Develop a Life-Long Love for Movement through Dance.
Our mission at Embody Ballet is to create a safe and nurturing environment where dancers of all ages can learn, grow and thrive, as people and as performing artists.
We are committed to fostering the holistic well-being of every dancer, and seek to create opportunities for them to flourish in mind, body and spirit through the transformative power of ballet.
With a dedication to excellence in teaching, a deep appreciation of the art form, and love for our students, we aim to encourage (instill) in our students not only the technical mastery of ballet, but also essential life skills such as discipline, grace, perseverance, compassion, and teamwork.
Through our supportive instruction and devotion to each dancer’s individual journey, we strive to inspire joy, confidence, friendship, creativity, and a lifelong love for dance.
Class Offerings
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Little Leapers “Grown Up & Me” Ballet
Saturdays 10:00 am to 10:45 am
We provide our youngest dancers with safe, developmentally appropriate and engaging lessons that build strong foundations and inspire a love of dance. Our whole child approach to dance means that each lesson is carefully crafted to support your child's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, all through the magic of pretend play, music and movement.
* This class requires a grownup to participate with the child dancer.
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Introduction to Ballet
Fridays 8:30 am to 9:15 am [NEW!]
Fridays 9:30am to 10:15 am
As with Little Leapers, we provide our youngest dancers with safe, developmentally appropriate and engaging lessons that build strong foundations and inspire a love of dance. Our whole child approach to dance means that each lesson is carefully crafted to support your child's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, all through the magic of pretend play, music and movement.
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Ballet
Fridays 10:30 am to 11:30 am
These dance classes focus on pre-primary level ballet, creative movement concepts, and pretend play with greater complexity using the Leap ’N Learn curriculum. Students continue to learn French terminology of ballet terms. Exercises to increase musical awareness, balance, agility, and gross-motor development are practiced.
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Ballet
Mondays 4:15pm to 5:15 pm
Thursdays 4:15pm to 5:15pm [NEW!]
These dance classes focus on primary level ballet with even greater complexity using the Leap ’N Learn curriculum. This class begins the transition into the study of classical ballet. Students are now asked to perform many of the exercises in ‘turn-out’ and to combine steps to form dance combinations. Each class will focus on French terminology, musical awareness, balance, agility, and gross motor development. Creative movement concepts and pretend play continue to be woven into exercises throughout class.
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Ballet
Monday 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Thursday 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm [NEW!]
These dance classes continue to develop primary level ballet knowledge and skills. This class begins the transition into the study of classical ballet. Students are now asked to perform more complex exercises.
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Beginning and Intermediate Ballet with optional Beginning Pointe*
Mondays 6:45pm to 7:45pm
Thursday 6:45pm to 7:45pm
In this class the foundation and beginning elements of classical ballet will be taught in a fun and positive way. Use of body awareness, basics of stretching and strengthening, along with classical ballet terminology and choreography, will help equip the students with a knowledge of the art and a greater appreciation for movement. This class is ideal for beginning dancers as well as cheerleaders, members of dance team, gymnastics and sports!
*Beginning Pointe
Monday 7:45pm to 8:15pm
For dancers who have advanced in technique and physical strength, an additional 30 minute instruction is available following the Monday class for Beginning Barre technique.
Pre-approval is required for participation.
In order to keep the focus on our lesson and ensure optimal safety for our youth, we do require our dancers to adhere to the following dress code:
Plain leotard (no sequins or glitter)
Tights
Pink or Back Slippers (elastic)
Optional pull-on skirt (no ties or “wraps skirts”)
Hair off face in ponytail or bun (clipped back for short hair)
Do you need Dancewear and Supplies?
Discount Dance is an affordable option that carries all the supplies you need, including shoes, tights, leotards, and more!
Our studio ID# 134735 if you would like to help us earn supplies to use in our classes!
Meet Our Instructors
Gayle Howard
At age 5, Gayle attended a performance of Persephone, fell in love with ballet, and begged her mother to let her take ballet lessons. Her first role in a performance was as a court jester in Swan Lake. She danced ballet for 14 years with the Ballet Folk school and junior company in Moscow, Idaho under a number of gifted instructors, and for 2 years as a professional with the American Festival Ballet (now Ballet Idaho) in Boise, Idaho.
Gayle holds a number of certifications, her most recent being a Zena Rommett Floor-Barre® license. She brings to the Studio more than 16 years of ballet experience, over 25 years of fitness instruction, and a passion for the life, growth, and well-being of everyone who she is blessed to serve. Gayle and her husband, Rick, have been married for 38 years, and take great delight in their 4 children and 9 grandchildren.
Laryssa Rice
Laryssa started her ballet training in Eastern Oregon at age 3. She moved to Boise as a young teen to attend dance classes at BSU under the direction of Marla Hansen and Capitol City Youth Ballet under the direction of Sara Phipps. While attending BSU, she danced with Idaho Dance Theater and many student repertory performances, where she was able to work with different choreographers and dancers. Laryssa also won scholarships to dance intensives, such as Summer Dancefest, Summer Dance Lab and CSI/IDAA camps. Laryssa danced with Sacramento Ballet for two seasons, before moving back to Idaho to teach dance. She has taught at many studios in the Treasure Valley and is very happy to be teaching in Payette County which she now calls home!
