Fierce. Fun. Creative. Bold.

99% of students who try a class choose to enroll at Ballet Fantastique.

"Ballet Fantastique helped me in so many ways! It gave me the skills that I needed to succeed in a professional career in dance, the knowledge needed to teach ballet, the confidence and performance quality demanded of dancers, and a place to call home. Donna's level of instruction is reputable and she really meets each individual student's personal needs for their goals with dance. I cannot thank Ballet Fantastique enough for all that they have given me–the experience and knowledge I gained through my involvement has been priceless.” –Sara Parker, 2006 Academy of Ballet Fantastique graduate (now a University of Utah MFA grad + professional dancer and teacher in Portland, OR)

“The academy is amazing! The classes are taught by the professional dancers in the company, and the classes are small enough to give each child individualized attention. Each teacher is not only an amazing dancer, but a patient and kind instructor. They help the students learn to appreciate the skill and dedication it takes to hone their craft. I am so glad we found this fantastic company - my son has learned so much! –2019 Academy of Ballet Fantastique Parent

Limited Class Size

At Ballet Fantastique, you will benefit from a unique fusion of a large school's training quality within a semi-private training atmosphere (all at a fabulous value). Ballet Fantastique classes are uniquely limited to just 12 students. Why is this important? Because small class sizes are proven to be one of the most important factors to student success. Small class sizes mean that students:

  • Receive more one-on-one interaction with coaches

  • Benefit from the closer relationships with instructors and peers

  • Learn to work as a member of a cohesive group while developing leadership skills

  • Are more likely to develop a positive self-image, participate enthusiastically, and be self-motivated

And small class sizes mean that teachers:

  • Are able to move through material more quickly

  • Have more awareness of the personal goals and challenges of each student, and have more classroom time to address these goals and challenges

SOURCES

  • Hertling, Elizabeth, Courtney Leonard, Linda Lumsden, and Stuart Smith. “Class Size: Can School Districts Capitalize on the Benefits of Smaller Class Sizes?” Policy Report 1 (2000). Clearinghouse on Educational Management

  • Picus, Lawrence O. “Class-Size Reduction: Effects and Relative Costs.” Resource Allocation (2000). Clearinghouse on Educational Policy and Management

Association with the professional Ballet Fantastique Company

You'll be part of the official training school of the professional Ballet Fantastique Company, a Resident Company of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. You'll benefit from professional coaches and mentorship, more professional performance experience, and the fun and inspiration of being immersed in the atmosphere of Ballet Fantastique's critically-acclaimed work to premiere 100% all-original contemporary ballets.

Real Relationships Enhance Learning |Quality Instructors

You'll achieve your highest potential and build confidence through real relationships. Ballet Fantastique was founded in 2000 by mother-daughters team Donna, Hannah, and Ashley Bontrager. We may now be undertaking our first international tours, but the BFan atmosphere remains a family. You'll share the studios with BFan's professional dancers. BFan instructors build real, caring relationships with each student. BFan is engaged and committed, proud of what we do, down-to-earth—and serious about empowering inspired, motivated dancers.

You'll study under teachers who aren't advanced dance students–they're professionals. In fact, not only are they professional dancers, they are also college-educated in dance education with decades of years of combined teaching experience from some of the most renowned teachers and schools in the world. This means that they not only know how to dance–they also know how to work with young people. At Ballet Fantastique, you'll know you'll be learning from a coach who is experienced, committed, detail-oriented, passionate, and accessible.

Beautiful, State-Of-The-Art Downtown Eugene Facilities

BFan's training spaces are gorgeous, vibrant spaces for creativity and learning. Ballet Fantastique has two studios fully equipped with barres, mirrors, and professional sprung dance floors. Our City Center for Dance at 960 Oak Street in downtown Eugene boasts two walls of fourteen-foot windows, double French doors opening into the studio, dressing room, and loft offices. Our Annex studio across the street at 60 E 10th Avenue in dowtown Eugene offers a beautiful studio with french doors and a lobby. Contact us for a tour or trial class today.

Progressive Training Method Coaches for Success

Age-appropriate dance for children (ages 2 and up): Awaken the star in your child! Under the careful watch of our inspiring professional teachers each of Ballet Fantastique's young students develops rhythm, social and performance skills, and self-expression while exploring the joys of dance. Our age-appropriate dance syllabus for children uses concepts to which kids can relate to introduce movements progressively and in a way that makes sense to them. Engaging music from Disney to Chopin, creative projects, and our one-of-a-kind Fairytale Summer Dance Camps make for a warm, inspiring environment.

Professional Division Training Syllabus (beginning at age 7): Some schools don't employ a set training method. At The Academy of Ballet Fantastique, we believe that a proven, progressive syllabus gives our students the clearest technique, the most versatility, and the greatest experience of success—and you can see the difference. Over the past hundred-plus years, the Vaganova Method has trained some of the world's greatest and most well-known dancers, including Anna Pavlova, Svetlana Zakharova, Polina Semionova, Mikhail Baryshnikov, legendary choreographer George Balanchine, and dancers in every respected ballet company in the world. Because Vaganova is more detailed, more intensive, more perfectionist-oriented, dancers who can do Vaganova can do anything (from jazz to Balanchine: you name it!). Our professional coaches teach with fidelity to the Vaganova Syllabus because in our many combined decades of teaching experience, we have seen again and again that it builds the strongest, most confident, injury-free, and artistically-expressive dancers.

Value & Location

We make getting your child to class easy for your family—and fun once you're here! We're located in the heart of downtown Eugene's ever-beautifully changing art and theater district, with parking located conveniently above in the Oak Street Overpark (free on evenings and weekends, and for the first hour). Our parents love browsing shops on Pearl Street, grabbing a coffee at Full City, visiting the public library, or getting some shopping done at the Saturday Market or one of the area grocery stores while their dancers are in class.

Last but not least, we are proud of our value.  We are a much better value than most comparable training programs elsewhere in the U.S., and work with our families to keep our prices and policies affordable. If quality is important to you, you know that you get what you pay for; and at The Academy of Ballet Fantastique, you get small class sizes and personal attention, professional performance opportunities, a real ballet syllabus and professional instructors who know how to train, challenge, and inspire young people, and one of the most beautiful facilities in the state. 99% of students who come in to try a class end up staying with us. Come see the BFan difference for yourself–we think you'll be convinced, too!