Alameda Ballet Academy / Alameda Civic Ballet

NEW CLASSES ARE HERE! 🩰

We’re excited to introduce Creative Movement for our littlest dancers, ages 3.5+, and our brand-new Tween & Teen Program designed to help older dancers build technique, confidence, and a deeper love of dance. 💕

Enrollment is open now and classes begin this week! Find the perfect class and join us this season! - https://mailchi.mp/alamedaballet/newclasses

🌈NEW CLASS ALERT!✨

Meet Creative Movement—a playful first step into ballet for our littlest dancers! Designed for ages 3.5+, this drop-off class introduces ballet basics through music, imagination, storytelling, and movement while helping dancers build confidence and independence. 💕

Enrollment is open, and classes begin August 22!

Meet Ms. Norika!

We are thrilled to welcome Norika Matsuyama to Alameda Ballet Academy as our Ballet 5/6 Instructor!

Norika began her ballet training in Japan before continuing her studies at Yuki Miho Ballet, Palos Verdes Ballet, Lauridsen Ballet Centre, and San Francisco Ballet School. She joined San Francisco Ballet in 2014 and was promoted to Soloist in 2021. During her 11 seasons with the company, she performed principal and soloist roles in works by renowned choreographers including George Balanchine, Helgi Tómasson, William Forsythe, John Cranko, Alexei Ratmansky, Mark Morris, and Christopher Wheeldon. She has also originated roles in new works by Justin Peck, Arthur Pita, Myles Thatcher, Jamar Roberts, and others.

Beyond the stage, Norika graduated summa cm laude from Saint Mary’s College of California with a B.A. in Performing Arts and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Samuel Merritt University, deepening her knowledge of movement, anatomy, and injury prevention.

We are so excited for our advanced dancers to learn from Norika’s incredible experience as both a professional dancer and movement specialist. Welcome to ABA, Norika!

📷: Chris Hardy & Erik Tomasson

Meet Ms. Anne-Sophie!

We are thrilled to welcome Anne-Sophie Rodriguez to Alameda Ballet Academy as a YAGP Coach!

A former professional dancer and accomplished educator, Anne-Sophie’s performance career includes Boston Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and Ballet Internationale. Born and raised in France, she trained at San Francisco Ballet School and later studied with Madame Tatiana Nicolaevna Legat at Boston Ballet School.

Since beginning her teaching career in 2005, Anne-Sophie has taught at San Francisco Ballet School, Ellison Ballet, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School, and City Ballet San Francisco, among others.

Her teaching emphasizes musicality, placement, and thoughtful progression, with a deep understanding of the how and why behind movement. She challenges dancers to pursue both technical excellence and artistry while creating a supportive and encouraging learning environment.

Anne-Sophie is a certified teacher through the Bolshoi Ballet Academy Teacher Training Program and a 500-hour certified yoga teacher. She also serves as a judge and master teacher for Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), California Dance Classics (CDC), and Regional Dance America Pacific (RDA Pacific).

We are so excited for our YAGP dancers to benefit from Anne-Sophie’s experience, expertise, and passion for classical ballet. Welcome to ABA, Anne-Sophie!

TWO SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!

We’re kicking off the new ballet season with not one, but TWO fun events—and we’d love to see you there!

🩰 SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
4:00–5:00 PM | Tutu School Back to Ballet Open House

Come join ABA + Tutu School for a magical afternoon featuring:
🎀 Tiara & string craft
🩰 Live ballet performances by ABA dancers
📖 Fairy Doll storytime with Ms. Karin
💃 Freedance with the kids
📸 Photos with our dancers
🎄 Nutcracker audition information

Bring a friend and come experience a little ballet magic with us! 💕
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🛍️ SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
10:00 AM–2:00 PM | ABA Lobby (1402 Park St.)

It’s our BACK TO BALLET SALE! 🎀

Get your dancer ready for the new season with ballet essentials and dancewear at our sale. Whether you’re stocking up on shoes, tights, leotards, or just getting ready for the first class of the year, come shop with us!

Dear Summer,

It’s been fun but…THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! Fall youth classes begin August 17!

Whether you’re taking your very first ballet steps or ready to level up your training, there’s a place for you at Alameda Ballet Academy.

🎀 Registration is OPEN!
🩰 Ballet • Contemporary • Adult Classes
✨ Inspiring teachers • Strong technique • A welcoming community
📅 Classes begin August 17
🔗 Register today at alamedaballet.com

We can’t wait to see you in the studio!



Student Summer Spotlight | Eleanor P.

This summer, Eleanor spent four inspiring weeks training at New Ballet’s Summer Intensive in San Jose!

“My experience at New Ballet was very beneficial. I learned so much from all the amazing teachers, and I hope I get the chance to train with these dancers again. I really loved meeting new people and studying different styles.”

We’re so proud of Eleanor for embracing every opportunity to learn, grow, and challenge herself. Experiences like these help our dancers build confidence, expand their artistry, and bring fresh inspiration back to the studio.

Way to represent Alameda Ballet Academy, Eleanor! We can’t wait to see all you’ve learned this fall.💜

Meet Ms. Fiona!

We are thrilled to welcome Fiona Hutchens to the Alameda Ballet Academy faculty! 🩰 She’ll be teaching our Ballet 4 and 5/6 levels, Intermediate Tween/Teen, and coaching some of our students for YAGP.

Fiona brings an incredible blend of professional performance experience, artistry, and passion for teaching. She trained at Southold Dance Theater and Colorado Ballet Academy, danced with Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company, and performed with Diablo Ballet here in the Bay Area.

As an educator and choreographer, Fiona loves inspiring dancers to grow in confidence, creativity, and technique. We are so excited for our students to learn from her this year!

Welcome to ABA, Fiona!💜

✨ Meet Alejandra (aka Ms. Ale)!

We are excited to welcome Alejandra Preciado to the Alameda Ballet Academy faculty! She’ll be teaching our Contemporary 5/6 class on Wednesday evenings and choreographing some of our YAGP pieces.

Originally from Panama City, Panama, Alejandra began dancing at age three and has built an inspiring career as a performer, educator, and choreographer. She earned her B.F.A. from Alonzo King LINES Ballet at Dominican University and has performed professionally with NW Dance Project and as a freelance artist.

Alejandra brings creativity, artistry, and a passion for movement into every class. We can’t wait for our dancers to experience her energy and expertise this season!

Welcome to ABA, Alejandra!💜

✨ Student Summer Spotlight ✨

This summer, Claire A. expanded her training at two incredible programs: a two-week American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive in Long Beach, followed by a one-week intensive at Osipova Ballet Academy in Mountain View.

“ABT was my first summer intensive away from the Bay Area. I loved experiencing a variety of classes, including jazz, contemporary, modern, and partnering, as well as lectures on nutrition and injury prevention. It was an amazing opportunity to dance alongside students from other states and countries and learn from so many different teachers.

My week at Osipova Ballet Academy focused on the Vaganova method with an emphasis on daily conditioning. I saw a noticeable improvement in my flexibility, which I know will benefit my training this year.”

We’re so proud of Claire for stepping outside her comfort zone, embracing new experiences, and continuing to grow as an artist. Every intensive brings new knowledge, friendships, and inspiration that she carries back to the studio.

Way to represent Alameda Ballet Academy, Claire! We can’t wait to see you shine this fall. 💙