Where Excellence Comes First
Celebrating Our 41st Anniversary!
Kristin Degnan Boonin and her late husband, Peter Degnan, established the Degnan Ballet Center (DBC) in 1983 as a school of classical ballet.
Ballet Curriculum
The training of DBC students is conducted from the classical tradition of Russia’s Kirov Ballet. This regimen nurtures the individually paced progress of students beginning with pre-ballet and progressing through seven levels of classical dance training from beginner through intermediate to advanced. This approach is designed to cultivate a healthy self-esteem, personal and artistic maturity, and develops sound technique in support of achieving an authentic aesthetic vision. The appropriate curricular level for each dancer is determined by the faculty of DBC.
Faculty
The primary instructors of the Degnan Ballet Center are past members of the Artistic Staff of Ballet Northeast. Biographical information on these talented professionals is available under the Faculty and Staff section of the website. Various professional artists teach master classes throughout the academic year. This guest faculty includes members of major ballet companies, professionals in the industry as well as university professors.
Master classes with be advertised as they become available and are open to both Conservatory students and the community.
Prospective Students
New students are welcome to tour the beautiful studios and facilities located in the Darte Center on the campus of Wilkes University, observe a class or take a complimentary placement class in order to become acquainted with our school. These arrangements can be made by contacting the Conservatory office at 570.408.4426. All new students must participate in a placement class to assure the student be enrolled in the appropriate level for proper growth and development.
Attire
Ballet Class attire for ladies is pink tights and black leotard with pink ballet slippers. There is a specific black leotard and a white alignment belt that has been designated as the Degnan Ballet Center uniform. Please contact the Conservatory Coordinator for uniform information at 570.408.4426. Hair must be pulled back into a bun unless the hairstyle is very short. Gentlemen are to wear black tights and a white T-shirt with black or white ballet slippers.
| Type | Tuition |
|---|---|
| 1 class per week for each five week sessions | $100 |
| 2 classes per week for each five week sessions | $160 |
| 3 classes per week for each five week sessions | $210 |
| 4 classes per week for each five week sessions | $230 |
| Variations | 1 class per week for each five week session | $75 |
| Charge per single class or Master Class | $30 |
| Registration Fee (paid once for entire Aug. - June season) | $30 |
Class Requirements
Ballet C - two (2) classes per week
Ballet D,E,F - three (3) classes per week
Ballet G - (3 or 4) technique classes per week
**A Master Class or Variations class may NOT be substituted for a REQUIRED ballet technique class
Checks must be made payable to Wilkes University
A $25 surcharge may be added to any overdue tuition payment after the second week of the session has begun.
2024-25 Season Sessions
- Session 1: August 19 to September 22
- Session 2: September 23 to October 27
- Session 3: October 28 to December 1
- Session 4: December 2 to January 19
- Session 5: January 20 to February 23
- Session 6: February 24 to March 30
- Session 7: March 31 to May 11
- Session 8: May 12 to June 15
Recesses
- Labor Day: Monday, September 2 (1 day)
- Thanksgiving Recess: Thursday-Sunday, November 28 to December 1 (4 days)
- Winter Recess: Tuesday- Monday, December 23-January 5 (14 days)
- Martin Luther King Day: Monday, January 20 (1 day)
- Spring Recess: Monday- Sunday, April 14 to April 20 (7 days)
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 26 (1 day)