September always feels like a fresh start. New routines. New goals. New energy.
At Grand Rapids Ballet, our professional dancers are back in the studios, rehearsing for an exciting season ahead. At the same time, our Ballet School is buzzing with families returning for classes or stepping into the studio for the very first time.
Gratitude first
To everyone who joined us for the Summer Dance Festival and Frederik Meijer Gardens: thank you. Your enthusiasm turned three late-summer nights into a true celebration of dance and community. We are carrying that energy into the season ahead.
Why this month matters
For our company, September is about laying the foundation: training, rehearsals, and artistic planning. For our Ballet School, it is about inspiring young dancers. From creative movement for preschoolers to pre-professional training for teens, the start of the school year is where artistry and discipline take root.
The bigger picture
Ballet is more than what you see on stage. It is a lifelong practice of creativity, drive, and joy. Families who enroll in the Ballet School are not just learning steps; they are building a foundation for life.
Strength + athleticism
Ballet builds a body that is strong, agile, and adaptable. The training shapes athletes who can move into any sport by honing their ability to sense their body’s movement, actions, and location (“proprioception”). The muscle memory and enhanced proprioception developed through ballet stay with them long after they leave the studio.
Friendship + community
From the youngest creative movement classes to our pre-professional division, ballet connects people. The friendships formed in the studio often last a lifetime. (Need proof? Find an adult who danced in their youth. Ask them about their dance best friend.)
Focus + motivation
Ballet teaches patience, goal-setting, and persistence. It is not just about mastering steps. It is about building the mindset to grow, adapt, and thrive. Corrections and coaching in ballet are often generalized, meaning that students learn from corrections given to others. This develops their ability to listen critically and apply those corrections to themselves.
Confidence + artistry
On stage, dancers discover their confidence. Ballet empowers students to express themselves, connect with audiences, and see themselves as artists. Think about the courage it takes to stand on stage in front of an audience. Whether alone in a solo or with a group, repeated opportunities to flex that confidence muscle make it stronger over time.
Why it matters now
As families settle into the school year, the Grand Rapids Ballet School is where students of all ages discover these benefits. Whether you are four years old or preparing for a professional career, ballet offers tools you will carry into everything you do.
Looking ahead
We are grateful for the energy everyone brought to our Summer Dance Series performances, and we look forward to seeing that spirit continue as our company and school move into a new season of performances, training, and growth.
Join us
Enroll your child in the Ballet School or drop in to an Adult Ballet class. Subscribe to the new season. Be part of the art that makes Grand Rapids an incredible place to live.
– Mary Jennings, Executive Director
