Ballet Des Moines opens its downtown studio for classes, no experience required. (Photo: Ballet Des Moines)
By Libby Nichols
Ready to shake up your workout routine? Or spin it? Try a dance class that builds strength, balance, flexibility and coordination, all while reconnecting you with an artform that’s often left behind after childhood.
Ballet Des Moines’ community classes introduce adults to ballet in an entirely new way. Introduced in 2024, the program was designed to make dance more accessible and offer a peek into the company’s downtown studios. Adults can choose from beginner ballet, open-level ballet, mat pilates, contemporary dance and adaptive movement classes, all taught by BDM company dancers. With a drop-in format, participants can attend whenever it fits their schedule, even adding the classes to an existing fitness routine.
For many adults, joining a recreational volleyball or basketball league is an easy and social way to stay active. But for former dancers, or those who’ve always wanted to dance, opportunities to take an adult drop-in ballet class are relatively scarce.
Michael Tomlinson, BDM’s artistic operations manager, noticed this when he moved to Des Moines. He helped design the community program to help fill that gap and introduce more people to the artform.
“Ballet challenges the body in ways people don’t expect,” he said. Dancers engage muscles that often go unused in a traditional gym workout. It’s a workout that strengthens both large muscle groups and the smaller stabilizing muscles that are easy to neglect in traditional fitness routines.
I experienced that firsthand during the Adult Open Ballet class.
As someone who only danced through the end of grade school, I hadn’t stepped into a studio in more than 10 years. I even couldn’t find my old ballet shoes, so I showed up in socks, wondering how much I’d remember. The 90-minute class began with combinations at the barre before progressing to center work with balances, turns and light jumps. I was definitely rusty, but somewhere between pliés and tendus, the muscle memory slowly returned, even if my turnout wasn’t quite what it used to be.
What stood out most though was the mix of people in the room. The class brought together adults of all ages and experience levels. Some had years of classical training and were reconnecting with a lifelong passion, while others had never taken a ballet class before and simply wanted to try a different kind of workout. The instructors met everyone where they were, creating an environment that felt encouraging rather than intimidating.
The classes have also become a gateway to the company itself. Because every instructor is a company dancer, students have the opportunity to see their teachers take the stage in various BDM productions throughout the year. Tomlinson says he’s already seen an uptick in students attending performances to support their instructors, creating a deeper appreciation for ballet while strengthening the connection between the company and the community.
Whether you’re returning to dance after years away or simply searching for an alternative workout, BDM’s community classes offer more than just exercise. They provide a chance to learn a new skill, challenge your body in unexpected ways and participate in the local arts community, one plié at a time.
Consider this your cue. Grab a pair of socks or ballet shoes, and reserve your next workout spot through Ballet Des Moines’ Community Classes and Adaptive Classes.
Libby Nichols is the creator and founder of Meet DSM, an Instagram account and brand dedicated to showcasing Des Moines. She also writes about local businesses and events for dsm magazine.
