A.V.A. Ballet Theatre Summer Dance Camp

Guest Professional Instructor Ballet West’s Heather Thackeray

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre will be holding its annual summer dance camp June 22– June 26, 2026. This dance camp is designed for students ages 10 years of age and older who have had previous ballet training. The dance camp includes instruction in ballet and pointe variations.

Explore and refine your ballet abilities with A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s essential daily workshops. Designed for a beginner to advanced ballet student, daily workshops will give you a glimpse of what it is like to train exclusively with a professional dancer. Each level is designed to teach ballet technique, performance choreography, and contemporary dance.

Heather Thackeray was named Ballet West Campus Principal in July 2020; prior Ms. Thackeray served as the Ballet West Student Ballet Master and Academy Artistic Liaison. Ms. Thackeray has enjoyed over three decades of association with Ballet West. Her first experience with the company was as a child performer in The Nutcracker. She became a student in the Ballet West Academy, and then accepted a contract to join the company in 1991. Toward the end of her performing career, Ms. Thackeray transitioned to the artistic staff as the assistant to the artistic director. She is a well-respected master teacher and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Utah.

Dance camp classes are held Monday through Friday at the Conservatory of Movement 73 West Plumb Lane - Reno, Nevada. Students ages 10 to 14 will learn ballet technique and choreography. The afternoon session is for advanced students and includes ballet technique and pointe/variations. Parents are invited to the last day of class to observe and meet the instructor.

Monday June 22nd through Friday June 26th

10:00am – 11:30am – 10-14 years of age (Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5)

Noon – 2;30pm 13+ years of age (Majors) – En Pointe

Please check level you will be attending

___Level I session $250 - $10 Off If Paid By May 1st    

___Level II session $300 - $10 Off If Paid By May 1st   

A single drop-in fee is $70 and only available for the senior/advanced dancers (Level II)




Send checks to A.V.A. Ballet Theatre - 73 W. Plumb Lane Reno, Nevada 89509

                                          

Thank you to all of our dancers for a spectacular Swan Lake. It was a very special weekend and you should all be very proud!

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                                                Sleeping Beauty Auditions

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre will hold open auditions for its upcoming production of Sleeping Beauty, a classic favorite choreographed by artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne. 

Auditions will be held Sunday, May 31, 2026 at the Conservatory of Movement 73 West Plumb Lane, Reno, Nevada 89509 Auditions will be held at the following times:

9 and 10 years of age – 11:00am to 11:30am
11 and 12 years of age – 11:30am to Noon
13 and 14 years of age – Noon to 12:30pm
Corps de ballet (Must be en pointe) 12:30pm to 1:15pm

$20.00 Audition fee per person

Rehearsals will begin the first of August for Sleeping Beauty.

 Sleeping Beauty will be performed at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts September 19th and 20th with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra.

For more information please contact (775) 762-5165.