. Ballet Fundamentals or other special workshops have specific start dates.

  • How do I register?

    Most of our classes for adults are open, meaning you can start whenever you like and take as many or as few classes as you like, paying for a single class at a time or purchasing a class card. Ballet Fundamentals and other special workshops require pre-registration, and the link to register can be found on this page.

  • What is the dress code?

    There is no official dress code for open classes, but we recommend that whatever you wear allows for full range of motion and shows the line of your body (e.g. tights and leotard or t-shirt and leggings).

  • Do I need ballet slippers?

    You will want ballet slippers eventually. Grand Jete in St. Paul is an excellent source for dance shoes: 975 Grand Avenue in St. Paul (651-227-0331). If you are unable to acquire shoes before your first class, you can start in 100% cotton socks.

  • Will I be the only adult in the Beginning Class?

    The students in all our classes range in age from 16 – 70. Attendance varies from night to night, so it is always a different mix.

  • Is there a difference between Beginning Ballet and Ballet Fundamentals?

    Yes. Ballet Fundamentals is the first step in our adult program and is meant for students with no prior experience, providing the basics of ballet vocabulary and classroom etiquette. Students with previous but not extensive ballet classes or who complete our Fundamentals class are best suited for Beginning Ballet. 

  • Which classes offer pointe work?

    Pointe is taught as a half-hour class following Intermediate Ballet on Sundays and Beginning/Intermediate Ballet on Wednesdays. For more advanced dancers, you are welcome to wear pointe shoes for as much of the regular classes as you wish.   

  • Do you offer any Modern or Jazz classes?

    Not on a regular basis. We occasionally offer special workshops taught by guest artists. These offerings will be posted on the Open Division page on our website under Special Workshops and on the Open Division bulletin board.