Connecticut Dance School

What Connecticut Dance School does

Connecticut Dance School (CDS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit classical ballet and dance education institution founded in 1970 by Elizabeth Gaynor and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut. The school operates a single four-studio campus at 42 Halley Court and serves students ages 2 through adult across multiple divisions, including Children's Division (Creative Movement, Pre-Primary, Primary), Academy Division (Ballet 1-10 following the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum), Pre-Professional Division, Boys Ballet, Dance 4 All Abilities (adaptive programming), Adult Ballet, plus summer intensives and youth programs in Contemporary, Hip-Hop, and Musical Theater. Annual performances include The Nutcracker (32nd production in 2026), Spring Benefit, and June Concert, drawing on a documented alumni network that has placed students in principal and company positions at institutions including Ballet West, Eugene Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, and Richmond Ballet.

The school has no proprietary technology platform; operations are administered through a website, Google Forms for adult registration, newsletter signup, and standard social media channels (Facebook, Instagram). The faculty is led by Artistic Director Dona Wiley Kim (ABT Certified Teacher across all curriculum levels) and Educational Director Chihwan Kim (Vaganova specialist, MFA from Kookmin University, former principal dancer at Gwangju City Ballet), with General Manager Marianela Colon overseeing business operations. The school is governed by a 2025-2026 Board of Directors.

Revenue is generated through semester-based tuition (ranging from $475/semester for Creative classes to $2,300/year for advanced ballet), summer intensives ($200-$2,100), adult class cards ($300/15 classes), studio rentals to external instructors, birthday party hosting ($350/event), and donations via GreatNonprofits, AmazonSmile, and the Alan Woodard Scholarship Fund. Major partners include the Connecticut Office of the Arts, Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts, Westport Country Playhouse, and Boston Ballet's Adaptive Dance Teacher Training program.

Name

Connecticut Dance School

Legal name

Connecticut Dance School

Website

https://ctdanceschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Connecticut Dance School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit classical ballet and dance education institution in Fairfield, Connecticut, serving students ages 2 through adult across Children's, Academy, Pre-Professional, adaptive, and adult programs, with a 55-year operating history and no proprietary technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dance Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Dance Companies (71112), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Classical Ballet (Full-Length & Repertoire) (MPAGADAA), Youth/Student & Community Dance Recitals (MPAGADAI), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE), Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG)

Keywords

• Ballet education
• Classical ballet training
• Youth dance programs
• Adaptive dance instruction
• Dance performance arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Class Fees: Primary revenue from semester-based tuition for ballet classes across Children's Division, Academy Division, and Pre-Professional Division. Tuition varies by level and frequency of classes, ranging from $475 per semester for Creative classes to $2,300 for advanced ballet levels.
2. Donations and Fundraising: As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, donations constitute significant revenue. Accepts online donations through GreatNonprofits, AmazonSmile (0.5% of purchases), and check donations. The Alan Woodard Scholarship Fund supports underserved communities.
3. Studio Rentals: Four studios available for rental to outside groups. Revenue from renting studio space to dance instructors, choreographers, and event organizers.
4. Birthday Party Hosting: 90-minute dance-themed birthday parties hosted by CDS instructors for up to 16 children. Includes dance activities and facility use.
5. Dance 4 All Abilities Program: Adaptive dance program with tuition of $450 per semester for students with diverse abilities. Includes Sensory Friendly Nutcracker performances.
6. Adult Programs: Adult ballet and hip-hop classes with class cards ($300 for 15 classes) and drop-in options ($25 per class).
7. SummerDance Program: Summer intensives and camps for ages 3-18. Half-day and full-day options ranging from $200 for one-week creative programs to $2,100 for four-week advanced full-day intensives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Connecticut Dance School is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit classical ballet institution that delivers progressive dance education for students ages 2 through adult through structured divisions: Children's Division (Creative Movement, Pre-Primary, Primary), Academy Division (Ballet 1 through Ballet 10 under the ABT National Training Curriculum), Pre-Professional Division, and Adult Programs, alongside Dance 4 All Abilities for adaptive learners. The school's offerings include dance styles of ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, and musical theater, supported by major annual productions (The Nutcracker, Spring Benefit, June Concert) and SummerDance intensives.

Product overview

Connecticut Dance School is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit classical ballet school offering a comprehensive dance education portfolio. The school operates through four main divisions: Children's Division (ages 2-8) for age-appropriate creative movement and pre-ballet; Academy Division (ages 8-18) following the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum for formalized ballet training; Pre-Professional Division (ages 11-18) for students aspiring toward college dance programs or professional companies; and Dance 4 All Abilities for inclusive adaptive dance education. Supporting programs include Contemporary Dance, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, Adult Ballet, and SummerDance intensives. Performance opportunities include The Nutcracker, Spring Benefit, and June Concert. Additional services encompass Birthday Parties, Studio Rentals, and the Alan Woodard Scholarship Fund.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dance 4 All Abilities (D4AA): An adaptive dance program that provides students of all ages and abilities the opportunity to experience dance in a caring environment.

