Held at Center for Performing Arts

Saturday

9:00-9:45 a.m. with Marie Finley

Held at Center for Performing Arts

Saturday

9:45-10:30 a.m. with Caroline Bundschuh

Held at Center for Performing Arts

Saturday

10:30-11:15 a.m.  with Marie Finley

Held at 528 Hennepin Avenue, 6th floor

Tuesday

4:30-5:30 p.m. with Jacob Walters

Held at 528 Hennepin Avenue, 6th floor

Tuesday

5:30-6:30 p.m. with Jacob Walters

Age 4

These age-appropriate classes are the joyful prelude to formal ballet and contemporary training. Young dancers will develop their understanding of rhythm and enhance their coordination as they explore fundamental dance movements in a welcoming, group-class environment. Creativity and self-expression are encouraged.

Ages 5–7

At the Intermediate level, young dancers train in ballet and contemporary dance with a heightened focus on alignment, musicality, and terminology. These classes prepare students for entrance into the Upper Division. 

Boys classes

The Boys Division are classes for boys, ages 6 to 11. The classes are designed to give boys a welcoming introduction to dance, with emphasis on enhancing athletic skills, flexibility, coordination, and strength. Boys I is for ages 6-8 years old or for those who are new to dance. Boys II is for ages 8-11 years old. For dancers age 5 who wish to be considered for Boys classes, MDT requires a trial placement class at the beginning of the session. Final placement decisions are made by MDT faculty based on evaluation.  

All Saturday classes for the 2025-2026 school year will take place at the Center for Performing Arts.

All Session I & II Boys Program Classes will take place  MDT's downtown location.

The 2025-2026 Session I begins Saturday, September 6, 2025 and Session II begins Saturday, January 24, 2026.

A family fee of $35.00 (not applicable to tuition) is applied with registration for students who are new to MDT. Full payment is due upon registration. Fees and tuition are non-refundable and non-transferable after the first week of classes.

Students must be the appropriate age for a particular level by the first day of the session. Students enrolled in Session I who wish to continue in Session II must register online for Session II and should remain in the same level class for the entire year.

Class placement should not be adjusted between Session I and Session II unless prior approval is received from MDT faculty. Continuity in the learning environment allows for more progress through the curriculum.

MDT has a minimum enrollment policy of 5 students per class. If minimum enrollment is not met by the end of the third week of classes, MDT may cancel the class and provide alternative options to students.

Questions: Please email school@mndance.org 

Caroline Bundschuh | Primary Division II

Biography coming soon

Marie Finley | Primary Division I & II

Marie Finley grew up dancing at MDT, performing repertoire by Loyce Houlton, George Balanchine, Lise Houlton, and many local choreographers. She earned her BFA in Dance at Alonzo King LINES Ballet in San Francisco. Marie also trained in GYROTONIC ® and GYROKINESIS ® and developed an extensive knowledge of the body’s functions and movements inside the studio and out. After college graduation, she moved to Salt Lake City to dance with SALT2 and was immersed in the realm of contemporary dance. Missing the ballet world and California, she moved to Santa Barbara to dance with State Street Ballet and revisited the classical variations of Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, and the beloved Nutcracker.

Jacob Walters | Boys Classes

Jacob Walters first began his ballet training at the age of nine at North Ballet Academy in Rogers, MN under the direction of Breanna Dvorak. He was selected to participate in several of the nation’s best summer intensive programs including Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Ballet West on full merit scholarships. Mr. Walters has performed leading guest soloist roles in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker with several professional companies in the metro area. He has recently completed his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and will be working on his Master's Degree in Systems Engineering through Arizona State University.

The Primary Division dancers are invited to perform in the winter and spring showcases alongside the Upper Division.  Students will be required to attend a dress rehearsal leading up to performances.

Saturday, September 6: First day of Upper Division classes and Primary Division Session I 

Thursday, October 16–Saturday, October 18: MEA Break (No Primary or Upper Division classes)

Friday, October 31:  Halloween (No Primary or Upper Division classes) 

Monday, November 10–Saturday, November 22: Mandatory Rehearsals for Winter Showcase - full schedule to be released prior to the start of the season; students will be required to attend additional days/classes outside of their regular classes.

Wednesday, November 26–Sunday, November 30: Thanksgiving Break (No Primary or Upper Division classes)

Friday, December 5–Saturday, December 6: Winter Showcase performances - theater TBD

Monday, December 22–Sunday, January 4: Winter Break (No Primary or Upper Division classes) 

Monday, January 5: Regular classes resume

Saturday, January 17: Primary Division Session I ends 

Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King Jr Observance (No Primary or Upper Division classes)

Tuesday, January 20: Primary Division Session II Begins

Monday, March 30–Sunday, April 5: Spring Break (No Primary or Upper Division classes)

Monday, April 6: Regular classes resume

Friday, May 1–Saturday, May 2: Spring Performance at The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine's University

Saturday, May 23: End of Primary Division Session II 

Tuesday, May 26–Friday, May 29: Upper Division Conferences

Dates are subject to change.

Family Observation dates will be added to the calendar once these are set for each session