I'm sorry to say I was very disappointed in the new theme of The Nutcracker. Compared to the old classic version the new one is just too modern. If someone had never seen the old version and went to it for the first time, they could easily grasp and follow the story. This new version does not make any sense. I mean really... replacing the Russian with peppermint sticks? Is this a Candyland theme? Sometimes change is not good when you are dealing with a classical ballet. As always, the orchestra was spectacular, as worthy lead dancers. However, I'm thinking Ballet Memphis Just doesn't have the talent it used to. So many of the dancers aren't even en pointe anymore! My 17 year old granddaughter has been attending the nutcracker since she was three years old, and says this 2025 is the last time she will ever attend unless the old version is brought back. It seems like everything has been cheapened, for lack of a better word. Even the costumes! The dancers' even lack emotion. Like many people I know I am so sorry this has happened to such a classical performance that people anticipated seeing each year read more

Ballet Memphis is such a treasure! When they moved to Overton Square, they truly became an anchor for our performing arts district. I can't make it through the holidays without The Nutcracker and I really appreciate how they recorded the play and donated it to Memphis during the pandemic. I'm at the point where I know the dancers on sight and know their special gifts. I took a tour of the space before COVID-19 changed our lives. I love how you can see the dancers practicing from the street through the massive glass windows. They have dance school, community dance classes and a studio for pilates classes. I copied and pasted their class offerings: -Classical Ballet Training -Expanded Dance -Youth Ballet Memphis -Boys at Ballet Memphis -Community Dance -Summer Dance -Ballet Memphis Pilates -STOTT PILATES® Certification -Adult Ballet -Expanded Dance They have group mat and equipment classes for all levels, Total Barre™, Active for Life, bodyART™, Total Body Conditioning, and specialty clinics. Also, private and semi-private training. The costume shop is insanely amazing, you can also rent one of four studios and there's a business meeting rental space with high-speed fiber internet, teleconferencing and other features. They'll bring in caterers, table rentals and valet parking. read more

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I have thought long and hard about this post. We recently had a very negative situation involving the beginners ballet teacher where she stated to my spouse "does your child just do things purposely wrong as a coping mechanism." We addressed the matter with the CEO of Ballet Memphis. While I appreciated her professionalism she stated "not everyone is meant for our ballet classes." These two interactions struck me as "elitist" and truly missing the point of our complaint. We had been warned by several families about this elite thinking and attitude of Ballet Memphis. My advice to parents, is to think long and hard about enrolling your child in the Ballet Memphis programs. I was disappointed with the response and statement from the CEO. She said they will use this as a learning opportunity but will she? read more

I don't even know where to begin describing what a gem Ballet Memphis has been to my family and I think to the entire Memphis community. My daughter is 3 and started ballet for the first time this year. She was so nervous she didn't even want to go into class the first day so she stayed outside and watched the first two classes. Everyone was so kind and patient with her. She sometimes has difficulty being dropped off at school and cries for a couple minutes and then winds up completely enjoying herself, so on her third lesson Ms Ramey offered to take her for a few minutes before the start of class so she could get past the initial nervousness she has when I step away. I will never forget the way she immediately just wrapped her arms around Ms Rameys neck and Ms Ramey held her so sweetly and was so reassuring. I hid just around the corner for about five minutes and and came back to see her through the window dancing and smiling and having a great time. Ever since then she has loved going into class and I'm really proud of the confidence Ballet Memphis has helped her develop. Ms McCusker is her lead teacher and she is absolutely wonderful. She teaches fundamental techniques of coordination but maintains an environment that is positive, encouraging, imaginative and fun. I think a child's first experience with dance class is so very important and can set the tone for the way a child will feel about dance for the rest of their lives. I am beyond grateful that Ms McCusker was the teacher to introduce my daughter to the art form. Ms Grace was the teaching assistant and Caroline absolutely loves her as well. I take the adult class every Wednesday with Ms Frazer. I definitely was never talented enough to dance professionally but I did dance pretty seriously all through grade school and with my college performing company, and I have always felt most like myself when I'm dancing. I basically stopped dancing about 6 years ago as a side effect of training in my medical residency and having two babies. But when we moved to Memphis I saw the beautiful studio in Overton Square and decided it was time to finally get back to what I love to do. I will never forget my first class with Ms Frazer I said I hadn't done a pirouette in 6 years and she just smiled and said "you're doing them now!" Wednesday mornings with Ms Frazer are quite simply the best part of my week, every week. She is such a gifted teacher and has helped me so much to find my technique again, and she simultaneously always makes class uplifting, encouraging and fun. Lastly I have to give my google-review-equivalent of a standing ovation to the professional company. We saw their ballet in 30 season opener as well as their performance of Dracula and both were absolutely brilliant. We are vey much looking forward to seeing the Nutcracker as well. We just moved to Memphis about 4 months ago and I knew Memphis is a relatively small city, but watching their ballet company perform I would have thought I was in New York or Chicago. They absolutely knocked my socks off. What a gift it is to Memphians that this excellent institution calls Memphis home. read more

