Degnan Ballet Center

Where Excellence Comes First

Celebrating Our 40th Anniversary!

Kristin Degnan Boonin and her late husband, Peter Degnan, established the Degnan Ballet Center (DBC) in 1983 as a school of classical ballet.

Ballet Curriculum

The training of DBC students is conducted from the classical tradition of Russia’s Kirov Ballet. This regimen nurtures the individually paced progress of students beginning with pre-ballet and progressing through seven levels of classical dance training from beginner through intermediate to advanced. This approach is designed to cultivate a healthy self-esteem, personal and artistic maturity, and develops sound technique in support of achieving an authentic aesthetic vision. The appropriate curricular level for each dancer is determined by the faculty of DBC.

Faculty

The primary instructors of the Degnan Ballet Center are past members of the Artistic Staff of Ballet Northeast. Biographical information on these talented professionals is available under the Faculty and Staff section of the website. Various professional artists teach master classes throughout the academic year. This guest faculty includes members of major ballet companies, professionals in the industry as well as university professors.

Master classes with be advertised as they become available and are open to both Conservatory students and the community.

Prospective Students

New students are welcome to tour the beautiful studios and facilities located in the Darte Center on the campus of Wilkes University, observe a class or take a complimentary placement class in order to become acquainted with our school. These arrangements can be made by contacting the Conservatory office at 570.408.4426. All new students must participate in a placement class to assure the student be enrolled in the appropriate level for proper growth and development.

Attire

Ballet Class attire for ladies is pink tights and black leotard with pink ballet slippers. There is a specific black leotard and a white alignment belt that has been designated as the Degnan Ballet Center uniform. Please contact the Conservatory Coordinator for uniform information at 570.408.4426. Hair must be pulled back into a bun unless the hairstyle is very short. Gentlemen are to wear black tights and a white T-shirt with black or white ballet slippers.

Type Tuition
1 class per week for each five week sessions $100
2 classes per week for each five week sessions $160
3 classes per week for each five week sessions $210
4 classes per week for each five week sessions $230
Variations | 1 class per week for each five week session $75
Charge per single class or Master Class $30
Registration Fee (paid once for entire Aug. - June season) $30

Class Requirements

Ballet C&D - two (2) classes per week
Ballet E,F - three (3) classes per week
Ballet G - (3 or 4) technique classes per week

**A Master Class or Variations class may NOT be substituted for a REQUIRED ballet technique class

Checks must be made payable to Wilkes University

A $25 surcharge may be added to any overdue tuition payment after the second week of the session has begun.


2023-24 Season Sessions

(Please note: schedule is subject to change)
  • Session 1: August 21 to September 24
  • Session 2: September 25 to October 29 
  • Session 3: October 30 to December 3 
  • Session 4: December 4 to January 21
  • Session 5: January 22 to February 25
  • Session 6: February 26 to April 7
  • Session 7: April 8 to May 12
  • Session 8: May 13 to June 16

Recesses

  • Labor Day: Monday, September 4 (1 day)
  • Thanksgiving Recess: Thursday-Sunday, November 23 to November 26 (4 days)
  • Winter Recess: Tuesday- Monday, December 19-January 1 (14 days)
  • Martin Luther King Day: Monday, January 15 (1 day)
  • Spring Recess: Monday- Sunday, March 25 to March 31 (7 days)
  • Memorial Day: Monday, May 27 (1 day)