Mandy Dray

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BELLEVUE- Classes tonight 12/10

Hello PNBS Bellevue families and students,

We are aware that there is some impactful weather occurring around the Eastside this evening. At this time we will be holding classes this evening as usual. If you are unable to make it to class or don’t feel comfortable driving to get to class due to weather, we understand and will excuse your absence. Please make sure to call and let us know if you are unable to make it so we can excuse you. Everyone stay safe!

*Seattle classes are being held as usual as well.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you!

PNB School Staff

BELLEVUE- Classes tonight 12/102025-12-10T17:19:39-08:00

Creative Dance Boys Class- Parents and Guardians, You’re Invited!!

Hello Creative Dance Boys families,

Ms. Vasser would like to invite you this next week to attend the last 10-15 minutes of your students class to watch a short performance they have prepared! This will be next Tuesday, December 16th during the normal class time.

When you arrive, please sign in at the front desk and get a Parent/Guardian sticker. Please wait in the lobby area and a staff member will walk you back to the studio at 4:45pm.

We hope to see you there! Please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you!

PNB School Staff


Creative Dance Boys Class- Parents and Guardians, You’re Invited!!2025-12-10T11:40:57-08:00

Important! Upcoming Company Productions Featuring Students

Hello PNB Families,

We have four upcoming company productions featuring students from the school. As many of you know, casting for “Cinderella” has just been sent out to families, and we will soon follow with casting for “Momotaro.”

These productions primarily involve students in levels II, III, and IV, with some in levels V and VI. With a few exceptions for more challenging roles, casting decisions are mainly based on height. For productions like “Cinderella,” “Giselle,” and “Firebird,” costumes have already been made, so there are specific height requirements for each role.

Regarding “Momotaro,” there is the role of the “Peaches”, which is intended for level III and IV students. The choreographer has also requested a specific height range for this role.

If your student is not cast, please help them understand that this is due to height and costume requirements, as the children need to appear smaller than the adults on stage. 

Thank you for your support!

Marisa Albee

Principal

Pacific Northwest Ballet School

Important! Upcoming Company Productions Featuring Students2025-12-09T05:51:44-08:00

Give the Gift of PNB School Merchandise!!

Dear PNB School Families,

With the holiday season upon us, we invite you to consider PNB School merchandise for the dancers — and dance lovers — in your life!

From cozy hoodies and PJs to water bottles, tote bags and journals, our school merchandise celebrates the hard work and artistry of our students. Your purchase also helps support the PNB School community throughout the year.

If you’re shopping for gifts that feel meaningful, memorable and connected to dance, we hope you’ll browse our selection and share a little PNB School spirit with your dancer and your loved ones.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season!

Warmly,
PNBS Parent Guardian Association

Give the Gift of PNB School Merchandise!!2025-12-08T07:05:59-08:00

Important!! Level VIII: Excerpts From Swan Lake

Hello Level VIII students and families,

We are excited to share that Level VIII will be performing excerpts from Act II of Swan Lake for our end-of-year school performance.

Swan Lake is a technically demanding ballet, and dancers spend years perfecting their technique and building the strength required for a successful performance.

If you wish to be part of Swan Lake, you must not miss more than two classes per week. Additionally, all classes that require pointe shoes must be taken on pointe. Exceptions may be considered for extreme circumstances.

Swan Lake will be staged during the Level VIII Saturday Rep class, and 100% attendance is expected.

Casting will be posted in early March. Please note that not all dancers will participate in every section of the Swan Lake excerpts. Casting decisions will be based on students’ attendance, stamina, pointe work, and overall ability to execute the choreography.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you!

PNB School Staff

Important!! Level VIII: Excerpts From Swan Lake2025-12-01T13:48:20-08:00

Registration Now Open! Eastside Summer Dance Workshop!

Dear Children’s Division families,

We are happy to announce that registration is now open for our Eastside Summer Dance Workshops!

Students ages 5–7 participate in a week-long workshop session meeting daily at the Francia Russell Center in Bellevue for three hours. Each week-long morning session has a different ballet-related theme (George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, Cinderella, Swan Lake), and afternoon sessions draw creative inspiration from beloved tales of Oz and The Little Mermaid.

Each day includes an hour-long dance class, music class, story, craft project and a break for a snack. Sessions culminate with an informal mini performance featuring choreography relating to that week’s theme and scenery and props created by the students.

Please use the links below to register. Space is limited; classes fill on a first-come, first-served basis.