How neat to have a serious ballet school nearby. This school is home to talented professionals and instructors and the next performance will be 'Romeo & Juliet'. One of my favorites. If you're interested in ballet as an adult, they offer supplemental classes, as well as childrens' classes and several grades of ballet study. In addition, they offer STOTT Pilates classes, with introductory classes only $15. read more

I am a student of Ballet Memphis and l love their classes. My husband and l just wanted to go watch the show Fall Mix, a 2pm Sunday show at their inhouse venue. Tix are 15, which is fine, l would also have payed 25. But that they saidevery one of our little children, 2 years, 1 year and even our baby, 4 months, should have a full ticket, is outrageous and ridiculous. Shame on you for that un-familyfriendly attitude! We will not consider coming back to an event in the future. read more

Great school with very patient instructors for kids. Great environment for all ages. My 3 year old started here and loves it.

We recently relocated to Memphis from out of state. Our 8 year old daughter was taking classes at an excellent ballet school that taught classic ballet yet the instructors made it fun for young children as it should be :). Unfortunately our daughter was placed with a very young serious teacher who had a very dry, borning personality. Our daughter loved going to ballet however recently complained that she didn't want to go. It became a chore to get her out of the house and she was less than enthusiastic. After speaking to the instructor and attending the rehearsal it all made sense.....the performance was so dull and there was such a lack of enthusiasm we made the connection of why she no longer wanted to attend. The teacher makes the difference. While this may be a "gem" in Memphis, Ballet Memphis needs to evaluate instructors more effectively. We will lose young dancers if we don't show passion and enthusiasm with who we chose to work with our young children and future dancers.....very disappointed. read more

in my opinion If you start ballet there when you are 3 and/or donate lots of money you child will most likely enjoy their time there. They may even eventually put them in the company to keep the money coming. The students in the school all have VERY poor technique and are years behind what they should be for their age. In my opinion this is most likely the fault of the school principal Janet Parke. She does not correct the students enough and lets them settle for being mediocrity instead of pushing them to do the steps correctly. She and the other teachers are NOT shy about showing favoritism and their favorites happen to be the kids whose parents donate money. She does not seem to care about all her students only the few that grew up in the school. She once told her ballet 7 class that none of them should aspire to be dancers. A dance studio is a place where you want your child to be inspired to dance and she just tell them to give up. She does not place focus on technique instead she places it on things like artistry. It is good to focus on artistry but not when your students have no technique at all. Another reason the school is not good is that classes are crowded with between 30-40 students in a class. In my opinion the students look like average people who just walked off the street and just put on a pair of pointe shoes. The upper levels are so crowded no one can get any attention. The ballet company is wonderful and full of very talented dancers but for some reason the school is not. I'm sure its fine for younger kids ,but I would look for a different studio if you have an older child. If your looking for a good ballet school i would not consider this studio. read more