Continental Ballet Company

- 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431

The Twin Cities region of Minnesota is renowned for its robust arts and culture scene, and a jewel in this crown is the Continental Ballet Company. Based in the heart of the South Metro at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, this organization serves a dual purpose: it operates as a professional performing company dedicated to preserving the art of classical ballet, and it maintains a thriving ballet school offering daily lessons to the community. Founded by Riet Velthuisen in 1988, the company has celebrated over 35 years of advancing classical ballet, earning a reputation for high-quality productions and dedicated instruction right here in Minnesota.

For residents across the Twin Cities, from Minneapolis and St. Paul down to the South Metro suburbs, Continental Ballet Company provides a local, accessible avenue to experience the elegance of classical ballet. Their mission is clear: to enrich the community by advancing the art of classical ballet through professional performances, dedicated dancer development, and engaging educational programs. This commitment ensures that both seasoned balletomanes and families looking for a delightful cultural outing have a local, world-class option.

The company’s repertoire is built upon the great classics, ensuring that Minnesota audiences can regularly experience beloved works like The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake, all under the refined direction and choreography of their founder. Moreover, as noted by local patrons, the atmosphere is welcoming and supportive, making it an ideal environment for both young students taking their first steps and adults seeking to return to the barre. Staff are described as friendly and helpful, contributing to a "cozy theater" experience with "fantastic performances."

This dual structure—professional company and dedicated school—is a major benefit to the Minnesota community, providing a complete ecosystem for ballet. Students receive instruction informed directly by professional performance standards, while audiences are treated to productions of impressive grace and poise, a testament to the hours of practice and commitment invested by the dancers. Continental Ballet Company stands as a true Minnesota institution, making the profound art of classical ballet accessible to all.

Continental Ballet Company is proudly situated within the Bloomington Center for the Arts, a central cultural landmark in the South Metro area, making it highly accessible for visitors from all directions in the Twin Cities. The location is easily reached via major local roadways, providing a convenient destination for both class attendance and performance viewing.

The precise address is: 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431, USA.

A significant highlight of this location is the extensive focus on accessibility for all members of the Minnesota community. The venue and company have ensured that physical barriers are minimized, allowing for a comfortable and inclusive experience.

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The building provides an accessible path of travel from the parking lot to the main entrance, ensuring easy entry for all patrons and students.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Dedicated accessible parking spaces are available directly near the facility, removing the common logistical challenge of finding suitable parking.
• Easy Parking: Customers frequently comment on the convenience of the parking situation, noting that it is "easy to park and close to the building."
• Central Bloomington Location: Being housed within the Bloomington Center for the Arts offers a premium, professional setting with proximity to other cultural and community activities.

Continental Ballet Company provides a comprehensive array of services, distinctly divided between professional performances and dedicated dance education.

• Professional Classical Ballet Performances: Staging full-length ballets from the classical repertoire in the Schneider Theater at the Bloomington Center for the Arts. Major productions frequently include beloved classics such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Cinderella.
• Daily Ballet Lessons for Children: Offering a progressive curriculum for young dancers, from pre-ballet classes for the very young to advanced levels (Ballet 1 through Ballet 6 and Teen Ballet), emphasizing proper technique, poise, and discipline. Reviews highlight the kind but controlled teaching environment, which is "Good for kids."
• Adult Ballet Classes: Providing specialized classes, such as Adult Ballet 1 and Adult Intermediate Ballet, often in partnership with local Community Education programs, to serve adults seeking fitness, artistic expression, or a return to the barre.
• Company Classes: Offering daily advanced classes for the professional dancers and serious students, often taught by experienced and esteemed teachers.
• Educational Outreach Programs: Engaging with the wider Minnesota community through active touring and outreach efforts to expose broader audiences to the art of classical ballet.
• Summer Courses and Intensives: Providing special summer programs focusing on Advanced Technique/Pointe and Preparation for Pointe, as well as general Pre-Ballet classes during the July and August months.
• Open Repertoire: The company performs a wide repertoire that also includes works like Coppelia, Giselle, Paquita, and Peter and the Wolf.

What distinguishes Continental Ballet Company as a premier point of interest for arts enthusiasts and students in Minnesota are its institutional features and commitment to quality.

• Resident Professional Company: The company holds the prestigious position of being the resident ballet company at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, ensuring regular, high-quality professional performances for the South Metro.
• Classical Repertoire Focus: A dedication to preserving and performing the iconic, full-length classical ballets, allowing Minnesota audiences to experience these timeless works locally.
• Award-Winning Choreography: The artistic direction, led by founder Riet Velthuisen, has received national acclaim, including recognition from The John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts for her staging of Cinderella.
• Exceptional Customer Experience: Audience members consistently praise the "cozy theater" environment where "there is no bad seat," complete with thoughtful touches like "tasty cookies and water for intermission."
• Inclusion and Adaptability: The company demonstrates cultural sensitivity, particularly in its handling of traditional works like The Nutcracker, by making conscious updates to eliminate cultural stereotypes, as reported in local news coverage.
• Flexible and Modern Payments: Ensuring convenient transactions by accepting Credit cards, Debit cards, and modern NFC mobile payments.
• Ideal for Families: The environment is "Good for kids," with performances and classes structured to be engaging and educational for young audiences and students, helping to develop a love for movement and attention to detail.

For performance tickets, class registration details, or any general inquiries about the professional company's schedule or the ballet school's programs, please use the following contact information:

• Address: 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431, USA (Located within the Bloomington Center for the Arts)
• Phone: (952) 563-8562
• Mobile Phone: +1 952-563-8562

Choosing the Continental Ballet Company is choosing a Minnesota institution that seamlessly blends professional artistry with community enrichment. For arts patrons, it provides a reliable source of professional, beautifully danced classical repertoire right in the South Metro, eliminating the need to travel downtown for a high-quality ballet experience. Customers consistently highlight the "grace, poise and smiles" of the dancers, noting that the flawless performances are a direct result of many hours of practice.

For parents in Minnesota, especially those whose children are beginning their dance journey, this company offers an exceptionally nurturing and effective environment. As one patron stated, their daughter is learning "about movement, and how to pay attention," under the guidance of kind yet disciplined teachers. The dual focus on performance and education means that students are trained with the standards of a professional company in mind, laying a solid foundation for future development, whether recreational or pre-professional. The accessibility features—wheelchair accessible parking and entrance—underscore a commitment to serving the entire community, making the art form truly available to everyone. From the cozy theater experience to the disciplined training, Continental Ballet Company provides a valuable, cultural cornerstone in Bloomington that is genuinely worth the visit.

Continental Ballet Company

1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431, USA