Academy Newsletter: October 2026

Starting in October, the Otto M. Budig Academy invites new students of all ages to try their first class for FREE! Do you have a friend, neighbor, classmate, or colleague who is interested in dance training at Cincinnati Ballet? Invite them to visit the link below for details or to sign up today!

Whether you're spreading the word to your own communities or building a friendly and inviting space at the Center for Dance, thank you for being incredible ambassadors as we continue to grow the Cincinnati Ballet family this season!

The Otto M. Budig Academy welcomed our tenth Professional Training Division class to the studio earlier this fall.

This year’s class represents 13 different states and includes returning Trainees alongside new dancers, joining us from our Summer and Collegiate Intensives and our national audition tour. Today, we’re pleased to officially introduce our 2026-2027 Professional Training Division class to you all!

2026-2027 Trainees: Ryan Andrews, Naomi Baldwin, Aria Bert, Sarah Beth Burt, Melissa Dill, Ava Evans, Ciara Farley, Devdan Ferguson, Lena Garcia, Lauren Garner, Taylor Johnson, Dulcianna Jonak, Madeline Kruse, Mary Elizabeth Kurek, Rebecca LaSalle, Aislin McCall, Makeda Mitchell, Hollie Montgomery, Evelyn Nelson, Lauren Palmer, Hope Pisarczyk, Valenthina Reyes, Rebecka Rundkvist, Emma Rypka, Lillian Toth, and Lucy Webb.

Thank you to all who came out to see our Professional Training Division Fall Studio Showcase this past weekend! We look forward to seeing them on stage again soon!

Three new part-time faculty have joined our team this year. While many of you have already had the chance to share the studio with these talented teachers, we’re excited to give them a proper introduction in this month’s newsletter.

Erin Foltz is a graduate of NKU and has been a dance instructor and choreographer in the greater Cincinnati area for over a decade. She has taught dancers from ages 3 to 18, across a variety of genres, and is glad to join the faculty at Cincinnati Ballet this season!

Sarah Ford Thompson performed professionally with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in Chicago, IL, was teaching faculty at Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Chicago, and Hyde Park School of Dance, and served as the Dance Department Head at The Chicago High School for the Arts. Sarah is excited to bring her passion for dance education to Cincinnati Ballet!

Mary Lynn Majors trained at Milwaukee Ballet School and other renowned schools across the country before graduating from Cincinnati Ballet's Otto M. Budig Academy. She served as a teacher assistant during her time at Cincinnati Ballet and later became year-round faculty at ballet schools in St. Louis. Mary Lynn is excited to continue inspiring and training the next generation at a ballet school that holds a special place in her heart.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to these new instructors!

At the end of September, our CB Moves dancers kicked off their fall classes at the Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance. CB Moves is Cincinnati Ballet’s adaptive dance program, designed to foster a love of dance and creative expression for individuals with specific needs.

Visit the link below to learn more!

We’re grateful for your thoughtful care and consideration in creating a welcoming and accessible environment for all our families! Please be mindful of wheelchairs and mobility aids in the parent and student lounges, help keep the Student Lounge a calm space while classes are underway in the Budig Studio, and above all, extend a warm welcome to all our CB Moves families as this program continues to grow and thrive.

Academy Closure
Saturday, October 10, 2026

Don’t forget! There are no Academy classes this Saturday, October 10, due to road closures for the Queen Bee Half Marathon. Please note that afternoon rehearsals for Young Performers and the Student Performance Ensemble may still occur, so dancers engaged in those programs should consult their schedules.

Academy Fall Break
October 26 – November 1, 2026

Later this month is the Academy's Fall Break from October 26-November 1. During the break, there are no classes in our Children’s, Preparatory, Young Dancer, or Advanced Divisions, or in our Open Electives classes. Please note that Professional Training Division, CB Moves, and Adult Dance + Fitness classes will continue as scheduled during Fall Break, and Young Performers Cast rehearsals continue for any students involved in upcoming productions. The Administrative Office will also remain open that week during regular business hours and can be reached at cbacademy@cballet.org or 513.562.1111.

We’re excited to welcome our 2026–2027 CincyDance! Scholars and their families to Kickoff Connections this week! These gatherings are a chance to start the season feeling connected and prepared, learn more about the resources and support available to you, and get to know CincyDance! Coordinator Kimberley Stewart, who will be a resource and point of connection throughout the year.

Please plan to stop by with your family during one of the following times:

Monday, October 5: Any time between 4:00 and 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, October 6: Any time between 4:00 and 6:45 p.m.

Location:
Cincinnati Ballet’s Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance
Cynthia Henderson and Keke Sansalone Board Room, Ground Floor

LIVE! In Concert with Over the Rhine and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
November 6-7, 2026
Music Hall

Where The River Bends: LIVE! celebrates the music of Over the Rhine, the sound of the CSO, and the artistry of Cincinnati Ballet; a powerful reminder of how the arts bring Cincinnati together. These new creations will be choreographed by Young Soon Hue, David Morse, and Kenneth Tindall. This larger-than-life program offers a powerful, immersive performance experience that you won’t want to miss.