The Australian Ballet

Studios

Studios 1280x550 3

Take adult ballet class to live piano in the same studios that our dancers rehearse in daily.

View Studios class times
  • Duration

    75 mins

  • Ticket price range

    $174 for six week series package booking
    $160 for Absolute Beginner series
    $36 for casual classes

  • Suitable for

    18+ only

Our adult ballet classes are run by current and former dancers of The Australian Ballet and taught to live piano. Classes range from Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

We also have our Absolute Beginner series for participants new to ballet and dance. Please note, these classes do not include live piano.

Everyone is welcome, so no matter if you have two left feet or feel at home at the barre, we'll have you on your way to performing the perfect pirouette in no time.

During your visit to The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre, construction works may be taking place as part of Reimagining Arts Centre Melbourne. Please click here for information regarding pedestrian and vehicle access.

Join us at the barre!

Buy Studios casual classes

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A ballet teacher leaning against a barre smiling, interacting with their student, both dressed in black.
A female ballet dancer wearing pink leans back against a barre with arms open.
A group of ballet dancers stand against a barre with their hands extended high above their heads.

Adult Ballet Class Levels

Absolute Beginner

Learn the basics of our favourite artform. This fun, step-by-step class is designed to build confidence so you can channel your inner ballerina.
No prior experience necessary. Please note, classes at this level does not include a live pianist and can only be booked as a full series.

Beginner

Get familiar with the barre and progress slowly into exercises in the centre of the room, helping you to improve your posture, coordination and strength.

Intermediate

Now that your brain is full of ballet enchaînement, it’s time to work on technique. Intermediate classes will develop correct body alignment, while continuing to build on your strength and coordination.

Advanced

Your form is focused. Your technique is tried and tested. Now you will be developing the musicality of your centre work, allowing you to develop the lyricism of your dancing.

All classes run for 75-minutes.

Pricing

Series Packages: Book the same class for all weeks in a series to receive a discount and secure your place in class

  • Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Series Packages
    $174 for six week series booking
    $145 for five week series booking (Monday classes only)
  • Absolute Beginner Series Packages
    $160 for six week Absolute Beginner series booking
    $133 for five week series booking (Monday classes only)

Casual Classes:

  • $36 for casual class bookings

Please see 'Series Schedule' for the dates in each series

Series Schedule

Current series:
Series 3 will run from Monday 14 April to Thursday 19 May. Please note there will be no classes running on Monday 21 April due to the public holiday.

Mondays

  • Beginner, 6:45-7:45pm - Jasmin Dwyer and Yuiko Masukawa
  • Intermediate, 6:30-7:45pm- Jessica Thompson
  • Absolute Beginner, 6:30-8:00pm - Sophie Fletcher

Tuesdays

  • Beginner, 6:30-7:45pm - Sophie Fletcher
  • Intermediate, 6:30-7:45pm - Jessica Thompson
  • Beginner, 6:45-8:00pm - Paul Knobloch

Wednesdays

  • Absolute Beginner, 6:30-7:45pm - Justine Miles
  • Absolute Beginner, 6:30-7:45pm - Yuiko Masukawa

Thursdays

  • Beginner, 6:30-7:45pm - Jessica Thompson
  • Intermediate, 6:30-7:45pm- Filip Janda
  • Advanced, 6:45-8:00pm - Madeleine Eastoe
Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions
Last Updated: February 2025

Tickets to classes in the Studios program are subject to the Terms and Conditions of our Studios Ticketing Policy. You can read the full Studios Policy which includes further details regarding Class Ticket Exchanges, Late Arrival, Cancelled Classes, Personal Conduct and Medical Conditions.

Tickets for Studios classes are non-refundable unless the class is cancelled. All purchases are final, and tickets are non-transferrable outside of our Studios Class Exchange Policy. Exchanges for Studios classes are permitted within the same series as the original purchase, subject to availability and in line with our Studios Class Exchange Policy. Purchase and participation of classes will be considered acceptance of these Terms and Conditions, and any ongoing updates to these Terms and Conditions.

Every possible effort is made to deliver classes as advertised however the schedule is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Participants must be aged 18 and above to attend these classes.

As there are no payment facilities available on-site, all bookings must be completed online via The Australian Ballet website or over the phone with our Customer Experience team prior to participating in the class.

