The Conservatory
Pre-Professional Division
Our C-Level Classes
Pre-Professional Division
Ages 8-19
Ms. Theresa Shampine, Artistic Director
Ms. Jacqueline Glass Carroll, Ballet Manager
The Conservatory is a complete, pre-professional classical ballet education serving the needs of the dedicated ballet student. The Conservatory Training Program (CTP) is for students who are focused, driven, and wish to train with hardworking, like-minded peers. Professionalism and excellence is emphasized in a nurturing atmosphere. Students train 2-6 days per week depending on their age and level placement. Auditions are required and class sizes are limited and semi-private. Students must be at least 8 years of age to be considered for placement, and dancers who graduate from our Children’s School are given priority placement in the Conservatory. Our dancers are encouraged to grow artistically and technically on their individual paths; and we strive to instill a sense of intrinsic motivation and self-worth in every child’s mind and heart.
Our upper level Conservatory students are encouraged to attend approved, nationally recognized summer intensives, and guest artists will be brought in house to offer diversified training. Our CTP students have been accepted at prestigious summer intensives including School of American Ballet, Ballet Austin, Royal Ballet, San Franscisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre (NYC), Sarasota Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Charlotte Ballet, Ballet Arizona, The Ailey School(NYC), Ballet 5:8, Cincinnati Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, BalletMet, Milwaukee Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, Washington Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet to name a few. Many have received merit scholarships and have been invited to study in their year-round training programs.
Canton City Ballet
Theodora Dance Conservatory is the official school of the Canton City Ballet. Conservatory students will have the opportunity to grow and perform in essential classical ballet productions and variations, along with original ballet, contemporary, and modern choreography from local and national guest choreographers. Conservatory dancers will perform 4 times per season including The Nutcracker: Land of Sweets our annual Spring Gala Performance .
Level C-I
Eligibility
8+ years old | 2-3 days per week.
By audition only.
Registration for our 2026/2027 season now open for dancers who have been accepted.
Interested new dancers who did not audition in the spring or summer, please email us to find out more information.
Program Offerings
Ballet Technique, Flexibility Training, Classical Variations, & Repertoire are included in the required class schedule.
Intro to Modern Technique is optional. A third Ballet Technique class per week is optional and highly recommended.
Required Class & Repertoire Schedule
Mondays 5:00 - 6:45pm
Wednesdays 5:00 - 7:00pm
Optional Class Schedule
Mondays 7:00 - 7:45pm | Modern with C-II/III
Saturdays 1:00 - 2:30 | Ballet Technique (3rd weekly ballet class)
Annual Tuition for Required Classes
$1,800
Tuition Payment Options for Required Classes
1 Installment: $1,710 (5% discount applied)
10 Installments: $180 per installment (August - May)
Annual Tuition for Optional Classes
$50 per class
Tuition Payment Options per Optional Class
1 Installment: $500
10 Installments: $50 per installment (August - May)
Annual Performances
All C-I artists will have the opportunity to perform 4 times during our 26/27 season. Additional performance fees apply.
Level C-II/III
Eligibility
9+ years old | 3-4 days per week
By audition only.
Registration for our 2026/2027 season now open for dancers who have been accepted.
Interested new dancers who did not audition in the spring or summer, please email us to find out more information.
Program Offerings
Ballet Technique, Flexibility Training, Dance Fitness, Classical Variations, and Repertoire are included in the required class schedule.
Modern Technique and Contemporary are optional classes. A fourth ballet class per week is optional.
Required Class & Repertoire Schedule
Mondays 4:45 - 6:45pm
Wednesdays 5:00 - 7:00pm
Saturdays 10:00 - 1:00 or 2:00pm
Optional Class Schedule
Mondays 7:00 - 7:45pm | Modern
Wednesdays 7:15 - 8:00pm | Contemporary Concurrent enrollment in Modern is required.
Fridays 5:15 - 6:45pm | Ballet Technique (4th weekly ballet class with C-IV/V - Concurrent enrollment in level C-III required.)
Annual Tuition for Required Classes
$2,500
Tuition Payment Options for Required Classes
1 Installment: $2,375 (5% discount applied)
10 Installments: $250 per installment (August - May)
Annual Tuition for Optional Classes
$500 per class
Tuition Payment Options per Optional Class
1 Installment: $500
10 Installments: $50 per installment (August - May)
Annual Performances
All C-II/III artists will have the opportunity to perform 4 times during our 26/27 season. Additional performance fees apply.
