2026 Charles River Ballet Academy Summer Program

Studio A:
First Parish Church
23 Dedham Avenue
Needham MA 02492

NEW Studio B:
Congregational Church of Needham
1154 Great Plain Avenue
Needham MA 02492

Teen Ballet Workshop:
Age 13-18

Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
$550 for the 2- week session
July 13-24, 2026

This comprehensive program for intermediate to advanced teens is a great opportunity to spend summer mornings honing technique and artistry as well as exploring new aspects of dance. Daily classes in ballet technique, pointe, variations, repertory, choreography, modern, and stretch will round out the full schedule. The program will emphasize personal attention, technique, artistic expression, and fun. An in-studio performance on the last day of the program will give students the chance to present class exercises, a classical group piece, solo variations, a modern piece, and their own choreographic creations.

*Prerequisite- At least four years of ballet training. Please call to schedule a placement class before registering for this program. 

Young Dancers Workshop: 

Age 9-14
Monday-Friday 1:30 - 4:00 pm
$465 for the 2-week session
July 13-24, 2026

This exciting half-day program will give young dancers a chance to improve their classical technique, develop artistic expression, and experiment with choreography. As they spend their afternoons immersed in dance, young dancers will improve their technique and expand their artistic horizons with daily classes in ballet, pre-pointe/pointe, choreography, repertory, modern, and stretch.  An in-studio performance the last day of the program will provide an opportunity for students to present class exercises, a group piece from a ballet, a classical variation (solo), a modern dance, and their own original choreography.

*Pre-requisite: At least three years of ballet training. Please call to see if this program would be a good fit for your student. 

NEW! 

Summer Choreography Blast! Ages 10-17
Monday-Friday 1:30 - 4:00 pm
$300 1-week session
July 27-31, 2026

This exciting new program has a focus on choreography: making dances!  Students will collaborate on creating a group dance, as well as work to create individual dances.  All dances performed will be original choreography!  The program will also feature daily ballet class, with pointe work for those en pointe. Prior ballet training required. Please contact us to see if this program would be a good fit for your student. These young artists will present the works created at an in-studio performance on the last day of the program.

NEW!  Longer day program!

Cinderella Ballet Workshop: 

Age 5-9

Monday-Friday 9:45am - 12:45pm
$325
July 27-31, 2026

Budding dancers will spend their mornings with a daily ballet class, as well as delving into activities around the theme of the ballet Cinderella.  Students immerse themselves in the story and music from this famous classical ballet, as they learn a group repertory dance, collaborate on their own student choreography, act out the story to music, create headpieces, and illustrate a book about the story, all to be presented on the Friday of the program. Parents will get to see class exercises, as well as dances from Cinderella at this in-studio performance. Young dancers will improve their technique by dancing every day and be inspired as they tell this enchanted story.  Please pack a bag lunch for your student.  This program incorporates experienced young dancers, and beginners, too!  It is a great chance to try ballet for the first time, or to dive deeper into this beautiful art form.

Summer Ballet Burst: Age 3-5

Monday-Friday 9-9:45am
$120

July 27-31, 2026

Want a chance for your child to try ballet for the first time?  Perhaps your student has taken dance and they know they love it!  Either way, Summer Ballet Burst is a wonderful chance to experience dance over the course of just one week!  A fun introduction to classical ballet with an emphasis on creative movement and dance games. Students learn basic steps and positions, then get to tell a story with their bodies, dancing out the ballet stories we learn!  Artistic expression and classical technique are developed in a fun environment with small classes. There will be a Parent Peek Day at the end of the week, when students can show their families all they have learned!

Tuesday Night Open Classes
June 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28, 

August 4, 11

7:00 - 8:30pm Class 5 and higher, Adults & Alums

$216 for all nine classes ~ 

$25 per class to drop in

Improve your ballet (optional pointe for those en pointe), dance with friends, stay in shape, and stay cool as you finish your day with an inspired ballet class. Traditional dress code will be relaxed and students can show their style!

Back to School Workshop
Tues, Sept. 8 + Thurs. Sept. 10, 2026
4-5:30pm Age 10-13 (rising Class 4, 5, 6a)
5:30 -7pm Age 14-18 (rising Class 6b, splitter, 7)
$55 both classes

Offered just before ballet starts back up for fall, students can ease their way back into ballet before taking on their full class load. Designed to prevent injury and help students start the year on the right foot! Call to see if this class will fit your student's level.

The 2026 Charles River Ballet Academy Summer Program brings an exciting race distance to Needham, Massachusetts on June 16, 2026. Don't miss this beautiful event!