For security purposes and in case of an emergency, the names of individual event participants will be required for all classes. You may also be asked to provide additional details either at the time of booking or upon attending classes including the participant’s address, date of birth and an emergency contact. The Australian Ballet reserves the right, at any time, to verify the validity of a participant’s registration, to refuse entry and to reject or disqualify a participant from participating in any classes.

In participating in Studios classes conducted by The Australian Ballet you agree that neither you, your heirs, assigns or legal representatives will sue or make any other claims of any kind whatsoever against The Australian Ballet for any personal injury, property damage/loss, or wrongful death, whether caused by negligence or otherwise.

For more information:

Please read our full Studios Policy which includes further details regarding Class Ticket Exchanges, Late Arrival, Cancelled Classes, Personal Conduct and Medical Conditions.

In addition to this policy, The Australian Ballet adheres to the Live Performance Australia (LPA) Code of Practice for the Ticketing of Live Entertainment in Australia. If you require further details, please contact the customer experience team by calling 1300 369 741 (Mon – Fri, 9-5pm) or via our web form here.

FAQ

Where are the classes?

Our studios are located at:
Level 5, The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre
2 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, Melbourne

Sign in and lift access to Level 5 is only open from 6:00-7:00pm. We recommend arriving within 15 minutes before class begins to ensure you don't miss entry to your class.

What should I wear?

Feel free to wear whatever you desire! No worries if you're in full ballet gear or if you're in a t-shirt and leggings - so long as you are comfortable, and your clothes are non-restrictive to allow you ease of movement.

It is best to arrive ready for class as there are limited change room facilities available.

Do I need specific shoes?

Please wear soft-soled ballet or dance shoes for class. If you don’t have soft-soled shoes you will be able to do class barefoot as socks and street shoes are strictly not permitted in the studio.

For our more skilled dancers, please note we do not permit any kind of pointe shoes as our classes do not include any pointe work.

Can I wear pointe shoes to class?

We do not permit any kind of pointe shoes as our classes do not include any pointe work in the exercises in any of the levels. Please wear soft-soled ballet or dance shoes for class.

What should I bring?

Water in a non-glass bottle and a towel is suggested to keep yourself well-hydrated and refreshed during class. It’s also recommended that you don’t eat in the 90 minutes before class.

What is the difference between booking a series package and a casual class?

A series package is a fixed package of classes for the same time and level each week across a six-week period. By purchasing a series package, you receive a discount for booking the same class across the full six-week period, you secure your place in your preferred class, and you are also entitled to exchange classes within that six-week period without incurring additional class exchange service fees.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more flexible option, you can opt for casual classes, which allow you to book classes as per your availability and until the classes reach capacity. Casual classes go on sale the week before a new series begins. A $7 exchange service fee applies to casual class exchanges if you have not made a package booking within that series.

Please note that all exchanges are subject to availability. To view our full exchange policy for Studios classes, please visit our Studios policy page

After I've paid for my booking, do I need a ticket to enter class?

No ticket is required! During the booking process we collect your registration information, and all completed bookings will pull through on the class rolls at sign-in. Please note that once you have completed your booking online, we will email a confirmation of your order.

Once you have completed your online booking, your name will be listed on the attendance roll for your class at sign-in. If your name is not visible on the roll or you arrive after your class has started, you may be asked to verify your booking by presenting your order confirmation email or other proof of purchase before being permitted entry.

All bookings must be completed online before attending class as there are no onsite payment facilities.

If you have any issues booking online, please contact our customer experience team by calling 1300 369 741, available Mon – Fri between 9-5pm.

Can I exchange my class booking?

Exchanges for your class booking are only available once the six-week series has commenced and must be made by calling our customer experience team on 1300 369 741 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday AEST, excluding public holidays.

Tickets to Studios classes can only be exchanged within the same six-week series and must be completed via The Australian Ballet by 10am the business day of the class. All exchanges are subject to availability. No exchanges will be offered for missed classes or once the class has passed.

An exchange service fee of $7 per class applies to casual class exchanges if you have not made a package booking within that series. If you have a series package booking, you do not incur exchange fees for any classes exchanged within that same series.

