Child Crisis Arizona’s new Mesa Center offers dance classes for all ages
Staff Reports | Community Updates
Ballet Arizona announces a brand-new school satellite expansion into the East Valley, through a partnership with Child Crisis Arizona and their new Center for Child & Family Wellness at 424 W. Rio Salado Parkway in Mesa.
Officials say the partnership will help break down barriers to dance education by providing a location to serve students and families residing in the East Valley area.
“After three years of planning this collaboration, we are overjoyed to see the program launch in the New Year,” said Jami Kozemczak, executive director of Ballet Arizona. “Not only will we partner to expand our school enrollment and tuition-based programs, but we will also broaden access for adult ballet learners, and provide free community engagement programs to those served by Child Crisis and their employees. There is a profound strength in collaboration and partnership, and we feel honored to be among those chosen to do so with Child Crisis Arizona.”
Beginning earlier this month, The School of Ballet Arizona expanded several of its classes to the East Valley area. These classes include “Dance with Me” sessions for ages 18 months to 2 years old with a parent or guardian; “Creative Movement” for ages 3 to 4; and introductory ballet classes serving students ages 4 through 7.
For adults in the Mesa area looking to get moving and learn new skills in 2025, Ballet Arizona will also add adult open classes to its roster at the center later in the year. Starting Feb. 5, beginner and intermediate Native American Hoop Dance will also make its Mesa debut. Ballet Arizona’s Community Engagement team will bring a series of free specialized classes to the facility, including Creative Aging for seniors and a “Ballet Club” for children served through Child Crisis Arizona starting Jan. 22.
“Child Crisis Arizona is honored to welcome Ballet Arizona to our new Center for Child & Family Wellness in Mesa,” said Torrie Taj, CEO of Child Crisis Arizona, in a prepared statement. “The power of dance goes beyond movement — it nurtures creativity, self-expression, and confidence. By offering Ballet Arizona’s transformative programs to the children and families we serve, we are opening doors to new possibilities and fostering a deeper sense of joy and well-being. We’re thrilled to partner with such a renowned organization to bring the magic of dance to our community.”
Ballet Arizona’s Artistic Director Daniela Cardim said, “Ballet Arizona’s vision is ‘ballet for everyone,’ and this wonderful expansion is taking a significant step toward achieving that vision with this new satellite campus.”
“We are thrilled to bring our world-renowned faculty and teaching artists further into our community with these new programs and look forward to discovering young talent eager to pursue their love for dance. It has been a shared dream to bring the performing arts and dance education into this space. Healthy and vibrant communities have strong roots in arts education. Having access to this serves both Ballet Arizona’s mission, as well as the mission of Child Crisis Arizona.”
To learn more about Ballet Arizona and its new dance studio in the East Valley, as well as the schedule of classes, click HERE.
For more information about Child Crisis Arizona, visit www.childcrisisaz.org.
