Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet

We are incredibly thankful to Saratoga Performing Arts Center for the opportunity to perform at this past Sunday’s Festival of Young Artists! It was an absolute honor to share the stage with so many talented young creators.

Here are a few highlights from our magical day:

*Amphitheater Debut: A stunning piece choreographed by our student, Lily Spoor, titled “Rare & Beautiful”, was selected to be performed on the iconic S**C main stage!

*Dance Tent: Nearly 40 dancers from SSYB, brought amazing energy and grace to the Dance Tent.

*Grand Finale: SSYB was deeply honored to perform “Summer is a coming-in and The Cuckoo” for the event’s grand- finale, collaborating with the spectacular Empire State Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Capital District Youth Chorale. This production featured choreography by Cristiane Santos and stunning costumes by Joan K. Anderson.

Thank you to our dancers, families, teachers, and S**C Education for making this beautiful day of community and celebration of the arts possible.

https://saratogatodaynewspaper.com/9th-annual-spac-festival-of-young-artists-celebrates-the-next-generation-of-artists-in-the-capital-district/

9th Annual S**C Festival of Young Artists Celebrates the Next Generation of Artists in the Capital District On May 31, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (S**C) hosted its ninth annual Festival of Young Artists (FOYA) inviting artists from around the Capital District to showcase their talents. S**C’s education initiative is “rooted in the belief that the arts support wellbeing and strengthen connection. ...

Congratulations to Ana Sandu! 🎉

Ana is a senior at Saratoga Springs High School. Ana will be attending SUNY Binghamton in the fall. She plans on majoring in psychology on the pre-med track. Her goal is to become a dermatologist.

It has been a pleasure having Ana as a student and see her grow!

Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet Spring Concert is almost here!

From our littlest 3-year-old ballerinas taking their very first steps to our graduating 18-year-old seniors, our entire studio is ready to shine on stage.

Join us for an unforgettable showcase of growth, dedication, and beautiful artistry.

Saturday, June 13th from 2- 4pm at Ballston Spa High School.

https://events.ticketleap.com/events/ssyballet/spring-concert-2026

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Come watch Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet’s fearless warriors hit the stage for a breathtaking performance of Zosteros choreographed by Emily Gunter,

Saturday, June 13th at 2pm
Ballston Spa High School

https://events.ticketleap.com/events/ssyballet/spring-concert-2026

📸Photo by

SSYB dancers performed Romanian Dances at 2026 RDA/ Northeast Festival, and yesterday at the Festival of Young Artists

You have one more chance to see this charming choreography at our annual Spring Concert, June 13 at 2pm- Ballston Spa High School.

Gets your tickets today at https://events.ticketleap.com/events/ssyballet/spring-concert-2026

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More about our wonderful guest teaching artist Karin Averty.

After her dazzling dance career, Karin began to devote herself to teaching and mentoring.

Karin has taught in Korea (National University of Arts in Seoul), Alberta Ballet, Canada (Ballet Mistress & School Faculty), Hong Kong Ballet, Israel (Kibbutz Contemporary Ballet), Japan (Arima Kyoto Ballet Academy).

In 2012 Karin realized one of her dreams and relocated to New York City.

She has taught at a number of well-known ballet companies and dance schools throughout the US among them Juilliard, Alvin Ailey, ABT/JKO, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet Academy of Dance Chicago, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, Kansas City Ballet, The Florida Ballet and many others around the country. She has served as a judge at Varna competition, Youth America Grand Prix and ADC/IBC and coached competitors.

Karin was an ABT/ JKO School Faculty, ABT Studio Company Ballet Mistress, Boston Ballet Guest rehearsal Director and stagged works at JKO School, Boston Ballet School and at Joffrey Ballet Academy of Dance Chicago.

Karin is a Steps on Broadway faculty and teaches open ballet classes on Fridays and Sundays.

Karin Averty is a passionate ballet teacher and coach, and she continues to pass on her experience to the new generation of dancers.

We look forward to having Karin Averty returning to SSYB this summer!

We are so happy to have the magnificent Karin Averty returning to SSYB this summer!

Karin is a French Ballerina whose career is inextricably linked to the Paris Opera Ballet (1973-2005), where she graduated from the school and was promoted in 1983 to the tittle of Premiere Danseuse.

In 1980 Karin received international recognition early in her career when she won the Grand Prix in Junior category at the Varna international Ballet competition.

Under Rudolf Nureyev’s leadership Karin began to perform in 1984 principal roles in his choreographies as in many other master pieces of renown choreographers as such as Ashton, Balanchine, Bournonville, Graham, Forsythe, Lander, Lifar, MacMillan, Neumeier, Robbins, Taylor, Tudor, to name a few.

William Forsythe chose Karin to be in the original cast of Somewhere in the Middle in 1986 and the following year she joined The San Francisco Ballet (1987-88) as a Principal dancer under Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson. She returned to the Paris Opera Ballet but remained a Guest Artist with San Francisco Ballet (1988-89).

In 2003 Karin received the French State Diploma in Dance Education for Ballet and in 2004 Prime Minister of France honored her with the National Merit order as a Chevalier (Knight).

As her final bow with the Paris Opera Ballet in July 2005, Karin danced Juliet in Nureyev’s Romeo and Juliet.

Register today to study with Karin Averty at SSYB this summer!

Last Friday, Gwendolyn, the 🩰 Graceful Pig 🐷 and her friends visited Charlton Heights and Pasley Elementary Schools.

Thank you David Rottenberg!

Gwendolyn, the 🩰 Graceful Pig 🐷 is back!

Yesterday, Gwendolyn and her friends visited Hoosic Valley, Glen- Worden and Glencliff Elementary Schools.

Thank you David Rottenberg!

Come support the hard work and dedication of the SSYB’s students! Featuring dancers ages 3 to 18 years old.

Saturday, June 13th at 2 pm
Ballston Spa High School.

Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that is committed to providing quality professional dance training to pre-professional students throughout the Greater Saratoga region. Students achieve their potential as dancers and artists while learning in a collaborative environment. A focus is put on building self-confidence and maturity in a nurturing atmosphere with an emphasis on performance and positive reinforcement. Dancers learn the value of hard work and garner an appreciation and love for the arts.