Classical Ballet School in Boston, MA
Patient, properly sequenced ballet training in the South End — from a three-year-old's first plié to pointe, pre-professional coaching and grown-up beginners. Small classes, live piano on Saturdays, and a real stage twice a year.
Technique Built in the Right Order
Pellowe was founded in 1999 on a simple conviction: ballet is safest and most beautiful when it is taught in the right order. Every class follows a graded classical syllabus, so strength comes before height, placement before speed, and nobody goes up on pointe until their teacher and their ankles agree.
That patience is why our dancers stay for years. Children learn discipline without fear, teens are coached toward auditions and summer programs, and adults discover that it is never too late to learn a clean port de bras.
- Gradedsyllabus with a written next step at every level
- Smallclasses of twelve dancers at most
- Livepiano for every Saturday class
- Writtenprogress reviews each term
Programs by Age and Level
Placement is by readiness, not birthday — your trial class includes a short, friendly assessment so your dancer starts in the right room.
Four Promises We Keep Every Term
Nobody Rushed Onto Pointe
Pointe shoes come after a written strength assessment, never after a birthday. It is the single most important safety decision in ballet, and we make it one dancer at a time.
Twelve Dancers, One Teacher
Small classes mean hands-on correction at every exercise. A child who is corrected well at eight does not have to unlearn a habit at fourteen.
Progress in Writing
Every dancer gets a short written review at the end of each term — what improved, what to work on, and whether they are ready to move up.
A Real Stage
Winter and spring performances in a proper theater, with costumes, lighting and a program. Every level performs; nobody sits on the sidelines.
Barre, Center, Stage
Two Nights on a Real Stage
In December the whole school dances a condensed holiday ballet; in May, the spring showcase gives every level its own piece. Both run in a downtown theater with professional lighting, costumes provided by the school, and a printed program your dancer will keep for years.
Rehearsals happen inside regular class time until the final two weeks, so performing never means giving up your weekends for a term.
- Decemberholiday ballet for every level
- Mayspring showcase, one piece per class
- Costumesincluded in the performance fee
- Rehearsalsinside class time until the final two weeks
Teachers Who Danced, and Who Teach
Every Pellowe teacher holds a graded-syllabus teaching certification and trained professionally before coming to the studio.
Helena Pellowe
Director. Danced with a regional ballet company for eleven seasons before founding the school in 1999. Teaches Graded IV, pointe and the pre-professional track.
Tobias Renquist
Graded Ballet. Former company soloist and a certified syllabus teacher, known for turning shy eleven-year-olds into confident jumpers.
Maribel Ostrander
Pre-Ballet & Primary. An early-childhood dance specialist whose Pre-Ballet classes are the reason so many families stay for a decade.
Simple Monthly Tuition
Billed monthly September to June. A one-time $45 registration fee per family; 10% off every additional sibling.
One Class a Week
Pre-Ballet, Primary Ballet or an adult class.
- 45–75 minute weekly class
- End-of-term written review
- Winter & spring shows (performance fee applies)
- Free make-up class each month
Graded Program
Two graded classes a week — our most popular.
- Two 75–90 minute classes
- Optional spring graded exam
- Saturday live-piano class
- Priority summer intensive places
Pre-Professional
By invitation after assessment.
- Three classes a week, including pointe
- Variations & repertoire
- Audition & summer-program coaching
- Twice-yearly private review
In Their Words
Our daughter started Pre-Ballet at four and she is now in Graded III. What I value most is that the teachers correct with such kindness — she knows exactly why a position is right, not just that it is. The winter performance made me cry both years.
I came to the adult beginner class at 41 having never worn ballet slippers. Nobody made me feel out of place. Six months in, my posture has changed and Tuesday night is the part of the week I protect from everything else.
We moved our son to Pellowe for pre-professional training and the difference in how carefully they build strength first was obvious in the first month. The small classes mean he gets real corrections every single barre.
From Trial Class to First Performance
Book a Free Trial
Choose a class marked Trial OK. Comfortable, fitted clothes and bare feet or socks are fine the first time.
Placement Chat
After class, the teacher suggests the right level and answers your questions — five minutes, no pressure.
Enroll for the Term
Send the registration form, receive the dress code for your level, and pick up shoes at any dance-wear shop.
Dance in December
Your dancer joins rehearsals in class and takes the stage with the whole school at the holiday performance.
Before Your First Class
What age can my child start ballet?
Pre-Ballet starts at three, as long as your child is comfortable joining a class without a grown-up in the room. Most children move up to Primary Ballet at six.
What should they wear?
For a trial, fitted clothes they can move in and bare feet or socks. Once enrolled, each level has a simple dress code — a leotard color, pink or skin-tone tights and ballet slippers; boys wear a white T-shirt, black tights or shorts and ballet slippers.
When does my daughter go on pointe?
Only after a written strength and alignment assessment, usually around age 12 after several years of graded training. We would rather wait a term than risk an injury.
Can parents watch class?
The studios have a viewing window, and the last week of every term is open viewing week when families can watch from inside the room.
What if we miss a class?
Every enrolled dancer gets one free make-up class a month in any class at the same level or below.
Is there a performance fee?
Yes — a single performance fee per show covers the costume, which your dancer keeps, and the theater. Performing is optional, though almost everyone does.
Are adult classes really for beginners?
Truly. Adult Beginner Ballet assumes no experience at all. Adult Open Ballet is for returning dancers who want a full barre and center.
Do you offer graded exams?
Yes, optional each spring for Graded levels I to IV. Exams are a helpful milestone, never a requirement to move up.
Come Take a Barre With Us
Pick any class marked Trial OK on the timetable. We'll hold a place, meet you at the door, and help your dancer find the right level.
Visit the Studio
Tell us about your dancer and we will suggest a class and hold a place — usually within a day. The front desk is open whenever classes are running.
- Visit us418 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
- Call us(617) 555-0142
- Email ushello@pelloweballet.com
- Opening hoursMon – Thu: 3:30 PM – 9:00 PM, Fri: Closed, Sat: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Sun: Closed