Student Division
Optional Disciplines
The Centre for Dance Education offers optional discipline classes for students interested in jazz, tap, contemporary, and modern.
More Information
Contemporary - building upon the foundations of ballet and modern technique, this class will challenge dancers to expand their horizons by exploring the transfer of weight, texture, floor work, and choreography skills.
Improv encourages dancers to discover their own unique movement. Using music, imagery, and guided prompts, dancers will build creativity and confidence while connecting and learning to move with freedom and intention.
Jazz is a high-energy class with roots in jazz music
of the last century, but it is brought up to date with the many styles
seen in popular culture today. It is an essential part of a dancer’s
training.
Modern will cover the foundations of modern dance through a variety of exercises, improvisations, and movement combinations that help students feel comfortable moving their bodies in new ways. Our modern instructors are experts in several modern techniques, including Lester Horton, José Limón, Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, and Bartenieff Fundamentals.
Stretch & Strengthen (NEW!) for levels BIII and up. Flexibility and core strength are vital to a dancer's technique. This class adds another element of physical understanding to enhance technique in your regular ballet classes.
Tap gives students an opportunity to learn tap techniques while incorporating both cabaret and rhythm tap.
Tap, Twist & Twirl is a combination dance class for ages 5 to 7, featuring elements of tap, ballet, and jazz disciplines.
Students must be ages 9 and up as of September 1, 2026, to enroll in the modern and contemporary classes. For all other classes, students must be age 7 or older unless otherwise stated. All enrolled students will have the opportunity to participate in the Spring Concert.
Optional Disciplines 2026-2027 Schedule
Buckhead Centre
| Instructor | Day | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arneshuia Nelson | Tue | 5:30-6:30p | Contemporary 1/2 (ages 9+) |
| Ray Hall | Wed | 6:30-7:30p | Contemporary 1/2 (ages 9+) |
| Arneshuia Nelson | Tue | 6:30-7:30p | Jazz 1 (ages 7+) |
| Ray Hall | Thu | 6:00-7:00p | Jazz 1/2 |
| Ray Hall | Tue | 7:00-8:00p | Modern 1 (ages 9+) |
| Arneshuia Nelson | Sat | 10:00-11:00a | Modern 1 (ages 9+) |
| TBA | Sat | 11:00a-12:00p | Modern 2 |
| Ray Hall | Tue | 6:00-7:00p | Hip Hop 1 |
| Caitlin Spencer | Mon | 6:30-7:30p | Tap 1/2 |
| TBA | Sat | 10:45-11:30a | Tap, Twist & Twirl (ages 5 to 7) |
Virginia-Highland Centre at Amsterdam Walk
| Instructor | Day | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lay'la Rogers | Sat | 10:45-11:45a | Contemporary 1 (ages 9+) |
| Mia Givens | Sat | 10:00-11:00a | Contemporary 2 |
| Mia Givens | Sat | 11:00a-12:00p | Contemporary 3 |
| Laura Ann Kay | Tue | 7:30-8:30p | Improv (ages 9+) |
| Courtney Johnson | Mon | 5:30-6:30p | Jazz 1 (ages 7+) |
| Courtney Johnson | Wed | 7:30-8:30p | Jazz 2 |
| Lay'la Rogers | Sat | 12:00-1:00p | Modern 1/2 (ages 9+) |
| Courtney Johnson | Sat | 9:00-10:00a | Stretch & Strengthen (levels B3+) |
| Caitlin Spencer | Thu | 6:30-7:30p | Tap 1/2 |
| Caitlin Spencer | Thu | 7:30-8:30p | Tap 3 |
Enrollment Information
Registration opens on April 20 for current Centre families; May 4 for new families. If you are new to the Centre, please begin with the information provided on the Parent Resource page.
For In-Person appointments, email:
4279 Roswell Road, Suite 703
Atlanta, GA 30342
Ansilla Bearden, Manager
abearden@atlantaballet.com
404.303.1501
504 Amsterdam Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
Mia Givens, Manager
mgivens@atlantaballet.com
404.883.2178
Registration Fee
Early (Current CDE families that register by May 3): $35
Regular (All families, May 4 - Aug 9): $50
Late (All families, Aug 10 onward): $75
Spring Concert Extra Costume Fee: $85 due October 20, 2026
*This is an add-on to the student's original Spring Concert fee of $200 for first performance.
*If student is only in an optional discipline performance class, the originating fee is $200; $85 per add'l
Annual Tuition
1-hour Optional Discipline (when added to full ballet schedule): $430/class
Payment Options:
1 Installment: $408.50 (5% discount applied; valid thru May 3 only)
2 Installments: $215 per installment (1st due at registration, 2nd due by January 1st; option available through Aug. 31)
10 Installments: $43 per installment (1st and last installments due at registration)
1-hour Optional Discipline (no ballet class): $915/Class
Payment Options:
1 Installment: $869.25 (5% discount applied; valid thru May 3 only)
2 Installments: $457.50 per installment (1st due at registration, 2nd due by January 1st; option available through Aug. 31)
10 Installments: $91.50 per installment (1st and last installments due at registration)
Dress Code
Girls: Black Atlanta Ballet logo short-sleeve leotard (Eurotard style #1002), jazz pants/bike shorts, classic, skin tone or black tights, instructed shoes
Boys: White Atlanta Ballet t-shirt, jazz pants or black tights, instructed shoes
Uniform leotards are exclusively available at the Atlanta Ballet Boutique. Boutiques are located at the West Midtown and Buckhead Centres. Shoes, tights, and other dance supplies are also available in the Boutique. Questions regarding the Boutique can be directed to boutique@atlantaballet.com.