adult Open Division (ages 13+)
Open Division: Drop-In Classes
BBT’s Adult Open Division offers weekly classes at all levels led by a member of BBT’s celebrated Faculty and featuring live accompaniment at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.
Classes are designed for dancers to begin at any time! Please see the Level descriptions below to select an appropriate class. BBT’s Open Division combines the highest level of ballet training with a positive atmosphere that cultivates community and celebrates individuality.
- Ongoing Adult Open Division schedule:
- Please see the MindBody schedule for enrollment and weekly updates to the ongoing schedule. BBT posts two to four weeks of the Adult Open Division schedule at a time.
Class Level Descriptions
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Fundamentals
- For dancers new to dance or first returning to dance after many years, Fundamentals classes focus on the foundational vocabulary and movements essential to a particular style of dance training.
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Beginner
- For dancers with a firm knowledge of the fundamentals and 1.5+ years of training experience. These classes strengthen a dancer’s command of their foundational technique and prepare them for more advanced work in the future.
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Beginner/Intermediate
- For dancers with 3+ years of training experience and solid understanding of the fundamentals of dance, these classes assume a dancer knows the foundational vocabulary and movements and are able to begin refining their technique.
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Intermediate
- For dancers with 4+ years of training experience and solid understanding of the fundamentals of dance, these classes assume a dancer knows foundational vocabulary and movements and continues refining their technique.
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Intermediate/Advanced
- For dancers with 5+ years of experience and a solid understanding of dance technique, these classes move through the traditional flow of class without breaking down the fundamentals, integrating traveling combinations across the floor, multi-step combinations, and other intricate class work that challenges and inspires dancers with significant experience in dance.
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Advanced
- For dancers with 7+ years of experience and a strong command of their technique. These professional-level classes move through class without breaking down the fundamentals, integrating traveling combinations across the floor, complex combinations, and other intricate class work that challenges and inspires dancers with extensive experience in dance.
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All Level
- These classes are appropriate for dancers of all levels, from absolute beginner to advanced, and provide an inclusive environment for everyone to explore the joy of movement together. Faculty members may offer optional modifications to support and challenge the range of dancers in the class, but everyone is welcome to participate in All Level classes.
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Rhythm & Motion
- Rhythm & Motion is a high-energy, dance-based workout that incorporates a dynamic mix of movement and music styles. The choreography is firmly rooted in dancer fundamentals and is inspired by popular music from around the world, including Latin, hip hop, African, alternative, and R&B. Though open to dancers of all ages, please be aware that Rhythm & Motion classes use popular music and dance moves which may have mature themes and/or language. If children age 13 and under do attend class they must be accompanied at all times by a participating parent/guardian.
- Rhythm & Motion is a high-energy, dance-based workout that incorporates a dynamic mix of movement and music styles. The choreography is firmly rooted in dancer fundamentals and is inspired by popular music from around the world, including Latin, hip hop, African, alternative, and R&B. Though open to dancers of all ages, please be aware that Rhythm & Motion classes use popular music and dance moves which may have mature themes and/or language. If children age 13 and under do attend class they must be accompanied at all times by a participating parent/guardian.
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Fundamentals
- The Nutcracker Bird 2025: All Levels: Party Guests and Forces of Nature with Robin Dekkers (Rehearsals begin 09/30/2025): Enrollment Open
- Beginner/Intermediate Variations Workshop (October–November 2025) with Robert Greer: Enrollment Open
Recent Workshops
- Closed: Beginner Ballet Variations Workshop with Robert Greer (July–August 2025)
- Closed: Dunham Workshop with Eyla Moore (July 2025)
- Closed: Beginner Ballet Variations Workshop with Robert Greer (May–June 2025)
- Closed: Introduction to Ballet 2 Technique Workshop with Robert Greer (May–June 2025)
- Closed: Introduction to Ballet 1 Technique Workshop with Robert Greer (May–June 2025)
- Closed: Beginner Ballet Performance Workshop with Robin Dekkers (March–May 2025)
- Closed: Beginner Variations Workshop with Robert Greer, January–March 2025
- Closed: Beginner Variations Workshop with Robert Greer, November–December 2024
- Closed: BBT Nutcracker 2024, Adult Open Division Participation, All Levels, September–December 2024
- Closed: Beginner Variations Workshop with Robert Greer, September–October 2024
- Closed: Introduction to Ballet 1 Workshop with Robert Greer, July–August 2024
- Closed: Introduction to Ballet 2 Workshop with Robert Greer, July–August 2024
- Closed: Beginner Variations Workshop with Robert Greer, July–August 2024
- Closed: Introduction to Ballet 1 Workshop with Robert Greer, June 2024
- Closed: Introduction to Ballet 2 Workshop with Robert Greer, June 2024
- Closed: Beginner Variations Workshop with Robert Greer, June 2024
- Closed: Beginner Ballet Performance Workshop with Robert Greer, March–May 2024
- Closed: Beginner Ballet Variation Workshop with Robert Greer, January–February 2024
- Closed: Nutcracker 2023 Adult Open Division Participation
New Open Division dancer? To get started, create a MindBody account with name and email address, sign up for the class that looks right for your current experience level, and join at 1370 Tenth Street in Berkeley.
Full In-Studio Class: 1 Class: $20; 8 Classes: $144
Barre-only In-Studio Class: 3 Barres: $30.00; 8 Barres: $80.00
To purchase Adult Open Division class credits, log into your MindBody account, then:
Select the “Classes” tab.
Select "Sign Up Now" on your class.
Select “Make a Single Reservation” from the “Make a Reservation” screen.
Repeat the above process other classes, then check-out of the “Online Store”.
- Gift Cards for Adult Open Division dancers: Now Available!
Open Division: What to Expect
For Your First Class - Arrive 10–15 minutes early to get your bearings, sign in, meet your classmates, and prepare for class.
Clothing - There is no dress code for adult dancers. Fabrics and tailoring that support comfortable, unrestricted movement are recommended. For introductory and beginning classes, many dancers wear standard gym clothes. Some dancers find themselves getting warm as class progresses, so wear multiple layers to facilitate temperature control.
Footwear - Ballet shoes or socks are recommended for all classes.
Class Format - Ballet classes are divided into barre and center. Classes begin at a ballet barre for stretching and warming up; the final half of class involves short choreographed sequences in the center of the room or across the floor.
General class descriptions above are designed to help you choose an appropriate class. Not all classes are offered at all times. If you have questions, please email info@berkeleyballet.org for assistance in finding the class that’s right for you.
Adult Open Division: Account Management
BBT manages Adult Open Division classes through 'MindBody', an online application. For information on how to manage your account, select the link below.
BBT Adult Open Division dancer in class, photography by Alexander Reneff-Olson
Adult Open Division dancer, photo by Alexander Reneff-Olson
BBT dancers in contemporary class, photography by Natalia Perez
Artistic Director Robin Dekkers leads an Adult Open Division class at BBT, photo by Natalia Perez
BBT Adult Open Division teacher Robert Greer leads class at BBT, photo by Natalia Perez