Upper Division

Where students elevate their technique and deepen their understanding of ballet.

For ages 10–18

Register today

Background

This is often the stage at which dancers choose to pursue a more serious path. Designed to support intermediate and advanced work, the Upper Division challenges students to refine their artistry and strengthen their command of classical technique.

Objectives

  • The 15-20 minute floor barre at the beginning of class teaches students to  activate the proper muscles to execute the demands of classical ballet technique using the support of the floor.

  • Use foundational technique and placement to transition easily between ballet and contemporary techniques and aesthetics both in class work and performance.

  • Establish command of corps de ballet and ensemble work.

  • Incorporate soloist and principal roles in repertory class, rehearsal, and performance.

  • Understand and apply tenets of partnering/pas de deux in multiple techniques and aesthetics.

  • Encourage exploration and risk-taking in new stylistic and choreographic forms.

Highlights

  • Two professional-level performances each school year.

  • Live accompaniment in all ballet classes.

  • World-class year-round teachers as well as frequent guest faculty from world-class ballet organizations world-wide.

  • Exposure to some of the world’s best dancers, choreographers, and teachers.

Ballet dancers practicing in a studio, wearing black leotards and beige tights, with their arms raised.

Additional Information

  • Students ages 10 to 18 on the first day of classes on September 12 are eligible to register.

    All Upper Division students must enroll for the full year program.

    Upper Division tuition is for the full year. An additional costume fee of $150 is applied during registration.

    Please email school@mndance.org with inquiries.

  • For the 2026-27 school year:

    Upper 1: $3,029.00
    Upper 2: $3,929.00
    Upper 3: $4,025.00
    Upper 4: $6,032.00

  • Upper I
    Ages: 9+
    Hours per week: 9.5 hours

    Upper II
    Ages: 11+
    Hours per week: 11.75 hours

    Upper III
    Ages: 13+
    Hours per week: 11.75 hours

    Upper IV
    Ages: 14+
    Hours per week: 14.5 hours

    Upper Boys
    Ages: 10+
    Hours per week: varies

    Please register your male dancer in the Upper Level that corresponds with his age group. They will follow the regular schedule for that level and will also attend the additional Boys class:

    Fridays
    5:30–6:30 p.m. Jumps & Turns

  • Please register your dancer for their level placement issued by MDT staff. If you are new to MDT, please register per your dancer’s age group.

    Level placement is up to the discretion of MDT Artistic Staff, based on both age and ability, and is subject to change.

    Questions: Please email school@mndance.org 

  • Cancellation requests must be made in writing by Saturday, September 19.

    Costume fees are non-refundable, and tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable after the first week of classes on September 19, 2026.

  • The Upper Division is in session from September 12, 2026–May 22, 2027. Conferences will take place the week of May 24–28, 2027.

    Dates are subject to change.

    Wednesday, September 9: Upper Division Placement Classes

    Saturday, September 12: First day of classes

    Thursday, October 15-Saturday, October 17: MEA Break (no classes)

    Saturday, October 31: Halloween (wear your costumes to class/rehearsal!) 

    Wednesday, November 25–Sunday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break (no classes)

    Monday, November 30–Tuesday, December 15: Extended rehearsal weeks for The Nutcracker Suite

    Wednesday, December 16: Nutcracker Dress rehearsal

    Thursday, December 17: Student Matinee Performance 

    Friday–Sunday, December 18-20: The Nutcracker Suite

    Monday, December 21-Sunday, January 3: Winter Break (no classes) 

    Monday, January 4 : Classes resume

    Monday, January 18: Martin Luther King Jr Observance (no classes)

    Monday, April 5-Sunday, April 11: Spring Break (no classes)

    Friday–Saturday, May 7–8: Spring Festival Performances (date subject to change)

    Saturday, May 22: Last day of classes

    Tuesday, May 24-Friday, May 28: Upper Division Conferences

  • Please register your male dancer in the Upper Level that corresponds with his age group. They will follow the regular schedule for that level and will also attend the additional Boys class:

    Fridays
    5:30–6:30 p.m. Jumps & Turns

    Upper Division male dancers are offered scholarships per MDT’s Artistic Staff’s discretion. Please inquire if interested at school@mndance.org.

Register today
Three ballerinas practicing ballet in a dance studio with large windows, beige walls, and wooden floors. The dancer in the foreground is mid-dance, wearing a black leotard and a beige tutu, with one leg lifted.
A ballet dancer tying her pointe shoe while sitting on the floor in a dance studio.

Schedules

A line of five ballet dancers in black leotards and white tutus practicing ballet in a dance studio with large windows and green curtains.

  • Upper I
    Ages 9+
    Hours per week: 9.5

    Monday
    6:00–7:30 p.m. Ballet Technique
    7:30-8:00 pm Professional Ballet Training

    Wednesday
    4:45–6:15 p.m. Ballet Technique
    6:15–7:15 p.m. Character

    Thursday
    5:00–6:00 p.m. Leaps and Turns
    6:00–7:15 p.m. Ballet Technique
    7:15–7:45 p.m. Beginning Pointe

    Saturday
    10:15–11:30 a.m. Ballet Technique
    11:45–12:45 p.m. Hip-Hop
    12:45–3:00 Rehearsals as needed

  • Upper II
    Ages: 11+
    Hours per week: 11.75 hours

    Monday
    4:30–6:00 p.m. Ballet Technique
    6:00–6:30 p.m. Pointe
    6:30–7:15 p.m. PBT
    7:15–8:00 Stretch / Rehearsal as needed