Products and services

• Children's Division Age-appropriate dance instruction for children ages 2-8, featuring Creative Movement classes for ages 2-4, Pre-Primary levels for ages 5-6, and Primary level for 2nd graders. Classes develop coordination, musicality, and foundational ballet skills in a nurturing environment.
• Academy Division Formalized ballet training for students ages 8-18 following the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Program spans Ballet 1 through Ballet 10 with progressive technique development, pointe work introduction, and performance opportunities including The Nutcracker, Spring Benefit, and June Concert.
• Pre-Professional Division Optional additional classes for committed ballet students ages 11-18 who aim for college dance programs or professional companies. Includes extra technique classes, pointe work, partnering, classical variations, repertoire, conditioning, and mentorship for navigating auditions and summer intensives.
• Boys Ballet Specialized ballet instruction focusing on male aspects of dance including endurance, balance, coordination, and strength. Includes full scholarships for boys enrolling in Academy Division classes, and partnering/pas de deux instruction for ages 13-18.
• Dance 4 All Abilities Adaptive dance program providing inclusive dance education for students of all ages and abilities, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, or varying physical abilities. Classes taught by instructors trained through Boston Ballet's Adaptive Dance Teacher Training Program, with performance opportunities including Sensory Friendly Nutcracker.
• Adult Ballet Classical ballet instruction for adults ages 18 and up, ranging from complete beginners to experienced dancers. Classes emphasize technical foundations, musicality, coordination, and strength-building appropriate for adult bodies in a supportive environment. Includes Adult Hip Hop as an additional offering.
• SummerDance Program Summer program for aspiring dancers ages 3-18 featuring morning Dance & Art classes for ages 3-8 and intensives for ages 9-18. Half Day and Full Day program options include ballet, jazz, theater dance, contemporary, conditioning, character, and choreography workshops. Pricing ranges from $200 for one-week creative programs to $2,100 for four-week advanced full-day intensives.
• The Nutcracker Annual holiday production featuring over 100 CDS students from across Fairfield County performing full-length Nutcracker productions at The Regina A. Quick Center at Fairfield University. Includes a Sensory Friendly performance option for patrons with sensory sensitivities.
• Birthday Parties Dance-themed birthday party hosting service at CDS studios for up to 16 children. Includes 45 minutes to 1 hour of dance fun, cake and gift opening time, setup and cleanup, hosted by a CDS instructor.
• Rent Our Studios Studio rental service offering four studios in Fairfield, CT near I-95 exit 25 and Metro North's Fairfield Metro Train Station. Studios range from 37ft x 51ft to 16ft x 26ft, suitable for dance classes, rehearsals, and events.
• Alan Woodard Scholarship Fund Scholarship fund established in honor of former school director Alan Woodard to continue his legacy of educating children and bringing performing arts to underserved communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Alumni achieving professional company positions including principal roles at Ballet West, Eugene Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Richmond Ballet, and Tivoli Ballet
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Westport Country PlayhousecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 March 2026Venue for Spring Benefit Concert (March 29, 2026). Partnership enables fundraising performances for student scholarships, costumes, and areas of greatest need.
• Ridgefield Theater BarnminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2021Venue for the 2021 Sensory-Friendly Nutcracker performance. Provided hospitality and free technical support for adaptive dance program showcase.
• Connecticut Office of the Arts and Department of Economic and Community DevelopmentflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerState arts agency providing financial support to CDS. Department receives additional support from National Endowment for the Arts. Listed as a key donor supporting dance education and community outreach programs.
• Fairfield University's Quick Center for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome venue for The Nutcracker (December performances) and June Concert. Located in Fairfield, CT, minutes from CDS studios. Hosts major CDS productions annually.
• AmazonSmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable giving program where Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to CDS when customers select the school as their charity of choice.
• GreatNonprofitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline donation platform enabling tax-deductible donations to CDS. Provides visibility to nonprofit donors seeking to support arts education.
• Attitude Dance & Active Wear (Norwalk)minorOthersDancewear retailer in Norwalk, CT offering CDS-approved uniforms including specific leotard colors, tights, and dance shoes for each class level.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• School of American Ballet: Premier ABT-affiliated ballet training academy in NYC. Comparable ABT National Training Curriculum foundation and elite pre-professional pathway, though operating at much larger scale.
• Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at ABT: Official school of American Ballet Theatre offering the same ABT National Training Curriculum that CDS follows. Placement target for CDS graduates and curriculum authority.
• Boston Ballet School: Major metropolitan ballet school with extensive pre-professional programs and adaptive dance training (whose teacher-training program certified CDS staff). Comparable classical ballet curriculum and adaptive dance program structure.

Emerging players

• Harid Conservatory: Residential ballet conservatory targeting pre-professional students. Comparable elite ballet training mission and destination for serious students from regional schools like CDS.

Direct peers

• Hartford Ballet: Connecticut-based ballet school and company offering pre-professional training and performances. Directly comparable as a regional ballet institution providing classical training in the same Connecticut market.
• Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet: Pre-professional ballet training institution with intensive programs and summer intensives. Comparable ABT-aligned curriculum, performance opportunities, and student-athlete development model.
• Burklyn Ballet Theatre: Regional ballet school in New England offering summer intensives and pre-professional training. Comparable classical ballet curriculum structure and student age range to CDS.

Regional players

• Connecticut Ballet: Connecticut-based professional ballet company (where Artistic Director Dona Wiley Kim previously danced). Comparable Connecticut-based ballet market presence and classical training pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ctdanceschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/ctdanceschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ctdanceschool

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Connecticut Dance School