Dance Theatre Southwest

About Dance Theatre Southwest

Dance Theatre Southwest, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers a comprehensive and superior dance education for students of all ages and aspirations. Under the direction of Patricia Dickinson, a former Dallas Ballet dancer with international experience, the studio is a premier choice for dance instruction in the Southwest, fostering artistic growth and technical proficiency. Their nationally recognized professional faculty, including distinguished artists like Deanna Encinias, Maya Espinosa-Chavez (flamenco specialist), Beth Griffin (co-founder of Columbus Ballet), Dominic Guerra (former Alvin Ailey School scholarship recipient), J. Davis Hobdy, Christo McMaster (Festival Ballet Albuquerque), Barbara Miller, Joe Nava, Sophia Ortiz, Alex Ossadnik (internationally recognized balletmaster), Chloe Peterson-Foust, Mikel Salgado, Antionette Segura, Lora Sturm, and Riley Swinney, bring a wealth of experience and passion. Students are meticulously placed into programs designed for individual goals, with a commitment to safe, technically sound training and thorough development. Dance Theatre Southwest provides extensive class offerings in Ballet, Flamenco, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theater, and Acrobatics, along with specialized instruction in partnering. The studio is home to Festival Ballet Albuquerque and has a history of hosting the New Mexico Dance Festival, further solidifying its commitment to the art form. Students benefit from performance opportunities through an annual end-of-year recital and a Young Choreographer’s Showcase. Their dedication to excellence has led to national recognition, with students accepted into prestigious summer intensifies by organizations such as the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Alvin Ailey. New enriching programs like "Creative Studies" and "Foundation" classes are continuously introduced to enhance the student experience, making dance an exciting and positive journey.

Styles offered at Dance Theatre Southwest