Box Hill Ballet is a not-for-profit community organisation, run by a volunteer committee, with the aim of promoting and developing a love for dance across many different styles and all generations.

The philosophy of Box Hill Ballet is to foster a love for dance within the community. Our students range in age from 3 to adults and we cater for all levels of experience including adult beginners.

During the year Box Hill Ballet holds various events including: Open Days during the final week of Terms 1, 2 and 3, allowing family and friends to watch the students in class; the Winter concert, a fun informal afternoon for students to present their progress via a ‘mini’ performance; and finally, the excitement of the end of year Show.

Box Hill Ballet is a community of passionate dancers and their families who wish to bring that passion to the broader society so that everyone can enjoy dance.

Our success stems from our passionate, dedicated and hardworking members of the Box Hill Ballet Community – from the principal, to the staff, parents, students, and the volunteer Committee members – all committed to the success of the school and the rewards that come from being involved.

The School prides itself in its reputation of being very “family-friendly” , so much so that some students have been dancing with the school long enough to perform on stage with their own daughters, as well as a number of second and third generation students attending classes.

We continue to maintain an extensive Costume Wardrobe, which enables us to reuse, recycle, and rejuvenate existing costumes – this also helps to reduce the cost to parents and students of providing costumes for Annual and other Performances.

After 70 plus years, our aim is the same as in 1951 : “To practice, appreciate, and extend the Art of Dance in Box Hill, and beyond”.

Get to know us

Our History

‘Ballet is coming to Box Hill’.

This was the notice proudly displayed in the Box Hill Junior Library in 1951 and the beginning of a ballet school in Box Hill that is still going strong today.

In April 1951, at a meeting at the Box Hill Town Hall, the plans for a ballet school for Box Hill were outlined. The first meeting of the Box Hill City Ballet Group was held on 11th May with over 100 people in attendance. 96 members enrolled that night and one month later classes commenced.

By 1952 students numbered 200 with a waiting list for those who couldn’t be accommodated. Eventually classes moved to the West Hall of the Box Hill Town Hall being a larger venue, in addition to the Junior Library.

Today, over 70 years later, we are the Box Hill Ballet Association Inc. and our ‘home’ is ‘The Studio’ on Whitehorse Road. Other classes are also held at the Box Hill Community Arts Centre and other local venues when required.

The Association prides itself on its wonderful history and association and support from the Whitehorse City Council.

Classical Ballet – The Cecchetti Method

Box Hill Ballet teaches the Cecchetti method of classical ballet. It is an internationally recognized style of ballet originally created by the Italian dance master, Maestro Cecchetti.

Referring to the Cecchetti Ballet Australia Inc. web site:
“The timeless Cecchetti Principles of grace, balance and line form the basis of a sound training syllabus that has been developed to meet the needs of today’s modern child – teaching co-ordination, poise, confidence, rhythmical sense and musicality while ensuring that the process is still fun!”

“The fully qualified, carefully trained and registered teachers of Cecchetti Ballet Australia Inc. are committed to providing a stable and secure foundation for each student’s training – whether for purely recreational enjoyment or as the beginnings of a career in dance.”

“The syllabus has been carefully structured to ensure that the student receives a well-balanced training, with each grade for younger dancers designed to build progressively to the senior levels. Two separate examining streams have been formulated to meet the different needs and requirements of recreational and professional dancers”

Ref: http://www.cecchettiballet.org