Ballet Arizona Expands Its Reach with Acquisition of Ballet Theatre of Phoenix

After decades of inspiring young dancers across Arizona, Ballet Arizona is taking another step toward expanding arts education with the acquisition of Ballet Theatre of Phoenix, a North Central dance studio that has served the community for the past 10 years.

The acquisition marks the opening of The School of Ballet Arizona’s second satellite campus, following last year’s expansion into Mesa at Child Crisis Arizona’s Child & Family Wellness Center. Located near 7th Street and Bethany Home Road, the new campus will allow Ballet Arizona to reach more students while preserving the environment that Ballet Theatre of Phoenix has cultivated under the leadership of founder and Artistic Director Jennifer Cafarella Betts.

“When you’ve devoted so many years to building a school and watching generations of students grow, you want to ensure its future is in the very best hands,” said Cafarella Betts. “Joining The School of Ballet Arizona allows the studio to evolve while preserving the welcoming community we’ve created. I couldn’t imagine a better opportunity for our students, who will now have access to The School of Ballet Arizona’s outstanding faculty and training while continuing to dance in the place they’ve always called home.”

Rather than replacing the existing studio culture, Ballet Arizona plans to integrate the new campus gradually, honoring the traditions, teachers and families who have made Ballet Theatre of Phoenix a cornerstone of the local arts community. Students ages 3 to 20 will gain access to Ballet Arizona’s curriculum, faculty expertise and expanded performance opportunities while remaining in a familiar environment.

“We are grateful to Jennifer for the trust she has placed in The School of Ballet Arizona and for the opportunity to honor the legacy she has built within Ballet Theatre of Phoenix community,” said James Payne, school director. “This expansion is a meaningful step in the continued growth of our School. By welcoming the students, families, and faculty of Ballet Theatre of Phoenix, we can build upon a strong foundation while extending The School of Ballet Arizona’s established curriculum, faculty expertise, and pathways for student development to a broader and more connected community.”

Executive Director Jami Kozemczak said the expansion strengthens Ballet Arizona’s ability to provide high-quality ballet education throughout the Valley while building relationships with new student families and communities. Artistic Director Daniela Cardim also emphasized the organization’s long-term vision of making ballet more accessible to Arizona’s next generation.

“As the official training school of Ballet Arizona, The School of Ballet Arizona is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of dancers,” said Cardim. “This is an incredible opportunity to further expand the school’s reach in the state of Arizona. We look forward to working with even more young dancers and helping them foster a love for dance, while preparing them for a future in the arts or beyond.” For more behind this Frontdoor, visit ballettheatreofphx.org.