From its inception over 35 years ago, José Mateo Ballet Theatre School has boldly challenged a centuries-old tradition of exclusion and elitism to create a more inclusive, just and humanistic approach to expert ballet training.
Today, the School continues to strengthen its outstanding reputation. Distinguishing itself from other dance and ballet schools in the area, it is highly regarded for its comprehensive curriculum, exceptional faculty and welcoming, progressive and diverse environment.
The School serves both children and adults, from the beginner to the professional offering:
- Limited class sizes with customized, personal instruction and mentoring,
- A dedicated and experienced professional faculty,
- An impressive record of training many students who go on to enter careers in the dance field.
Young Dancers Program – Cambridge & Dorchester
The Young Dancers Program is José Mateo Ballet Theatre’s yearlong training program for children. With campuses in Cambridge and Dorchester serving children ages 3-18, there’s a class for every child looking to begin their classical ballet training with us! The program welcomes students to join a genuinely personal and productive community that offers the most enjoyable and effective training in ballet, ensuring that all students excel – technically and artistically – beyond their expectations.
YouthWorks
José Mateo Ballet Theatre’s YouthWorks is a unique performing group of talented students, selected by audition, that presents public performances. Instituted in 1994, the goal of YouthWorks is to bring ballet to diverse, under-served audiences and provide pre-professional students with extensive performance experience. Comprised of students ages 14-18 from JMBT’s Young Dancers Program, this talented ensemble travels to communities and venues which traditionally are without access to ballet performances. The group presents original works created by critically acclaimed choreographer José Mateo. All of Mateo’s works are performed en pointe, requiring a high degree of technical proficiency on the part of the performers.
Open House
Join José Mateo Ballet Theatre for free trial classes for young dancers ages 3-10 twice a year at our Open Houses. Learn more about the school and how the YDP program is the right choice for your young dancer.
Summer Programs
José Mateo Ballet Theatre offers two distinct programs for students looking to continue their training through the summer months. Our Summer Elementary Program is designed for students ages 3-10 with classes once or twice per week, and the Summer Intensive Program for students ages 10-19 is a 5-week long program aimed at helping dancers quickly make critical breakthroughs in their technical and artistic development.
Classes for Adults
Open Class
José Mateo Ballet Theatre offers the Open Class program for adults with previous ballet training Monday–Saturday all year.
Introduction to Ballet
We believe that age should never be a barrier to learning the art of ballet. With our Adult Introduction to Ballet program, José Mateo Ballet Theatre offers age-appropriate training to older students who have never had the opportunity to learn ballet.
Teenager’s Introduction to Ballet
The Teenager’s Introduction to Ballet program offers age-appropriate training to students ages 11–18 who have never had the opportunity to learn ballet. Try something new in the comfort of a class of peers and join us for these wonderful introductory courses!
Featured Alumni
SARAH MARCHETTI
“José Mateo Ballet Theatre gave me the personal attention and training in both technique and artistry that helped me thrive there, in summer programs, college, and my professional career. Not only did the school provide top notch training, but participating in YouthWorks provided me with valuable performance opportunities and the experience of being part of a company, something that is truly key in developing as an artist.”
DEREK FOX
“My years at JMBT were some of the best of my life. I grew up finding myself as a person and as a dancer here. My training here is what got me into American Repertory Ballet’s trainee program.”
DELIA WADA-GILL
“In my years as a YouthWorks student at José Mateo, I was able to grow as a dancer in multiple ways. I refined and strengthened my technique under the rigorous training and support from my teachers and I grew as a performer in both artistry and stamina through the multitude of unique performance opportunities JMBT offers. I am incredibly grateful to JMBT for welcoming me into their community and for continuing to give me opportunities to stay connected to dance.”
SOPHIA KOLODNEY
“JMBT’s Summer Intensive Program is an excellent opportunity for young dancers at a variety of levels, from those just dancing for fun to those dreaming of a professional career. I received personalized feedback from a number of excellent teachers, gained performance experience, and enriched my artistry by learning various cultural dance styles (e.g. African, Classical Indian).”
… fed by the elegant choreography of its artistic director, José Mateo’s Ballet Theatre has cultivated a distinctive ballet style, a critically acclaimed repertory of original work, a school and 20-member company…He’s bred a generation of teachers who’ve built the finest open enrollment school in the region.
The New York Times