North Star Dance Foundation

North Star Ballet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dance school and company in Fairbanks, Alaska, which has trained students in classical dance since 1980 and presents performances for Interior Alaska audiences. It has four parts: a Creative Movement program, the North Star Ballet School, the North Star Ballet Company and the North Star Dance Collective. The school teaches an eight-year graded classical ballet syllabus developed by Artistic Director Emeritus Norman Shelburne, with small classes running from late August to mid-May. Entry points include Creative Movement for ages 4-7, Pre-Ballet for ages 7-8, Children's Ballet from age 8, dedicated Boys' Ballet, and Beginning Teen Ballet for ages 13-18; graded levels A1 through D2 introduce pointe work at level C1. Contemporary is offered at three levels to experienced students and adults. Adults can take an eight-week Intro to Ballet workshop or drop-in Ballet 1, Ballet 2 and pointe classes, and a Dance With Me course serves caregivers with toddlers from walking age to 3. Junior, Apprentice and Senior Company members commit for the year and perform in The Nutcracker, the Spring Gala and a class demonstration. Summer camps also run.