Welcome to the Judith Svalander School of Ballet, home of the Judith Svalander Dance Theatre, resident dance company for the Woodstock Opera House. In this unique suburban school, completely dedicated to the development of well-balanced performers through dance, the student has the opportunity to enrich their life through professional training combining the skills and the joy of movement and music.
JSSB uses techniques founded in the major classical ballet styles of the Italian and French to begin; as training advances, the school incorporates the English, Danish (Bournonville), and Russian methods. Additionally, dancers are trained in character dance approaching the work from a broad view of the acting dancer and providing JSSB students with the stage skills to be successful in all the performing arts. This produces well rounded dancers who adapt to any style a choreographer, company, show or opera requests.
In this atmosphere the discerning parent or student will see all that is to be derived from such training: A well-disciplined mind and body, a deeper appreciation of the art of dance, a mature enjoyment of music, and a creative approach to living.
It is the school’s philosophy that these benefits should be an essential part of everyone’s education and personal enhancement, whether male or female, young or old, whether or not the student is interested in a professional career or merely seeks self-improvement and pleasure through development in dance.
Thank you for your interest, and I warmly welcome you to the Judith Svalander School of Ballet and the joyous world of dance.
Our Mission
It is our mission to train our students properly in the beautiful art form that is classical ballet; the foundation for all dance technique. We will provide each student with the tools to maximize their abilities and reach their full potential. Whether their destiny is as a professional dancer or it leads them in a different direction entirely, it is our goal to instill the virtues of the art form, and a sense of achievement that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.