Cincinnati Ballet

What Cincinnati Ballet does

Cincinnati Ballet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional ballet company founded in 1959, headquartered in the Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance (opened 2021) in Cincinnati, Ohio. The organization operates the Otto M. Budig Academy — its official training school — alongside the performing Company and a Second Company (CB2), producing a Main Stage season across the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Cincinnati Music Hall. Repertoire spans classical works (The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet), world premieres (including the 2025-2026 North American premiere of Septime Webre's The Great Gatsby), and contemporary commissions through the Kaplan New Works Series.

The Company generates revenue across five streams: subscription and single-ticket performance sales (3-, 4-, and 5-show packages with up to 25% savings), Academy tuition ranging from $675 (Children's Division) to $5,995 (Advanced Division A) per year, summer program fees ranging from $295 (Kids Dance Camp) to $3,735 (6-week Summer Intensive), adult drop-in dance/fitness classes at $19 per class on the Mindbody platform, and philanthropic contributions including a flagship relationship with the Valentine family. The training pipeline runs from CincyDance! (free in-school PreK and 2nd-grade residencies in greater Cincinnati) through Children's, Preparatory, Young Dancer, Advanced, and Professional Training Divisions, with 30 trainees in the 2025-2026 Professional Training cohort.

Beyond performance and education, Cincinnati Ballet operates adaptive dance under CB Moves (developed with Cincinnati Children's Hospital, covering youth disabilities, Parkinson's via Dance for PD methodology, and adults in partnership with The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation), sensory-friendly performances, K-12 student matinees, and the Prélude collaboration with the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra. Strategic alliances span the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Collegiate Intensive), Northern Kentucky University (Summer Resident housing), the National Summer Intensive Audition Tour (15-school recruiting consortium), Beacon Orthopaedics (sports medicine), and the Ohio Arts Council, while studio and production rentals monetize the Valentine Center facility beyond programming.

Name

Cincinnati Ballet

Legal name

Cincinnati Ballet

Website

https://cballet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cincinnati Ballet is a Cincinnati-based non-profit professional ballet company and school (founded 1959) that runs a Main Stage subscription season across two venues, an Academy training pipeline from children's through professional levels, summer intensive programs, adaptive dance offerings, and adult fitness classes funded by ticket sales, tuition, and philanthropy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts — Ballet

NAICS

Dance Companies (71112), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical Ballet (Full-Length & Repertoire) (MPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Dance Theatre (Narrative/Experimental) (MPAGADAC), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Professional ballet performances
• Pre-professional dance training
• Summer intensive programs
• Adaptive dance education
• Community dance engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Main Stage Performance Tickets: Revenue from single tickets and subscription packages for professional ballet performances including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, and world premieres at Aronoff Center and Music Hall venues
2. Academy Tuition: Year-round pre-professional ballet training programs including Children's Division, Preparatory Division, Young Dancer Division, Advanced Division, and Professional Training Division. Tuition ranges from $675 to $5,995 per Academy Year
3. Summer Intensive Programs: Summer programs including Summer Intensive (ages 12+, $3,735 for 6 weeks), Youth Summer Intensive (ages 9-14, $2,080 for 4 weeks), Collegiate Intensive (ages 18+), Kids Dance Camp ($295/week), and Variations Workshop ($395)
4. Adult Dance and Fitness Classes: Drop-in adult dance and fitness classes including Ballet Basics, Barre Fitness, Cardio Kickboxing, Contemporary, Modern, Street Dance, Yoga, Pilates Mat. Single class $19, with multi-class passes reducing to $13/class for 15-pack
5. Donations and Philanthropy: Charitable contributions supporting dancers, Academy, and community engagement programs. Includes Legacy Giving and Signature Events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cincinnati Ballet is a professional ballet company that produces and performs classical and contemporary ballet productions at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall venues. It operates the Otto M. Budig Academy, offering year-round pre-professional ballet training across multiple age divisions, plus summer intensives, adult dance and fitness classes, and adaptive dance programs for individuals with disabilities.

