Held at Center for Performing Arts

Saturday

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

NEW CLASS! Saturday

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

Intentions

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.

Held at Center for Performing Arts

Saturday

10:30-11:15am with Marie Finley

NEW CLASS! Saturday

11:15-12 p.m. with Marie Finley

Intentions

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. 

Held at 528 Hennepin Avenue, 6th floor

Tuesday

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

Intentions

The Boys scholarship classes are part of our Primary Division, and are designed to give boys a welcoming introduction to dance with emphasis on enhancing athletic skills, flexibility, coordination, and strength. These classes are offered at a significantly reduced rate.

Boys I is for ages 6-8 years old, and Boys II is for ages 8-11 or for those who are new to dance. Final placement decisions will be made by the MDT faculty based on evaluation.

If you are an intermediate to advanced male dancer, please enroll in our Upper Division.

Held at 528 Hennepin Avenue, 6th floor

Tuesday

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

Intentions

The Boys scholarship classes are part of our Primary Division, and are designed to give boys a welcoming introduction to dance with emphasis on enhancing athletic skills, flexibility, coordination, and strength. These classes are offered at a significantly reduced rate.

Boys I is for ages 6-8 years old, and Boys II is for ages 8-11 or for those who are new to dance. Final placement decisions will be made by the MDT faculty based on evaluation.

If you are an intermediate to advanced male dancer, please enroll in our Upper Division.

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

Primary Division is split into two sessions and requires separate registrations. Full tuition for each session is due upon registration.

A family fee of $35.00 (not applicable to tuition) is applied with registration for students who are new to MDT.  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.

Questions: Please email school@mndance.org 

• Primary Division is split into two sessions and requires separate registrations. Full tuition for each session is due upon registration.
• Cancellation requests must be made in writing prior to Friday, September 12, 2025; refund will be issued less a $25 fee. 
• If there are fewer than 8 participants registered, class may be cancelled. An alternative class/level or full refund will be issued depending on the situation.

Caroline Bundschuh | Primary Division II

Caroline Bundschuh began her dance training at St. Louis Ballet under the artistic direction of former New York City Ballet principal Gen Horiuchi. At sixteen, she was invited to join the company as a trainee, performing alongside the professional company in productions such as Who Cares, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. Caroline continued her education at the University of Utah, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet and a Bachelor of Science in Family, Community, and Human Development. She first began teaching at 18 while attending college at a local studio in Salt Lake City, where she got her first opportunities to set and choreograph works for The Nutcracker and other full length ballets. Following her graduation, Caroline joined Roanoke Ballet Theatre under the artistic direction of Rolando Sarabia as a company artist, performing in both featured and corps de ballet roles over two seasons as well as setting her first two professional pieces on the professional company. During that time, Caroline also guested with Krolewski Ballet, a Polish company, in their American tour of Swan Lake. She later moved to Minneapolis to dance with Continental Ballet Company and is now pursuing a career as a freelance artist in the region. She is very excited to continue teaching and sharing her expertise and love of dance with the students at Minnesota Dance Theatre.

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