This holiday season, we are especially grateful to have you as part of our Academy family and we look forward to celebrating the dawn of a new year with you as we welcome 2022. Read on for more information about all the exciting things December will bring, plus a sneak preview of things to come in the year ahead.

Family Observation kicks off this week and we can't wait to offer you an inside peek into your student’s Academy classes! As announced last month, our fall observation will be held virtually so families can safely observe from the comfort of home.

This week, December 6-11, is observation week for our Preparatory, Community, Young Dancer, and Advanced Divisions. Families were emailed a class schedule and Zoom link details last week - if you’ve misplaced that email, please reach out as early as possible so we can get you connected.

Next week, December 13-18, is observation week for all Children’s Division classes. Look for an email with Zoom links later this week.

We look forward to “seeing” you online and sharing class with you!

The Academy staff and faculty extend a huge round of applause to all of our incredible young performers in yesterday's The Academy Nutcracker Suite! We are so proud of what you accomplished and for the countless hours you invested. You put on a wonderful show here at the Center for Dance and helped everyone kick off the holiday season in the most magical way. 

Also, thank you to the many families who volunteered their time and talent to make these performances possible and to the many more who joined us both in person and virtually to celebrate our dancers!

Our First Class Free offer continues through December. As we welcome new students to the studio, we also invite currently enrolled students to explore a new dance style with a free single-session class in an elective offering. Sign up today at the link below.

This offer extends to new adult students too! Join us for a complimentary class in any one of our Adult Dance and Fitness classes at the Valentine Center for Dance. Sign up today at the link below.

The dates are set for Cincinnati Ballet's Summer and Collegiate Intensives!

Summer Intensive and Collegiate Intensive 2022
June 20 - July 29, 2022

Click on the video above to learn more or visit our summer programs webpage for intensive information. Program details for our Youth Summer Intensive and Kids Dance Camp will be available in early 2022.

While summer training may be months away, summer audition season begins in January!

This season, Otto M. Budig Academy students interested in attending Cincinnati Ballet's Summer Intensive do not need to audition. Information regarding summer program options and opportunities will be sent to eligible students at a later date.  

It's not too late to register! Ward off the winter blues with Cincinnati Ballet! We’re thrilled to announce the return this holiday season of Winter Dance Camp, December 27-29, 2021, for dancers ages 5-8. Students will chassé through the season with three days of games, crafts, and magical wintry tunes.

Young Performers Auditions for Cinderella and Family Series: Snow White will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022. Interested families should note that dancers must be at least 8 years old and fully vaccinated by the day of the audition to be eligible. We look forward to seeing some of our younger dancers onstage with Cincinnati Ballet's Company dancers again in the second half of the season! Visit the link below for more information about times and eligibility and to register online. Questions? Please contact Wynn White at wwhite@cballet.org. 

As we prepare to head into Winter Break, our faculty is hard out work on mid-year evaluations for many of our students. Students in the Preparatory, Young Dancer, and Advanced Divisions will be sent evaluations via email in mid-December, so keep an eye on your inboxes! We look forward to recognizing student progress and providing constructive insight in areas for them to focus on as we look forward to the second half of the year.

Children’s, Preparatory, Community, Young Dancer, and Advanced Divisions:
There are no classes from December 20, 2021 through January 2, 2022. Classes will resume as normally scheduled the week of January 3rd, 2022. 

CB Moves Youth Classes:
There are no classes from December 12, 2021 through January 9, 2022, with classes resuming the week of January 10th, 2022. Please note the lift pilot class will continue on December 16, 2021.

Adult Dance and Fitness:
 Classes will run as normally scheduled during the Academy break with a few exceptions: no classes will be held on December 24, December 25, December 31, January 1.

We hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved break!

We’ve reached winter weather season once again!

You can find weather-related class updates via the following channels:
- Cincinnati Ballet Website (on the For Academy Parents webpage)
- Notifications via Remind

Should severe weather occur or be imminent, we encourage you to check in frequently throughout the day, as class status may change pending information from our trusted sources. If the Academy ever remains open during winter weather and you feel it is unsafe to send your student, please contact us through the usual attendance reporting channels, and your student's absence will be excused.

December 6 - 11: Virtual Family Observation Week (Preparatory, Young Dancer, Community, and Advanced Divisions)

December 13 - 18: Virtual Family Observation Week (Children's Division)

December 12 - January 9: CB Moves Winter Break

December 16 - 26: Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker

December 20 - January 2: Academy Winter Break

December 27 - January 2: PTD Winter Break

December 27 - 29: Winter Dance Camp

January 3: Tuition payment due (4 & 8 installment plan)

January 3: Academy classes resume

While Spring Production is still months away, we’ll begin preparing for our end of year performances very soon. Teachers will start using class time to teach choreography early in 2022, and much more information will follow to help you get ready for this exciting milestone in our Academy year.

Children’s Division Costume Measurements:
Students in Creative Dance and Pre Ballet classes, the first Spring Production action item will be for you. Look for an email within the month about taking and submitting costume measurements. 

Join us December 16-26 at Music Hall for the magic of The Nutcracker, Cincinnati’s favorite holiday tradition, with sparkling choreography, awe-inspiring sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. Follow Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and a fantastic cast of characters on a grand adventure to the Land of Sweets. Dozens of young performers join Cincinnati Ballet onstage for these holiday performances. It’s a spectacular holiday treat for the entire family!

OTTO M. BUDIG ACADEMY  |  1801 Gilbert Avenue | cbacademy@cballet.org  |  513.562.1111