Product overview

Cincinnati Ballet is a professional ballet company offering a comprehensive portfolio of performing arts and dance education products. The core offerings include Main Stage Performances at major Cincinnati venues featuring classical ballets (The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet), world premieres (The Great Gatsby), and contemporary works. The Otto M. Budig Academy provides structured pre-professional training through Children's, Preparatory, Young Dancer, Advanced, and Professional Training Divisions, plus Master Class Series. Summer programming includes Summer Intensive (ages 12+), Collegiate Intensive (in partnership with UC-CCM, ages 18+), Youth Summer Intensive (ages 9-14), Summer Dance Workshop, Kids Dance Camp, and Variations Workshop, with optional on-campus housing through the Summer Resident Program. Adult offerings include drop-in dance and fitness classes and an Adult Weekend Intensive. Community engagement programs include CB Moves (adaptive dance for youth with disabilities, Parkinson's, and adults), CincyDance! (in-school residencies), sensory-friendly performances, and student matinees. The Company also operates Second Company (CB2) and an e-commerce store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Stage Performances Professional ballet productions presented throughout the season at venues including Aronoff Center for the Arts and Cincinnati Music Hall, featuring classical ballets, world premieres, and contemporary works.
• Subscription Packages Season subscription packages offering 3, 4, or 5-show options with savings up to 25% off single ticket prices, including priority access, free ticket exchanges, and exclusive subscriber events. URLs for 2026-27 season.
• Otto M. Budig Academy The official school of Cincinnati Ballet offering pre-professional ballet training through Children's, Preparatory, Young Dancer, Advanced, and Professional Training Divisions. Includes Open Electives and Master Class Series.
• Summer Intensive Six-week immersive summer training program for aspiring professional dancers ages 12+, with full-day training, world-class faculty, and performance opportunities. Three-week sessions also available. Tuition is $3,735 for 6 weeks.
• Collegiate Intensive Six-week intensive produced in partnership with University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) for dancers ages 18+ pursuing higher education. Focuses on technique, versatility, and dance-related career pathways.
• Youth Summer Intensive Summer training program for young dancers ages 9-14 with three divisions based on skill level. Features daily ballet technique, exposure to other dance disciplines, and specialty workshops. Tuition is $2,080 for 4 weeks.
• Summer Dance Workshop One-week summer dance experience for young dancers ages 8-11 with at least one year of formal ballet training. Includes daily ballet technique and exposure to diverse dance disciplines.
• Kids Dance Camp Creative exploration of dance, music, and art through story-based themes for students ages 4-8. Integrates dance, visual art, choreography, and music with no prior experience required. $295/week.
• Variations Workshop One-week workshop for dancers ages 11+ focused on classical solo variations. Supports dancers preparing for competitions, intensives, or those seeking to expand their repertoire and artistry. $395.
• Summer Resident Program On-campus housing program for Summer and Collegiate Intensive participants from outside the Cincinnati area, hosted at Northern Kentucky University. Includes suite-style housing, meals, and transportation.
• Adult Dance and Fitness Classes Drop-in dance and fitness classes for adults ages 16+ including Ballet Basics, Barre Fitness, Cardio Kickboxing, Conditioning, Contemporary, Intermediate Ballet, Modern, Pre-Intermediate Ballet, Street Dance, The VM Workout, Yoga, and Pilates Mat. Single class $19; 15-pack $13/class.
• Adult Weekend Intensive Specialized summer training weekend for adult dancers ages 18+ with minimum two years ballet experience. Led by resident faculty with ballet technique, modern, contemporary, and skills workshops.
• CincyDance! Cornerstone education program offering in-school dance residencies for PreK and 2nd grade students across greater Cincinnati. Includes classroom visits, virtual residency options, and scholarship pathways to the Academy. Free to participating schools.
• CB Moves Program Adaptive dance program for individuals with specific needs, including CB Moves Youth (ages 4-18 with disabilities), CB Moves for Parkinson's, and CB Moves for Adults. Developed in collaboration with Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
• Sensory-Friendly Performances Modified performances accommodating children, families, and adults with sensory sensitivities. Features half-brightness house lights, open entry/exit, quiet lobby areas, and trained staff and volunteers.
• Student Matinees Morning performances designed for school groups supporting interdisciplinary learning. Includes classroom resources and curriculum alignment for K-12 students.
• Professional Training Division Elite pre-professional training program for students transitioning to professional dance careers. Features approximately 25 hours weekly of training, performance opportunities with CB2 and Company, and career mentorship.
• Second Company (CB2) Cincinnati Ballet's Second Company providing performance opportunities for advanced students and emerging professionals, featured in Family Series productions and independent performances.