To view our full exchange policy for Studios classes, please visit our Studios Class Exchange Policy on our Studios Policy page

What if I am running late?

Lift access to Level 5 is only open from 6:00-7:00pm. Please ensure you arrive promptly, as there is absolutely no late admittance beyond this window or 15 minutes after your class has started - whichever comes first. This policy is in place for your safety and to minimize disruption to fellow participants.

As per the Terms and Conditions of our Studios Ticketing Policy, late admission into a class is not guaranteed and may be treated as a forfeiting of participation in the event – The Australian Ballet takes no responsibility for causes of delays or lateness beyond the control of the company.

Are all classes taught to live piano?

Our Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced classes are taught to live piano accompaniment. Our Absolute Beginner classes are taught to recorded music and do not include a live pianist.

Every possible effort is made to deliver classes as advertised however our schedule is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

What happens if I miss a class in the Absolute Beginner series?

If you happen to miss a class in your Absolute Beginner series, there's no need to worry! Your teacher will be able to fill you in on what you missed in your next class, so you won't fall behind. Keep going and enjoy the learning journey!

I have missed a class, can I get a refund?

Tickets for classes are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled. All purchases are final, and tickets are non-transferrable outside of our exchange policy.

All of our classes are subject to the Studios Terms and Conditions for further information.

How do I know which level I should be in?

We have four different skill levels available for our classes. All of our ballet classes, excluding the Absolute Beginner level, follow an 'open' style format, meaning that the content of the classes varies from week to week. All of our classes are non-syllabus.

Absolute Beginner
This class is ideal for you if you have never done ballet before or if you are still learning the foundational steps. This level is only available as a series booking and is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of ballet techniques and vocabulary, building on what you learn each week. We recommend doing 2-3 courses of this level before progressing to the Beginner level so that you are confident with the fundamentals.

Beginner
Improve your posture and strength with basic exercises that slowly progress you from the barre into to centre work. This is the class for you if you have participated in ballet classes before or have taken a few Absolute Beginner series with us and are familiar with the basic positions of the arms and feet and the foundational steps of ballet.

Intermediate
If you're not new to ballet and looking to develop the correct body alignment while continuing to build your strength and coordination, then this is the level for you.

Advanced
Our Advanced class is perfect for the confident dancer with a solid foundation in classical technique. Class will move at a quicker pace and include longer exercises in the centre.

If you are still unsure of which level you should book into, we suggest booking for the lower level as it is easier to continue with an easier class than be stuck in one that is too difficult. You can also find sample classes of our Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced classes to test the levels at home - these sample classes feature an exercise towards the end of the barre mid-way through the class.

I'm interested in going up a level, when will I be ready to progress?

For all levels, we recommend repeating the level you're in until you are confident in executing the steps in the class exercises before going up a level. If you are transitioning to a new level, we highly recommend attending both your current level and the level you are moving into within the same week for a couple of series. This practice will help facilitate a smoother transition and adjustment to the new level.

It is also a good idea to speak with your teachers to let them know you are interested in moving to the next level so they can keep a closer eye on your technique during class and assist you in identifying when you are ready to progress.

Can a friend or family member watch class?

We do not allow friends or family members to sit in and watch class. Please also note friends and family members are not permitted to remain in the Level 5 foyer after sign in has closed at 7pm, however they are welcome to meet you after class on Level 1 (ground floor) or Level 4.

Can I film or take photos during class?

For the comfort and privacy of other participants and our teachers, we strictly do not permit filming or photography during class at any time.

"They are a highlight of my week, a place where I feel very welcome, able to be myself and access dance in a meaningful way." Stu­dios participant
23 AEP Studios for Web

Beginner Sample Class

In the Beginner classes, get familiar with the barre and progress slowly into exercises in the centre of the room, helping you to improve your posture, coordination and strength.

23 AEP Studios for Web2

Intermediate Sample Class

Now that your brain is full of ballet enchaînement, it’s time to work on technique. Intermediate classes will develop correct body alignment, while continuing to build on your strength and coordination.

23 AEP Studios for Web3

Advanced Sample Class

In the Advanced classes, your form is focused and your technique is tried and tested. Now you will be developing the musicality of your centre work, allowing you to develop the lyricism of your dancing.