    Tuesday
    5:00–6:00 p.m. Character
    6:00–7:30 p.m. Ballet Technique
    7:30–8:00 p.m. Pointe

    Wednesday
    6:15–7:45 p.m. Ballet Technique
    7:45–8:15 p.m. Pointe

    Friday
    5:45–7:00 p.m. Contemporary

    Saturday
    10:00–11:00 a.m. Pilates
    11:00–12:30 p.m. Ballet Technique (w/ Level 3 & 4)
    12:45–3:00 p.m. Rehearsals as needed

  • Upper III
    Ages: 13+
    Hours per week: 12.75 hours

    Monday
    4:30–6:00 p.m. Ballet Technique
    6:00–6:30 p.m. Pointe
    6:30–7:15 p.m. PBT

    Tuesday
    5:00–6:00 p.m. Character
    6:00–7:30 p.m. Ballet Technique
    7:30–8:00 p.m. Pointe

    Wednesday
    4:15–6:00 p.m. Ballet Technique
    6:15–7:15 p.m. Pointe/Variations

    Friday
    4:15–5:45 PM Contemporary

    Saturday
    10:00–11:00 a.m. Pilates
    11:00–12:30 p.m. Ballet Technique
    12:45–3:00 p.m. Rehearsals as needed

  • Upper IV
    Ages: 14+
    Hours per week: 14.5

    Monday
    4:15–6:00 p.m. Ballet Technique
    6:30–7:15 p.m. PBT
    7:15–8:00 p.m. Stretch/Rehearsal as needed

    Tuesday
    4:15–6:00 p.m. Ballet Technique
    6:00–7:00 p.m. Pointe

    Wednesday
    4:15–6:00 p.m. Ballet Technique
    6:15–7:15 p.m. Pointe / Variations
    7:00–8:00 p.m. Flex/Rehearsals as needed

    Thursday
    4:15–6:00 p.m. Ballet Technique
    6:00–7:00 p.m. Leaps and Turns

    Friday
    4:15–5:45 p.m. Contemporary

    Saturday
    10:00–11:00 a.m. Pilates
    11:00–12:30 p.m. Ballet Technique
    12:45–3:00 p.m. Rehearsals as needed

  • Please register your male dancer in the Upper Level that corresponds with his age group. They will follow the regular schedule for that level and will also attend the additional Boys class:

    Fridays
    5:30–6:30 p.m. Jumps & Turns

Upper Division Faculty

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with her hair in a bun, wearing a white blouse, sitting in a room with blurred background.

    Lauren Post

    Artistic Director, former dancer with American Ballet Theatre

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  • Black and white portrait of a woman with long, wavy hair, wearing a dark top, looking directly at the camera.

    Joanna Mednick

    Artistic Associate, former dancer with San Francisco Ballet & Dutch National Ballet

    Learn more
  • A man with dreadlocks wearing a black suit and black turtleneck, sitting against a plain background, looking at the camera with a slight smile.

    Darrius Strong

    Contemporary, Hip Hop, & Lead Outreach Teacher, founder of STRONGMovement

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  • Black and white close-up portrait of a woman with wavy hair, smiling subtly, looking directly at the camera.

    Hannah Benditt

    B.F.A from University of  Missouri-Kansas City & former dancer with St. Paul Ballet

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  • A woman with light-colored hair smiling, wearing a black top and white shirt, standing outdoors in front of a rustic wooden background.

    Deirdre Murnane

    Former dancer with Minnesota Dance Theatre and Ballet of the Dolls

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  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length wavy hair wearing a sleeveless black top, in a black-and-white photo.

    Brianne Bland

    Former dancer with The Washington Ballet

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  • A beige textured background with the words 'Coming Soon' in black and 'Image' in small uppercase letters above.

    Megan Dunn

    Former dancer with Colorado Ballet

    Learn more

School Calendar

FAQs

Answers to frequently asked Upper Division questions.

  • The Upper Division is This is often the stage at which dancers choose to pursue a more serious path, for ages 10–18.

    Designed to support intermediate and advanced work, the Upper Division challenges students to refine their artistry and strengthen their command of classical technique.

    Upper Division dancers learn the Dutch National Ballet Academy curriculum developed by Simona Ferrazza, which includes a 15-minute floor-barre prior to barre.

    As skills grow, choreography and performance opportunities become increasingly intricate and refined, preparing students for the demands of higher-level work.

  • Strong technical ballet training is the emphasis of our programming, however, MDT values and sees the importance of incorporating contemporary and hip hop into the curriculum as well.

  • Registration for all MDT’s School offerings take place through ActiveWorks. A link to register will become available in early June 2026 on our website.

  • Yes! We encourage boys to sign up for MDT dance classes. MDT offers significantly reduced tuition for male dancers through our scholarship program. If you have a male dancer that is interested, please register them for the Upper Division Level that best corresponds with their age.

  • Tuition and fees are non-refundable and non-transferable after the first week of classes on Saturday, September 19.

  • Students typically remain in the same level for the year. Placement changes require faculty approval and is up to the discretion of MDT’s Artistic Staff.

  • Upper Division students are invited to perform in two performances during the 2026-27 school year:

    • The Nutcracker Suite on December 18–20.

    • The Spring Festival, TBD on exact dates!

  • Yes, they are scheduled once per session. Specific dates will be announced later in the school year.

  • Email the MDT school team at school@mndance.org.