Balletmet Columbus Dance Academy

good program

The best dance academy in the city! They offer a variety of lessons for all ages, from preschool to adults. In the adult division, they offer ballet, tap, theater dance, yoga, pilates, and all sorts of other types. The classes are fantastic – structured in the classical ballet fashion, with barre and then center floor, you *really* get a workout and learn from excellent teachers, and sometimes balletmet dancers teach class! It’s inspiring to take classes here and see so many people falling in love with dance.

After taking many a ballet class at Ohio State University’s dance department, I was looking for something different and decided to drop in for open adult classes at BalletMet, at the intermediate level. Oddly enough, I’ve lived in Columbus for over 20 years and never even saw a BalletMet performance until I was in high school (deprived? I’d like to think so) let alone take a class. It wasn’t until college that I discovered dancing… but that’s a long story that has nothing to do with this review.
Anywho, the cost of class is decent; as is for most adult ballet programs around the country, classes are offered on a drop-​in basis, since adults have more unpredictable schedules than children. Your wallet takes a hit with a $ 25 registration fee and then you can buy a class card. Don’t bother with buying the 1 ($ 16 per class) or 5 ($ 14.60 per class) card… although class cards have an expiration date, save the money and buy the 12 class card for $ 126, which comes out to $ 10.50 per class. Who REALLY takes one ballet class a year or once a month? Buy the 12 class card and go once or twice a week. It’s better for you anyway.
I should note that you don’t actually get a card. BalletMet will have your name on file and when you go, you simply let them know that you’re there to take class and they will give you a slip of paper to hand to the teacher. It’s how they count how many classes you’ve used. It saves you the trouble of having to remember to bring anything with you but your body and your dance clothes. Classes are pretty late (7:30pm) and personally, I would have preferred an earlier option.
The facilities are just ok. First, you have to press a button on the intercom to even get into the building (which I didn’t know, and was circling the building like a maniacal vulture), so it’s nice to know they keep track of who enters. Class was in the same studio each time, and while the studio was big, it kind of sucked to have no windows. The mirrors seemed small to me for some reason and the piano was an electric one and difficult to hear. In fact, I found it difficult to hear the teachers as well at times, what with the ventilation noise and such. But good floors and quite spacious.
Loved the teachers (I had Dmitri and George… George is a charming old man with a thick accent who may not demonstrate exercises very clearly, but if you’re advanced you’ll know what he’s talking about and shouldn’t have problems following him. Loved his class though and he’ll find a way to make you feel good about the way you dance; with a pat on the shoulder or a wink of approval). Also, always a pleasure to have Susan Chess as the live accompanist.
All in all, quality instruction but just a little lacking in terms of the facilities themselves. Respectable given the circumstances though… BalletMet does a great job with the resources they have. They just need more money for a building overhaul.