THE SCHOOL OF FIRST STATE BALLET

Bringing Delaware exceptional ballet training since 1999!

NOW ENROLLING STUDENTS

Summer Programs

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About Us

Get your dancer started right! First State Ballet Theatre offers ballet training for students aged 18m to adults, with a curriculum based on the Vaganova syllabus.

Our spacious studios are housed in the historic Grand Opera House in downtown Wilmington, with a new satellite location in The Town of Whitehall.

FSBT students have been accepted at prestigious ballet schools/programs including American Ballet Theatre (NYC), the School of American Ballet, Kirov Academy, Ballet West, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Houston Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. FSBT students have also danced professionally with various ballet companies, such as, Festival Ballet Providence, Milwaukee Ballet, Alabama Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, Washington Ballet, Universal Ballet, Ballet du Capitole, Tulsa Ballet, and First State Ballet Theatre.

Learn more about our history here

WHY CHOOSE THE SCHOOL OF FIRST STATE BALLET THEATRE?

Named in the Top 5% of U.S. Ballet Academies*
Outstanding ballet training by highly-qualified faculty since 1999
Affiliated with Delaware's ONLY professional ballet company
Opportunity to perform for thousands of patrons in our annual production of The Nutcracker at The Grand Opera House
NO performance fees
Competitive tuition
Financial aid available
FSBT is the first performing arts organization in the country to implement child protection policies in partnership with the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children
Private coaching available for competitions

Click HERE to see FSBT’s Child Protection Policies.

Click HERE to learn more about the Beau Biden Foundation Shield of Protection.

Click HERE for FAQs.

Faculty

Danceworks! Faculty

Tisa Della-Volpe, Director
Kayla Babicki
Aleyna Kitapci

New students, please email School Director Aynsley Inglis at ainglis@firststateballet.org to inquire about ballet class placement before registering. Older students may be asked to take a placement class. Class placement is based on age, ability, and experience, and is at the discretion of FSBT faculty.

Full year programs: September 2, 2025–June 13, 2026

Adult Classes in The Town of Whitehall

Adult Ballet

Connect with your body on a deeper level; for beginners and experienced dancers alike, maintain mobility, flexibility and strength.

Day/time: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 6:00p-7:00p Tuition: $150 - $360

Adults w/ Down Syndrome

Dance designed specially for adult students with down syndrome.

Day/time: Thursdays 6:00p-7:00p Tuition: $100

What to Wear

Any athletic clothes that you can move in comfortably. Tights, leotard, leggings, athletic tops, dance skirts are all acceptable. Please bring ballet shoes for ballet class.