• Online Store E-commerce store powered by Square selling merchandise, apparel, and dance-related products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves thousands of area youth annually through community engagement programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Over the RhineflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCritically acclaimed Cincinnati-based band led by Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist. Collaborates with Cincinnati Ballet and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for LIVE! performance, tying city's history, community, and musical sensibilities into a one-of-a-kind performance.
• Cincinnati Symphony OrchestraflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLive orchestral performances for Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, and special performances. Partnership provides live music accompaniment for mainstage ballet productions.
• University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduced in partnership with University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music to serve the unique needs of serious dancers in pursuit of higher education. Collegiate Intensive takes place on campus at CCM.
• Northern Kentucky UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts Summer Resident Program for Summer and Collegiate Intensive participants from outside greater Cincinnati area. Suite-style housing with amenities including free laundry, wireless internet, and community lounges. Northern Kentucky University recognized as one of safest college campuses in America.
• The Bridge Adaptive Sports and RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for CB Moves for Adults adaptive dance program. The Bridge was founded by medical professionals, community advocates and athletes with goal of eliminating barriers to physical activity participation.
• Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports MedicinecoreOthersOfficial Sports Medicine Partner of Cincinnati Ballet. Provides sports medicine services to support dancer health and wellness.
• Cincinnati Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultation partnership for CB Moves Youth adaptive dance program. Curriculum designed in consultation with Cincinnati Children's for students ages 4-18 with cognitive, behavioral, or physical disabilities.
• National Summer Intensive Audition Tour (NSIA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollective of 15 professional ballet schools including Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Arizona, BalletMet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, and Tulsa Ballet. Allows dancers to audition for multiple schools through single audition class.
• Aronoff Center for the ArtscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPerformance venue partner. Cincinnati Ballet uses Procter & Gamble Hall and Jarson-Kaplan Theater for Kaplan New Works Series, Director's Vision, Family Series, and other productions.
• Cincinnati Symphony Youth OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Prelude initiative uniting promising young dancers and musicians. Prelude unites CSYO musicians and Cincinnati Ballet's Second Company CB2 dancers in creation and performance of original works.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oklahoma City Ballet: Oklahoma-based professional ballet company with associated school. Similar regional mid-market positioning and Academy structure; also an NSIA collective member.
• BalletMet: Columbus, Ohio-based professional ballet company and academy of similar size and structure. Operates comparable Main Stage season, school, and community programs serving a mid-size Midwest metropolitan market.
• Nashville Ballet: Tennessee-based professional ballet company with associated school. Comparable in scale, repertoire mix, and educational program breadth, serving a similar regional market profile.
• Kansas City Ballet: Missouri-based professional ballet company and school. Closely comparable in company size, venue usage (shared performing arts centers), Academy structure, and community engagement programming.
• Atlanta Ballet: Larger Southeast regional professional ballet company with Centre for Dance Education. Operates comparable summer intensive, academy divisions, and community outreach programs; an NSIA partner school alongside Cincinnati Ballet.
• Louisville Ballet: Kentucky-based professional ballet company with school. Similar size and regional positioning, also an NSIA partner school, with comparable Main Stage season model and Academy structure.
• Colorado Ballet: Denver-based professional ballet company and academy. Comparable scale, mixed classical-contemporary repertoire, and Academy structure; also an NSIA collective member.
• Milwaukee Ballet: Wisconsin-based professional ballet company with school and MBII second company. Direct comparable in mid-size city positioning, company-school integration, and NSIA participation.
• Philadelphia Ballet: Pennsylvania-based professional ballet company with school. Comparable in company size and Academy structure; an NSIA collective member serving a mid-size metropolitan market.

Broad incumbents

• Boston Ballet: Larger, established professional ballet company with affiliated school. Operates in an overlapping space (professional ballet + academy) but at significantly greater scale, with more extensive facilities and programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CincyBallet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHbkgWzUsJl7wfh53Hoj-9g
• Facebookfacebook.com/CincinnatiBallet
• Instagraminstagram.com/cincinnatiballet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cincinnati Ballet