Reliable Chrystie St. Ballet Academy (CSBA) was founded by Melissa Marotto, Founder/Director, in 2006. We have a mission to provide New York City children with a nurturing, professional ballet education that is also accessible. We have three studios today after moving from the original Chrystie St. location in 2017. Our commitment to the Downtown NYC Community and beyond is something we are very proud of. Our students have traveled from the 5 boroughs, Long Island, and New Jersey. At CSBA, we believe that the art of ballet is a great art and should be studied by all. Professional ballet training should not only be for a select few. We teach ballet to children and adults of all ages and abilities. Every student at our NY ballet school is given the opportunity to reach their full potential and is treated individually. Our Ballet 5 staff is devoted to a syllabus that is designed for the systematic development of a strong foundation in classical technique. The levels are a progression of the last level, which allows students to progress at their pace. The primary focus on technique is on proper alignment, positioning, and posture. Through age-appropriate movements in the middle, on the barre, and all over the floor, we develop classical ballet vocabulary, coordination, and musicality. You will not be shocked to hear that we also have a pedagogy that places a high priority on discipline and classroom manners. Confidence, creativity, and appreciation of the arts are encouraged in our classes.
Based on the reviews, Chrystie Street Ballet is a great place to bring the kids in this community. It is rated as the top ballet school, especially for children in the Lower Manhattan area, for good reasons. One parent says the school is one of a kind in the area. Their child, like other kids in the school, loved every weekly class. The teachers and staff got more praise for their caring and sweet nature and the skills acquisition in their children. Another says the school instructors are patient and encouraging to their students while setting high expectations. The performance day is a day to remember for the parents to watch their children show their new moves. In the case where you have two children, the older child would serve as an example to the younger child as a good place to learn ballet. For another, the experience is worth the 15-minute walk from Chinatown. The special days in the school calendar like playing while learning has made it enjoyable for the children. I can say it is a school that has a professional approach to dance while making the learning fun and enjoyable.