*Students must turn 5 by July 1, 2026
**Students may sign up for multiple sessions.

We hope to see you this summer!

Morning Sessions

Session 1: Nutcracker, July 6 – 10, 2026 from 9am-12pm

Register for Session 1 Morning

Session 2: Cinderella, July 13 – 17, 2026 from 9am-12pm

Register for Session 2 Morning

Session 3: The Nutcracker, July 20 – July 24, 2026 from 9am-12pm

Register for Session 3 Morning

Session 4: Swan Lake, July 27 – July 31, 2026 from 9am-12pm

Register for Session 4 Morning

Afternoon Sessions

Session 1: The Road to Oz, July 6 – 10, 2026 from 1pm-4pm

Register for Session 1 Afternoon

Session 2: Little Mermaid, July 13 – 17, 2026 from 1pm-4pm

Register for Session 2 Afternoon

Registration Now Open! Eastside Summer Dance Workshop!2025-11-12T16:06:39-08:00

Visiting Summer Course Auditions 2026

Hello PNBS Families,

We are very excited to once again be hosting other ballet schools for their Summer Course auditions this coming January and February of 2026. Below you can find a schedule for those who are visiting.

*Subject to change – Please check individual program’s website for audition time and registration information

Thanks!

PNB School Staff

Visiting Summer Course Auditions 20262025-11-12T13:56:07-08:00

Update: Lobby Snowflake Sign Up!

Hello PNBS Lv VI, VII and VIII students and families,

We wanted to let you know that two new Nutcracker “Meet and Greets,” a free event at The Nutcracker where audience members can meet The Sugar Plum Fairy and other cast in the lobby after the show have been added to the Lobby Snowflake sign-up! We’d like to add some Snowflakes to the mix for more photo-op opportunities and to help us facilitate the Meet and Greets. 

Reminder, only ONE sign up slot per student. If you have not signed up yet to be a Lobby Snowflake and are interested, please click the link below!

Sign up for a lobby shift here: CLICK HERE!

Are all the volunteer slots full? Email pnbschool@pnb.org to be added to the waitlist! 

Thanks!

PNB School Staff

Update: Lobby Snowflake Sign Up!2025-11-12T12:03:47-08:00

Phelps Center Loading Zone Thursday Nov. 13th

Hello PNBS Phelps Center families,

This Thursday, November 13th, there will be a PNB DISCOVER DANCE performance event at McCaw Hall. This event uses school buses to bring families and student performers from local public schools to and from McCaw Hall. We request that you do not park or leave your car unattended in the loading zone along Mercer Street in front of McCaw Hall (east of the Phelps Center) between 4:00-8:15pm in order to keep the load zone clear for buses to safely drop-off and pick-up families. The loading zone west of the Phelps Center (by Cornish Playhouse) should still be available for use.

PNB will have signage and staff in the McCaw Hall load zone on the evening of 11/13 to remind drivers to keep the area clear for buses, as needed. We appreciate your support with this effort as we work towards welcoming DISCOVER DANCE families to an exciting evening at McCaw Hall.

Thank you!

PNB Community Education

Phelps Center Loading Zone Thursday Nov. 13th2025-11-11T10:07:45-08:00

Student Exchange Opportunities For Level VIII and Advanced C

Hello Level VIII and Adv C students and families,

Each year PNB School selects upper level students to participate in established exchanges at two elite ballet schools: Canada’s National Ballet School and Royal Danish Ballet School.

Students chosen for the National Ballet School in Toronto, Ontario participate in the school’s four-week summer program. Established in 1959, NBS is one of the world’s foremost training institutions providing dance training, academic instruction, and residential care on one campus. The summer exchange program was started in 1998 by Francia Russell and NBS artistic director Mavis Staines

Students chosen for the Flemming Halby Dance Student Exchange program between PNB School and the Royal Danish Ballet School, will travel to Copenhagen for the Royal Danish Ballet School’s two-week Apprentice Program. The exchange, made possible by Support from Scan|design Foundation by Inger and Jens Bruun and the Northwest Danish Association, was initiated in 2007 to honor Flemming Halby, longtime PNBS faculty member and former Royal Danish Ballet dancer.

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION FORM: 2026 Summer Exchange Application

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE BY DECEMBER 1st.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SUMMER EXCHANGE SCHOOLS: 2026 Summer Exchange Information

Student Exchange Opportunities For Level VIII and Advanced C2025-11-03T13:44:10-08:00
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