Toledo Ballet Announces Summer 2023 Dance Programs 

TOLEDO, OH – Toledo Ballet announced its 2023 summer programs for students ages 4 and above and all ability levels. Toledo Ballet’s summer offerings include two summer dance intensives for intermediate and advanced students, a themed workshop, dance camps for young dancers ages 4-8, and regularly scheduled classes. Registration is available now to both Toledo Ballet and non-Toledo Ballet dancers by calling 419.471.0049 or visiting toledoballet.com.  

“I’m excited to welcome two of my colleagues, Kelby Brown and Allison Walsh, to work with Toledo Ballet’s intermediate and advanced students for two week-long intensives,” says Eric Otto, Toledo Ballet Artistic Director and Head of Curriculum. “Both of these guest artists have a wide breadth of knowledge and experience in all genres of dance, have had incredible careers in both ballet and on Broadway, and I know our students are going to learn so much working with them.” 

Toledo Ballet Summer Intensives will include classical ballet, contemporary ballet, musical theater, pointe, variations, health and wellness seminars including injury prevention, and professional mentorship discussions. Classes will meet daily from approximately 9:30-3:30. Students in both levels will have the opportunity to work with the Guest Artist each day. Tuition: $450 per week. Discounts are available for those that register for both sessions.  

Kelby Brown is an ABT Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training in Pre-primary through Level 6, 7 and Partnering of the ABT National Training Curriculum. Kelby received his early training at the Pelagie Green Wren Academy of Dance and the Alexandra School of Ballet in St. Louis, Missouri. He went on to study at Walnut Hill School of the Arts (Newton, MA) and received a full scholarship to continue his professional training at the School of American Ballet, the official School of the New York City Ballet. Kelby has taught and partnered with the School of American Ballet as a National Visiting Fellow and serves on the Alumni Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.  As a performer and classically trained dancer, he has performed with State Ballet of Missouri, Ballet Chicago, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pacific NW Ballet, and Los Angeles Ballet. He danced featured roles on some of the most notable stages including The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center and the Los Angeles Opera. As a commercial dancer he has performed with Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Usher and Cirque du Soleil’s, Mystère. As a Choreographer, he has worked with Justin Timberlake (for the Kids Choice Awards) and MTV’s Awkward, and Warner Brothers Spring Breakdown. As a dance educator, Kelby has held faculty positions at some of the most respected institutions in America including American Ballet Theater, Alvin Ailey, Joffrey Ballet, and Pace University. Kelby continues to teach and inspire and is noted as a memorable influence in the dance community. 

June 12-16: Intensive 1 with Kelby Brown   
Monday-Friday | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM 
Levels 2.5+ 
Tuition: $450 

Allison Walsh is a bicultural and multi-disciplinary artist and performer with 20 years of professional experience that includes starring roles on Broadway, a soloist career with Joffrey Ballet, touring across the US and Europe, and working with world-renowned artists. After her first professional decade as a soloist with the Joffrey Ballet and BalletX, Allison starred as Lise Dassin in the First National Tour of Christopher Wheeldon's An American in Paris, and originated a role from workshop to the Original Broadway Cast. She then originated the role of Odette/Olga Romanov in the new musical Anastasia and recorded her second Broadway Cast Album. Using her dance background, she appeared in all episodes of the Starz Limited Series “Flesh and Bone.”  She has collaborated with artists at the White House, Tony Awards, Whitney Biennial, and Guggenheim Museum.   

She is currently the Production Consultant with Planet Bouie and proud Artist Ambassador for Creatives Care, which supports the future of the arts by helping artists access affordable, high-quality mental healthcare. 

June 19-23: Intensive 2 with Allison Walsh   
Monday-Friday | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM 
Levels 2.5+ 
Tuition: $450 

Artistic Director and Head of Curriculum Eric Otto will lead an “Introduction to Sleepy Hollow” workshop from Monday, August 14 through Saturday, August 19. Students will learn choreography which will be presented at the Toledo Symphony’s annual Halloween Spooktacular Concert in October at the Valentine Theatre.  

August 14-9: Introduction to Sleepy Hollow with Eric Otto 
Monday – Friday | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM; Saturday | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
Levels: 2.5+ 
Tuition: $350 

In addition to Summer Intensives, Toledo Ballet will also offer a series of three Summer Dance Camps for students ages 4-12. Each camp features a different theme through which participants will explore movement, characters, feelings, emotions, and more. “Toledo Ballet’s Summer Camps give young children the opportunity to grow their confidence and explore a variety of dance genres through the guidance of highly experienced teachers,” says Rachel Schultz, Vice President for Education & Community Engagement for the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts. “These week-long camps are a great way to introduce little ones to the world of dance, expand their knowledge, and have fun!” 

NUTCRACKER EXPLORATION CAMP (AGES 7-12) 

Students will learn about the story of the Nutcracker and Mouse King, its characters, and choreography from The Nutcracker. Campers will prepare a mini performance of Nutcracker moments to be presented at the end of the week for friends and family. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing with a solid-colored top and ballet slippers or socks with a sticky bottom.   

Nutcracker Exploration Camp 
Monday, June 26 – Friday, June 30 
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM 
Tuition: $185 
Instructor: Kim Strole 

DANCE DISCOVERY CAMP (AGES 4-5)  

Students in this level will enjoy a Pre-Primary ballet class each day plus story time, a craft, and a mini performance at week's end. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing with a solid-colored top and ballet slippers or socks with a sticky bottom.   

DANCE EXPLORER CAMP (AGES 6-8)  

In addition to a Classical Ballet class, each day will bring a new experience in a different dance genre including jazz, hip hop and more. Craft and story time will round out the experience, culminating in an in-studio demonstration for family members on the last day. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing with a solid-colored top and ballet slippers or socks with a sticky bottom.  

Registration for all Intensives, Workshops, and Dance Camps is now open online at toledoballet.com. For more information, call Toledo Ballet’s administrative office at 419.471.0049 or email toledoballet@artstoledo.com.  

General summer classes are available throughout the summer for dancers of all ages and ability levels interested in exploring classes in ballet, jazz, tap, and more. Toledo Ballet’s Summer Session will run from Sunday, June 25 through Saturday, August 5. Registration will open May 1.  

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ABOUT TOLEDO BALLET 

Toledo Ballet is a pre-professional program that inspires the passions and spirit of the Toledo community through dance. Toledo Ballet provides quality dance instruction and exceptional performance opportunities to over 250 students throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan annually. Eric Otto currently serves as Artistic Director and Head of Curriculum at Toledo Ballet.  

Founded in 1939 by Marie Bollinger Vogt, Toledo Ballet continues to offer quality dance education spanning all ages and ability levels. Classes include ballet, contemporary, tap, tumbling, and Adaptive Dance, a unique class providing those with special needs an opportunity to learn to move in ways that come naturally to them. Acting, voice, musical theater, and conditioning are also offered at the school. In addition, Toledo Ballet brings in world-renowned, professional dancers each year to lead its summer intensive programs, drawing students from across the region seeking to advance their skills.  

Toledo Ballet students have competed at the national and international level, including the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP), the world’s largest international student ballet competition, and many have pursued dance professionally at some of the most prestigious ballet institutions in the nation, including New York City Ballet, Chicago Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet.  

On January 1, 2019, the Toledo Ballet and Toledo Symphony officially merged to form the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), a new non-profit organization dedicated to providing exceptional live music and dance performances and education for the region. Stemming from an 81-year partnership and annual presentation of The Nutcracker in Toledo, this merger is one of only a few in the nation and promises to create new and invigorating programs, provide cost and revenue synergies in operations, and integrate the arts through shared educational missions.