Levels C-IV/V
Eligibility
Minimum Age: 11+ years old | 4-5 days per week
By audition only.
Registration for our 2026/2027 season now open for dancers who have been accepted.
Interested new dancers who did not audition in the spring or summer, please email us to find out more information.
Program Offerings
Ballet Technique, Pointe or Pre-pointe, Flexibility Training, Dance Fitness, Classical Variations, Repertoire, & Modern Technique are included in the required class schedule. Contemporary Technique is optional. Musical Theatre Jazz is optional. A fifth ballet class per week is optional.
Required Class Schedule
Mondays 5:00 - 9:00pm
Wednesdays 5:00 - 7:30pm
Fridays 5:15 - 7:30pm
Saturdays 10:00 - 12:00pm
Repertoire Schedule (varies weekly)
Fridays 7:30 - 8:30pm
Saturdays 12:30 - 3:00 or 4:00pm
Optional Class Schedule
Wednesdays 7:30 - 8:45 | Contemporary
Fridays 3:45 - 5:00 | Musical Theatre Jazz
Thursdays 5:00 - 6:45 | Ballet Technique (5th weekly ballet class with C-VI/VII - Concurrent enrollment in C-V required.)
Annual Tuition
$3,600
Tuition Payment Options for Required Class Schedule
1 Installment: $3,420 (5% discount applied)
10 Installments: $360 per installment (August - May)
Annual Tuition for Optional Classes
$500 per class
Payment Options per Optional Classes
1 Installment: $500
10 Installments: $50 per installment (August - May)
Annual Performances
All C-III/IV artists will have the opportunity to perform 4 times during our 25/26 season. Additional performance fees apply.
Level C-VI/VII
Eligibility
13+ years old | 5-6 days per week
By audition only.
Registration for our 2026/2027 season now open for dancers who have been accepted.
Interested new dancers who did not audition in the spring or summer, please email us to find out more information.
Program Offerings
Ballet Technique, Pointe, Allegro & Pirouette Class, Flexibility Training & Body Conditions, Classical Variations, Repertoire, & Modern Technique are included in the required class schedule. Contemporary and Musical Theater Jazz are optional.
Required Class Schedule
Mondays 5:00 - 9:00pm
Tuesdays 5:00 - 7:45pm
Wednesdays 5:00 - 7:30pm
Thursdays 5:00 - 8:00pm
Saturdays 10:00 - 12:00pm
Repertoire Schedule (varies weekly)
Tuesdays 7:45 - 8:45pm
Thursdays 8:00 - 9:00pm
Saturdays 12:30 - 4:00pm
Optional Class Schedule
Wednesdays 7:30 - 8:45 | Contemporary
Fridays 3:45 - 5:00 | Musical Theater Jazz
Annual Tuition for Required Class & Repertoire Schedule
$4,200
Tuition Payment Options for Required Class & Repertoire
1 Installment: $3,990 (5% discount applied)
10 Installments: $420 per installment (August - May)
Annual Tuition for Optional Classes
$500
Payment Options per Optional Classes
1 Installment: $500 per optional class
10 Installments: $50 per optional class (August - May)
Annual Performances
All C-VI/VII artists will have the opportunity to perform 4 times during our 26/27 season. Additional performance fees apply.
Emerging Artist Scholarship Program
Eligibility
Students enrolled in C-VI/VII. Age 14+.
By invitation only.
Program Offerings
Additional daytime classical ballet and contemporary training for the aspiring professional concert dancer. This program provides additional access to training in complex movement and virtuoso skills, along with exploring individual artistry and refining movement quality. This program augments the student’s required Conservatory Training Program classes and encourages accelerated personal artistic and technical growth, allowing the student to train up to 30 hours per week. Artists will have the opportunity to work with resident and guest choreographers to further their performance skills and explore different movement styles, while beginning to hone their own creative voices.
Day Time Class & Repertoire Schedule
Wednesday 12:00 - 3:30pm
Fridays 12:00 - 3:30pm
Annual Tuition
$1,000
Payment Options for Emerging Artist Program
1 Installment: $1000
10 Installments: $100 per installment (August - May)